Signature Gallery
Images of Zacatlan
November 2 – Dec 22
Opening Reception: Friday November 9th • 7-9 pm by Margaret Fago An exhibit, Images of Zacatlan, with works from both Erica Norelius and Paul Feinberg is now showing at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru Street, Alameda, CA. Two Bay Area artists, Paul Feinberg and Erica Norelius, traveled during 2018 to Zacatlan Mexico to paint scenes showing local culture and landscapes. They both commented on the warm welcome and interest from people as they worked outdoors painting the town scenes and how painting on site is a wonderful way to slow down and see the world in front of you. Erica said at times she would have a crowd stop and watch her progress. The local contact, Mary Carmen, arranged TV and radio interviews for both artists. The artists were both awarded grants from the Frank Bette Center for the Arts for their trips. Erica went in April, during the spring holidays for families in Mexico, Paul took his trip in September when the local apples were ripe. In this area of Mexico many people still live in the traditional ways. Here embroidered clothes made by the local women is the norm, small shops in the street level of residential building in town might have only one product like the local chicken seller. A man walks the streets ringing a bell to alert folks that the garbage pick up truck is coming so they can put out there refuse, yet they also carry cell phones and listen to western music. Small stores supply local needs for things like stationery products while many street vendors sell hot food, fruit and vegetables. Each morning Paul and Erica were woken up to the sound of a vendor, who sells propane gas for household use, driving by playing the theme music from “Rocky” to let folks know he was available to sell in their neighborhood. Zacatlan de las Manzanas (apples), population 76,000, is in the state of Puebla, Mexico in the Sierra Norte Mountains about an hour northeast of Mexico City. The area was first inhabited around 580AD. In 1562 the Spanish established the town of Zacatlan for the indigenous population. The architecture reflects its origins in 1600s Spanish Catholic culture where Churches abound, stone and adobe is the common building material, and narrow cobblestone streets tie the town together. It has been designated a Pueblo Magico because of its historical charm. At 7000 feet the town is backed by higher mountains where fog forms, frequently swirling down into town. A deep gorge and waterfalls border the town on one side. Fruit orchards surround the area. It is the largest apple and cider producing area in Mexico. The town is also a destination because, through grants from the Wilmette Arts in Chicago, a 300-foot long cemetery wall has become a mosaic mural with images created by local artists of Nahuatl culture and the apple and fruit industry. Every August there is a big apple festival, which includes performances by many native dance groups, music and of course apples and food like corn tortillas, napale cactus, bread, fruit. Having an exhibit in the Signature Gallery is one of the privileges of being a member of Frank Bette Center for the Arts (FBCA). All art mediums are acceptable. There are four walls for two dimensional work. Three dimensional work is limited to the top of the table storage cabinet and what can be hung safely on the walls. We are looking for artists who will use the room in a creative way
Content of your show must be suitable for family viewing, this includes children. This doesn’t mean it needs to be at a Bambi level, but it does mean nudity needs to be tasteful, discrete and artful. Graphic violence is NOT welcome. Artists are selected from FBCA members who apply to have solo or small group shows in the Signature Gallery. All applicants must be a members in good standing of FBCA and remain so during the duration of their exhibit. You may become a member of FBCA any time of the year by paying membership dues. |
Shows for 2019
February 1- March 2 Carol Tarzier Still Life Opening February 8 7-9 pm March 7 - 30 Wendy Rabin Paintings Opening March 8 7-9 pm April 5 - June 1 Alameda on Camera June 6- 29 Jana Zvibleman Poetry and Prose - Call for Artists - juried show Opening June 14 7-9 pm July 5- August 4 Shari Ari DeBoer Prints Opening July 14 7-9 pm August 9-September 28 Alameda en Plein Air Paintings from the 2018 Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout October 3- 26 Kitty Muntzel and Janet Conery “Smoke and Ash" Fiber Works, Paper and Wood Reflections on the California Fires Opening October 11 7-9 pm November 7- 30 Paul Feinberg Paintings Opening November 8 7-9 pm December 7- 30 Opening December 13 7-9 pm |