CONTACT: Milla Ruane

Millaart@comcast.net

(415) 860-0567

 

EVENT: UNDER THE BIG TOP:

A Fall Open Studios Celebration at Art Works Downtown

 

LOCATION: 1325 - 1337 Fourth Street, San Rafael (Between C and D street)

 

DATE & TIME: 

Friday, November 9th, 5-8 pm

Saturday, November 10th, 11-5pm

Sunday, November 11th, 11-5pm

 

Get festive with ART WORKS DOWNTOWN as it gears up for the holiday season and uplifts the spirit with a brand new joyful circus theme “UNDER THE BIG TOP.” Participating artists invite you to visit over 30 studios housed in a building built in 1878 as Gordon’s Opera House. For more information, contact AWD at (415) 451-8119 or visit www.artworksdowntown.org.

This new event will feature colorful art in all media, live music and performances, clowns, face painting, circus movies, jugglers, magicians and other surprises.

The nonprofit art center is located in downtown San Rafael. AWD’s mission is to broaden and deepen the community’s engagement with the arts by offering art studios, exhibition space, affordable housing, education and outreach.

AWD artists are a diverse group who believe that through volunteerism, collaboration, and promotion of the artistic spirit the community thrives.

 

Participating artists include:


DEBORAH DARLING GRAY

Deborah’s work is charged with energy, depth and boldness. Her lines and bright colors create a spirit of playfulness and harmony. At first, art provided a respite from “the pressure of being a caregiver to her disabled child.” She later found that working with children with special needs enriched her life as well. She feels that painting can be a healing experience and that the process helps the “self soar and thrive”.  Deborah teaches classes on Creativity to adults, children and individuals with special needs at Art Works Downtown

 

STEPHANIE JUCKER

Stephanie was born in London, England where she studied painting, mixed media and printmaking. She later received her MFA in New York before relocating to the West Coast. Her paintings “enter a realm of magic realism where costumed characters balance, juggle and fly and where gravity is optional.” The exuberant colors of the circus are enhanced with sparkle and silver leaf to give that special light found “Under the Big Top.” Her love of screen-printing on clothing and colorful fabric adds another dimension to the lively imagery that raises our spirits.  Currently, she teaches at College of Marin’s Community Education Department and exhibits throughout the Bay Area.

 

MILLA RUANE

Milla’s history as a displaced person, born in Eastern Europe at the end of WWII, has had a profound influence on her artistic vision. Through her art, she tries to evoke the connection we share with each other, the soul of our natural environment and the world we live in. She feels that the joy of painting is magical and allows her to express mood through experimentation and abstraction. Her vibrant dream-like paintings and collages explore the transition of darkness to light. Figures scanned at the airport arrive home with exotic birds and flowers on their bodies -- not guns or bombs. An imaginary door opens to let light in; a young child with flowers in her hair dances through a deep lush green Hawaiian landscape toward a crack of sunshine.

  

MARIN JEWELERS GUILD

The Jewelers Guild is a cooperative of local artists who design and create their own distinctive works of art. The studio glows with bright gems, gold works, woven metal and contemporary shiny silver. Windows change with the colors of the season and reflect the creative and enthusiastic talent of the collective.

Every year the Jewelers choose a non-profit organization and help them raise money for their special fund raising event.  Last year each artist created and cast unique hand crafted jewelry for the Marin Mammal Center. It is the mission of the Guild to sponsor a variety of events  which promote interaction between artists and the community.

 

DAVIS PERKINS

Davis’s landscape paintings reveal the spirit of a powerful force in our natural world.  “Nature at its rawest form” first inspired him. As an artist, he uses the skill of observation to “capture the look and feel of movement in the clouds or a glint of light in the water.”  His art and palette illuminate the beauty that surrounds us. Prior to his becoming a professional artist, Davis was a smoke jumper, firefighter, and paramedic. He still remains a member of the Disaster Medical Team of the Department Of Health and Human Services. In 2010 and 2011 he also served on medical relief missions in Haiti. Davis’ works have been selected by the Alaskan State Museum, and the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum. The National Park Academy of the Arts chose his painting for their “top 100” competition 8 times.

 

Come and meet the artists, appreciate Art Works Downtown’s unique history and labyrinth of studios, and help celebrate this colorful family-friendly event.

 

AWD’s gallery has been voted “Best Gallery” by the Pacific Sun in 2011 and 2012.

"Fly Girls" 40 x 40 paint and collage on canvas by Stephanie Jucker


Painting by Milla Ruane

_____________

Colleen Proppé
Communications Coordinator
colleen@artworksdowntown.org

art works downtown | 1337 fourth street | san rafael  94901 | 415.451.8119