By Sal Maccarone — What exactly is the Baroque style? Words like extravagant, ornate, unrestrained, extreme and excessive could be used to describe it. This distinctive approach to art is certainly not limited to a few words, but those are a good beginning. Developing early during the 17th century, the baroque style was eventually applied to music, dance, architecture, sculpture ...

By Sal Maccarone — Uninfluenced by movements or academic theories, Folk Art surrounds us everywhere that we go. Historically, this type of artwork can be defined as utilitarian or decorative in nature as opposed to being purely aesthetic. Produced by the artistically inclined individuals of every culture on earth, folk art directly reflects the values of a society. For instance, ...

MADERA COUNTY — The call to artists is out for an exhibit with deep roots, so now is the time to submit entries for the Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts Competition and Exhibition, taking place this fall from Sept. 12 through Oct. 25, at the Madera County Arts Council’s (MCAC) Circle Gallery. Created to promote understanding of agriculture while showcasing ...

AHWAHNEE — Well known local artist and former landscaping contractor Ronna Adler is leaving the area — and on Sunday, June 9, friends and fans are gathering at Rev’s Farmhouse in Oakhurst to give her a proper send-off. Ronna, 83, has lived in Ahwahnee since 1990 and now she’s moving to Oklahoma next month to live with her daughter. “This ...

MADERA — The public is invited to the opening reception of the Yosemite Western Artists 47th Annual Tri-County Art Show on Thursday, May 9, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibition opens on Tuesday, May 7 and runs through June 28 at Circle Gallery, located at 424 North Gateway Drive in Madera, at the Madera County Arts Council. Works in ...

By Sal Maccarone — I am writing a series of articles exclusively for Sierra News Online on the subject of art — a very broad subject I will tailor specifically to enlighten our mountain area readers. Chronicling places with a fairly close proximity to us, the focus will be why they’re important, as well as on specific artists and their ...

MARIPOSA – The Mariposa Yosemite Rotary will once again host an afternoon of fine art, wine tasting and sweet rides at the Art, Wine & Wheels Festival on Saturday, May 25, on the lawn at the historic Mariposa County Courthouse. In the heart of Mariposa, underneath the trees, it’s a perfect setting in which to enjoy local artists’ works while ...

By Sal Maccarone — Within the realms of art and architecture the word style can refer either to the values followed while considering what will be created, or to the physical techniques employed during the actual process. In order to begin a study of the Mission style, one needs to go all the way back to 18th century Spain. At ...

OAKHURST — Stop by Gallery 5 at Gallery Row this week to see a new exhibit that’s “topical and thoughtful, unabashed and unapologetic, drawing attention to issues that effect and concern us all, or offering a mirror that reflects our fears, dreams, and desires.” Public and Private features works by Seattle artist Deborah Faye Lawrence, and local artists Carla Rajnus, ...

MARIPOSA – Every year on the first weekend of May, vendors, musicians and celebrants from all over the world gather for a family event that seeks to educate and celebrate the butterfly, along with Mariposa County. The Mariposa Butterfly Festival kicks off this year on Saturday, May 4, with a healthy-kids run, competitive trail run, and caterpillar crawl, followed by ...