“Good art arrives through an organic process of inspiration and emotion.” These are the words of Central Valley mixed media artist Arien Reed. With a style that is colorful, powerful and celebratory, Arien (he/they) is using his “hella gay art” to raise awareness about gender diversity and encourage love and unity.
When you hear the word, “crochet,” what comes to mind? Is it lacy doilies on your grandmother’s dresser? If you’re of a certain age, it could be a colorful vest made from granny squares or a toilet paper cover in the form of a poodle. Baby booties, anyone?
As winter approaches and temperatures drop in the Valley, Kings Canyon Unified School District (KCUSD) is bringing warmth and vibrancy to the community through its Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA) programs. From elementary schools to high schools, the district's commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression is evident in the diverse offerings that make up the VAPA umbrella.
This week I am thrilled to be interviewing the wonderful Thomas B. Sawyer about his new book The Art of The Real Tom Sawyer. Many mystery fans know Tom from his work on Murder She Wrote and his mystery novels, but did you know he was also an artist/illustrator? He even worked with Stan Lee! I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did!
Art is not meant to be purely visual; it should engage all of your senses. At least, this is the mission of Fresno artist, Ann Leedy.
Ann has always been an admirer of beautiful things, but didn’t truly understand her passion for art until adulthood. As a child, she enjoyed reading, writing, and drawing, and attended the California Guild of Arts and Crafts.
The Fresno Ani-Me Con is happening again on March 18 and 19. We attended last year and it was so much fun! Recently we chatted with one of the local artists who will have a booth there, Ziang Her, about her art and where to find her booth for Ziang Her Art at this year’s Ani-Me Con.
One can lead to the other—at least in the hands of a mystery writer. In my novel set in the seventeenth century, The Gallery of Beauties, an artist’s commission to paint the portraits of the most beautiful women in Venice stirs dangerous passions and leads to murder.
There is a black box theatre performance space on Van Ness in the Tower District that has hosted many different groups and gone by several different names since I started covering the arts in Fresno. Last year, something new started there called The Labyrinth Art Collective and recently we chatted with one of the people who run it, Alicia Rodriguez, to learn more about what they do. She runs it together with her partner Matt Comegys.
While his full-time job may be passing along the basics of his artistic and practical craft to students of all ages at Reedley College, David Hicks relishes in taking the bits and pieces of organic inspiration found in the Central Valley and creating both monolithic pieces and conglomerations of smaller parts with his medium of choice, inorganic clay.
Recently KRL spoke with local artist Teresa Flores about an exciting new art project at the new Fresno City College campus in West Fresno and two community engagement events related to the project. One took place on August 26, but the second event will be taking place on Tuesday, October 4 at FCC’s Art Space Gallery.
