In February I hung out my colorful teapots flag. It’s early this year. Usually not till March. But, I needed color out my kitchen window. Yet it always happens when I hang this flag that I think of tea, tea parties, and then come the six impossible things before breakfast. Curiouser and curiouser I become.
Then the “Alice” in me appears. Don’t we all have a bit of Alice inside us somewhere? Or maybe the Cheshire Cat, or the White Rabbit as we scurry around in this time-dominant world muttering, “I’m late, I’m late.” I’ll bring out my Alice in Wonderland trays for spring and ask myself, “How about a nice cup of tea?” I have some new teas this year, from Montana, that my son left as he traveled on. Bodacious Blue, That’s Mocha Like It!, Arctic Chai, Jack Frost, Alpine White—for my inner Cowboy Alice.
What does this have to do with art, you ask? Ah, well, you see, I’m not quite sure, but I can tell you that every time I walk into the delightful Art Presence Gallery I’m touched by a bit of madness, a nip of the March Hare’s delirium, the intoxication of the mercurial Mad Hatter. I’m so grateful to have fallen into the rabbit hole of art for all my life, and now be part of Art Presence Art Center.
So let me invite you into the March rabbit hole of the wild and wonderful Artists of the Applegate. From fabric to creatures, large abstracts, metal skulls, and turquoise jewelry, this group offers a wonderland of artistic diversity. Opening Party is Saturday, March 4th, 1-4pm. Artists are: Wild n’ Wooly Feltworks, Calico Alchemy Organics, Grant Stoner Art, Markita Rita Jewelry, and Meltdown Metal Arts.
Always on point, our members show brightens the Main Gallery with a spring-like feel. Blues, greens, and yellows abound. This current show continues through March. Member artists will be available at the Opening Party in March to tell their stories, inspirations, and talk about their art with you.
Our gift shop offers a curated collection of specialty items. We feature Skrim Watercolors, the only place in all of North America to offer these intensely-hued, shimmering paints. Hand-woven bowls, natural bead jewelry, sculptures, clocks, hand painted silks, Italian wine decanters and fun wine gifts, greeting cards, fused glass, mosaics, and playful crayons are more of the items available.
Just in case you didn’t know, we are now featuring Art Presence artists in local wineries. Awen Winecraft showcases the vibrant and large works of Brenda Mills Branan and Vivian McAleavey. At Dos Mariposas Vineyards and Lavender you can see the delightful art of Andre Satie, and at Hummingbird Estate is Desmond Serratore. Many of his pieces are local views through his artistic eye. Please, support our local artists and wines. We are on the map as one of the top 5 wine destinations on the planet, and we live here!
March 16, from 6-7:30pm will be our Talk of the Town series. This month features Conversation with the Applegate Artists. Gallery opens at 5 for early browsing.
See you in Wonderland…at the gallery!
Featured image is Abstract Painting by Grant Stoner.