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I took an art tour of the area this weekend; a very pleasant day. Taking little more than three hours I was able to enjoy a pleasing assortment of artwork on display at three art galleries. I saw impressionist, multi-media, oil and acrylic, lithographs Ð all visually entertaining, all uplifting and life affirming.
It was a simple day and an engaging opportunity. I began with a walk-about at the Olive Hyde Art Gallery in Fremont. I then traipsed over to Santa Clara University to visit the de Saisset Museum. I finished my visual respite with a stopover at the Santa Clara Triton Museum of Art. That kind of day was tranquil, pleasurable, and gratifying. I recommend all three venues, in any order of preference.
The Olive Hyde Art Gallery is showing their 40th Annual Textile Exhibition. There are 27 artists displaying textile-related works in oil, acrylic, fabric and multimedia. There is a true meshing of art and craft. The artists must take their chosen material, envision through imagination the final form, then shape and create that image through crafted skills. Art and craft do mesh.
I met Marjorie A. DeQuincy, one of the showing artists and we chatted about her work. Each piece told a story, each has a personal depth and meaning. One piece ("Rhythm and Blues of Life") remains unframed, leaving the frayed edge of the material exposed as a reminder of the truth of life; not everything is smooth and easy. Some pieces on display evoked a sense of peace and others displayed
The textile exhibit runs at the Olive Hyde Art Gallery through April 19. The gallery is located at 123 Washington Blvd., in Fremont. Call (510) 791-4357 for venue information.
Moving on to the de Saisset Museum, I stepped back in time with the displayed works titled, "Eye on the Sixties: Vision, Body, and Soul", and "Flashing Back: 1960s Works in the Permanent Collection." The 1960s were a time of vibrant colors and energy, of social impact and commercialism, of learning to express the hidden inner view. The de Saisset Museum brings together two touching exhibitions stirring memories (for those old enough to remember) of a time of social change and transformation. "Eyes on the Sixties..." runs through June 15. "Flashing back..." is on display through April 13. The de Saisset Museum is located on the campus of Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. Call 554-4528 for information on these and other exhibitions.
Over at the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, there is a strong new show featuring the works of Neal Boor, a presentation of "Narrative Realities," and "Mission to the Triton" on display. Neal Boor is a bold modernist who explodes colors. "Narrative Realities" presents art at a more reflective pace and tempo. "Mission to the Triton" offers many views of the strong, the insightful, and the humorous. The Neal Boor exhibition will be on display through May 11, "Narrative Realities" through June 29, and "Mission to the Triton" presents through June 22. The Triton Museum of Art is located at 1505 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara. For further information, call 247-3754.
I want you to think about this opportunity for a moment. In a way you owe it to yourself. You work hard, you play hard. Now is a good time to give yourself a culture treat, to stroll among the works of the creative, to relax and absorb and drink in the imaginative and inspired artistic accomplishments. Art does a mind good.
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W. Fred Crow is a local music director and frequent attendee of the arts. Contact him at wfredcrow@yahoo.com.
