Submitted by Diane Mello –
MADERA COUNTY – It was 1993, and Nancy Clute had an idea, the realization of which became legendary. Nancy was one of the founders of the Madera County Arts Council and served as its executive director until her death in 2002. Her concept was to combine her passion for and love of art with this area’s primary industry — agriculture. The result was the inaugural exhibition of “Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts” in 1994.
The show was so successful that the following year the Arts Council established the show and exhibition as an annual event. This year, the Arts Council will present the twenty-second observance of the popular program with a reception at the Circle Gallery in the North Pointe Shopping Center, 1653 N. Schnoor, Suite 113, on Wednesday, Sept. 30, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Although 120 entries were submitted, because of space limitation, they were juried down to 79 exhibits that will be on display until Nov. 21. Before the reception, the pieces will be judged by professional artist Paul Buxman of Kingsburg. Categories include “California Crops,” “Farm Machinery and Structures,” “Our Farm and Ranch Friends,” “The Human Factor,” and “Water… Agricultures’ Lifeblood.” Submissions in the latter category must include work that demonstrates the importance of water or, because of the sustained drought in our state, the problems caused by lack of water.
Artwork has been submitted from all parts of Central California, from Bakersfield to San Jose and Sonora. The media of various paints, pastels, and charcoals will be represented. There are also some wonderful pieces of sculpture (both lost-wax bronze and metalwork pieces), jewelry, and photography (both color and black and white). The exhibition is financially supported by the agricultural industry of California and by patrons of the arts.
Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be available during the evening, and there will be a special performance by Brett Moglia, who plays the saxophone with the popular band, “The Yard Dogs” and his tenth-grade students Ayami Sappington and Emily Anderson, guitarists and vocalists, from his singer-songwriter class at Minarets High School.
Admission to the reception is free. For more information, please contact the Madera County Arts Council at (559) 661-7005 or atwww.maderaarts.org. The Circle Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 to 2 pm and evenings by appointment.
Featured image is “Glowing Vines” by Suzie Stach. To see more of her incredible artwork or to order a copy of this print, click here.
