May 30, 2006 > Tri-City Open Studios tours

by Julie Grabowski

Local artists are busy painting and sculpting in preparation for the Fifth Annual Tri-City Open Studios tour. Sponsored by the Fremont Art Association the weekend of June 3 and 4, over forty Tri-City artists invite the public to witness the creative process in forms ranging from watercolor, oil and acrylic paintings, pastels, silk painting, and photography to ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, mosaic, and fiber arts.

For Cindy Sullivan, one of the Open Studios founders, the most enjoyable part of the weekend is interaction with the community. "I like to meet people and share my passion for art with them." Sullivan, an artist since winning a second grade art competition, went on to take classes at Ohlone College, working in watercolor, pastels and mixed media. She hopes to get the public involved in art, claiming the Open Studios is a great way to network with others who share interests in classes or workshops, or just looking for a fun weekend. She says it can also trigger one's own imagination, "See what's new. It gives you an idea of what you can do."

Barbara Nagel, another life-long artist, sees art as contributing to public education. Allowing the public into the artist's homes creates insight and understanding of their world. "A lot of people are very curious about the lives of artists," said Nagel. "We are willing to open our houses so they can see how these things are done." Nagel thinks people should come to the Open Studios tours to get a feel for an artist's life and to appreciate the efforts involved in the creative process. It's much more than, "Just throwing paint at something."

Fifth year participant, Denise Oyama Miller, is hosting nine artists at 270 Tordo Court, Fremont, where there will be various demonstrations. When looking for art for their homes, Miller says people tend to buy posters to frame or they go to big galleries that can be intimidating. She suggests the Open Studios tour as an alternative, providing a relaxed atmosphere for viewing original artworks available for sale at reasonable prices. Miller says art, "Adds another dimension to your life ... a beauty and richness to your soul."

The Tri-City Open Studios tour will be held Saturday, June 3rd and Sunday, June 4th from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Light refreshments as well as musical entertainment will be offered at many of the sites. An added attraction is the Sunday raffle for prizes donated by participating artists. Tour attendees enter by turning in their tour maps, stamped by each studio they visit; the more sites visited, the greater a chance of winning one of these original works.

Among many prizes will be framed art by Susan Van Wambeck and Johnny Rio; jewelry by Susan Helmer and Deana Miller; ceramics by Kim deYoung; matted prints and originals by M. Barta Atkins, Barbara Nagel, Denise Oyama Miller, Ann-Marie Haley, Rose Sexton, and Donna Sanson; sets of artist greeting cards by Jan Schafir, Therese Ely, Robyn Leimer and Cindy Sullivan; handcrafted wooden ornaments by Ron Newcomb; and drawing supplies by Maureen and Peter Lagenbach.

For tour maps and more information, visit Fremont Art Association Gallery
37659 Niles Blvd., Fremont, or Jan's Art Studio, 38215 Fremont Blvd., Fremont.
Maps will also be available at each studio throughout the weekend.

For more information, call (510) 791-9290 or visit www.fremontartassociation.org.

Tri-City Open Studios tour
June 3 - 4
10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(510) 791-9290

Fremont
Valerie Manning and Carol Pulliam
4669 Deadwood Drive, Fremont
(510) 796-9635
(Oil, watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, photography, pastels)

Jan Schafir, Therese Ely, Dmitry Grudsky, Ann-Marie Haley, Ron Newcomb, Mike Bennett, Marily Thorne, Florence Stronck, Ginny Crozier, Jean Henretty, Pat O'Rourke
38215 Fremont Blvd., Fremont
(510) 791-9290
 (Oil, watercolor, mixed media, sculpture, jewelry, fiber art)

Donna Sanson and Susan Van Wambek
2146 Country Drive, Fremont
(510) 792-3549
(Watercolor, mixed media, pastel, gouche, pen and ink)

Kim de Young, Shweta Agrawal, Rose Sexton, Jacline Deridder
41653 Gifford Street, Fremont
(510) 656-1602
(Oil, watercolor, acrylic, photography, ceramics, works on paper, silk painting)

Johnny Rio
4257 Delaware Drive, Fremont
(510) 656-9364
(Oil, acrylic, mixed media, sculpture)

Maureen Lagenbach and Peter Lagenbach
42348 Paich Court, Fremont
(510) 656-6055
(Watercolor, sculpture)

Akio Aochi, Mary Bobik, Gene Bobik, Margie Dickerson, Yuki Nakanishi
1901 Mandan Court, Fremont
(510) 770-0266
(Ceramics)

Cindy Sullivan, M. Barta Atkins, Susan Helmer
1423 Deschutes Place, Fremont
(510) 651-5685
(Watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, works on paper, jewelry, silk painting)

Denise Oyama Miller, Simone Archer, Donna Arrillaga, Gene Arrillaga, Adriane Dedic, Wendy Olson, Deana Miller, Judith Oyama Olson, Melissa Olson
270 Tordo Court, Fremont
(510) 651-8593
(Watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, photography, computer art, ceramics, mosaics, sculpture, jewelry, fiber art, works on paper)

Barbara Nagel and Maria Grazia Romero
1401 Lemos Lane, Fremont
(510) 656-0344
(Oil, acrylic, mixed media, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry, works on paper, giclees)

Robyn Leimer
47131 Yucatan Drive, Fremont
(510) 656-4939
(Oil)