We may just tackle this one day at a time. And life goes on; no rest for the weary. I still have to look for artists who would like to be on the list to display their work on WallSpace galleries. Looking for one now to display "gentle" art on the walls of the Skyline Assisted Living space. The folks there are lovely, and they love to look at landscapes, animals and children. WallSpace gallery pictures remain up for a couple of months, except for Turquoise Hills Triple Green Café; they prefer one month at a time, so I'm always looking for the artists. It would be nice if you all would contact me for suggestions. We've decided to do just a photography show in the Benson City Hall Gallery, for the months of April and May.
But I digress. I started out to tell you how extraordinary Celebrate the Arts! 2011 was. We are finding out that area folks are really picky when it comes to free events, and they aren't coming if they don't like the fare! That said, we had over 250 of you at the Benson Center for the JA Jance event. She is a very popular southwest author. I don't know what that tells us, other than that papering the area with flyers really worked!
Our opening/award night was also well attended. Of course there was food. People always come for the food (exceptional again by the Benson and St. David Culinary students)! Tom Patrick's Sextet had the place rocking, ending the evening with "When the Saints Come Marching In." This band was one of the finest we've heard.
Sunday was a quiet day: "Love Letters" is a two person play, and is read. David and Patty Lambert were the actors and the small audience really loved it. Monday was also a quiet day. We showed the film, "The Radiant Child," about Jean-Michel Basquiat, a troubled young artist who died WAY too young. We didn't attempt popcorn this year; the volunteer with the popcorn maker has gone to California!
Tuesday was, I am told, an exceptional KIDS DAY. We had Sherry Harig, from the Huachuca Art Association come to take on Poetry and Paint, with help from Sharon Gilman. 32 kids participated. I was laid low with exhaustion so didn't even get to take pictures. The plan is to increase the classes for kids next year. I did manage to get down to take a few pictures of the quilting class, with Cheryl Mammano, that afternoon.
Wednesday was special. Mia Shultz did a workshop on marketing for artists in the morning and in the evening the DayStar Chamber players from Tucson gave us Mozart, Borodin and Schubert, after having spent two hours on the highway due to an accident at the Mescal bridge.
Full day on Thursday had Eric Talerico, an enormously talented man, bringing his extraordinary creativity to his class "Mind at Work, Mind at Play" during which he showed us his hand made journals, written, illustrated and bound, with his own hands. Later that day, Shryl Miles tackled "Contour Drawing" with a beginning group, and in the evening, we all trouped over to the Benson High School Auditorium to see the Maguire Academy Irish Dancers do their stuff on the stage.
Friday evening our Community Jam Session produced 3 disparate players: Michael Almodobar on guitar, Rebecca Bryce on the harp, and Ray (last name unknown as I write this) on harmonicas. The small audience enjoyed a rather beautiful combination of sounds for lovely, relaxing music.
Saturday evening our grand finale was a blast from the Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo under the direction of John Contreras. This was our 2nd year to have them, and they are well loved.
And so it goes. The last event to take place will be the award ceremony for the Southeastern Teen Art Competition, to be held on Sunday, August 3rd at 4 p.m. at the Benson City Hall on 6th St. in Benson.
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