Martha Friedman, Noodle, Cast polyurethane, pigment, rope, steel, 40 in. x 43 in. x 11 ft. (height variable), Courtesy the Artist and Wallspace, New York, NY

Thank you for helping to spread the word about the Youth Docent Crew (YDC) program at the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum (CAF).

YDC application DEADLINE EXTENDED

This post is the first of a couple that will highlight great opportunities for young artists. If you are a young, up-and-coming artist, this mentorship provided by The Arts Fund is a way to get some very unique professional experience from an expert. Mentorships are provided in 6 specialized fields. I’m getting the word out a bit late in the game, the application deadline is a week from today. So, if you are just hearing about this for the first time, it is time to get a move on.

Please pass along the word to any young artists you might know. You can download the application here.

The Arts Fund is proud that it is offering 2 NEW MENTORSHIPS in CREATIVE WRITING and POETRY in addition to Bronze Casting, Contemporary Painting, Digital Documentary Photography and Mixed Media.  The 2012 Teen Arts Mentorship class descriptions and applications are now available on our website: www.artsfundsb.orgSTUDIO 240 will be the host of our Creative Writing mentor class this spring, and we are excited about our new partnership with Santa Barbara’s largest commercial photography studio and fantastic event space!                        www.240studio.com Other 2012 sponsors include: Art Resources, MacMechanic, Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, Santa Barbara Foundation, Towbes Foundation, and Wood-Claeyssens Foundation

It has been way too long since I attended an art opening at Art From Scrap. For one reason or another, the openings seemed to conflict with some other obligation. Well, I’m making the extra effort to head over there tomorrow night to see this show by this prolific local family. They have been a large part of the local art community for a long time, and each of them brings their own wonderful talents to their work. I’ve seen their work all over town in public spaces and at any number of group shows around town. This will be a great opportunity to see a concentrated exhibition.

Details below. See you there.

Gene Pool Retrospective Exhibition: Alf Ramirez, Colleen Kelly, and Isabella Kelly-Ramirez

Artist’s Reception: Friday, January 13, 2012 from 5:00 to 7:00

AFS Gallery

302 East Cota St. Santa Barbara, CA J

EMAIL: afsadmin@artfromscrap.org

WEB: www.artfromscrap.org

Gene Pool- A Family Retrospective at AFS Gallery

SANTA BARBARA: Gene Pool an exhibition featuring the work of Alf Ramirez, Colleen Kelly, and Isabella Kelly-Ramirez opens at the AFS Gallery on Friday, January 13, from 5:00-7:00 pm.  A family exhibition; Ramirez and Kelly are married, Isabella Kelly-Ramirez is their daughter, Gene Pool promises to highlight the commonalities and differences of this artistic family.

Mary Price, curator of the exhibition says “I am delighted to present this group retrospective of a very talented and interesting artist family. Alf’s wonderful assemblages intrigue me because they are so meticulous and humor filled. Not many people are aware of his older work, because these secret marvels have been hidden away in specially-made crates in odd corners of the family home. Colleen is amazing and very prolific. I was motivated by the idea of placing many pieces of her assemblage work together in the gallery because, through them, you can feel her high energy and attention to detail. Izzy is becoming well-known in the Los Angeles art community, as well as in Santa Barbara. She’s a very charming and promising artist, and I’m delighted to have her drawings and collages alongside her parents’ assemblage work.”

Alf Ramirez has a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.   His work in Gene Pool consists of highly crafted, intricate mixed media assemblage.  Some of the pieces include carving and casting on a small scale.  Ramirez says, “Language can be a jumping-off point for some of my artwork, starting with the title. I aspire to poetry in that regard, however, the end result is often prose.  The work is basically an exploration of my personal history and exploration of life in the United Sates and in California in particular.”

Colleen Kelly is currently working in assemblage, printmaking and bronze-casting. Her art revolves around the themes of housing, architecture, social, political and environmental issues.

A well-known Santa Barbara assemblage artist herself, Kelly is excited about Gene Pool.  Kelly explains, “Over the years I’ve collaborated with and been influenced by my artist-husband Alfred Ramirez. It’s really gratifying to see him get his work out there.”

Isabella Kelly-Ramirez’s artwork is usually figure-based with surreal and expressionistic qualities combined. Inspired by her early involvement of theatre, parade, and masquerade, Kelly-Ramirez is interested in depicting characters by way of pattern, texture and cosmetic color palettes.

She elaborates, “I grew up with artists in a house that was and still is one big studio. My artistic style is a hybrid from both parents. The color, pattern and whimsy come from my mom. The gesture, line, and dark irony comes from my dad.”

Mark your calendars! Friday, January 13^th is opening night for Gene Pool; the show will hang through February 25^th, 2012^.  This event is free and open to the public.

About Art From Scrap: Art From Scrap is Santa Barbara’s Environmental Education and Art Center.  The AFS Gallery is located upstairs at Art From Scrap. Summer Gallery Hours: Tues. Wed. Fri. and Sat.-10-3, Thurs. 10-6.  Rotating shows hang throughout the year bringing together art lovers, collectors and local artists.

Artist’s Reception: Friday, January 13, 2012 from 5:00 to 7:00

AFS Gallery

302 East Cota St. Santa Barbara, CA J

Jill Cloutier:             (805) 884-0459       x13

EMAIL: afsadmin@artfromscrap.org

WEB: www.artfromscrap.org

Anyone who has read this blog over the past year or so will know how many times I have gushed over the wonderful shows that have taken place at MichaelKate Interiors under the curatorial care of Brad Nack. The next show in the space will be a Valentine’s themed show and the call for submissions has gone out. This is a chance for all of you artists out there to get your work in front of some of the largest crowds of art-lovers in town. But there is an added bonus in the form of store credit at MichaelKate! I’m agnostic when it comes to the importance of Valentine’s Day, but this is a reason to be genuinely excited.

Good Luck to the artists. I hope to see you all at the show. Details below.

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MichaelKate Interiors and Art Gallery Presents…

I am in LOVE – Art contest and open call to artists.

Art must be submitted by 6pm, Monday January 30th, 2012

Feb. 6 – April 1, 2012 Opening Reception Friday Feb. 10, 7-11pm

Angels, Arrows, Hearts and Cupids
A re-working of the cliche’s of art.

1st Prize $1,000. store credit at MichaelKate Interiors and Art Gallery.
2nd Prize $500. store credit at MichaelKate Interiors and Art Gallery.
3rd Prize $250. store credit at MichaelKate Interiors and Art Gallery

You are invited to create and submit artistic re-working of images of the cliche’s of love.

Get ready for the Valentines Day celebrations, paint a green cupid, turn that angel into a demon, sculpt rubberized love arrows or take photos of broken hearts. Our Judge will select pieces for inclusion in the show and prizes, based on creativity, emotion, desire, passion and point of view. Acceptable formats include paintings, drawings, college, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, photography.

Small work and large work acceptable, however, no work over 10×20 feet, no sculpture or ceramic work over 150 pounds, no pornographic, violent or racist, work.

It’s all about love.

Art must be submitted by 6pm, Monday January 30th, 2012

Brad Nack Curator

Details here.
http://mkiart.tumblr.com/

MichaelKate Interiors and Art Gallery
132 Santa Barbara St. Santa Barbara Ca. 93101 (805) 963-1411