Flying Pigment Studio: A Traditional Roadtrip to an Extraordinary Destination...

A TRADITIONAL ROADTRIP TO AN EXTRAORDINARY DESTINATION

IDYLLWILD, CA, 8/2/09 – What’s more appropriate for a California summer than a road trip? And what better way to end a road trip than by finding treasure at your destination? The Art Alliance of Idyllwild has planned an event that will delight road trippers and treasure hunters alike… the Art Alliance of Idyllwild’s Annual Treasure Hunt and Gallery Walk. Come join the fun, August 8, 2009, from noon until 5pm.

Your travels will lead you up a scenic mountain highway to the mountain town of Idyllwild, where the fresh mountain air carries a hint of pine and cedar. Pick up your treasure map ($3 each or 2 for $5) at the Village Centre gazebo after 11:30 am and plot your course for the day’s adventure. Each Art Alliance member gallery will offer a clue that will reveal one piece of the map. Solve the clue and write down your answer before heading out to the next gallery along the route.

Searching for clues is only part of the fun. In the afternoon, when the completed treasure maps are handed in, the prizes will be announced. This year’s treasure includes: two nights at the Creekstone Inn, two nights at the Quiet Creek Inn, 4 (2 for each day) passes to the Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines festival, 4 passes to the Living Desert, a 3-day camping pass to Lake Hemet Campground, gift certificates from Café Aroma, Arriba and Gastronome and a host of art work from local artists and galleries. Also among the prizes are tickets for the Art Alliance’s Annual Art Walk &Wine Tasting in October.

(Tickets are also available at: http://www.shop.towncrier.com/category.sc?categoryId=15.)

Your journey will reveal some of the finest original art in the region, made in a variety of mediums that include: oil and acrylic painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, furniture and glass art. A small sampling includes:

Visit Everitt’s Minerals and Gallery, to cruise past works of art made of fossil specimens from around the world, including the Sahara Desert of Morocco. Some of the shelled fossils date back 500 million years. Handmade jewelry by lapidary and silversmiths Larry and Janet Everitt will be available as well as ceramics by Idyllwild artists David Salk, Trudy Levy. Also enjoy art gourds by Brigitte Lopez and Elizabeth Green, paintings by Leslie Van Nimwegen, and bronzes by Marcia Cox and Lisa Lindahl.

At Quite Creek Living Room – Gallery and Gifts, the AAI’s newest member gallery, your hunt will lead you to the paintings of Southern California artists Rich Stergulz, Erich Neubert and Paul Strahm. Stergulz’s plein air paintings offer realism with a touch of Russian impressionism. Strahm’s impressionist style features a rich and varied palette and bold strokes of the brush. Neubert uses an impressionist style and sophisticated palette, brush stroke and use of light. Other artists include Arizona raku potter Paula Gregg and photography by gallery co-owner Jim Newcomb.

Flying Pigment Studio’s, resident artist Darcy Gerdes will show a work in progress titled “Wild Solitude. The 12x36’ acrylic on Russian linen will be on the side patio. New art rocks from Idyllwild’s “Rock Lady” will be on display along with a sampling of metal sculptures by Dore Capitani, photographs by local artist Carol Rice, and raku works by Marcia Cox and Jan Jaspers-Fayer.

Dore’s Mountain Metals, at Mountain Center, walk through the art garden and enjoy the creations of artists Dore Capitani and Bill Anson. Mountain Metals features two galleries and hundreds of outdoor sculptures.

The Treasure Hunt and Gallery Walk is part of the Art Alliance’s “Second Saturdays” series, which features a unique art event on the 2nd Saturday of each month from March through October. The AAI’s mission, as a 501(c) 3 organization, is to promote local artists and galleries and to enhance Idyllwild’s reputation as one of the “100 Best Small Art Towns in America,” as named by author John Villani.

On display at Frank Bruynbroek’s Oh My Dog Gallery, is a remarkable photo collection of interesting dogs, along with a combination of street scenes taken throughout his worldly travels. Based on an effort to raise awareness about improper treatment of animals, Bruynbroek’s work is a stirring combination of art, activism and authenticity. His portraits feature rescued dogs as well as pets of famous celebrities.