FresnoArts Monthly
August 2007 Edition

There are tons of art and culture events that are happening this month that you would not want to miss. Aside from this Thursday's ArtHop, we have performances by Loren Pickford at the Fresno Art Museum (Aug. 16), Jeremy Pearce's Elvis in Hawaii show at the Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater (Aug. 6-7), and the last installment of Willy Wonka at the Cal Arts Theatre (Aug. 3-5). Since we are still working on our Art events calendar, you could visit Fresno Famous calendar for a list of other events in the area.

ArtHop is Thursday, August 2nd

Visit the Fresno ArtHop website at www.fresnoarthop.org for details on participating art venues who are open for July ArtHop. Here are the links to the most recently updated pages plus an online map of participating venues.

North Fresno:

Most recently updated | Online Map

Downtown Fresno:

Most recently updated | Online Map

Central Fresno:

Most recently updated | Online Map

South Fresno:

Most recently updated | Online Map

Downtown Clovis:

Most recently updated | Online Map

Arts & Culture Events

1. Patrick Contreras at The Crossroads

Catch Patrick Contreras at The Crossroads (Cedar and Shields) this Saturday, August 4 at 9pm. Patrick is performing with his American Gypsy Band; and for those who have not heard Patrick play, just imagine him on a violin with a huge band of timbales, congas, drums, violins, keyboars, bass, guitars.. a fusion of styles, think.. Gyspy Kings, meets Santana, meets Jimi Hendrix...all on a violin!.

2. Portal to Technopolis

Sierra Vista Mall is proud to partner with the City of Clovis Portal to Technopolis Public Art Project. Because technopolis has much to do with the creative process, local artists, both professional and amateur, have created individual art pieces using one common theme - Doors.

Now through August 5, 2007, you can view the works of adult and children's "Portals" throughout the mall during regular mall hours. Make it part of your August ArtHop stop.

On Sunday August 5, please join us at Center Court when Sierra Vista Mall hosts an auction of all Portal to Technopolis entries. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Fresno Arts Council and Clovis' Police Activities League (Clovis PAL).

For more information on the Portal to Technopolis, please contact Shawn Miller at (559) 324-2083 or email him at shawnm@cityofclovis.com.

3. Fulton Plaza Thursdays

If you do not feel ArtHopping on a Thursday afternoon and just want to relax and listen to a band at the Fulton Mall, head on over to the Fulton Plaza Thursday event. It features live music, food vendors, and a beer garden. This Thursday, Black Sheep and Papa Bear & Company will be on the stage, performing from 5 - 9 pm.

Visit the Downtown Fresno Association for more information.

4. Save the Date: October 19 & 20

The Central Valley Dance Conference is just 10-12 weeks away... Chris Howell has been busy preparing for what Fresno Bee has dubbed "The United Nations of Dance". The show will be held at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Downtown Fresno. Participants in this dance conference include African, Mid-eastern, Zumba, Filipino, Irish, Folkloricos, Hmong, Javanese, South Indian, and Mexican performers.

Of course, Chris could always use some help. Please assist her in pushing this vision of dance celebration and diversity through in-kind, service, or cash donation. Visit the website for more information.

Arts in Video

Aileen Imperatrice Mini-documentary

Take a moment to watch the YouTube mini documentary about Aileen's life and art. This great video was produced and created by her good friend and arts
internet marketing guru Marcel Nunis and features the music of Kien Lim.

Call to Artists

1. Application for “Art & Jazz Fest” (juried) on Friday, September 21, 2007 at the Washington Square Shopping Center at Champlain & Perrin, Fresno,  is now available at Park Avenue West Interiors. E-mail Maria Contreras for the application.

2. Artworks will be holding their 8th Annual Fine Art Show at New Covenant Church on September 15th, 2007. Artists who may be interested in participating should contact Jean Preston at jfpsculpt@sbcglobal.net or Tel. 431 1012 for an Entry Form. The show will be juried, and all details will be posted along with the Entry Form.

Reminder . . .

If you are an ArtHop venue, please remember to strictly adhere to FAC's ArtHop guideline on serving alcoholic beverages to your visitors. Here's a tip: one of the ArtHop venues serve drinks from one corner of the gallery and respectfully ask for identification from their visitors. That makes it a bit easier to enjoy ArtHop...

Please Support

The Golda Foundation has published a book, “Vali Myers-A Memoir” by Gianni Menichetti. To purchase a copy of the book by credit card, please go to: www.goldafoundation.org.

What's New!

1. Grants for California Artists.

The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) has launched the “Investing in Artists” grants program initiative for California artists.

Read more about it.

2. Request for submissions to Exhibit at Fresno City Hall

The Fresno Arts Council (FAC) is accepting submissions from artists, art groups and art organizations to exhibit at Fresno City Hall from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 exhibition schedule.

Read more about it.

Featured ArtHop Venue

1. MILANO Pizzeria presents

MARY LOU BRINICH

Mary Lou will be exhibiting paintings, drawings, prints and ceramic representations of flowers. Please come by and meet the artist and enjoy the reception and art.

Visit Milano's web page.

2. Gallery 25 presents

Doug Hansen and Tina Niswonger

Two Gallery 25 artists will exhibit illustrative paintings of the Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes and compelling woodcut imagery for the month of August.

Visit the Gallery 25 web site.

3. Studio 1922 presents

Jonathan Benton Prince

Come by and meet the artist, enjoy the reception, view the great ART, live poetry, live music and special guest DJ Basik.

Visit the Studio 1922 web site.

4. Fig Tree Gallery presents

Bill Bruce

Bill Bruce will be exhibiting an eclectic combination of paintings, three dimensional works, and photographs at Fig Tree Gallery (Van Ness and Mono) during August. Opening at ArtHop, 8-2-07, with a reception and conversation with the artist, on Sunday, 8-5-07 from 1 till 3 pm.

This promises to be an exciting and provocative art experience. This exhibit will carry on his tradition of somewhat edgy art for your enjoyment.

Visit Bill Bruce's website.

Other Events

August 3, Friday, Creative Fresno's Blender at The Downtown Club

For August the Creative Fresno Blender will be stirring things up at The Downtown Club! That's right, The Downtown Club has graciously agreed to open its doors for the Blender and you! What a great way to meet the club's members and see first hand the changes Chris Shakelford and his staff have made to bring the club into the 21st century while maintaining the old world charm its famous for.

August 3, Arte Americas' Nights in the Plaza Every Friday Night

Continue the party! Arte presents a young and energetic family group consisting of five Herrera brothers and their younger sister, who play various styles of traditional Mexican music: huasteco, jarocho, and norteño; a style that just fits the Plaza.

Website: www.loshermanosherrera.com

August 10, Friday, Fresno Filmworks presents "The Valet" at the Tower Theatre

This new farce from Francis Verber ("La Cage aux Folles" and "The Dinner Game") combines hilarious slapstick with quick-witted dialogue as a valet at a posh Paris hotel gets caught-up in an industrialist's sneaky infidelities. In French, with English subtitles.

Tickets can be purchased at the Tower Theatre Box Office, 815 E. Olive Ave., The Movies, 1435 N. Van Ness Ave., WineStyles in Fig Garden Village, and at the door, for $10; $8, for students and seniors.

For more information call the info line at (559)221-0755, or visit fresnofilmworks.org.

August 11, Saturday, Annual Storyland and Jazz Event

Saturday August 11th at 6:30 pm is the annual Storyland and Jazz event, with proceeds to benefit Storyland, held at Storyland, Roeding Park.

This is always a sold out event, but there are still some tickets left if you act quickly! For $50 you can come enjoy the food of many restaurants, partake in silent auction activities, dance the evening away to the coolest band, "No Prisoners," and remember what it was like to wander around Storyland as a kid.

Contact Deborah McHenry at dgm17us@yahoo.com, and she will be happy to get tickets to you!

Fresno Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves the Arts community within the City and County of Fresno. We are passionate about Arts and Culture.