Mar. 1 EXHIBIT RECEPTION NEWS 

Hope you were able to attend CHAC's 7th Anniversary reception last Friday evening in our Point Arena art gallery.  As with all our monthly receptions highlighting a special activity or a new exhibit, local friends and travelers turned out for the enjoyment of perusing the art, talking with the artists, meeting friends, and enjoying food snacks and drinks provided by the gallery--including champagne for this event!  Accompanying this post is a video of the event, including interviews with some of the CHAC member artists at the event.

See right column for more details of the exhibition.

 LAURA LEIGH, QUILTS,

& KRISTEN HOARD, METAL SCULPTURES

 A new exhibit, Feb. 1 - 24, with an opening reception for the artists on Sat., Feb. 2, 5 - 7 p.m.  Guest artist Laura Leigh has some gorgeous quiltwork to exhibit, and Kristen is a new member of the collective whose earlier exhibit of her work in metal sculptures and steampunk specialty was an outstanding success.  See the above video for a short clip of Kristen and her work at that exhibit.  She will have some new work to show us at our February exhibit.  Come out and meet these two wonderful artists and have them walk you through the display and discuss the work if you'd like.  Food and drink will be made available by the collective and the featured artists.

Mermaid in blue sea

Octopus 

Paris, in steampunk 

HATZ GALLORE - A POP-UP VENDOR IN GALLERY

Be sure to check our gallery's current pop-up event, HATZ GALLORE, featuring Mary Thomas' hats for women, with original, one-of-a-kind designs, handmade, high fashion creations. The pop-up inventory will remain on sale through business hours for December, so there's still time for your holiday shopping. Check out our video showing Ling-Yen modelling a variety of hats as Mary comments on the design features. Shopping hours at the gallery are Thursday through Mondays, 11 AM till 5 PM (closed on Christmas)

GERALDINE LIABRAATEN 

Visual Poetry in Photographs

We are pleased to announce a new member of our Collective, Geraldine Liabraaten.  Geraldine has a unique approach to selecting and framing her subject to give a uniquely poetic composition that will resonate with the viewer.  Here are a few words from her to describe her art:

There are many inspirations for the images I capture: poetry, architecture, automobiles, parking garages...pretty much anything can make me grab my camera and start shooting.

I love color, diagonal lines, and rich patterns. The final work may look quite different from the original object, as I like to move in close, grab a corner or change the angle of view, though I do not alter the photographs once taken.

I want to make you wonder, to ponder, and then to have that “aha!” moment when recognition strikes. 

We invite you to stop by our gallery and view some of Geraldine's work, and perhaps visualize the dramatic effect they may lend to an area in your own home.

ANDREA POLK - EXPRESSIONIST PHOTOGRAPHER

Coast Highway Artists Collective welcomes a new member, Andrea Polk, a superb expressionistic portrayer of urban, architectural, industrial, rural, and environmental themes, that are both exciting and meditative, at once.

 Andrea’s introduction to photography began at Georgetown University, where she acquired extensive training in color darkrooms along with photography classes. That experience inspired her particular interest in vivid, manipulated color, and “painterly”, abstract photography images. Drawing from a minimum of five photo editing applications, she produces each image as a time-consuming labor of love.  Attracted to such disparate subjects as old cars and motorcycles, atmospheric city streets, and scenes from nature, her travels, through the United States, Canada, Central America, Northern Africa, England, Ireland, Japan, Western and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, and her desire to craft representative images has been guided by the essential principle that “in photography, light is the magician”.

The advent of digital technology has vastly expanded the art, bringing new creativity to the medium and making it accessible to an astonishing number of people around the world. One of Andrea’s favorite images, taken in Sharm El Sheikh, depicts a fully veiled Saudi Arabian woman, with holding an iPhone in one hand and a “state of the art” Nikon in the other.

We invite you to observe and enjoy some of Andrea's work now on exhibit in our gallery.

Art Gallery Grandeur

Feathered Collaborators

Kiosk Sentries

SPECIAL CHAC HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW - DEC. 1 - 30 

INCLUDING WORK BY GUEST ARTISTS: GRETCHEN BARTON, CERAMIC MUSHROOMS; PERI NESS DeFAY, ASTRAL GEMS; AND LENA BULLAMORE, PAINTINGS

CHAC will have an opening reception on Dec. 1, Saturday, from 5 to 7 pm.  Come and meet the artists, enjoy going over the wonderful display of work by the guest artists, as well as the CHAC member artists, especially chosen to suit the holiday spirit and your gift-giving considerations.  You will enjoy the Pop-Expressionism of our local guest artist, Lena Bullamore--selected paintings are shown below.  

We also want to invite you to the Dec. 15, Point Arena Hometown Holidays event, where local merchants and the CHAC gallery host special evening shopping hours from 3 to 7 pm.  The CHAC gallery will be open all that day from 11 am to 7 pm.

Another feature during the Holiday shopping season is a pop-up fashion show by Hatz Gallore, with Mary Thomas, to be held in the CHAC gallery on Dec. 6, during our regular gallery hours of 11 am - 5 pm.  Please join us for this exciting fashion event.

Pop Art by Lena

Pop art by Lena

Deborah Threlkel, Abalone Queen Jewelry -Carolyn Zeitler, Woven Baskets

The October show will be on exhibit from Oct. 5 until Oct. 28. Regular gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 284 Main St., Point Arena, the little red building with the big yellow sun next door to the Redwood Credit Union.

The Coast Highway Art Collective in Point Arena ushers in the fall with an opening reception exhibiting intricately woven baskets and delicate abalone jewelry. The show features the distinctive works of local artists Carolyn Zeitler and Deborah Threlkel. An opening reception for the show is on Friday, October 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, located at 284 Main St., Point Arena. The public is invited to meet the artists and enjoy a glass of wine and small bites.

Carolyn Zeitler graduated from San Jose State University in 1976 with a degree in ceramics and weaving. She began working as a United State Forest Service fire look-out in Big Sur in 1979 and started making baskets with the native Coulter Pine needles. Her baskets evolved, as a kind of marriage combining her two loves – clay and fiber.

Deborah Threlkel, aka the Abalone Queen, began making jewelry 20-years ago. Seven years ago, when she moved to the Mendocino Coast, her focus honed-in exclusively to abalone jewelry. Threlkel creates unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry influenced by the structure, color, texture and iridescence of the shells and stones she works with. An inveterate collector, she is continually inspired to turn treasure polished smooth by the ocean into wearable works of art

  

Brenda Philips - Chris Grassano

Pottery and Oil Painting Artists

Into The Wild

Natural beauty of Mendonoma featured in new art show

A new art exhibit opens at the Coast Highway Art Collective in Point Arena on Saturday, September 1 from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring new and favorite works by local artists Brenda Phillips and Chris Grassano. Working with the theme “Into the Wild,” Phillips and Grassano explore wildlife as art and inspiration. 

Phillips is well known in the area for her beautiful functional ceramics and her technical skill with glazes. She often uses molds of animals and objects found in nature to add texture and contrast to her pieces. Creativity is a hallmark for Phillips, who created a mold of an elephant from her mother’s bookends and applied it to canisters and bowls. Using shells she has collected over time, Phillips created various molds and applied the results to larger bowls and platters, adding texture and interest. In addition, Phillips has designed a series of soup or salad bowls using fish molds she designed herself. Phillips says “my favorite design is octopi on plates, which are purple on a black background.” 

Sharing the opening with Phillips is Chris Grassano, who lives in Cazadero. Her life-like oil paintings of birds and animals are so realistic, viewers almost expect the creatures to fly or run right off the canvas. Grassano explains "My oil paintings of nature focus on the birds and animals I encounter near my home under the Redwoods and throughout the North Coast. My goal is to capture in paint, the feeling of excitement and wonder in the moment the I first see the animal. I hope my images translate my deep love of the natural world so that those who view these paintings get these same wondrous feelings.

"Tasty snacks, wine and beverages will be available during the opening reception on Sept. 1.  “Into the Wild” will be on exhibit from Sept. 1 – 30 at the Coast Highway Art Collective, 284 Main St., Point Arena, the little red building next to the Redwood Credit Union. Regular hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to relax in the garden at the front of the building while enjoying the paintings, textiles, photography, woodwork, jewelry and greeting cards inside. For additional information, see the website at  www.coast-highway-artists.com. 

Please mark your calendars and join us at this fun opening exhibit for Brenda and Chris.  Stay tuned and come back here to our home page for more examples of the artists' work and further details.

Emma Hurley & Debbe Hull Exhibit Reception

Fri. Aug. 3, was the CHAC gallery's open reception for the new August Exhibit, featuring local visiting artists Emma Hurley and Debbe Hull. It was a wonderful evening, and we had a very good turnout by local and touring art lovers. We've tried to capture some of the enthusiasm and inspiration of the artists in a short video as they walk us through the highlights of their exhibit pieces. For those who missed the reception we hope you will drop by the gallery on any Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM, during the entire month of August. The artists have set some very reasonable prices for their superb work.

AUGUST EXHIBIT - DEBBE HULL & EMMA HURLEY

 Debbe and Emma are two invited local artists who have exhibited earlier in the CHAC gallery and have been very popular with patrons of the gallery.  Debbie creates the most exotic, exciting lampwork beads jewelry that might be found, anywhere, including at the most tony, boutique shops here, or in mysterious foreign bazaars!  And all are attractively priced and within sensible budgets for gift giving.  Emma's ceramic ware exhibits all the hues of the ocean and seashore, and may be embellished with attractive drawings of maritime life. She also designs and produces marine life themed wearing apparel, and donates a portion of her earnings to marine sustainability non-profit organizations.  Mark you calendars for the exhibit opening, Friday, Aug. 3, with a reception from 5 to 7 PM.  Our receptions are always well attended by locals and visitors.  Food and beverages are provided by the gallery, and the featured artists.

Debbe Hull's Themed Necklaces

Debbe Hull's Pendant Necklaces

Debbe Hull's Lampwork Beads

 Ceramic bowl by Emma

 Ceramic pot by Emma

 Ceramic kelp cup by Emma

LS tee shirt with fish prints by Emma

 VIEW THE MICHAEL CONNOR COLLECTION

Michael is one of our newer, local member artists.  Michael is a well known American artist best known for his abstract painting projects. His work uniquely examines the relationship between form and fluidity. Come by our gallery and see some of his paintings.  The following are selected from his wide collection; those currently on display are chosen especially for this month's exhibit.

Whalalaland: Rolling. 30X48 Acrylic on Canvas

Whalalaland: Rough Waters. 30X48 Acrylic on Canvas

Into the Wild

Coast Highway Art Collective

Opening reception for two artists and a group exhibit at The White Cap Café

The Coast Highway Art Collective in Point Arena ushers in the fall with an opening reception exhibiting intricately woven baskets and delicate abalone jewelry. The show features the distinctive works of local artists Carolyn Zeitler and Deborah Threlkel. An opening reception for the show is on Friday, October 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, located at 284 Main St., Point Arena. The public is invited to meet the artists and enjoy a glass of wine and small bites.

An additional show featuring the works of all Collective member will be on exhibit during the month of October at the White Cap Café during regular café hours. The café is located at 35509 Hwy. 1 (630.46 mi) in Anchor Bay. Visit their website for more information at www.facebook.com/whitecapcoffeeandtea.

Carolyn Zeitler graduated from San Jose State University in 1976 with a degree in ceramics and weaving. She began working as a United State Forest Service fire look-out in Big Sur in 1979 and started making baskets with the native Coulter Pine needles. Her baskets evolved, as a kind of marriage combining her two loves – clay and fiber.

She has worked exclusively with pine needles for close to 40 years.  Zeitler says “My only tools are my hands and a needle. The repetitive rhythm of the stitches becomes a kind of meditation. It’s amazing that one can take a material as mundane as a pine needle and create something that celebrates its beauty and strength. There are inherent limitations to the medium that create a challenge to search beyond its boundaries for something that reflects both the tradition of craft and the innovation of art.”

In 2016, Zeitler spent three months in Japan, culminating years as a passionate student of Japanese culture, art and language.  There, she studied the language and absorbed the culture. “My new works incorporate my love of Japanese language, Japanese calligraphy, haiku, papermaking and pine needles, of course. I love this new direction. It opens up a whole new way of using color, text and designs that was not possible just using pine needles,” says Zeitler.

Deborah Threlkel, aka the Abalone Queen, began making jewelry 20-years ago. Seven years ago, when she moved to the Mendocino Coast, her focus honed-in exclusively to abalone jewelry. Threlkel creates unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry influenced by the structure, color, texture and iridescence of the shells and stones she works with. An inveterate collector, she is continually inspired to turn treasure polished smooth by the ocean into wearable works of art.

Threlkel sources the majority of the shells by beach combing the Northern California coast. She also uses vintage and exotic shells and beads from places like Tasmania, Russia and Madagascar. Each piece of jewelry is individually crafted around the shells being used. Designed to last, she gathers, sorts, drills and wire wraps abalone and shells combined with gemstones, 14k gold, gold fill and sterling silver. With no two pieces alike, the result is like a small wearable sculpture. “I love the process that brings me to a completed necklace or pair of earrings knowing that Abalone Queen jewelry will feel like you are wearing the ocean,” says Threlkel.

The October show will be on exhibit from Oct. 5 until Oct. 28. Regular gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 284 Main St., Point Arena, the little red building with the big yellow sun next door to the Redwood Credit Union.

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW SPRING HOURS

FOR OUR POINT ARENA, CA GALLERY

GALLERY SCHEDULE FOR 2019

Jan. Guest Artists: Robin Senour, painter, 2 weeks engagement.  Other invitees engagements are pending

Jan. 12 - 13, Gallery Clean-up Days, Garden, area and gallery

Feb. 1 - 24, Kristen Hoard, metal sculptures, and Laura Leigh Jones, guest artist, quilts.  Opening Reception, Sat., Feb. 2

Mar. 1 - 31, Celebrating Seven Years as a Collective showing in the Point Arena gallery. Reception, Fri., Mar. 1

Apr. 1 - 28, Almost Fringe Festival, Opening Reception: Sat., Apr. 13, Noon to 6 PM.  Collective Members’ and Guest Artists' creative works presented in group show

May 3 - 26, Paula Haymond, metal sculpture and embossed/etched metal artwork.  Opening Reception, Sat., May 4

Jun. 1 - 30, Walt Rush, jewelry, Ron Bolander, photography.  Opening Reception, Sat., Sep. 1

July 5 - 28, Independence Day Parade, Sat., Jul. 6 (date pending).  Collective may enter float competition.  Featured artists in the gallery are Barbara Fast, gourds and textiles, and Mirka Knaster, wall art

Aug. 2 - 29, Scott Sewell, photography, and Emma Hurley, ceramics, and clothing

Sep. 1 - 29, Barbara Johannes, photography, digital images on metallic archival papers, and Bea Acosta, ceramics, baskets

Oct. 4 - 27, Joan Rhine, jewelry, paper, and Jim Meilander, paper arts.  Opening Reception, Fri., Oct. 4

Nov. 2 - 30, Andrea Allen, Chinese Brush Painting and ceramics.  Opening Reception, Sat., Nov. 2

Dec. 1 - 29, Holiday Gift Show by Collective.  Opening Reception, Fri, Dec. 6

ALMOST FRINGE FESTIVAL

The Coast Highway Art Collective is exhibiting the Almost Fringe artwork of our collective members, plus we will feature local guest artists, Doric Jemison Ball, Sue Friedland, Margaret Lindgren, Paula Haymond, and Michael Grab of Gravety Glue.  Michael will be, showing his new, avant garde works: balancing rocks.  Have a look at his Facebook page to preview these remarkable rock sculptures. . The exhibition is up April 1-27,2018 with the grand opening on April 13, 2019 from 12 noon to 6 pm.  We will have music at 1 pm with Brut and Blush, Leslie and Eric Dahlhoff.

The Almost Fringe Festival is always interesting!

by Rozann Grunig

 The unusual, the bizarre, just a bit whacky, maybe even shocking – that’s what the Almost Fringe Festival is all about. Join the members of the Coast Highway Art Collective for a celebratory weekend of this fun and free-form event on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 in Point Arena. The Collective is hosting two nights of music, food, special guest artists and new works by its members.

Loosely based on the International fringe art movement, Mendocino County celebrates this as a month-long festival at several venues to celebrate all of the creative happenings countywide, from traditional to cutting edge and artsy to agrarian.

The original Fringe Festival is held annually in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the largest art festival in the world.   This festival spans 25 days and includes events in 294 venues in the following categories theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children's shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions and events.

Locally, this idea was created by the Mendocino Council for the Arts and is being promoted county wide by Visit Mendocino. The goal of the festival’s planning group is to have a culturally diverse festival that reflects the complexity of our amazing community. In addition to encouraging all local merchants and restaurants to participate, plans include creating a fun and engaging festival street scene, with street performers, musicians, food vendors, vendors, dancers and performance art.

The Coast Highway Art Collective is joining into the festivities with guest artists Karen Shapiro, ceramics, Laurie MacAdams, jewelry, Jane Reichhold, ceramics; Carol Frechette, leather and Doric Jemison Ball, ceramics. Collective members will also have new and interesting pieces on exhibit in the spirit of the festival theme.

On Friday, April 27, entertainment by the Highwaymen with guest flute, Leslie Dahlhoff will be at the gallery from 5 to 7 p.m. The following evening, Saturday, April 28, Barbara Johannes will be playing the accordion in the afternoon and Amy MacFarland from Renegade Botanicals will be available tao demonstrate her natural beauty products. That evening, from 5 to 7 pm, Black Sugar Rose, featuring Todd Orenick and Charlene Rowland, will entertain guests. Wine, drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be available on both evenings…

You don’t have to wait until the closing weekend to see the artwork on exhibit. The show actually opens on April 6 and runs through April 29 during regular gallery hours, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 284 Main St., Point Arena, the little red building next door to the Redwood Credit Union. 

7th Anniversary Celebration

BEA ACOSTA - MASKS, CERAMICS, BASKETS

BRENDA PHILLIPS - CERAMICS

The Coast Highway Art Collective celebrates its 7^th anniversary on Friday, March 1, from 5 to 7 pm. with a new exhibit, food and drinks. The exhibit will focus on the range and diversity of the collective member’s work and a celebration of community involvement, a founding ideal of the group. The members invite the entire Mendomona community to celebrate with them.

Located in a small, historical building built in the early 1900’s, the gallery is in the heart of Point Arena.  The collective was founded in 2012 by a group of local artists who wanted the help reinvigorate Point Arena, which was undergoing a kind of renewal after years of boom and bust. 

The building has a very interesting history. Local book publisher, the late Warren Jones, purchased the building in a state of disrepair, having no idea how to use it other than improving his beloved City of Point Arena.  A group of artists suggested an art gallery and he embraced the idea. Volunteers rebuilt the building and called the gallery CityArt. The interior was completed in 1997, and was active as the creative and vibrant CityArt Gallery for ten years. The gallery closed in 2007 and the building sat empty, waiting patiently for a new life. 

Then, in 2012, the idea of the gallery was resurrected and Barbara Fast, a renaissance woman in her own right (former pediatric surgeon, artist and musician) became the founder and first manager of the newly minted Coast Highway Art Collective. The artists who work to make this collective succeed are just as eclectic and quirky as the building they inhabit. 

Currently there are15 artists whose work ranges from oils and watercolors, photography, jewelry, textiles, woodworking including birdhouses and ceramics.  With so many creative outlooks among this diverse group, one thing all agree on is the importance of the gallery as a place to display and sell their work, and the amazing sense of community and nurturing each member experiences. 

Founding member Ling-Yen Jones says “It means bringing together artists, new and old, and creating a place to exhibit and promote the creativity of these local artisans. The gallery is a place to learn and get a feel for what it’s like to exhibit and sell work. I enjoy this gallery’s idea and feel of community.” 

Recent member John Stickney explains it this way “The collective is a place where the pressures are low and the friendliness is high.    The CHAC is a place where they can show their art and where you can find interesting art in an engaging environment. Everyone pitches in, so the overhead is low, and the prices are very reasonable.” 

Original member Bea Acosta says “The gallery has provided me with a venue to show my work and a camaraderie of local artists who support each other.” Another original member, Brenda Phillips, noted “I love having the gallery as a place I can show my latest inspirations. For years now, the gallery has been a wonderful showroom for my art. 

The gallery often has guest artists in addition to the collective members. Monthly opening receptions for featured artists often include tasty food, drinks and live music in the garden when the weather cooperates. 

The gallery participates in American Craft Week and the annual Almost Fringe Festival, a fun event where artists are encouraged to let their imagination run wild and create from the heart, not from the wallet. The gallery opens its doors for the Point Arena’s annual Hometown Holidays, a special night when Main Streets fills up with holiday shoppers and revelers. The gallery lights up with a holiday tree decorated with handmade ornaments made by collective members. 

The Coast Highway Art Collective is located at 284 Main Street in Point Arena. The winter hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, or by appointment.  Summer hours are typically from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

ANDREA ALLEN

CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING AND CERAMICS

Look no further for those unique, special gifts you'd like to give to close friends this holiday season.  Andrea Allen's gorgeous ceramic ware will please the most discerning hostess of a holiday party or a special, intimate dinner, as well as being a very affordable gift.  Andrea's talent and reputation for her artistic skills in Chinese Brush Painting techniques in decorating her ceramic dinnerware is unique in the artistic world:

My move to beautiful California challenged me artistically even more as I began studying Chinese Brush Painting.  After six years of study in this ancient art form, I knew I had found my soul’s true artistic home!  I continue my love for the Dynasty-old Brush Strokes, and have been painting, teaching, and exhibiting in this style for over three decades..

Drop into our gallery to inspect some of Andrea's work.  You will be pleased with the gorgeous designs and quality of her pieces. Following are a few of her sushi appetizer dishware. 

POTTERY, CERAMICS, AND BASKET WEAVING

by Beatrice Acosta



Bea is one of our foremost artists featuring southwestern contemporary and traditional motifs in her work.  We are presenting some of her art in this column to give our viewers a few ideas for their holiday shopping.  Visit our gallery to see these and more!

"My Native American/ Mexican roots have emerged in my pottery and ceramics. The joy I feel as my hands create with the clay must have connections to my ancestors. I am enamored with the piece as it unfolds and I rarely know beforehand what I want it to look like. It evolves as the clay and I create together."









The Coast Highway Art Collective is exhibiting Almost Fringe pieces of artwork from our collective members plus, we will have guests Doric Jemison Ball, Sue Friedland, Margaret Lindgren, and Paula Haymond. The exhibition is up April 1-27,2018 with the opening on April 13,2019 from 12 noon to 6 pm.  We will have music at 1 pm with Brut and Blush, Leslie and Eric Dahlhoff.

NEW FINE ART WOOD CARVER

John Stickney

John Stickney has recently joined the Coast Highway Artists Collective, making avaliable to our Point Arena art gallery visitors a unique line of art work.

His art is focused on carving and furniture design.   All pieces are handmade and one of a kind.  He has a love for wood:  the grain, texture, and appearance, and is attracted to color, and has worked with toy dyes, and paint on wood.  He has worked on relief carvings of paintings by artists he admires, including Michelangelo, as his paintings read as sculpture. Recently, he has worked on album covers of bands from his youth.  In other woodworking, he has designed tables, beds, desks, lamps, a rocking horse, and many other architectural and interior furnishings.

Stickney works extensively in some of the more exotic hardwoods, for their color, grain, hardness, ability to take a high finish and their capacity to be carved with fine detail.   For larger pieces, he has used Basswood, Jelutong, Maple, Mahogany, and Redwood, as they are excellent for carving. Basswood, Maple and Jelutong show little grain are nearly white, allowing his exploration of color on their surfaces.  He enjoys working with Mahogany and Redwood, for their ease of carving and their inherent beauty.  

Stop in at our art gallery soon to view some of Stickney's latest pieces.

Carolyn's Table

Lady With a Blue Ribbon

Maskies

Picasso the Reader