IDYLLWILD, CA, 9/23/08 – Each year, on the first Saturday in October, lovers of art, music and fine wine gather in the mile-high town of Idyllwild to celebrate their passions. This year’s festivities mark the 11th year of the tradition that is the Art Alliance of Idyllwild’s Annual Art Walk and Wine Tasting.
The event was thought up by local gallery owners, in an effort to draw art Lovers to Idyllwild. It has evolved into one of the most celebrated events of the year.
“It is our largest event of the year and promises to be a spectacular one,” said AAI President Lon Mercer. “We will have representatives from wineries who belong to the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association placed at all of our gallery locations.”
This year’s Art Walk takes place on Saturday, October 4. Meet at the town center at 2pm to pick up the commemorative wine glass that serves as your ticket. Then, spend the next three hours wandering through the alpine village, enjoying the scent of pine and cedar that helps set the tone for the day. You may want to take advantage of the complimentary shuttle that stops along the gallery route.
Representatives from nearly 20 wineries will be on hand to delight visitors with their new releases and some old favorites. Wineglasses can be purchased online, through the Idyllwild Town Crier web site, for $25.
The Art Walk is the year’s finale of the Art Alliance’s “First Saturdays” series, which presents an interesting art event on the first Saturday of each month from March through October. Proceeds from the event support arts education in Idyllwild. The Art Walk helps fund the smARTS program at Idyllwild School and also goes toward scholarships at the Idyllwild Arts
Academy.
AAI galleries go all out in presenting exclusive art displays of painting, sculpture, glass art and more.
The artist members of Idyllwild’s Courtyard Gallery welcome artist Nel Ivancich, of Pinyon Crest, CA. At times, her work captures the essence of the wilderness area of the Santa Rosa Mountains, where she lives. Other times, her paintings ponder the mysteries of the universe.
“A few of my paintings relate to the possibility of unfolding mysteries gleaned from the Hadron Collider,” said Ivancich. “At this stage of my life, it doesn't take much to excite my curiosities.”
Courtyard visitors will view her exhibit, "Above, Below, Beyond " while listening to the lively sounds of "Rumble Chicken." The members of this popular group are: Sue Parker, Pete Holzman, and Alex Watson.
Up the street, the
Keifer Gallery and
Cafe Aroma will host a wine tasting in Keifer Gallery courtyard. The gallery will feature wine still life paintings of Thomas Arvid along with Clifford Bailey and owners Kathleen and Jim Keifer. The Keifers will also host a trunk show of acclaimed Los Angeles jewelry artist Linda Kail. The fun continues into the evening with an art exhibit with the theme, "Wine, Women, and Song."
At
Artisans Gallery, owner/artist Steve Taylor will display work that illustrates his love of wood, a trait Taylor says he inherited from his father who was a fine woodworker. Taylor crafts gnarled manzanita into items like corkscrews, bottle stoppers, candleholders, and clocks. He shows the unique qualities of the wood by slicing it open to reveal its deep red core.
Musician Lois Sheppard will serenade guests with her recorder, playing the perfect variety of music to set the mood for fun.
At Flying Pigment Studio Gallery, AAI member artists, including artist/owner Darcy Gerdes, Kathleen Chaney, Dore Capitani, Carol Rice, Jan Jaspers-Fayer and Marcia Cox. The artists will show new work in acrylics, oil, photography, raku, bronze and art rocks. The eclectic mountain boutique gallery features an outdoor art garden and a work patio where you’re likely to find one of the artists at work.
The
Idyllwild Gallery of Fine Art welcomes glass artist Mark Hines for a special presentation of all new work entitled “Finishing Touches.” A self-taught fused glass artist, Hines’ work has been featured in Architectural Digest, selected by Henredon Furniture and sought after by furniture and fabric designer Marge Carson. At the Art Walk, Hines will introduce his new collection of vases, wall pieces and candleholders.
Be sure to visit:
Everitt’s Minerals & Gallery – featuring "Feats of Clay", fine ceramics and famous clay baskets by David Salk as well as art gourds by Brigitte Lopez and handmade stone and silver jewelry by owners Janet & Larry Everitt.
Florist In The Forest & Gallery – showcasing the fine multi-media works of Donna Lori Parker.
Four Corners Fine Art Gallery – with paintings by owner and AAI Artist of the Year for 2005 and 2006 Elena Kern. Kern’s work is strongly influenced by watercolorist Percy Gray and the work of early California Plein Air painter and family friend Granville Redmond. Kern’s love for her native California can be seen in her oil landscapes.
L’Image Art Galerie – offers ever changing works in acrylics, oils, giclees, collage, monotype, raku, photography, bronze casting and constructions. Local artists Claudine Barrett, Marcia Cox, Cathy Kelly and artist/owner Denise La Force
La Petit Galerie – presents the art of owner and artist Holly Wojahn. Wojahn’s work is greatly influenced by the time she lived in France. Her work is infused with color, expression and “joie de vivre” that is reminiscent of Matisse, Dufy and Picasso. La Petite Galerie is a whimsical, French-flavored experience.
Mountain Metals – invites you to explore the two galleries and unique outdoor art garden, that winds across seven acres of mountain beauty. Mountain Metals will show the work of local artists, including four AAI Artists of the Year.
Oh My Dog Gallery – features the splendid black and white photography of renowned photographer Frank Bruynbroek. Bruynbroek specializes in portraits of rescue dogs and candid shots of dogs around the world.
Singerton Gallery – is the new gallery on the block, which brings together a colorful variety of media including paintings, sculpture, glass art and jewelry, designed and created by owners Ron and Darla Singerton.
Two Babes in the Woods – will be showcasing new work from their family of artists
Flying Pigment Studio Gallery
P.O. Box 1557
54325 North Circle Dr.
Mile Hi Plaza, Unit 101
Idyllwild, CA 92549
951.659.4010
Marcia's artwork is surrounded with the essence of Idyllwild of raku' with romantic images embellished natural finds within nature.
Dore's work features strong metal designs correlating within his vision of complete mastery of the element.
Kathleen is known as the "Rock Lady of Idyllwild" a resident artist creating her collectable one-of-a-kind hand painted rocks.
Artist Darcy Gerdes also will be showing a painted bison skull, " Cosmic Ocean" her first in a 3-D showing.
