The Pomona Christmas Parade and Holiday at the Plaza weren't the only events Saturday. The Second Saturday Art Walk in downtown Pomona was also happening between 6PM and 9PM. With almost 40 galleries in the Pomona Art Colony, there was lots to see and do. Many came by to visit old friends and meet new ones. It is the social event of the month. If you haven't been, you're missing out. See you next time!
Major FUnding through the National Endowment of the arts THE BIG READ For further information and applications, please contact Pomona Public Library 909-620-2473
What a great Second Saturday it was. Over 4,500 people came to our downtown to enjoy a safe, fun evening in downtown Pomona. The Pomona Pop Warner kids came to Thomas Plaza for a pep rally as Mayor Rothman cheered them on. The Farmers Market was hopping as well with 3100 visitors.
A whole lot of goings on were going on last night in beautiful downtown Pomona. A special appearance by L.A. Bluescasters at Thomas Plaza playing some cool, cool music, the Trojan Horse display, the Certified Farmers Market, the Second Saturday Art Walk. Wow! What a night. The place was jumpin! Speaking of jumpin, the dA Gallery for the Arts featured a "Gone Fishin" art show with something for everyone, including gold fish for the kids, pictures along side the "great" catch and, of course, some great art. But all 35 art galleries were alive with shows that brought crowds from all over Southern California . Good times.
On loan from the Millard Sheets Gallery...Trojan Horse Sculptures.. on display tonight at Thomas Plaza, 6PM to 10PM, and Saturday August 28 at Thomas Plaza, 6PM to 10PM."The Ball", "Al Gore", and "The Trojan Horse". only in Pomona!
The enormously popular silent film star Harold Lloyd lost his right thumb in an special effects accident and afterward wore onscreen a special glove to camouflage its loss. It did not alter his penchant for mad, physical trials. The prosthetic can be clearly seen in one of the most famous images in cinema, the daredevil comedian, high above the city, hanging from the hands of a clock. Performance artist Jeremiah Barber has yet to meet such a bloody interruption in his work but he is well on his way. The assorted sunburns and abrasions, strained muscles, sprains and cuts are simply the fine print of his job description. All of his works, however, do not involve extreme physical mortification. They are sometimes elegant and lyrical. His I Spend the Day Walking Through Clouds, and Walking the Earth (2007) is as tender a rendition of Thoreau’s ethos as might be conceived. The artist walks the more industrial precincts of the city, barefoot and gunny sacked, tossing into the air and walking through billows of flour as if adding his meager homage to the majestic sky. He, of course, becomes covered in white, transforming into a cloud himself. With his wife and collaborator, Ingrid Rojas, he inserts himself into nature as if attempting to reclaim a lost membership, a camaraderie abandoned but now deeply missed. UNLIKE the traditional genus of performance art based on endurance, exhibitionism, and transgression Mr. Barber, with and without Ms. Rojas, creates works that are resonantly contemplative, despite the strenuous methods sometimes used to achieve them; theatrically engaging—there are no mundane actions elevated to mock poetry—and richly charismatic—the works possess a wit and complexity that delivers pleasure to its audience instead of demanding an ascetically virtuous and unrewarded patience. Old Growth (2008) pictured here was featured at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art and is reprised in these photos in a Michigan forest. Through a sequence of athletic trials and errors the artist raises and vaults upon a heavy log until he manages to sit atop it, finally balanced. Conjuring thoughts of both industrialization and a return to nature Old Growth is a struggle with our desires and the consequences of our achievements. MOST ruminative of the recent works is House of White Water (2008), a tandem work with Ms. Rojas where she is both ship and siren. On a California shoreline staring into the setting sun the couple contort themselves into a historical tableaux of mythic vessel and mariner. Ms. Rojas, belly on the sand, reaches back to grasp her ankles, forming a bridge deck for Mr. Barber to helm. He sits athwart her, protected by her gunwale arms; she, a fierce figurehead, pointed brazenly out to sea. When the waves come they are deluged but resistant. Even the camera that documents their action is upended, filling with salt water, but they persevere, fully dedicated, indulgent in their madness that together they can circumnavigate the globe.
WINDOW EXHIBITION SPACE AT TROPO MFG IS ON VIEW TUESDAY-SATURDAY, 12-6, ON SECOND SATURDAYS 12-10 Tropo Mfg 590 West 2nd Street Pomona CA 312-933-58311
Last Saturday in Metro Pomona, now called "Metro Night Out" was everything the name suggests. Many galleries were open and crowds were large. Restaurants and bars were packed .The Farmers Market was jumping and the car show was awesome. Everywhere you looked people were out to enjoy the evening, listening to some great music, seeing some great art, and having a great time. Welcome to Pomona!
POMONA, CA—The historic Fox Theater in Pomona and The Repertory Opera Company are bringing professional opera to the Inland Empire.
“We are very excited to be performing in such a wonderful space,” said LizBeth Lucca, Pomona resident and Artistic Director for the opera company. “The historical presence of the building is fabulous and the acoustics are great. The singers’ voices just resonate beautifully out into the hall."
The first opera will be Elixir of Love by Donizetti on Sunday, August 30 at 2 pm. “We hope this will be the start of a four-show opera season at the Fox. Pomona is establishing itself as a cultural presence in the Inland Empire with the Fox Theater and with the Arts Colony. Now we have an opera company.” said Mrs. Lucca. The Repertory Opera Company was established six years ago and is based in Pomona. The group has staged 16 opera productions in Los Angles to critical acclaim. Past productions by the group include La Boheme, Falstaff, Don Giovanni, Tales of Hoffman and The
Barber of Seville. The most recent production of the Repertory Opera Company, The Marriage of Figaro, was performed at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center.
“We also did a successful traveling production of Don Pasquale,” said Ms. Lucca. “With the upcoming production of Elxir of Love at The Fox we will completely transition to Pomona. The Inland Empire forms the ideal community to support a regional opera company.”
As a regional opera company the group provides opportunity to both aspiring opera singers developing their resume, and also many skilled vocalists for whom opera is a second career. Ms. Lucca can cite the names of at least a half dozen singers who performed with Repertory Opera Company and who have moved on to a major opera company, or are performing internationally, including two children from Claremont who have gone on to sing with Los Angeles Opera.
“The performance we are planning for the Fox Theatre will include Leslie Dennis who is a wonderful performer and soloist with LA Opera,” said Ms. Lucca. Other performers are being cast.
“Part of the Repertory Opera Company’s mission is to give local performers a venue,” added Ms. Lucca, “so we will also be looking for local talent in the next few weeks.”
Information on auditions is available by calling The Repertory Opera Company at 909-230-4949. You can also visit their website at www.repertoryoperacompany.org, or become a fan on Facebook under Repertory Opera Company.
Guest DAVID FURMAN Slides and Dialogue: 40 Years of Work
Saturday, June 27, 5 - 7p.m.
For more than 40 years, artist David Furman has created diverse works in clay that express his ideas, experiences, and perceptions through irony, empathy, and humor. His repertoire is vast, ranging from miniature room vignettes and small dioramas to tromp l' oeil works. Furman's recent work is focused on composite-vegetable teapots and wooden-mannequin based scenarios that portray human emotion. Open to the public, $5 admission; free for members
Recognized as one of the most important and influential ceramic artists of this century, Don Reitz is well known for reviving salt and wood-firing techniques. His life-long commitment to research, testing, and experimentation have been crucial to the development of his cutting-edge work. Reitz's distinctive use of color, surface, and gestural markings make him one of the most recognized artists in American studio ceramics.
Fee: $65 for AMOCA members, $85 for non-members and includes continental breakfast. To purchase a reservation, please call: 909-865-3146 with a major credit card, (VISA, MASTERCARD or DISCOVER) or send a check to: AMOCA, 340 South Garey Avenue, Pomona, CA 91766
Calling all Artists who would like to help the dA celebrate 25 years of community art happenings in Pomona. Saturday, June 27th will be the official birthday celebration for the 25th anniversary of the dA. The highlight of the event will be a reprise of dAzert, a favorite fund raising event.
Please stop by the dA starting today to paint a birthday cake plate which will be sold at dAzert for $20. Dee Cole has donated paints to the dA that adhere to porcelain plates, and David Armstrong has donated 200 plain collector plates.
So far the artists have had a lot of fun painting them.
When to stop by: Wednesday noon to 5pm, Thursday noon to 9pm, Friday and Saturday noon to 5pm
Where: The dA ceramics lab, upstairs at the dA Gallery, 252 S. Main St., 909-397-9716
We also need birthday cakes. If you enjoy baking, please create a special cake for our birthday party.
I just wanted to share with you that this month's Second Saturday had a fabulous turnout, especially for West side of the Arts Colony. In the three years that I've been here, this has been one of the biggest and best turnouts - definitely the reason DPOA needs to continue it's fine work and keep doing what it does - so that we can continue to have these kinds of turnouts throughout the entire Arts Colony and the positive response from visitors to our Downtown.
Lisa Cabrera Cabrera's: An Eclectic Art Gallery 637 W. Second St. Pomona, CA 91766
They say, "Well behaved women rarely make history," but did you know that from the very beginning of time itself, one group of visionary (and slightly misbehaving) women have helped shape the very fabric of humanity?
Who convinced Adam that the "apple-tini" was a great idea?
Who dared George Washington to stand up in the boat?
Who whispered into Einstein's ear, "smart is sexy?"
and
Who told Lincoln that black is a very slimming color?
That's right, the RED CUP SOCIETY!
Now, the Red Cups have come to the Arts Colony. You may also know them as those "BROADS" (Benevolent Royal Order of Art Darlings). The darlings can be seen throughout the Colony, blazing a trail of interest and intrigue wherever they go. They may pop up at city functions, chamber mixers, at a swank local watering hole, or the pancake breakfast at the American Legion Hall.
The "official" function of the Red Cup Society is to serve as an arts fundraising auxiliary, but their scope of presence is far more expansive. Comprised of vivacious, creative, energetic and (dare we say) HOT women of the West End, the darlings motto is, "It's not the size of your cup, it's how you fill it up."
Join the Red Cup Society each Last Saturday for festivities in the Red Cup Lodge, located in the basement of the dA Center for the Arts at 7:00pm. Guided Art Colony Tours begin after refreshments. You never know what you'll get on a Red Cup tour. You may be treated to an intimate interview with an artist at work on a new project, or an impromptu dance contest at the Farmer's Market.
The legend of Red Cup Society is as old as time itself. Rumor has it these influential ladies were even present when Christopher Columbus discovered America. One of the darlings looked over the bow and said, "Chris, this looks like a good spot for a shindig!"
Last Wednesday evening the DPOA hosted a mixer for Joey's BBQ Art Gallery and Selkouth Art Gallery, two new additions to Pomona's Art Colony. Several people came to show support for these new ventures, in spite of the cold and wet weather. City Council members Rodriguez, Atchley, and Saunders were on hand to assist Mayor Rothman with the ribbon cutting ceremony. Several City Commisioners, as well as city management and staff also came. It was a great turnout. The DPOA thanks everyone who came to show their support. The downtown is very proud to have these two new additions.
You are invited to a DPOA mixer 5-7 PM, Wednesday February 11, welcoming two new art galleries to downtown Pomona; Joey's BBQ Gallery and Selkouth Gallery, located at 117 and 119 W. 2nd St., Pomona. Hope to see you there!
Two of the Art Colony's own, Amy Bystedt and Sally Egan, extend an invitation for all to view their photo exibit entitled "Let Them Eat Steak" at the new 5iftybucks Gallery, located at 213 Holt Ave.(in the American Legion parking lot), Pomona. Opening reception is Saturday, January 17, 2009, 5PM -10PM.
The Second Annual Chalkart Festival was held in Thomas Plaza, downtown Pomona, this past Saturday. What a turnout! Hundreds of youngsters showed up to ply their art. Elementary, Middle School, High School, and even a few professional artists. Several local dignitaries came by and some helped out as well. Mayor Elect Rothman, Council member Rodriguez, Daily Bulletin's David Allen, The Goddess of Pomona and Mr. Big, just to name a few. City Manager Linda Lowry was seen serving hot dogs and sodas. It was a great day!
The City of Pomona and the Cultural Arts Commission proudly presents the 2008 Chalk Art Festival. Fun for the whole family and open to the public!!!!
Located in Thomas Plaza on W 2nd street. Chalking begins around 7:30am and the awards should be ending by 4:00pm. There will be cash prizes for multiple categories from students to professionals. You should be able to see all all the finished chalk designs later in the evening if you are coming to the Art Walk at starting at 6:00pm on into the evening.
The gang's all here! The 5th. year reunion of the Envisioning The Future Mural. Too many to list, but Judy Chicago, and all the gang that could, came to share experiences and visit at a reception held at the dba256 Wine Bar & Gallery.
Mayor NormaTorres and Councilmember George Hunter present certificates of appreciation to Kevin, Chris, and Joy.
Councilmember Hunter, Larry Egan, Mayor Norma Torres, Councilmember Stephen Atchley present a certificate of appreciation to Chris Toovey.
Come to the Envisioning the Future ceremony this SATURDAY, 3PM @ the Thomas Plaza.
After almost 5 years the beautiful mural that is so much a part of Downtown Pomona is finally finshed. With the dogged persistence of Cheryl Bookout, and the generous financial assistance provided by the Vehicle Parking District (VPD), the artists have finished the project and even given the mural a few coats of varnish to protect it for years to come.
All are invited. The Mayor as well as City Council members will be there to present the certificates and bronze plaque to all who participated in making the mural possible.
After almost 5 years the beautiful mural that is so much a part of Downtown Pomona is finally finshed. With the dogged persistence of Cheryl Bookout, and the generous financial assistance provided by the Vehicle Parking District (VPD), the artists have finished the project and even given the mural a few coats of varnish to protect it for years to come.
