`SHELTER' SHOW
New exhibit opens during First Friday Art Walk
The theme of “Shelter” probably speaks to many of us in light of our last month of cold soaking rains and flooding rivers. Shelter is one of our most basic needs as human beings, yet it can also be viewed from an artistic perspective.
Shelter can range from rudimentary to fanciful, from tiny to grandiose, or from movable to permanent. Shelter can be a medium for people to express their rich artistic and cultural heritage, or it can be the most basic protection from the elements. It can be a place or a home. It can be a statement or a refuge. It can be a state of mind.
Show organizers from Art Center Ukiah challenged local artists with some questions: “What shelters you or people you care about, on the emotional or physical level, in reality or in your imagination? Where do you go for shelter, what does it look like, and how does it feel to you?” The responses brought to us from artists all around the county will start the conversation about what shelter means to our community.
One special contribution to the show will be a six-foot diameter sculptural representation of a traditional California Indian style tule hut. It was created by Tongva/chumash artist Monique Sonoquie, who builds Pre-colonial Post-industrial Sculptures out of recycled/repurposed materials. Many California Indian communities lived in huts made of tule stock, willow sticks and willow bark ties, but Monique has made the frame of her hut out of tubing she found at Habitat for Humanity's Restore. The traditional tule is replaced with venetian blinds found on Craig's list, thrift stores and yard sales. The structure is held together by straw bale ties given to Monique by a Navajo Elder in Flagstaff, Arizona, donated zip ties and/or screws from the Restore.
There will also be a free workshop offered along the theme of this show.
Katie Gibbs will lead participants in the creation of wooden birdhouses on Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. Materials for the actual birdhouse are supplied, but please bring natural materials such as moss, dried leaves and flowers to decorate your creation. Also bring a battery powered drill if you'd like to screw it together as opposed to gluing it.
Interested people can sign up in Corner Gallery during their open hours, phone the gallery at 707462-1400 or go online at acuentries@yahoo.com.
The First Friday opening of this show is Feb. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. Live harp music will be provided throughout the evening by Suni Smith. Art Center Ukiah is located in the back of the Corner Gallery at 201 S. State St. in Ukiah.