Exhibit

January 2020 | Member Showcase

October 11, 2019 by Cameron Kelly

117 artists of all media have kicked off Chico Art Center's 64th year by sharing a sample of their art practice. Whether an artist is a novice or pro, it is always a courageous and generous act to make one’s personal creation public for all to consume. Visitors have a chance to see what studio artists, both regional and national offer up.

Reception: Friday, January 10, 5-7 pm

This exhibition is generously sponsored by Cris Guenter.

Deliver artwork January 2-5, 2020 | Entry is free with $40 membership | Pick Up February 1-2

Chico Enterprise Record Article

December 2019 | The Gift Show

October 10, 2019 by Cameron Kelly

Artists sell handmade goods and artwork for the holiday season.

Think global. Buy local.

November 30 - December 27, 2019

Reception: Saturday, November 30, 10:00 am-1:00 pm

Meet the makers over nibbles and drinks.

Facebook Event

Annai Smith

Nora Pineda

Debbie Chamberlain

Dina Andretta

Mo Martin

Patty Margetts

Nancy O'Neill

Lauren Mesa

Wendi Bucey

Michael Gabriel

Wendi Bucey

Heidi Ann Hovey

Annai Smith

Heidi Ann Hovey

Lori Robinson

Morea Martin

Barbara O'Brien

Sally Dimas

Jessie Mercer

Retta Wilmarth

Tin Tiara Studio

Norma Lyon

Richard Lea

Annai Smith

Artists: Rent a Space in the Gallery

Want to sell your wares all month but don't have the time to tend a booth? Reserve a space in our gallery!

Rental Fee: $125, $150, $225 depending upon space location. Reserve By: Nov. 27

Space Sizes: Wall space units: approx. 48” wide from floor to ceiling with 24” floor space; Floor space units: 5’ square.

Install: Monday-Friday, November 25-29, during gallery hours

Reception: Saturday, November 30, 10:00am - 1:00pm

Take-Down: Sat-Sun, Dec. 28-29, from 10 - 4 pm

Reservation is first-come-first-serve. Artists may share a space with an additional $25 processing fee. Docents monitor the gallery and make all sales transactions. Cash, check and credit are accepted. Artists are encouraged to gallery sit; help customers, wrap goods, etc. Space location is confirmed at end of sign up period as locations may be adjusted for optimum placement.

Visit or Call the Front Desk to make a reservation (530) 895-8726. Download an entry form here.

November 2019 | Dia de los Muertos Art & Altar Exhibition

October 10, 2019 by Cameron Kelly

Local artist Janice Hofmann is making 86 ceramic birds, one for each life lost in the Camp Fire. Rolled up in the heart opening of each bird, she will place a victim's published Enterprise-Record obituary. (Robin Epley -- Enterprise-Record)

HONORING OUR DEPARTED

November 1-22, 2019

Those that have passed are honored in portraits, still lives, a community altar and a special installation of ceramic birds dedicated to each person lost in the Camp Fire, by Janice Hofmann.

Reception: Friday, Nov. 1, 5-7 pm

$5 Tastings with salad & drink.

Learn about the tradition of “La Ofrenda” (the altar) at 6pm. Live music by the Trinity Accordion Group.

Maria Shahid, Sabìas que...? Magazine

A TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS OF THE CAMPFIRE

This year's exhibition will include a large installation by Janice Hofmann. 85 ceramic birds, one for each life lost in the Camp Fire. Rolled up in the heart opening of each bird, she will place a victim's published obituary. Devin Peterson, who lost his home and metalsmith shop in the fire, forged steel "tree" panels for the birds to perch in.

EXHIBITING ARTISTS

Christian Garcia, Emmanuel Garcia, Marion Hunziker-Larsen, Joan Goodreau, Christine Connerly, Dylan Tellesen, Janice Hofmann, Jilly Mandeson, Ann Erpino, Arthur Lemner, Stefanie Prado, Amalia Crumm, Carolyn Mcleod, Victoria Davila, Carolyn Arredondo, Corla Bertrand, Robin Cox, Debbie Chamberlin, Martin Jimenez, Cynthia Schildhauer, Butte College Drawing Students

Personal altars and drawings by Bidwell Jr. High School students are included on the Community Altar in the exhibition. View more student altars here.

With support from the California Arts Council, CHICO ART CENTER is implementing BLAST-Art, an afterschool program that helps students think critically about cultural sites and cultural practices and their own school’s increasingly multiethnic community.

Many thanks to all the generous people who volunteered to make this annual community event and exhibition happen: Carolyn Arredondo, Marion Hunziker-Larsen, Roots Catering, Melinda Vasquez, Victoria Davila, Maria Shahid of Sabias Que? and , Richard Robinson, Connie Chapman, Malama MacNeil of Death Cafe, Lisa Freeman-Wood, erin wells, Trinity Accordion Group and all the artists that entered artwork!

OPEN CALL for ART

Entry Fee: $25 Member/$35 Non-Member/$10 Students for up to 3 artworks

Drop Off: Sunday, Oct. 27, 5-7pm & Monday, Oct. 28, 12 - 4pm

Pick Up: Nov. 23-24

Read an article about the history of momento mori art

CHILI COOK OFF

Friday, Nov 1 - 5 pm to 7 pm
Dia de los Muertos Art Exhibition Reception

$5 chili tastings with a side salad and drink. A variety of traditional chilies, as well as vegan, white chili and others with surprise ingredients.

Vote on these 3 chilies by assigning them with 3, 2 or 1 point.

This will be the 3rd Chili Cook Off Competition held at the Chico Art Center in conjunction with the Dia de los Muertos Art Exhibition and Community Altar. There will be a prize for every chili entered with a grand prize winner. 7 to 9 chilies will be chosen.

Each chili entered will have a name tag with the chili name, list of ingredients and a rating as the heat level. We will keep the name of the cook a secret, as not to throw the votes. The chili with the largest number of points will be the grand winner. Ballots will be accepted until 6:15pm. At 6:30 pm, we will announce the makers of the chillies, the winner of the grand prize, and distribute all the prizes.

This is a fun event. To enter, contact Marion Hunziker-Larsen at marion@jewelsinfiber.com or (530) 722-1160, and provide her with your chili name and the ingredient list.

All Chilies entered are to be brought to the Chico Art Center in a slow cooker, hot and ready to serve at 4:30 pm, Friday, Nov 1. Chico Art Center volunteers will provide the chili toppings bar, plus the side salads.

October 2019 | Open Studios Art Tour

October 10, 2019 by Cameron Kelly

Open Studios Art Tour is an annual Butte County tradition. Artists share their private studios with the public to explore. This month-long event series is produced solely by Chico Art Center (CAC) volunteers as our major fundraising project of the year. Your participation and patronage pledges your commitment to visual artists in your region and helps make CAC's programming possible all year. Many thanks to our sponsor, Heithecker Financial and local businesses advertising in the Tour Guide Booklet. We hope you'll support local artists and businesses with your patronage.

OPEN STUDIOS ART TOUR Weekends

October 19-20, 10:00am - 5:00pm

October 26-27, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Open Studios Art Tour is a two-weekend event. Visit Artists in their environment as they share their behind the scenes, studio practice and welcome you to buy paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, furniture, jewelry, woodwork, stained glass and other handcrafts. Over 60 artists participate.

Relax and refresh at participating Eateries and enjoy art too! Look for the FORK icons on the tour guide map.

GALLERY EXHIBIT

October 6-27, 2019

View one artwork by each artist, buy a tour guide booklet and plan your self-guided tour of artists’ studios throughout Chico and parts of Oroville. Free and open to the public.

38989800_2153731101532751_6271003477405597696_n

37587983_2091893667799792_5862090589025075200_n

Chris Kaufman/Appeal-Democrat
Waif Mullin, of Chico, with his bird Pappi, will have a show of his pastel work at The Theater Gallery on Plumas Street in Yuba City.

Guide Book with Map

Purchase for $12 at the following locations

Chico

Great Northern Coffee

Vagabond Rose Gallery & Framing

Ellis Art and Engineering, Downtown

Sally Dimas Gallery

Chico Paper Co.

Art Etc.

Chico Art Center

Oroville

Broken Color Gallery

Kick-Off Reception

Friday, October 18, 5:00-7:00 pm

Free and open to the public

Meet the makers and view one artwork by each artist, buy a tour guide book and plan your self-guided tour of artists’ studios throughout Butte County. Complimentary food and beverages.

Karma Boyer

Melinda Vasquez

Erin Wells

Dave Dragoman

Rachelle Montoya

Bobby Rae Jones

Susan Kirk

Jason Tannen

Dory Schachner

Cris Guenter

Grizzelle Canter

Michelle Heckel

Kristen DeMartiniCarlos

Christine Connerly

Orene Owen

Ana Aquire

Jamie Albertie

Richard Balch

Janet Lombardi Blixt

Butte College Art Department

Grizzelle Canter

Chunhong Chang

Christine Connerly

Sheryl Cummings

Vicki Lea Eggen

Bill Flake

Sten Hoiland

Marta Hopkins

Kandis Horton-Jorth

Lynette C. Hull

Marion Hunziker Larsen

Cassandra Kassel

Elizabeth Kuiper

Nicolai Larsen

Dave Lawton

Jana Lawton

Richard Lea

Patti Lloyd

Mains'l

Morea Milgrom Martin

Candy Matthews

Dolores Mitchell

Waif Mullins

Jeffrey Obser

Amber Palmer

Joyce Quaytman

Ron & Yvonne Schwager

Jon Shult

Justin Silver

Kathryn Silvera

Joan Smith

Lynn Smyth

Sopo Boho

Nancy Spinadel

Isabella Stewart

Jason Tannen

Lori Tennant

Ann Winnie

Jim Woronow

Patron's Exclusive Preview Reception

Saturday, October 5, 6:00-8:00 pm

This is the first public view of artworks by all Open Studio Artists. The $30 tickets to attend include the Open Studios Tour Guide with map and info of all of the artist's studio locations ($12).

With musical stylings by premier surf instrumental musicians, Miles Corbin and Robert Karch. Enjoy Surf Music Duo with catered drinks and refreshments.

10 Patron of the Arts will be honored to celebrate generous community support and love of art and creativity!

Purchase Tickets Here

Artist's Portal

Registered Artists, click here for important dates and reminders

PROGRAM SPONSOR

March 2020 | Furlandia

April 12, 2019 by Cameron Kelly

*Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the gallery was closed March 18th. Please take a virtual tour below and enjoy the exhibit online.

March 7 - May 29, 2020

If you love whimsical art and animals, this exhibit featuring zany portraits and 3D pop-out paintings by Ana Nelson & Phil Dynan is for you. Chico Art Center recognizes longtime members and dedicated animal rescuers, rehabilitating over 400 animals in our region.

Reception: Saturday, March 7, 2-4 pm

Bring the kiddos to the daytime reception for sweet treats and pose with a cut out of a furry friend!

Article in Chico News & Review by Carrie Wilson | Feature in Action News Now by Lorraine Dechter

Donate to Accidental Animal Rescue Center

"Bunny" was left tied to a tree on a one-foot chain. She was abandoned and it took about three weeks before she was found. She had been eating tree bark and was severely dehydrated. She now lives with the artists.

Most of the animals that show up at the Rescue Center have been badly abused, abandoned, or both.

They usually have some emotional baggage and it takes months for them to develop trust. But eventually most do get to a happier place. These two found each other and that made a difference for them.

Spot had been badly abused and took some “sorting out” - mainly love and patience.

He has been re-homed and has become a trusting and loyal companion in his new home.

Nugoro is a miniature Mediterranean Donkey who is in charge of the fire break around our studio. A very happy guy who loves bananas as a treat.

Not really a smoker and not really a goat, she is a Barbados Sheep who likes the glue in cigarette butts.

"Gertie" is a mule, long-ago retired and happy to supervise the chickens!

Contact Gallery Director, Cameron Kelly to purchase artwork ckelly@chicoartcenter.com, text/mobile (415) 823-4418

"The Free Clinic", Acrylic on canvas, 60x20", $1800. Based on the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic, the artists have converted it to a Free Clinic for animals. Nugoro (the donkey) is one of the animals from the artists’ Accidental Animal Rescue Center. Alberta (the cat) is another rescue, frequently seen in paintings by Phil & Ana. Every animal has their own story of how they got to the Rescue Center.

"Blanco Bronco Bad Boy", Acrylic on canvas, 36"x12", $595 Blanco is all dressed up with no place to go. This mischievous goat is always getting into trouble, so his new obsession with "fashion" is probably a good distraction for him.

"Alberta's New Pink Heels", Acrylic on canvas, 36x20", Sold. Alberta is wearing the latest in plaid leisure wear under her luxurious fur coat. But it is her new pink high heels that has the town talking. In the background, the Sacramento Delta and in the far distance, Mt. Shasta.

"A Sheep Can Dream, Can't She?", Acrylic on canvas, 36x20", $595. "Bunny" is a Barbados sheep. She came to us pregnant from a neighbor who didn't want her. She has a lovely personality, but we suspect that she has other plans for her life. She frequently climbs to the top of the chicken coop or the grain storage shed.

"Ronin on a Starry Night", Acrylic on canvas, 36x20", $595. Inspired by Magritte and Van Gogh, Ronin is depicted floating in his dream.

"Mouse House", Acrylic on paper, 20x30", $675. The architecture in Furlandia is based on the work of Gaudi. Nugoro (Mediterranean Donkey) stopped in Spain on his way ro America and fell in love with the shapes of the building. The poor mice that live in the house sandwiched between a Galerie and a Disco have a very rough go of it.

"Galerie Marcel DuChat", Acrylic on canvas, 48x24", $900. An original painting featuring mini versions of the Mad Cat series.

"The Blue Queue", Acrylic on paper, 25x19" framed, image 17x13", $475 A Group exhibit at the Blue Line Gallery in Roseville features the work of a renouned cat portrait painter, Felix Van Dyke. The animals have painted themselves blue in honour of Felix’s famous “Blue Period” and are queued for the opening Artist Reception, eager to meet the artist. Each secretly hopes to be the next subject of one of Felix’s portraits, but alas, Felix only paints the mad cats from his local pub.

"Beach Hotel", Acrylic on paper, 25x19" framed, image 17x13", $475 Cats and dogs flock to the French Riviera in the summer and swimwear is important. Mimiana, the dachshund, is definitely thinking in terms of fashion this year. Frida and Kozo are more into “functional” swimwear and find “Mimi” slightly irritating. She seems to be taking forever deciding whether she likes this year’s red and green striped attire.

The Catfe", Acrylic on paper, 25x19" framed, image 17x13", $475. Little Frida is standing outside the Catfe, wondering if she might be allowed to buy a Cat-A-Chino. But are dogs allowed? Judging from the ferocious looking doorcat, it is a legitimate question! But after a very polite request, Frida was allowed into the Catfe where her friend Alberta treated her to a dawg lotte.

"The Gift Shop", Acrylic on paper, 25x19" framed, image 17x13", $475. In Furlandia the gift shop is essential! Birthdays and holidays are important to everyone and gift giving is a well-established ritual. Toys are for the young and old - they stimulate thought and creativity. In this original painting, Kozo, the black cat, is seriously considering a wind-up car - a gift to himself?

"Shady Rest Full Gospel Church on old Highway 99", Acrylic on paper, 17x20" with red enamel frame, $285. By Phil Dynan

"Happy Donkey", Nugoro is a miniature Mediterranean Donkey who is in charge of the fire break around our studio. A VERY happy guy who loves bananas as a treat. He is a very social guy and follows us constantly. If I am working on fencing in the pasture, I have to keep an eye on tools. He will pick one up and taunt me til I chase him down. Acrylic on board, 16x20" $245. 8x11" Acrylic on canvas, in pink enamel frame, $225 5x7" print framed, $25

"Smokin' Goat", Acrylic on board, 16x20" $245. Not really a smoker and not really a goat, she is a Barbados Sheep who likes the glue in cigarette butts.

"Kiss the Sky" One of our goats listening to Jimi Hendrix.

The lovely "Alberta" is one of the most popular rescues at the Accidental Animal Rescue Center. 5x7" print framed $25 12 x 18", print on canvas $95.

"Ella - A Chico Dog", Acrylic on canvas, 30x24", $395, Ella was seen sitting in a parked car. She seemed to be begging to be let out, but windows were half down and there was a dish of water beside her, so she was well cared for by her owner, who turned out to be a clerk at the hardware store Phil & Ana were shopping in.

"Gertie" is a mule, long-ago retired and happy to supervise the chickens!

"Talented Cow", Acrylic on board, approx. 18x20", $245. One of the cows on the range near our studio who shows promise as an entertainer or possibly a Facebook “influencer?

"I'm Listening", Acrylic on board, 14x11", $195. Inspired by a sheep living near Ely in the UK. Phil saw the goat while at a running event - 30 miles across the fens in Northern England.

"Talking to you" , Acrylic on board, 14x11", $195. A friendly goat that lives in Sweden. He is especially sociable and has a lot of friends in his neighborhood.

"Baby Horse", Acrylic on canvas, 36x24", $395.

"Ronin, A Pig's Best Friend", Acrylic on board, approx. 12x18", $195.

"Cow 223", Acrylic on board, approx. 18x20" $245. Also known as the hot chocolate cow because the ranch hands milk her into cups of Cocoa on Sunday mornings.

"Ice Cream Dog", Acrylic on canvas, 36x24", $395

"Cogburn", Acrylic on canvas, 18x30", $295.

"Spot", Acrylic on canvas, 25x30", $395. Spot had been badly abused and took some “sorting out” - mainly Love and Patience. He has been re-homed and has become a trusting and loyal companion in his new home.

"Bunny", Acrylic on board, 16x20", Sold. Bunny was left tied to a tree on a one-foot chain. She was abandoned and it took about three weeks before she was found. She had been eating tree bark and was severely dehydrated. She now lives with the artists.

Smokin' Cow who don't really smoke...

"Happy Sheep", Acrylic on paper, 17x21" in purple enamel frame with black matting, $395. Most of the animals that show up at the Rescue Center have been badly abused, abandoned, or both. They usually have some emotional baggage and it takes months for them to develop trust. But eventually most do get to a happier place. These two found each other and that made a difference for them.

This exhibit is very unusual because it includes their new 3D, Reverse Perspective, painted sculptures they call “viewer interactive art”.

The concept behind the sculpture is the brainchild of London artist Patrick Hughes, well-known, world- wide for his amazing sculptures. Dynan and Nelson have been working with Hughes for the past three years and this will be the first time showing the sculptures in an exhibition. “The art has motion and also morphs as the viewer changes positions,” explains Dynan, “and the more the viewer gets into the art, the more they appear to be dancing. They want to figure out how it is done. They will twist sideways, jump up and down, walk back and forth and try to approach the art (which is a little disorienting).”

“But it is impossible to understand the concept completely. It is a combination of geometry, math, science and a little bit of magic. “ Dynan adds.

There are several videos on Youtube showing the work that Dynan and Nelson have done, but the artists both quickly point out that a video only gives a viewer a “feeling” for what the sculptures are like. Seeing them in person is the only way to get the full effect.

All of the art in the exhibit is related to the Rescue Center that the two artists have had for the past ten years. Portraits include goats, dogs, cats, cows, a donkey, a llama, chickens and other animals.

“People started dropping off animals at our art studio (rural) about eleven years ago”, Anastasia says, “at first it was just a few kittens, then goats, llamas, dogs, and, well, it just turned into a zoo.”

To support the animals (food and vet bills) the two artists started painting pictures of the animals. It proved to be very successful and popular and they expanded into selling notecards as well. There is a section within the exhibit where people can pick out a card or print with their favorite animal. Proceeds from the exhibit will go to the artists' Accidental Animal Rescue Center.

For more information about the artists, visit http://www.blueoaksarts.com/

September 2019 | AUGMENTED

December 20, 2018 by Cameron Kelly

Experience Art & Design in Virtual Space

September 6-27, 2019

Opening Reception: Friday, Sept 6, 5-7 pm

The exhibition features art prints, graphic novel illustrations, comic books and wine labels enhanced with 3D animations and sound. Visitors use the iPads installed in our gallery to view animations and (sometimes) sound that is meant to enhance your viewing experience.

You may also use your personal smart device (iPhone, Android, iPad, etc.) to download the apps listed on the wall labels to experience the exhibition.

"By fusing two-dimensional visual art with computer-generated augmentations such as overlayed animations and audio soundtracks, the artists explore formerly flat and static imagery from varying perspectives and bring the viewer along for an interactive ride...

For an exhibit that features so many applications, Chico Art Center has delivered a very cohesive, and immersive, experience. It’s both aesthetically marvelous and educationally enlightening. Well worth the visit." Read more of the CN&R article

Prosthetic Reality - An Augmented Reality Art Book by EyeJack from EyeJack on Vimeo.