Have you seen the mural going up on the back wall of the Veterans Memorial Building? Be sure to take a quick peek when you drive by the building on East Street.
Hollister, California is a real town that has been around since the 1870s. Unlike the fictional town created by a corporate clothing company, Hollister is no where near a beach. The town is about 45 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. Seagulls occasionally make their way over the mountains. Hopefully, they are able to find their way back.
Showing posts with label local art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local art. Show all posts
Monday, January 30, 2017
Marching to the Dug Out
Have you seen the mural going up on the back wall of the Veterans Memorial Building? Be sure to take a quick peek when you drive by the building on East Street.
Labels:
art,
downtown Hollister,
Hollister,
local art,
Looking Up,
murals
Monday, November 30, 2015
Loving the Children' Art
School: Mi Escuelita Pre-K |
Some awesome artwork is currently on display at ARTspace (240 Fifth Street) in Downtown Hollister. Each painting is bound to melt your heart. I dare you to go look for yourself and not say "Aaaaaaah!" Or, "How cuuuuute!"
School: Little Baler |
Sponsored by the San Benito County Arts Council, the 4th Annual Children's Art Exhibition goes through December 12, 2015. School children from different local schools painted pictures inspired by children's books, such as Winnie the Pooh, The Little Prince, and If You Give a Moose a Muffin.
School: Calaveras TK |
All of the paintings are on sale. Proceeds go to the San Benito County Arts Council's Arts in Education Program. Any one of the paintings would be a wonderful fun gift for art lovers and children's book fans.
School: Calaveras TK |
ArtSpace is open from 12 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, December 5, and Saturday, December 12. For other gallery hours, call 831-636-2787 or email info@ sanbenitoarts.org.
School: Little Bridges |
Labels:
365(2015),
art,
art gallery,
downtown Hollister,
local art,
San Benito County,
schools
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Whoooooo
ARTspace, that's who. Okay, what, for all of you grammar experts who are shuddering right now. (grin)
ARTspace is the art gallery, 240 Fifth Street (east of San Benito Street), owned by the San Benito County Arts Council. That's where you can find this cute white owl on display in the ARTspace window.
Starting this Saturday, November 28, will be the 4th Annual Children's Art Exhibition, which will display art work by local schoolchildren. This year's theme is "The Art of Books!" The exhibit will run through December 12.
On Saturday, from 3 to 5 p.m., ARTspace will hold an open reception. For more information, check out the San Benito County Arts Council website or Facebook page.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
The Big Fish of Aromas
The next time you're in Aromas, about 18 miles to the west of Hollister, check out the huge, cheerful, colorful fish hanging out in the Aromas Town Square Park. It's bound to put a smile on your face.
The mosaic fish made up of smaller fishes was created by over 200 Aromas residents and friends. The story goes that the Aromas Fraternal Order of Eagles thought it would be a great idea to have public art on display in the community park. So, naturally, the Eagles approached the Aromas Hills Artisans. They brainstormed and brainstormed. Then, pop! Big Fish in a Small Town.
The perfect idea was inspired from a trip Aromas artist and resident Tina Baine took to the Camcheon Culture Village in Busan, Korea where she saw an art display of a big fish made up of smaller fishes that looked like the big fish's scales. The art project began in November, 2014.
Residents gathered at community events, such as the Aromas Grange Breakfast, and at community venues, such as Aromas School, as well as at homes to paint little fishes. On April 12, 2015, the gorgeous Big Fish was installed in the Aromas Town Square Park, across from Aromas Library.
Very cool!
To see more photos of the Big Fish in a Small Town, check out this page at the Aromas Hills Artisans website. Also, check out this interesting article by Tina Baine about the Big Fish project and the inspiration behind it.
Today, I'm linking up at Our World Tuesday. Come check out what bloggers are posting about their part of the world, by clicking here.
Monday, July 27, 2015
Fremont Memorial Tunnel
A long time ago, a tunnel was built beneath Fourth Street so that schoolchildren could safely cross the busy street to go to and from Fremont School, which used to be where the present-day courthouse stands.
Recently, a mural honoring the memory of Fremont School and the schoolchildren was painted on the Fourth Street underpass. It's an amazing mural, full of life and brilliant colors.
For more about the mural, check out this story by John Chadwell at BenitoLink.com. And, to check out another Downtown Hollister mural designed by Arturo Rosette, click here.
Today is the Monday Mural meme, hosted by Oakland Daily Photo. Click here to check out other murals from around the world.
Labels:
365(2015),
art,
arts,
downtown Hollister,
history,
Hollister moments to love,
local art,
local people,
murals,
schools
Friday, April 24, 2015
U is for. . .
Utility boxes.
Last December, the City of Hollister funded a project to paint murals on five plain utility boxes throughout Downtown Hollister. The murals, painted by Joel Esqueda and Rolan Resendiz, local artists, depict various cultural aspects of Hollister and San Benito County.
The mural on the utility box at the northwest corner of South and San Benito Streets celebrates cowboys and the annual rodeo.
At the northwest corner of North and San Felipe Streets is another utility box with a colorful mural. It honors the Ballet Folklorico, a traditional Mexican dance performed at local festivities.
On this utility box is a poem by local award-winning poet Rachelle Linda Escamilla. It reads:
"Our hands, like water,
shape the land.
Our bodies split
the grassland;
this valley
a labor of love."
~ Rachelle Escamilla
Click here to find other A to Z challenge participants. |
Labels:
365(2015),
April 2015 AtoZ challenge,
art,
downtown Hollister,
local art,
murals
Monday, August 11, 2014
Veterans' Mural on Third Street
Last month, artist Philip Ray Orabuena and his friends painted a mural dedicated to the Veterans of the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars on the retaining wall at the bottom of Park Hill on Third Street. Check out their story at BenitoLink: "Veterans' Mural Makes a Statement" and at San Benito County Today: "Painting the Town Patriotic Through Mural".
Below are close-ups of the 105-foot long mural. Before you take a look, I'd like you know that I'm hooking up this post at Monday Murals. If you'd like to see murals from other parts of the U.S. and the world, click over to this link after checking the close-ups of the Veterans' Mural.
Labels:
365 (2014),
art,
arts,
downtown Hollister,
Hollister,
local art,
murals
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Coming Up: Flower Tours in San Benito County
April showers bring May flowers. Okay, we didn't get many April showers this year, but there are still many May flowers to behold. And, over the next two weekends, a couple of flower rambles are available for your pleasure.
May 12 in Aromas
Featuring Artists in the Gardens is the theme of the Aromas Country Garden Tour this Saturday, May 10, in Aromas, about 17 miles west of Hollister. Sponsored by the Aromas Hills Artisans and the Arts Council for Monterey Council, this annual event will run from 10 AM to 4 PM. Participants will be able to take a self-guided tour through ten gardens, including cottage gardens. Master gardeners will be available to answer questions. In addition, artists will be showing and selling their paintings, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, and other art works along the garden paths.Tickets are $15 each or $25 for 2 persons. Tickets are $10 for seniors, who are 65 years or older, and members of the Aromas Hills Artisans. Both tickets and tour maps will be available on May 12 at the Aromas Community Grange on the corner of Rose and Bardue.
For for information, visit the Aromas Hill Artisans web site or read Aromas Country Garden Tour 2014 at the Times Publishing Group web site.
May 17 in San Juan Bautista
Did you know that San Juan Bautista has many heritage roses, some of which were planted in the mid-19th century?The opportunity to learn about the heritage roses at the San Juan Bautista District Cemetery will be available on Saturday, May 17 when the San Juan Bautista Heritage Rose Group offers a free Heritage Rose Tour and Propagation Workshop. Leading the walking tour will be Jill Perry, the Curator of the Collection at the Heritage Rose Garden in San Jose. Also on hand to assist her will be Jeri Jennings, the National Convener for the Heritage Roses Group.
The tour will include collecting rose cuttings for a propagation workshop to be held at the historic Marentis House on 45 Monterey Street.
The tour will start at noon at the bottom of the cemetery at 70 Monterey Street. The propagation workshop at the Marentis House will be from 1:30 to 3 PM.
Participants are requested to bring a hat, water, pencil, and paper. If interested, participants can also bring clippers and gloves. For more information or to sign up for the tour, email Wanda at wguibert (at) gmail (dot) com or call her at 831-623-1672. Preregistration for the tour is not required.
Labels:
365 (2014),
Aromas,
Events,
gardens,
local art,
local nonprofit groups,
San Juan Bautista
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Field of Kale, at Near Dusk
The Husband and I ventured over to the First Friday Art Walk in San Juan Bautista yesterday afternoon. At the Mission Gallery, we listened to artist Micah Schwaberow describe the traditional Japanese moku-hanga woodblock technique that he used for his woodblock prints. He showed us the various woodblocks he carved for China Cove, Morning Light and the stages on paper of getting the colors, lighting, depth, and all that he wants to have in his print. The work is precise, complicated, and, I thought, very exciting.
Listening to the artist and viewing at his work and those of other artists were quite overwhelming to our senses. The idea to visit all of the galleries went out the window. We could always come back on the next art walk or just another day. After all, San Juan is only several miles away.
Well, okay, we did go into one more gallery, the Rare Light Gallery. Wow! Wow! Wow! said the Husband and me as we walked over the threshold and were struck with awe at the extra-large prints of amazing photos by owner Larry Gerbrandt. I love how he captured the wonder of light in his photos. Check out, for example, his online gallery featuring San Juan Bautista.
Mr. Gerbrandt told me that the best time to take photos is at dawn and dusk. He said that he doesn't shoot between 10 and 4. Silly me. I told him how photos I took on a slightly overcast day looked great. He shook his head. By the time we left the gallery, I had a new mantra, not between 10 and 4.
So, of course, on the way home on Highway 156, I leaned out the window and took photos. And, yes, the Husband drove.
Labels:
365 (2014),
art gallery,
Events,
local art,
San Juan Bautista
Friday, May 2, 2014
Finding Fortune in San Juan Bautista
This sign welcomes folks to Bella Dona, A Visionary Vintage Shop, on Polk Street in San Juan Bautista. Cool message, huh? I look forward to checking out the shop the next time I'm in San Juan. According to its Facebook page, Bella Dona is a retail co-operative, and this Sunday (5/4) it's holding a Vintage Market.
By the way, here are a few other events happening in San Juan Bautista today and this weekend. Lots of joy to be found at each one.
- May 2: First Friday Art Walk, 4 to 7 PM
- May 3: Living History Day, 11 AM to 4 PM
- May 3 to 4: 30th Annual California Indian Market and World Peace Festival, 10 AM to 7 PM
- May 4: California Airedale Terrier Club Spring Walk, 10 AM to noon
Labels:
365 (2014),
Events,
local art,
local business,
San Juan Bautista
Monday, April 28, 2014
Another Aromas Artist
Frank Romero is another Aromas artist who showed some of his works in the Open Studios Art Tour this weekend, which was sponsored by the San Benito Arts Council. Yesterday's post showed works by two other Aromas artists. Here's that link.
Aromas has a very strong artist community. To learn more, visit the Aromas Hills Artisans website.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Open Studios Art Tour in San Benito County
Today is the second day of the Open Studios Art Tour. Artists in Hollister, Aromas, and San Juan Bautista invite one and all to visit them at their studios to view their works—paintings, prints, sculptures, jewelry, mosaics, and so on. It's from 10 AM to 4 PM. Head over to the San Benito Arts Council website for a map.
A friend and I visited several of the artists in Aromas yesterday. Wish I had thought to take photos earlier.
Labels:
365 (2014),
Aromas,
Events,
local art,
San Benito County
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Colonial Cleaners
Friday, March 7, 2014
Muffler Art
This cute guy always makes me smile every time I pass by Hollister Muffler & Quick Lube on the corner of San Benito Street and South Street. Wouldn't you?
Two years ago, Hollister Muffler & Quick Lube had this art work on display. |
Labels:
365 (2014),
local art,
local business,
quirky stuff
Sunday, February 23, 2014
A Night of Music
Last night, the Husband and I attended "A Night of Music" at El Teatro Campesiño in San Juan Bautista. What a joyful night! The event showcased many local musicians.
The evening began with a premiere of Voices, the collaborative works of Emiliano Valdez and Michael Annotti, which they developed in partnership with Mr. O's Academy of the Arts and the San Benito County Arts Council. The songs of Mr. Valdez and Mr. Annotti were inspired by stories of many of the residents of San Benito County. One song, for example, was about working in the canneries. Their CD will soon be released.
Playing out the night was Mr. O's Jazz Band, under the direction of Mr. Joe Ostensen. As always, Mr. O's band, composed of teenagers and adults, were grooving and moving the audience away.
Here are some links to check out the sounds of these wonderful local musicians:
- Michael Annotti
- SoMoS, which features Emiliano Valdez on guitar and vocals and Michael Annotti on keys
- Mr. O's Jazz Band
Labels:
365 (2014),
Events,
local art,
local musicians,
San Juan Bautista
Monday, February 17, 2014
Radiator Guy
You can't help but smile when you see this piece of art waving "hello" from the side of the road. Haven't seen it yet? Look for it the next time you pass by 733 San Felipe Road, the building just after the Chevron Station.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
2014 Calendars
I'm hawking wares today. Calendars, they are. Three of them in fact. I designed three calendars featuring many of my Take 25 to Hollister photos, which are available for sale at Zazzle.com
Click on the links below to see the calendars. Today, the calendars are being sold at 40% off the regular price of $24.20. And, no doubt, Zazzle will have some kind of discount throughout this holiday season.
Thank you for checking them out!
Click on the links below to see the calendars. Today, the calendars are being sold at 40% off the regular price of $24.20. And, no doubt, Zazzle will have some kind of discount throughout this holiday season.
Thank you for checking them out!
Saturday, October 19, 2013
First Annual San Benito Olive Festival
Click here to go to the San Benito Olive Festival website |
Agriculture has been the largest industry in San Benito County since. . .forever. In 2012, the industry grossed over $297 million, according to the San Benito County Agricultural Commissioner. That's definitely a big WOW! This includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, livestock, poultry, honey, whole grains, and nursery stock. It's only befitting that come October 19, 2013, we will be celebrating the abundant bounty of our land with the first annual San Benito Olive Festival.
It will be one humdinger of a gourmet celebration. Here's just a few of the olive oil producers, wineries, food artisans, restaurants, and merchants who will be participating: Brigantinto Olio de Oliva, Sons of Sicily, Oils of Paicines, Pietra Santa, Guerra Vineyards and Groves, Casa de Fruta, Marich Chocolates, San Benito Tea Company, Running Rooster, Paine's Restaurant, Grillin & Chillin, M&M Plant Sales, Soul Sweets, San Benito Bene, and McAbee Feed.
Food demonstrations will be given by foodie legend Dorothy McNett and the chef team of Gene Sakahara and Sam Bozzo (aka SakaBozzo). Other food demonstrators will be Chef Maurizio Cutrignelli of Maurizio’s Restaurant in Morgan Hill and Chef Matt Woolston of Supper Club/ Matteo’s in Sacramento.
Mr. O's Jazz Band, David Huboi and The Architecturals, RetroSpect, and Workhouse Poets will be some of the bands playing throughout the day. Other live entertainment will be offered as well.
Click here to go to the San Benito Olive Festival website |
When: October 19, 2013, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Paicines Ranch, 13388 Airline Highway, Paicines 95043, about 12 miles south of Hollister (Did you know that Judy Garland and Sid Luft got married at this working, historic ranch in 1952?)
How much: General admission tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. VIP admission is $30, which includes access to the wine tasting.
You can purchase tickets online at Eventbrite.com. Tickets are also available at the door.
Why: The San Benito Olive Festival (SBOF) is a not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to promote awareness and appreciation of the region's world-class culinary agriculture and premier artisans and to help support community causes with festival proceeds.
Program Schedule
The Music
11 AM to 12 PM -- Mr. O's Jazz BandThe Olive and Cooking Demonstrations
12:30 to 1:30 PM -- Retrospect
2:00 to 3:00 PM -- David Huboi and the Architecturals
3:30 to 4:30 PM -- Workhouse Poets
11:30 to 12:15 -- Don Landis, The Olive Guy
12:30 to 1:15 -- SakaBozzo, chef duo featured at the Gilroy Garlic Festival
1:30 to 2:15 -- Matt Woolston, chef/owner of Matteo's Pizza and Bistro and Supper Club in Sacramento area
2:30 to 3:15 -- Dorothy McNett, Central Coast Foodie, Chef and Instructor of the Cooking Club in Pacific Grove
3:30 to 4:30 -- Maurizio Cutrignelli, chef/owner of Maurizio`s Italian Restaurant in Morgan Hill
For more information about the first annual San Benito Olive Festival, visit www.sanbenitoolivefestival.com or its Facebook page.
Hope to see you there!
Disclosure: Just so you, dear readers, know, I'm volunteering on the SBOF's marketing committee. Hello, FCC: No money or free products were given me to write about the upcoming gourmet celebration.
Monday, July 8, 2013
"Freedom, Rebellion and Adventure"
Who else agrees that the Hollister bike rally was fun and well-run?
Congratulations to Mark Cresswell of Worldwide Dynamics for doing a wonderful job organizing and managing the 2013 Hollister Rally. Much appreciation also goes to our new Hollister Police Chief David Westrick for such a great job leading law enforcement for the event. And, many thanks to the thousands of visitors over the last few days to our city. Hope you enjoyed your visit.
The motorcycle rally may be over for this year, but the biker-inspired exhibit, Freedom, Rebellion & Adventure, continues at the Blak Sage Gallery until July 20, 2013. The exhibit includes works by Rob Campbell, creator of the "Keeping Up with Jones" comic strip, photographs by Michele Esposito, and sculptures by Paul Loughridge. Take the time to enjoy it, the next time you're in downtown historical Hollister.
Loughridge inspires me to try my hand at putting together odds and ends of metal things to create something spectacular. Something I've never done before. My favorite Loughridge sculpture is called "Evolution (bone/wrench)", which he created out of a vintage bicycle tank, meat grinder handle, flex gas line, propane carb, toilet seat hinges, and a turkey baster. Brilliant! My second favorite is the red truck in the photo above.
The Blak Sage Gallery is located at 727 San Benito Street (east side of the street between 7th and South Streets). The gallery is open Wednesday and Thursday, 1 to 5 p.m.; Friday, 1 to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 12 to 5 p.m. For more info about the artists, check out San Benito County Arts Council Facebook page.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Neighborhood Art
The artist was a young teenage girl, who glanced at us briefly from her new creation in progress. Her father was very proud of her talent and skills, as he smiled broadly first at his daughter and then at us while we appreciated her sidewalk art.
Labels:
art,
local art,
local people,
neighborhood walk
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