pomona's art colonists

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

2011-06-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

There are some new restaurants in the neighborhood and we decided to try them out and let y'all know how they are. Our first stop was just down the street from us at what used to be know as The Second St. Bistro. Now the restaurant is called Second on 2^nd St., An American Bistro. They changed up the atmosphere a bit by removing all the spot lights and adding carnival string lights. This gives a nice outdoor café feel to the place. So the menu has changed big time, the new guys have decided to go American style and this includes burgers, sandwiches, steaks and more. I tried the Chicken Sandwich and it was pretty good. A nice portion of chicken breast on a fresh bun. Susie went for the salmon burger which she really enjoyed. This was no frozen ground salmon patty thing, this was a nice 6 oz salmon steak on a whole wheat bun, cooked perfectly too! The guys at the Bistro, David, Albert and Gabriel were nice enough to throw a soft opening for the locals. Well, the word spread fast and there was a nice crowd of people all enjoying their meals. I have a feeling this Bistro is here to stay, keep up the good food and we’ll keep coming back!

171 West Second St. Pomona, Ca. 91766
info@2ndonSecond.com
http://www.2ndonSecond.com

My next stop was over in Antique Row at Babylon Restaurant and Hookah Lounge, located on Locust St. Now these guys have been open for a while now, maybe under a year, but I had not tried a full meal. They were part of the Taste of Pomona and I did get to sample the hummus and rice, but never a full meal. So I ordered something that should be easy to compare, the Chicken Shawarma Sandwich. It was pretty good, a bit small compared to Aladdin Jr., but no real complaints. I was disappointed to learn they will no longer be doing the buffet. Something about changing the menu for the summer the waiter told me. As I waited for my food, a few groups of other hungry people also asked about the buffet. Too bad, I wanted to try it out and hey, if it aint broken, don’t fix it! Seems to me they may be going for a fancier feel for the place, they had nice leather covered menus printed on nice linen paper. Good luck! Just doesn’t seem like the ideal local for an upscale place that they may be going for.

205 E. 2nd St., Pomona, CA 91766

Just a few doors down from Babylon, I bring you to Cassie’s Soul Food, located at 200 East 1st. St., Pomona 620-5601. We’ve walked by there many times, but have not been able to stop in. A neighbor posted some comment about the food and it sparked our interest. Well, we planned a nice Sunday lunch, and boy was it a good one! Their menu is not too big, but just enough choices to keep your imagination and stomach happy. Susie and I both went for the ¼ chicken, mine BBQ and hers Baked. Our sides of choice were mac and cheese, collard greens, and black eyed peas. The chicken was cooked perfectly and a it was a big portion too. The BBQ sauce was delicious, with a tangy type taste that kept me wanting more. The mac and cheese was also really good as were the black eyed peas. I got to taste the collard greens and they are the real thing. Susie being from Savannah, Georgia knows good Southern cooking and this is good Southern cooking, Cassie and her husband originate from Mississippi. The black eyed peas and collard greens were so good Susie was still talking about them tonight! We got to speak to Cassie’s husband while he was taking a little break, He let us know that Cassie makes everything fresh from scratch every morning, 6am. to be precise and if it runs out, that’s it for the day. So come early and come hungry, this place is a real treat and we are very lucky to have such good Soul Food right here in Downtown Pomona.

~Juan Thorp

Everyone was so busy filling orders, that just kept coming the whole time we were there!

Pomona Arts Colony March Art Walk 2011

2011-03-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

Pomona's January Art Walk 2011

2011-01-10T11:20:00.000-08:00

Despite the cold weather and little rain, 2nd Saturday in January was still a great night to come out and enjoy the art. The "West End" has seen a real growth spurt in the amount of visitors and new venues. Some of the galleries you will see are Twenty Miles East, Indigo Gallery, Foggy Windows, Fr. Bill Moore SS CC Studio Gallery, Cabrera's, Bella Muerte Gallery, Smoking Mirrors and the newest addition, Vintage Renewals. Another exciting item to report is the presence of Foodies or Food Trucks parking on the streets and selling their fine foods. Anybody check them out? Back to central colony, AC Projects opened with the photographic works of Steven Poster. N. Y. Delight featured surreal black and white photography by Cherie Savoie, her first solo exhibit K1000. The dA Gallery presented a show of works curated by our friend Leslie Brown. "Cubicle" included some cool ceramic office furniture set up throughout the gallery. At dba256, I, Juan Thorp, exhibited a series of my paintings through a three year period. There are 65 pieces to see all month. Just around the corner, you can see Ashley's installation "Shopping with kids"at the PO.

At Bunny Gunner we featured the art of Lindy Ivey and Fikrie Oz. They both created figurative pieces in oils that are a must see. 57 Underground opened with a group show titled "Mixed Messages" and SCA Project Gallery with a group show titled "Chants Prayers and Poems". Just next door Latino Art Museum brought out work from the Permanent Collection. See pomonaartscolony.com to see the full list of exhibitions.

Special thanks to photographers: Jill Carol, Richard Nunez, Denis Thorp and Susie Thorp

December Art Walk and Christmas Parade 2010

2010-12-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

The Downtown Pomona Holiday Parade kicked off this months Second Saturday. It was a great parade with lots of participants and a huge crowd gathered along the streets of Downtown Pomona. We were represented in the "for of a Blog float" with, complete with matching shirts, a banner and a decorated truck. Some of the other colony peeps, were the dA Gallery and Metro Pomona. The parade lasted just under two hours and was a huge success with great weather and a huge turnout of people, should be even better next year. On to Second Saturday, there were tons of people out doing the art walk on a perfect night. dA Gallery changed things up with their Artisan Holiday Sale. SCA Gallery produced a great show with work from it's members. At Bunny Gunner we had the photographs of Max S. Gerber and had a great opening with a relaxing atmosphere. Next door, the newly opened EVE Gallery featured a show titled "Christ Vs. Claus". Metro Gallery, the hosts of the parade, exhibited the slick paintings of Alex Couwenberg with his "Over the Years" show. There were many more shows that night and they can be viewed here. There will be no Last Saturday this month due to Christmas, so see you in January!
Photo credits: Denis Thorp, Richard Nunez, Juan and Susie Thorp

Bloggers of Pomona in Christmas Parade

2010-12-08T12:58:00.000-08:00

Please join us Saturday morning for the Christmas Parade!

Delicious dinner at the 2nd Street Bistro

2010-11-23T01:48:00.000-08:00

Absolutely Delicious!

The Bistro is Back! 2nd St. Bistro that is, and the food is amazing. We have dinned there now a few times and have enjoyed every meal. Some of the items we have tried are the Bistro Salad, lettuce wraps, and salmon dinner. We decided to have dinner there on Saturday night and were glad to see they were open. The owner, Tony, told us about the specials and we had excellent service from our waiter, Daniel, who was very pleasant and attentive. I chose the Steak Chimichurri. Chef Alex, created this awesome perfectly cooked steak and paired it with a seafood kabob, rice pilaf, and black beans with salsa. The kabob included grilled veggies, shrimp, salmon and mahi mahi. The steak was covered in a tasty green sauce and was one of the tastiest dishes I have ever eaten. Susie had the Mahi Mahi with a Macadamia nut crust and a bowl of Chicken vegetable soup that she raved over, saying it was perfect! After finishing this meal, I joked that I could eat the exact same thing again. We had to ask Tony where he found his Chef. Alex came from The City Broiler which closed it's doors in Chino Hills. Man this guy can cook! Tony also said they just installed a grill, so we were lucky to try out Chef Alex's grillin' magic.
If you haven't been to the 2nd St. Bistro lately, do yourself a favor and try the Steak Chimichuri.

Italian and French Cuisine. From the moment you walk through the red French doors you know that you are in for something special. The beautiful brick walls are adorned with vintage 1940's posters and pictures. The tin ceiling gives the dark hardwood floors a perfect blend of balance. "Italy meets France" comes together at the Art Colony. 171 W. 2nd St. Pomona, CA,91766 Mon-Fri 11am-3pm / Tue-Sat 5pm-9pm

909-622-6619 Phone

November Artwalk 2010

2010-11-14T14:08:00.000-08:00

November art walk marks the opening of a few new galleries and a whole list of great shows. Starting on the "West Side" Fr. Bill Moore Gallery exhibited the work of Mike Glass with his painting on glass. A few doors down, Indigo gallery presented the photography of Dave Bullock with his "LA Walkabouts". 20 Miles East show the various works of students from the area. Just next door at the Sculpture Garden, Mike Severin curated a Door Show with interesting works from various artists. Further East, AC Projects featured the acrylic and metal sculptures of Dean DeCocker. At Bunny Gunner, we showed the art of P. Williams with his many brightly colored paintings. Metro Gallery brought in an artist from Peru, Loan Louis. NY Delight had the photographic works of Dean Larson. Just South, Pedersen Projects showcased a solo show of paintings by Jophen Stein. SCA Gallery included a juried group show of works by SCA members. Just next door, Latino Art Museum held a fund raising event selling works on paper. Around the Corner dba256 featured the art of Brandon Spiegel with bright colored geometric paintings. Next door the dA Gallery had the Aztlan show for a second month. Down the alley, Hole the Wall Gallery presented the art of Ian Trout and Kim Alexander with their bricks and donuts installation. Pomona newest gallery EVE Gallery hosted the painting of Ortega and Cisneros.
There were much more things going one, but you have to come down and see for yourself.

Photo credits: Ren, Jill Carol, Denis Thorp, Kirk Pedersen, Juan Thorp

October Artwalk 2010

2010-10-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

Second Saturday continues to grow. October 2010 art walk paved the way for some new galleries joining the ever-growing colony. Indigo Gallery opened it's doors with a show titled "Artists We Know".
Gallery owners Chris and Jen did an excellent job of presenting the art of some dozen "regular" artists. On the other end of the colony, NY Delight had their grand opening of their sandwich/pastry shop and gallery.Lee Tintary was invited to exhibit his photographs on the freshly painted walls. Pedersen Projects presented "Urban Iconography" and the art of Shark Toof with a collection of pop imagery with a urban edge. Ink'd Chronicles and PUSH joined forces to hold a tattoo fashion show on 2nd St. complete with a catwalk, bands and a dj. The event was held as an annual fundraiser for breast cancer. At Bunny Gunner, we were please to exhibit the art of Karen Green. She had a great crowd come through all enjoyed her pieces and asking questions about her technique. As annual tradition, the dA Gallery exhibited "Nacio en Aztlan" or it's yearly Chicano influenced art show. The exhibition included work from various artists all over Southern California, a Mariachi and even some Aztec Dancers in full costume. Metro Gallery featured the art of Steve Ruiz with his "Sense of Community" paintings. I was able to take a short stroll outside and noticed who much the art walk has grown. There were crowds of people all over the entire colony, listening to live music, people watching, looking at art or just hanging out. It has been a busy season and promises to continue on through the year, see you at the end of the month for last Saturday Art Walk October 30th.

Photo credits: Jill Carol, Richard Nunez, Kirk Pedersen, Susie and Juan Thorp

Slide show follows:

Two Nights of September Art Walk

2010-09-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

It was not your typical art weekend for Pomona this September. Things started off a day early with 3 receptions being held on Friday the day before art walk. These special openings were a part of what I like to call, "Roland's Weekend". Things kicked off around 5pm with the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for Andi Campognone Projects at their new location at the Downtown Center. Just and hour later, it was the opening reception for "Roland Reiss, Selections from the 1960's". This was accompanied with a huge gathering of former CGU Alumni and the announcement of the "surprise show" in honor of Roland being held at our Bunny Gunner Gallery. "For Roland" is a group show of 45 years of Claremont Graduate School (CGU) Alumni who each created a work of art for Roland. The gallery is full with 256 pieces being sent from all over the world, as far away as Turkey. Come see the show, it's up for a month. Another 3 CGU Alumni, by coincidence, happens to be showing the same night at Pedersen Projects. Kirk Pedersen opened his doors on Friday night to welcome all the guests that came out for the two "Roland Night" events. Friday? you say, what about 2nd Satruday? Well, round two it was, with even more people out enjoying Friday's 3 shows along with the 40 other galleries' events. The dA opened with their "Out of the Woods" exhibit featuring all art created from wood. SCA Gallery presented a Cal Sate Fullerton group show. dba256 brought in an artist with "Liquid Abstraction". Metro Gallery featured the art of R.T. Pece with his "Enhanced Film Stills". Besides the mentions, there were numerous other opening that info can be found for on http://www.pomonaartscolony.com/pages/blast.html. So with so much going on in September, be sure to come and be part of it.
~Juan
photo credits: Jill Carol, Richard Nunez, Kirk Pedersen, Denis Thorp and Bunny Gunner

Our Friend Patrick Merrill Has Passed

2010-09-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

Patrick Merrill was an artist, master printer, curator, loving husband and friend. Merrill was a practicing artist and had been exhibiting since 1972. He was best known for work in two printmaking media: dramatic large-scale black and white woodcuts and densely colored intaglio and relief prints. Although in the early years he occasionally did abstract art, his mature work focused on the figure. He was concerned with psychology and politics, and developed the intersection between the two. As noted in the upcoming book, he often employed religious iconography to convey secular themes. He has had numerous solo exhibitions and was included in significant group shows in both national and international galleries and museums. In addition to a large number of private collections Merrill’s art is included in the permanent collections of regional, national and international art institutions.

Born in Toronto Canada in 1948, he immigrated to the United States in 1958 with his family. As a teenager he attended seminary school for three years in Santa Barbara with the intention of becoming a Catholic priest but the seminarians soon recognized that his true calling was art. He served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Vietnam from 1970-1971. He attended Golden West College and graduated in 1976, Magna Cum Laude from Long Beach State University where he specialized in printmaking.

After graduation he worked in various printmaking businesses developing the skills to start his own fine art printing business. In 1981 Merrill established “Pat Merrill Fine Art Prints” in downtown Long Beach and over the years relocated and expanded the business three times, moving to Garden Grove, Montclair and finally Covina. It was a fully equipped printmaking facility specializing in etchings, woodcuts, collographs and monoprints. Merrill made prints with professional artists as well as emerging artists; he also developed commercial prints for a national distributor. In his last years he enjoyed doing focused print workshops. Merrill loved to use new printmaking techniques and developed a process with master ceramicist Stephen Horn by which paper lithography could be used to print oxides directly to the clay before firing resulting in a beautiful integration of the two mediums. Merrill was also a respected member of the Los Angeles Printmaking society winning the Foundation Award for one of his large woodcuts in their 2009 national exhibition.

1981 was also the first year of his sobriety from substance abuse that began during the 1960s but was exasperated by his need to self-medicate after the trauma of the Vietnam War. His struggle to recover became a major topic of his work in the 1980s and into the 1990s. He maintained his sobriety until four months before his death, and despite the need to suppress the pain of the cancer it was intensely difficult for Merrill to return to drugs.

Merrill attended California State University Fullerton from 1991-94 where he completed his Masters in Fine Arts degree. Patrick married Debra R. Winters in 1996, an art historian and staff member at California State University Fullerton. They researched many projects together, traveled whenever possible, went to many art exhibitions, and enjoyed spending time with their family and friends. They lived in joy in Diamond Bar.

He served as the Publicity and Exhibition Director for the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art from 1990 to 2000. During these years Merrill curated over 40 exhibitions both inside and outside the Center. He was instrumental in the expansion of the center to a 6600 sq ft in the Artist’s Village in downtown Santa Ana. In 1997 Merrill added to his responsibilities when he accepted the position of Director and Curator for the W. Keith and Janet Kellogg University Art Gallery at California Polytechnic University Pomona. While at the Kellogg Art Gallery, Merrill developed the annual competition, Ink & Clay, from a local to a major national competition. Purchase and cash awards were increased and the exhibitions were documented with virtual Web catalogs. Among the many exhibitions he curated until 2009 were those that were curated around cultural and social issues such as Fragmented Bodies, Cultural Critics and Represent. He also brought contemporary Chinese art to the Inland Empire before Chinese art became trendy. He collaborated with co-curators on many exhibitions such as Ephemeral and Accretion. East in Eden was an NEA funded exhibition and examined and interpreted the Pomona Valley through the eyes of 24 contemporary artists. Merrill also curated exhibitions of the functional arts such as design, furniture and quilts. He supported special exhibitions on campus such as those of the Windows between Worlds organization. While he was director the gallery doubled its size and received two major bequests.

Merrill was a long time supporter of grass-roots organizations and was well known for his institutional volunteerism as well as his willingness to help individuals. He helped to organize the T.H. Pendergast California Parole Museum and curated all the exhibitions from 2001 to 2010. Patrick believed in the possibility of change that is a fundamental aspect of the rehabilitation that parole fosters. The most significant was a meticulously researched exhibit on the First 100 Years of Parole that was installed both at the museum and in the public hallways in front of the Governor’s office. Merrill was also a consulting curator since 2005 for the OT Gallery in Old Town Tustin that focused on artist’s prints.

After his diagnosis with stage IV cancer friends Garland Kirkpatrick and Jade Jewett proposed a book chronically his art. Artists and writers Suvan Geer, Sheila Pinkel, John O’Brien and art historians Joanna Roche, Ruth Capelle and Debra Winters contributed essays. Hundreds of family, friends and artists made gifts to the printing fund and it started to become clear just how many people’s lives that Patrick had touched. The downtown Pomona arts community organized an auction/ birthday party supporting the book in December 2009. The last year and a half of Patrick’s life was hard because of his illness as well as the effects radiation and chemotherapy; however, the time was also rich as he watched the book project progress. He was able to visit with many friends and family during this time, some of who helped him with the inventory, organization and storage of his remaining artwork. He made new friends among his care giving staff during his treatment by the Southern California Kaiser group. He succumbed to colon cancer on August 31^st 2010, sadly before the opening of two major solo exhibitions at the College of the Canyons (opening October 24^th) and Cal State Fullerton’s Begovich Gallery (opening October 30^th). The College of the Canyons exhibition, Conjunction: intaglio & relief, will feature Patrick’s rich intaglio and relief prints that he produced starting in the late 1980s until the end of his life. The CSU Fullerton exhibition, Patrick Merrill: revelation, will focus on the monumental prints in the apocalypse series, which he is well known for and that he started in the year 2004 and continued thru 2009. His last print the Alpha and Omega diptych was finished just one week before his death will be unveiled at this exhibition. The title of the upcoming book is also Patrick Merrill: revelation however the material covered is more representative of his entire life’s work.

He is survived by his wife Debra R. Winters, as well as his parents Edward and Genevieve Merrill of Washington State, three brothers Michael Merrill of Long Beach, Doug Merrill of Driggs, Idaho, Danny Merrill and sister Christine Williams of Enumclaw Washington.

A memorial will be organized in conjunction with the CSU Fullerton exhibition and will be open to the public. At this time no information is available on its exact location nor the time.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never ever the same.

Please Vote for Tara!

2010-09-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

Tara Tavi is a Pomona Unified Kindergarten teacher, resident of Lincoln Park and long time local artist and musician. Local hairstylist Cherie Savoie of Savoie salon in downtown Pomona suggested while she was doing her hair that she should try to be on the TV show Mad Men. She styled her hair into a little bouffant and took tons of pics of her w/ Bunny Gunner's camera in 60's dresses. Here's some of them- www.ponyvenom.blogspot.com In August, she signed up to be in a contest by AMC to get voted onto the TV show Mad Men. Tara is now placed at #83 of female candidates. She just need to get into the top 10 by Sept. 17th to be considered for the role. We were hoping that maybe she could get some local support! People can vote once per day per computer or Smartphone. Here is the link...
http://madmencastingcall.amctv.com/browse/detail/W5LANU

Thank you for your support,

Susie

Pomona Arts Colony August Artwalk

2010-08-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

Bunny Gunner Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

2010-07-13T00:26:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are, it's been three years since we decided to open a small business known as Bunny Gunner. And what a great ride it has been! To bring it all to a culmination, we celebrated Bunny Gunner's 3rd birthday with a massive group show called "We All Scream". Taking from the famous saying, this show features about 100 artists all creating art with the theme "ice cream". 2nd Saturday was the opening of the show and it was a great reception with a packed house all night. If you missed it, please stop by during the week or on Last Saturday for our second reception (July 31st, 6pm - 11pm).
Also in July, Bunny Gunner is having a very special reception during our Pomona Chamber of Commerce Mixer. This event will be held on Thursday, July 15th from 5-8pm. All are welcome to attend and are encouraged to dress in casual beach wear. Hawaiian shirts, flip flops, shorts and tikki attire are hip. We will provide some snacks and drinks.
After 3 years, we are excited about all the things we have done and are planning for the future. Thank you to all the artists who show in our gallery and everyone who has supported us for the last 3 years because without you, there would be no Bunny Gunner.

Pomona Arts Colony June Artwalk 2010

2010-06-14T00:07:00.000-07:00

It was second Saturday again and it was a great night. Starting down at the west end, Foggy Windows Gallery had an eighty's cartoon art show with band playing. AC Projects showed the work of Tom Pathe, Whitney Hanlon, Michael Woodcock and others. Blue Core had the mosaic art of Cathy Garcia and I heard she sold a few too. Closer to home, Ink'd Chronicles had their annual "Every tattoo has a story" photography show and benefit. We at Bunny Gunner had a solo show for Jay Merryweather with his paintings and sculptures. SCA had a Lansdcape group show curated by Bob Pece that was reviewed in the IE Weekly. As a new addition to the galleries, La Bomba Vintage featured the works of Leia Steingart. The dA Center for the Arts pulled out all the stops by painting all the gallery walls black, blocking out the windows and lighting the entire space with black lights. All the art was painted in luminescent paint and glowed brightly. In the basement there was also whole room painted out in glowing color.

Slideshow follows and video to follow:

Video Credit: Linda Allen, Ed Pruitt

Photo credit: Jill Carol, Richard Nunez, Denis Thorp, Susie and Juan Thorp

May 2010 Artwalk Review

2010-05-11T17:24:00.000-07:00

Busy Weekend filled with great art and good friends

2010-05-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

What a busy weekend!

It all started on Friday with a benefit for our beloved friend Richard Godfrey who had a severe fall and has been in the in the hospital for 6 weeks. Last we heard over $17,000 + was raised for him from a silent auction where artists donated works of art. 80 works of art from some of the best artist in Southern Ca. were on display and this included Pomona artists, A.S. Ashley, Fr. Bill Moore, Me (Juan Thorp), and Karen Karlsson. It was a good evening and a great chance to help our friends, Richard and his wife Annette. Thanks to everyone who participated!

The next morning was also a bit of help, but this time for the city of Pomona. It was "Team up to clean up Pomona" day and we did just that. Seven of us from the Colony met at Bunny Gunner for some coffee and donuts, then off to clean with bags and gloves. First on the clean up list was "Lake Pomona" and boy was it a mess. We continued until noon collecting lots of cigarette buts, flyers and some unmentionables. After the clean up, Lincoln Community Church provided a BBQ for all the volunteers at the Fairplex. Yum!

Our day was not over yet. Off to Torrance Art Museum for an excellent show Set Theory: Roland Reiss – Curated by Max Presneill with top artists including Roland Reiss, Lisa Adams, Dean DeCocker, Michael Salerno, and our next months artist, Kristi Lippire, to name a few. The show boasted great large scale works from these artists...it's a must see!

Getting back on the OC freeways, we headed to Santa Ana's first Saturday artwalk, first stopping by at OCCCA. A.S. Ashley made to billing with his signature "Venus" piece hung front and center in the gallery. Peter Frank juried this wonderful exhibition featuring great works from artist all over, even as far as Denmark. Just down the street, Grand Central Art Center featured great exhibits with extremely talented artists. The main room had the work of Laurie Lipton who created very intricate, detailed graphite drawings on paper. Subjects included a whole apartment building of faces looking on with undisturbed expressions as a woman is mugged and stabbed. Another features a smiling 50's dressed woman turning on a very intricate machine, as if somehow igniting some horrible doomsday device. In the project room, artist Christopher Ulrich created very large scale demon figures in very bright and comic like style. The demons ranged from self devouring human squids to baby doll headed, club wielding video game bosses.

Sunday evening we were back on the other side of SoCal, visiting the Robert Dowd exhibit opening at CCAA Museum of Art in Rancho Cucamonga. Curated by Cheryl Bookout, this exhibit features "Money" pieces from the collection of Joan and Jack Quinn. Works include paintings of the the Treasury building on fire, Picasso on a dollar bill, and cut up depictions of American currency. It was a great 1960's Pop Art exhibit you have to check out.

All in all, it was a great and busy weekend for art and trash pick up. No brake here, next weekend is Second Saturday.

Slideshow to follow:

-Juan

Taste of Pomona

2010-04-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

The Taste of Pomona was a real success!

Tonight was the 6th annual Taste of the Pomona Valley held by the Pomona Chamber of Commerce. It was our 3rd year of having a Bunny Gunner booth and the most successful.
There were lots of restaurants in attendance all giving the crowd a sampling of their best foods. Tony's Famous French Dip was a favorite with their sandwiches and potato salad sampling as was the Finish Line with their tasty little tacos.

Other notables were the Coco Palm serving up some paella , beef wellington by the Sheraton's own McKinley Grill and

JT Schmid's Brewery keeping us happy with their IPA's. But the best food of the night would have to be the pot roast served on rice by Euro Cafe. For dinning entertainment, the music was great with a band of Mariachis and some Blues singers. To top it all off, we won three out of the 12 prizes in the raffle! Wine, cheese, snacks and gift certificates, wow, I was worried someone would think it was fixed! Thanks to Frank Garcia and everyone at the Pomona Chamber of Commerce for making this another successful event!

We'll see you next year.

Pomona April Artwalk 2010

2010-04-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

Second Saturday came fast this month, but we were ready. At Bunny Gunner we had on display the work of Kent Anderson Butler. He had a great opening with lots of people coming to see his new body of work "Embodied Fusion". Lots of students from Azusa Pacific University were in attendance there to support Kent who teaches at the school. Others stopped by and asked questions about the process and intention of the work. I didn't get a chance to go out anywhere else, but I heard "We Are Abstract" show at SCA went really well. DBA256 had the work of a competition winner from an Ovation TV art contest. The dA had their annual CGU exhibit which never ceases to be amazing. Blue Core featured a new show by two artist one of them Cindy Rinne. AC Projects had their second showing of "Curiosities of the Curio" and Pedersen Projects had the work of Jaime Jimenez and Jophen Stein who are both amazingly skilled painters.
Besides that, there were lots of other exciting things going on all over the colony. 35 plus galleries and growing, what would you expect?
-Juan
photo by Ren, Jill Carol and Susie Thorp:

We got Married!

2010-03-28T18:29:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed, we haven't posted anything in a while. Well if you don't know, we have been really busy. To start, we had ALL U CAN EAT in February, our biggest art show of the year. One week after that we got married at the Fox Theater then a week later was the last Saturday Art reception.
Early March we did another art opening of Arturo Loya's painitngs then left for our Honeymoon the very next morning. Well, we got back from Savannah this week and are trying to catch up where we left off. We'll be posting new fun things as soon as we get back on our feet. Thanks for you patience....
We would like to share photos from our wedding and trip to Savannah...
-Juan

February Artwalk 2010

2010-02-14T14:54:00.000-08:00

Last night was the opening for our annual ALL U CAN EAT art show at Bunny Gunner. What a night it was, we had a huge turnout of people with times where you couldn't walk in the door. All the artists were happy and their collectors even more. Great sales due to the affordable prices with some artists selling out. Total pieces topped 114 with Fr. Bill alone selling 19 and Manuel Ortega doing really well with six of seven selling, and Jophen Stein selling all five of his little chess piece foxes. We had plenty of good snacks and beer with both seeming to disappear as soon as it went out. It was a fun night with good people, if you missed it come down to our place and you'll find there are still lots of great pieces available.

Slideshow to follow:
photos by Ren, Jill Carol, Delaine Ureno and us :)

January Artwalk 2010

2010-01-10T16:04:00.000-08:00

Probably one of the greatest art walks ever! Perfect weather, new galleries and group shows helped bring crowds of people out to enjoy the art. The dA had two amazing shows one titled "The New Traditionalists" and the other "In Front of the Real Thing". They have reconfigured the gallery by adding a new show wall and building a stage in the main gallery. This allowed for more prime wall space with was used well to exhibit great paintings and drawings by the artists. We at Bunny Gunner have a two man show titled "Muse Cruise". Our artists Brent Harada and Rusty Jordan made about 80 collaborative drawings that hung together in a huge grouping. SCA Project Gallery had their annual "Works on Paper" show which brought lots of people down to see and buy art. AC Projects had their "Organic Line" show which is a group of amazing artists all working in abstact linear form. Pedersen Projects and OBJCT Gallery also had new show adding to the excitement. Blue Core Gallery invited artist Norma Tanega to showcase her paintings. And on that same block, and across the street there were other galleries going late to keep the crowds happy. Over all good spirit was in the air, and this made a great art walk to start of the new decade. photo credits: Jill Carol, Richard Nunez, Kirk Pedersen, Susie Eaton and Juan Thorp
slideshow follows:

Fr. Bill is in the News

2010-01-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

Our Good friend Fr. Bill Moore SS. CC. has made it into the news. From what I hear this article has been published all over the US. We are very proud of Fr. Bill and wish him much luck in 2010.

Artist priest finds God in abstract expressionism
By JOHN ROGERS, Associated Press Writer

POMONA, Calif. — There's no steeple out front, no rows of pews inside, not even so much as a crucifix on display.

Still, this cramped little art studio in the middle of what, until not very long ago, was a street with as many broken dreams as it has potholes, is the closest thing to paradise Father Bill Moore has found. It's the place where the 60-year-old Catholic priest serves God by creating abstract paintings that he sells by the hundreds.

No ordinary preacher, Father Bill, as he's known throughout Pomona's fledgling arts district, long ago discarded his clerical collar in favor of a painter's smock. Only on Sundays does he trade it for holy vestments to deliver Mass at a local church or one of several detention facilities for youthful offenders.

All other times Moore is head of the Ministry of the Arts for the West Coast branch of his religious order, the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. His job is to serve God by painting whatever comes to mind.

"That's Bill's gift, his talent, and we have to support that," says Father Donal McCarthy, who is the order's West Coast provincial and Moore's superior. "When you've got a creative person, you shouldn't stifle that creativity."

Leaders of the order, founded more than 200 years ago in France, know of no other member whose only mission has been to paint. But then Moore, a child of the '60s who can quote the words of Jim Morrison, Bruce Springsteen and Jesus Christ with equal facility, has been a barrier-breaker since he ignored his provincial's order his freshman year of college to study either philosophy or theology. He majored in art instead.

"The next year, a letter came from the provincial saying all the students are now encouraged to major in subjects of their choice. I thought that was very cool," Moore recalls with a smile as he sits in the lobby of his modest studio sipping coffee. A copy of underground comic-book artist R. Crumb's "The Book of Genesis" sits on the coffee table and works by Japanese artist Kazumi Tanaka (a personal favorite) are displayed here and there.

Since early childhood, Moore says, he knew he had the calling - to be a painter. The call to be a priest came later.

"I was doing little abstract paintings when I was a little boy, like around 8, 9 years old," Moore recalls.

"My grandmother would just think they were the greatest things," he continues with a laugh. "The rest of the members of my family, they were, ahh, kind of more like art critics."

Not that the art world has been all that harsh on him. Moore's works, which are often compared to those of abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, sell for more than $5,000 apiece, and he has been the subject of frequent shows at galleries throughout the Southwest. Any profits he makes from those shows go directly to his order.

"His work, as abstract as it is, has a definite spiritual quality to it," says Fenton Moore, who is curating a Moore exhibition that opened Dec. 24 at the Galerie Zuger in Santa Fe, N.M. "It could be that it comes more from his heart than what you feel from other abstract artists. Or it could also be because he's just a very religious person."

Although he once worked in a realistic style, doing figures and landscapes, Moore decided a dozen years ago that abstract expressionism would be his language.

That has caused some consternation among his order, like the time he was commissioned to do the stained-glass windows for St. Anne's Church in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and proposed a series of abstract works.

"The pastor there said, 'That's not going to happen,'" Moore recalled with a laugh. So he reverted to a traditional style for that work, as he did for a recent commissioned painting of Father Damien, patron saint of Hawaii, who was a member of Moore's order when he went to live among the lepers of Hawaii's Molokai island in the 1800s.

But when he works in his studio, Moore approaches each new project with no specific plan. Working with acrylic paints, he lets his ideas flow spontaneously onto canvas, then adds bits of metal, glass or other discarded, seemingly worthless materials to each painting. They represent redemption, a central theme in his order's belief that God's love is unconditional.

It's that approach, combined with his intricate brush skills, that makes his art so appealing, says fellow painter A.S. Ashley.

"I think the hard contrasts between the light areas and the colored fields are very striking and they draw you in," Ashley says. "And then, as you get closer, you see not only the textures but also some of the intimate details that exist within them."

Moore, who was ordained in 1975, spent much of his career as a traditional Catholic priest who happened to paint. That changed in 1998 when his superiors created the Ministry of the Arts.

Soon he had moved into a studio in a century-old building in this hardscrabble town 30 miles east of Los Angeles. He secluded himself in a rundown industrial neighborhood that was just beginning to reinvent itself as an arts district.

He still lives there, with his cat, in a cramped loft behind his work space. For entertainment he occasionally tunes in an ancient TV that requires hanging a coat hanger on its rabbit-ear antenna to pull in a local news channel.

But he doesn't mind.

"I don't know what it is to be really wealthy, but I feel so rich," he says, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically. "I get up in the morning and I do what I love to do."

---

Father Bill Moore: http://www.frbillmoore.com/

Galerie Zuger: http://galeriezuger.homestead.com/

The Associated Press

Stained Glass workshop at the SCA Gallery

2009-12-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

Make Stained Glass!
BEGINNING COPPER FOIL CLASS
at the SCA Project Gallery

Instructor: Stacy Davies (www.ironsinthefireinc.com)
Dates: Mon., 7PM, beginning Jan. 25 (6 weeks)
Registration Fee: $80 (additional fee for materials) For More Information: SCAProjectGallery@gmail.com

Pomona Christmas Parade and December Artwalk

2009-12-14T23:48:00.000-08:00

First off, at 10am there was the Christmas Parade that came down 2nd Street. It was quite a treat to have this going on right outside our front porch. There were a few floats, high school bands, city officials, art towers, veterans, a tribe and much more. The parade lasted a few hours with the rain stopping during most of it. All in all it was an added treat that promises to be bigger and better next year.

It was a rainy Second Saturday, but that didn't stop the hardcore artwalkers. Yes, the true fans made it out and about to keep the artwalk alive. Reports from the "West Side" say it was busy and they were swamped and had to send people home, (at 11pm). We were not without a steady crowd here at Bunny Gunner with the crowds enjoying the beautiful paintings or Dan Callis and all our Holiday Goodies. Just next door at Ink'd Chronicles, your's truly had a solo show of small pieces called "Corroded Diagram Outlet". Thanks for all those of you who came in and supported my show. SCA Project Gallery Store had reports of good sales throughout the day, showing people are in that shopping mood. Miramar also had a sale inviting reps from the industry to check out all their custom longboard merchandise. Down the street at Pedersen Projects, our friend Kirk was showcasing the work of a group of amazing artists. His gallery managed to pull a huge crowd on only his second opening.
Father Bill impressed with some new work showing at his studio gallery. A few doors down at The Blue Core Gallery had it's holiday art show called "Under the Tree" and did well to sell some small pieces to the eager collectors. dba256 continued it's exhibition of artist Alex Brown and had some bands entertaining the crowd. Rain or shine, the Artwalk will happen.

Heads up, most galleries will not be open Last Saturday due to the holiday, but Blue Core Gallery is planning an event for the night of the 26th.
www.thorpart.com
www.bunnygunner.com

November Artwalk 2009

2009-11-15T16:53:00.000-08:00

Pomona Arts Colony Keeps Growing and Growing and Growing...

5 new galleries opened their doors in the arts colony this weekend, most of them on the ever growing "West Side". AC Projects is the return of Gallery Curator Andi Campogne to the Arts Colony. Her new ultra slick gallery is located next door to Blue Core Gallery and sports the amazing work of many well know artists. Just accross the street, 2 new galleries have emerged in the newly built Edison Building. The Galleries brought an new crowd to the area including a pack of lowrider cars parked outside. On the other side of the colony, Faded and Blured opened it's doors in the Founder's Building hosting a photography exhibit from their group of over 100. Down Thomas Street, Kirk Pedersen has his first opening at his new gallery, Pedersen Projects, showing his paintings and photos of urban decay from the far east.

Besides the new spaces, some of the regulars also delivered with powerful shows bringing in the eager art walker. The dA Gallery brought it's yearly show "Hands Across Aztlan" with the work of many artists all showcasing their spin on Chicano Art. During the opening, a group of Aztec dancers and musicians demonstrated traditional dance and music in the gallery, bring a sense of tradition to the exhibit. Next door, dba256 was showing the work of Alex Brown with a number of colored textured paintings spread through out the gallery. Sakura Ichi was the host of painter, Davis S. Wade's, work being displayed within the restaurant. Bunny Gunner featured the work of local artist, Shari Wasson. Her work didn't stop to amaze and excite the viewer to ask questions and look further into her detailed drawings. Next door Ink'd Chronicles kept the party going with a dj playing dance music for the crowds walking by. At OBJCT Gallery, another dj and drumer provided music for the art walkers attending the exhibit "Experimental". This show was a mix of paintings, design, and furniture all with the taste of the new and innovative.

All in all, the colony has not stopped to bring new people exposure to such a rich variety of art and entertainment. With new galleries sprouting up every month, the colony seems to have no apparent end as it keeps growing and growing and growing...

Last Saturday Artwalk and "Silver Scream" Halloween party at Acerogami

2009-11-01T18:06:00.000-08:00

HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY AT ACEROGAMI

2009-10-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

Costume Party. Hollywood/Movie Themed. Raffles, prizes, scary drinks, spooky photo booth, and more!

Big Weekend in Pomona/ Two Fun Events

2009-10-14T15:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday

Sunday

Band Line-up

Artist

Sponsors/Vendors

Second Saturday Artwalk October 2009

2009-10-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

IT was an extra busy 2nd Saturday this month with some new Galleries, lots of Music and new visitors from all over Southern California. Parts of Second St. were closed off to allow a few bands to play their music for the "Tattoo for the Cure" event at Ink'd Chronicles. And what a crowd they had, people were lining up to get their ribbon tattoo or piercing. The bands also provided entertainment for the hundreds of people in line to get into The Glass House to see the Swedish Metal band "Children of Bodom."

On the other end of Second St. or what we like to call "the West Side," and new gallery sprung up in the newly renovated Edison Building. "Silence Gallery" did well to bring a new crowd of artists and lookers to the ever-growing area. Also on the West Side, Fahter Bill Moore Studio Gallery, Blue Core Gallery and A.S.Ashley Studios reported being "swamped" with record numbers of new visitors.

Back to the dA Gallery and SCA, they also felt the crowds having to stay open a little later as people were still looking after 10pm. Two other events on Thomas Street also contributed to the record numbers of the night. Platform Skate won a contest and a touring skate park set up across from them where people got to enjoy skating all day. Just next door, Galeria Rustica celebrated 10 years in the Colony with a huge group art show with all from the Colony and beyond.

Overall, the good weather, the music, new galleries, big events and the art all contributed to another successful Pomona Arts Colony Art Walk. If you missed it, you have a second chance on Metro Night out Last Saturday Art Walk on the 31.
Photos by: Ren, Jill Carol, and Bunny Gunner

Breaking Free

2009-10-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 10th
Resource Fair & Vigil: Saturday, October 24th

dA Center for the Arts
252 South Main Street
Pomona Arts Colony

Exhibit runs through the month of October

Thanks to the support of the dA Center for the Arts in Pomona's lively downtown art district, AWBW will present its "BREAKING FREE: Art as a Healing Tool" Exhibit through the month of October in commemoration of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Curated by Sandra Mueller, AWBW's Community Arts Liaison, the exhibit will focus on the healing power of art and the resilience of women and children in domestic violence shelters. Other works on display will include a large scale Family Story Tree mural and selections from Cathy Salser's Portraits of Survivors series. Opening on October 1st, the exhibit will also feature a reception on Saturday, October 10th, and a domestic violence resource fair and vigil in honor of survivors on October 24th.

Running concurrently at the nearby SCA Project Gallery is the juried show "Shelter."

AWBW thanks in advance Artist Advisory Circle Member J. Cheryl Bookout, director of the SCA Project Gallery, and Terry Castillo, managing director for dA, and their respective boards of directors for opening their doors to mobilize the public to help end domestic violence.

Saturday Night Art'n

2009-09-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

It was a great night to be out and be art'n. There were 4 key events that took place and all did not stop to amaze. 1st off was the Claremont Museum of Art's two new exhibits, 10lb Ape "Your Mother Was Beautiful Once" and "An Enduring Legacy".

10lb ape consisted of huge installed "shacks" plastered with nick knacks, posters, messages, furniture and lots other wacky items all within the room of the museum exhibition space. Our friend Matt Wardell installed all this with items he found rummaging around his community in alleys and yard sales.

"An Enduring Legacy" is a show that represents work that has been newly acquired to the permanent collection. The exhibit was displayed in a kind of time line, with more modern local region artists such as James Heuter, and Carl Benjamin, giving way to the newer contemporary works of such artists like Alex Couwenburg, Rebecca Hamm, and Gary Geraths.

Just across from the museum was Alex Brown's solo exhibition of his textured abstract landscape pieces. The great numbers of the works allow you to explore Alex's sense of experimentation.

Last but not least we headed over to 5IFTYBUCKS Gallery in Pomona to see Tom Pathe's Solo exhibit. First reaction, AMAZING, Tom created 5 new pieces ranging from his color panel pieces to rotated photographs beautifully mounted to clear acrylic. But the show stopper here was his incredible plywood cut out deer paintings mixed with resin and drawn elements. Tom, you never seize to amaze us, keep doing that.

-Juan

September's Second Saturday 2009 Photo Slideshow

2009-09-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

Pomona Arts colony Artwalk from another perspective

2009-09-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

Last night the Arts Colony had very special guests. We had a group of about 92 photographers who explored the entire Colony, snapping as many shots as they could along the way. They are part of a Photo group called "Faded and Blurred" who regularly schedule photo walks all over Southern Califonia. Luckily they chose Pomona's Artwalk this time and we benefit with the beautiful pictures they are sharing with us that show the Colony from a fresh perspective.
Thank you Faded and Blurred for sharing these beautiful photos with us!
We love Pomona and You really captured our essence!

Patrick Merrill Book Fund

2009-09-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

Today we received this letter about our friend Patrick Merrill...

We cherish Patrick and his wife Debra's friendship.

They mean a lot to so many of us...

-Juan and Susie

Please read below the letter below, and feel free to pass this on to your friends.

Patrick Merrill,1994

By coagula | July 22, 2009 - 11:52 pm - Posted in Coagula ARCHIVES

Artist PATRICK MERRILL (center) guides his wife thru an extensive art exhibit (Downtown Lives) in November, 1994. Merrill is regarded as one of the great print makers in Southern California over the past 40 years. Here is LINK TO ONE of his recent major prints

"In all of Merrill’s work there is an urgency and a conviction. He is a master printer, a superb technician as well as a sophisticated and passionate artist who confronts the pleasures and pains of life in emotionally poignant works". -Jody Zellen

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

As some of you already know, but many don’t, Patrick Merrill has terminal colon cancer.

It is at stage 4 and is inoperable. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy, which will continue indefinitely. Although this is admittedly a very challenging time for Patrick and those close to him, a wonderfully positive idea for a fitting legacy has emerged. In an effort to realize that idea, we are writing to ask you to make a donation towards a book project we will describe below.

Both the chemo and the cancer bear down on Patrick and changes in his life are inescapable. He will be leaving Cal Poly in October, but will continue curating at the OT Gallery—a gallery dedicated to printmaking. He has already severely reduced the number of clients he accepts at his Fine Art Press. By the end of the year most, if not all, of his responsibilities will be eliminated and he will be able to go into his studio every day to make his own art, read and write about art, and work with artists he respects.

A few months back we were offered an incredible gift. Garland Kirkpatrick, an old friend and book designer, made a pro bono offer to design a book about Patrick’s art and practice. This concept evolved further when art historians Dr. Ruth Capelle, Dr. Joanna Roche, and Debra Winters, together with art critic Suvan Geer, stepped forward and offered to write major essays covering different aspects of Patrick’s work. Longtime friend and photographer, Rhead Lown, has offered--again pro bono--to document Patrick’s entire life’s artwork. Pat Bril, a librarian and a most insightful reader, will edit all the text for the book. Jade Jewett, a gifted painter and art professor, has generously undertaken the job of project manager, the one who keeps everything on track.

The essayists have started writing and we are still brainstorming some of the project, for example, we are considering for the dust jacket an original print, printed by letterpress. The style of the book will be somewhere between an artist’s book and an artist’s monograph. This book is a lifelong dream, and it addresses creatively and constructively Patrick’s angst that he and his art will disappear after he dies.

As you can see much of the expense of putting this project together has already been covered through generous donations of time and specialized labor by many people. However, two critical components still require funding: specific monumental prints need large scale digital scanning in order to reproduce effectively and, of course, printing costs must be addressed. We are estimating these two elements will total around $80,000. Half of that amount has already been promised. For the rest, we are seeking your help. However, we understand these are difficult financial times for many, and we ask only that you consider a contribution level with which you are comfortable. We are confident this collective endeavor will provide what is needed and plan to go into production by summer 2010. If we receive your donation by the end of this year, we can more efficiently plan the design of the book within the budget available.

Please make your donation to the “Pat Merrill Book Fund” at either of the following addresses, and please give us your contact information.

Send to either:

Debra Winters
1129 C Golden Springs Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765

*Or send directly to:

Pat Merrill Book Fund
Account #60130688401
c/o First Federal Bank of CA
Sunset Park Office
1750 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Your Name(s):
Address:
Email:
Telephone/ Cell Number:

*If you send your check directly to the bank please also send your contact information above to Debra’s email: dwinters09@gmail.com

Please forward this email to the many people whose lives Patrick and Debra have touched. If you have any questions, please send emails to:

Debra – dwinters09@gmail.com
Jade – jjewett@fullerton.edu
Any and all help is truly welcome.
Thank you in advance for your help,
The Pat Merrill Book Fund (PMBF) Project Team
Jade Jewett

Debra Winters
Suvan Gear

ONA2X2 RECEPTION AT CYPRESS COLLEGE

2009-09-03T11:38:00.001-07:00

Thank you to all the artist who participated in ONA2X2...
Awesome, Awesome job! Thanks to everyone who came out last night for the reception, it was so good to see all of you! Paul, thank you so much for inviting us into your gallery it's been a great experience! You and your staff did an amazing job hanging the show...very nice reception too :)

This Week in Art:

2009-09-01T15:04:00.000-07:00

This Week in Art:

two Art openings,

One tomorrow Night and One on Friday Night.

Cypress Cologe art Gallery Presents:

ONA2X2

a group show curated by Susie Eaton and Juan Thorp of Bunny Gunner.

opening reception, Wed Sept 2nd, 6-8pm.

show runs Sept 2 - Oct 1.

and

The Claremont Community Foundation

and the Empirical Philatelic Trust's

Bureau of Printing and Engraving

present the

2009 Claremont Postal

Ephemera Exhibition

Claremont, California

From the personal collection of

Michael Woodcock

at the Claremont Community Foundation Art Gallery,

2009 Claremont Postal Ephemera Exhibition

by Michael Woodcock

Artist's reception, Friday Sept 4th , 5:30 - 7:30pm.

show runs Sept 1 - Sept 25th

more info below

August Artwalk Review

2009-08-09T15:17:00.001-07:00

Who says August is a dead month for art?

Well, that was not the case last night during Pomona's Art Walk. I got a chance to make it around the block this time and took a few pictures. Man was it packed out, there were lots of people hanging around the galleries, farmer's market and all the restaurants. By far the largest crowd was congregating around the dA Center. They were featuring the works of over 100 artists for the "Gone Fishin" show that consisted of fish based art. The highlights of the show were Chris Toovey's collection of fish paraphernalia installed in the back room, the ping pong goldfish game and the giant fish photo shoot by Cherie. There was a huge crowd in the gallery all looking around at the fish art. Just around the corner were a few new exhibitions. One was David S. Wade's paintings at the PO for this "Corrugated Heroes" show and the other was a group show at dba256 by local artists. Besides that, "Out of the Blue", a show by the Blue Core Group did well to bring crowds of people to the "West Side". And while in the West Side people stopped by to visit Ross Thompson's ceramic studio and picked up a few bowls. On the other end of 2nd St., Miramar put together a provocative photography exhibit bringing people down to that area and continuing on to Joey's BBQ where there was another new art exhibit with band and all. There were lots of other things going on, but I can't tell you here, you'll just have to come next 2nd Saturday and experience them for yourselves.

Back at the home front, we at Bunny Gunner are featuring a show with paintings by former Pomona Artists, Carlos Estrada-Vega. His colored square paintings and Ross's Ceramics in the window did well to draw a nice crowd to our gallery. So did a new show at Ink'd Chronicles next door which exhibited paintings by artist Psyco James and others.

Photos by Jill Carol, Juan Thorp and Susie Eaton

August Artwalk

2009-08-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

It's Second Saturday again and there's a lot going on. We have our new show "Works on Paper" by Carlos Estrada-Vega, the dA has the "Gone Fishin" show and Blue Core gallery has "Into the Blue." Make sure you check each one of these shows out and don't forget to get you picture taken with my giant 7' fish that's hanging at the dA. Also on the list is Jenelle Lowry's show at Sakura Ichi Gallery, she did some new paintings for the space. Miramar will be hosting a Photography show and judging by the flyer, it looks edgy. If that's not enough to get you to come, there are lots of other galleries and the farmer's market and car show. See you then.

You can read more about from our Arts Colony Correspondent, A.S. Ashleys article in the Daily Bulletin

or visit Pomona Arts Colony website

Also this from: Colony Art Gifts

If the collaborative partnership between the dA and SCA is like a marriage made in Heaven, Colony Art Gifts is their firstborn child.

Colony Art Gifts, located at 281 S. Thomas, #101 (above the SCA in the Founder's Building), will offer affordable, original objects d'art as well as t-shirts, cds, cards and more. The mission of Colony Art Gifts is to connect local artists and artisans who create really fantastic things with people who just happen to be in the market for things that are really fantastic.

A percentage of each sale will benefit the continuing arts programs of the dA Center for the Arts and the SCA Project Gallery.

Our Grand Opening will be Saturday, September 12. Store hours will be 11am - 7pm on Wednesday thru Saturday, with extended hours during Art Walk and Metro Night events.

If you are an artist who would like to have your merchandise considered for sale, contact Cher Ofstedahl at cheryllynneera@aol.com , or call Colony Art Gifts at 909-865-0252.

If you are someone who is looking for unique, beautiful art gifts at great prices, just come on by and c'mon, BUY!!!!

Bunny Gunner is pleased to present the New
Works of Carlos Estrada- Vega

Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Carlos now resides in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he has just completed a new studio space overlooking the wide expanse of the breathtaking New Mexican landscape. Having lived in Los Angeles for more than 20 years, his recent move to New Mexico has enabled him to reach new heights in his already well known sense of luscious color sensibility. Upon completion of his Bachelor in Arts, Art/Religious Studies from California State University at Bakersfield he then continued his graduate studies in art at Claremont Graduate University.

Estrada-Vega is represented in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cologne, Germany and Sydney, Australia. His work is in the collections of the Museum Katharinenhof, Kranenburg, Germany, Portland (Oregon)Art Museum, Long Beach (California) Museum of Art, University of California at Los Angeles and Santa Cruz, The Oakland (California) Museum, Norton Family Foundation and many private collections in the USA, Europe and Australia.

The Blue Core Gallery

This month they are showcasing The Blue Core Artists the title of the show is "Out of the Blue" look forward in seeing all of you here for great art, food, and music. August 8th 6:00 P.M - 11:00 PM 558 west 2nd St. "A" Pomona Ca. 91766

The dA gallery

August is the month many folks go on vacation and local shops hang their Gone Fishin’ signs on door knobs. The dA Center for the Arts thought it would be a good idea to do likewise during Second Saturday Art Walk by presenting a summertime show exclusively about fish.

“Gone Fishin’” is a group art exhibit featuring over 100 pieces of artwork depicting our fishy friends, many of which will never be seen in an aquarium, but in a gallery setting the range of strange underwater beasties is endless.

And if the peculiar renditions of fabulous fish fodder aren’t enough, the dA will have a “Big Catch” photo area where patrons can get snapshots of themselves in waders and fishing cap, alongside a 600 lb grouper fish for their trophy mantle.

Plus for the kiddies, there will be a ping-pong-ball fish arcade where little tykes of all ages can toss for live gold fish.

Additionally there will be fish trophies, plaques and certificates of merit for the following fish award catagories:

BIGGEST FISH
SMALLEST FISH
UGLIEST FISH
PRETTIEST FISH
GOLDEST FISH
SCARIEST FISH
MOST DANGEOUS FISH
MOST OBSCURE FISH
MOST FISH
BEST MERMAID
BEST READY MADE FISH
BEST DAMN FISH

The Magic Door

2009-07-30T01:27:00.000-07:00

Our dear friend Dwain Kaiser was rushed to the Hospital yesterday with breathing problems. We ask everyone to not be alarmed, as he is in the hospital only for a few days for observation. Thank you all for your concern and for everyone who has offered to help. Joann would like to thank everyone who help pitched in any way they could. Get well soon Dwain as we need someone to greet us as we walk down the north side of 2nd St.

If you would like to help but not sure how, come down the store and buy a few books, they have a great selection, and friendly too!
Magic Door IV
155 W. 2nd St.
Pomona, CA 91766
909 472 2991

Grand opening and ribbon cutting of Aladddin Jr.

2009-07-16T12:00:00.001-07:00

A busy night for the Colony Tonight!

First of all, it is the grand opening for our neighbor "Aladdin Jr." The Pomona Chamber of Commerce is holding a ribbon cutting for the event. This takes place at 5:30 at 296 W. 2nd St. (Corner of 2nd and Main) in the Arts Colony. Inside Aladdin, is also the long awaited preview of the new lounge room "Night Driving", a curated effort by Perry Tollet (Glasshouse) and Rolo Castillo (5iftybucks). Come by and taste the food, music, and art.

Just down the street at 256 S. Main St. (Corner of 3rd and Main) DBA256 is hosting the Dale Bros Brewery "Pacific Daylight" introduction party. Mmmm ... summer beer. This starts at 6pm.

Two parties only a few hundred feet from each other, I think that's enough to do for a Thursday night. Come out and enjoy the cool summer nights right here in the Colony.

Mixing it up with the Mixed Drink Colony walk.

2009-07-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

Yes it was after second Saturday and we decided to celebrate. The night started off with a mini BBQ with friends at DBA. Only had a few beers to start here, but we'll get back to that later. We all had the pirate itch and were feeling like having some rum in us, you know to perk us up from that "so tired can't think straight" slump. Off to Acerogami (Glass House Bar) we all went. And to our luck, Erinn and Jaclyn where there ready to serve our imaginations. For the first round, I ordered the "facebook famous" lychee martini that was delicious and smooth. Susie and Marisa went for "the VIP" (a special martini) and a lemon drop. Now we said we were going to stick to rum and try something different every time, but the drinks got the better of us and we broke the rules right of the bat. Marisa ordered the same drink and I went for a dirty martini with Susie going for the Bloody Mary. Well, this changed things as now Susie was set on those delicious BM's and Marisa going for the Don Juan. At this point anything was game. Jaclyn served up some watermelon shots and Alex and Natalie joined the party along with Brad who was drinking scotch and soda. I was feeling experimental so I went home and grabbed the pickle jar. Jaclyn made me the best pickle juice martini ever, so Susie had some of the same mixed into her BM. At this point Alex was ready to buy me a shot so we had some fruity smooth thing I can't remember. Now around 12 am, we decided to continue our adventure to another bar. Characters was the obvious choice, and a strong one it was. At Characters I ended up just asking Jessica, "Give me something with vodka that's not sweet." I got a screwdriver in a huge mug with some orange wedges mixed in and Susie had another BM, but this one was huge and had a giant celery stick coming out of it. By now, last call was approaching so we decided to take it back home. Back to DBA it was were Tibbi made Susie an awesome Chelada with Clamato and hot sauce and other stuff I don't remember. In keeping with the martini vibe, he also served us up mixed nuts in a martini glass. Thanks Jaclyn, Erinn, Tibbi, and Jessica for providing a great mixed drink mayhem bar walk. Maybe we'll do this every "Second Sunday" or is it called "The Day After"?

-Juan and Susie

Bunny Gunner's Second Birthday and July Artwalk

2009-07-12T17:11:00.000-07:00

We had a great Art Walk last night. We celebrated Bunny Gunner's 2nd birthday with great art, great music and lots of great friends. Here are the pictures to prove it. We've also included some of the other galleries and Art Walkers. Enjoy the pictures and if you missed the Art Walk, remember we have another reception during last Saturday on July 25th.

-Juan and Susie

Photos by Jill Carol, Susie Eaton and Juan Thorp

"Summertime" Show at Bunny Gunner

2009-07-10T03:05:00.000-07:00

Here's a preview of some of the art for the

"Summertime" show at Bunny Gunner

this Saturday.

We're celebrating our 2nd Birthday, so

come on out and see us!

Go to Pomona Arts Colony for details

on exhibits at our friends galleries...

All the galleries have fantastic shows!

Bunny Gunner is located at:

266 west second St.

Pomona Arts Colony

Bunny Gunner Celebrates Second Birthday

2009-07-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

July 2009 marks Bunny Gunner's 2nd birthday. It's been a great two years, even though we have been working in the Arts Colony for almost 10 years. Bunny Gunner plans to celebrate it's birthday during the July Art Walk. We will host a group art show titled “Summertime”. Each artist has created a small work of art that stays within the summertime theme. Besides the art, we will also have live music from “The Sonnets” and other bands, free BBQ’d hot dogs, a kiddy pool, and other fun summer activities. So we would like to invite everyone to come and celebrate our 2nd Birthday during the 2nd Saturday Art Walk.

We are an art gallery, graphic design studio, frame shop specializing in conservation, museum and gallery framing, located in Downtown Pomona at 266 W.Second St. in the Arts Colony.

Certified Framer Susie Eaton, with over 20 years experience in the industry and Artist Juan Thorp are the owners of Bunny Gunner. We are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10-7 and until ??? on the second Saturday and the last Saturday of every month, which is our artwalk and closing reception.

-Juan and Susie

909-868-2808

www.thorpart.com

www.bunnygunner.com

Pomona June Artwalk

2009-06-15T15:26:00.000-07:00

It's June and it's another great Art Walk. I have written before about the colony growing, and it's happening again. Two new spaces this time, Joseph Todorovitch's Studio and Lucha Gallery. Both new additions to the "West Side" of the Colony. I didn't get a chance to get out that far, but I heard lots of good things. The attendance to the west side of the Colony seems to have doubled. That's great for everyone as it shows people are starting to realize the Colony is larger than they first expected. Another highlight was the addition of the SCA and dA Arts Colony Store. They had art, clothes, and other stuff for sale. It's the start of something we have needed for a long time. Stop by sometime and see what they have. Check out the slideshow to see what else was going on.

Second Saturday Artwalk for June

2009-06-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

Come on out tonight and join us for a night of Art, Music

The Farmer's Market.... good times!

All the galleries have new shows , we even have a new gallery in town.

The Lucha Gallery is located at 495 W. Second St.

they will featuring the art of Hector Silva, curated by Patricia E. Zambrano.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

For more information, remember to go to Pomona Arts Colony

Here are some highlights of what's going on around the Colony tonight:

Bunny Gunner's Opinion

2009-06-01T23:35:00.000-07:00

So, the council meeting was a complete farse. We came out in large numbers to support the PBID and DPOA only to be turned back by a delay caused by the Freddie Rodriquez's absence. Oh it could have happened today, as Paula Lantz was all for going on with the meeting, but the Mayor decided it would be "disrespectful" to hold the meeting without Freddie. Well what about the disrespect to all the people that took time out of their busy lives to be there when it was scheduled? Paula made a point that she spoke to Freddie and he was okay with the meeting going on without him since it wouldn't come to a vote anyway. But the Mayor stepped in and said he also spoke to Freddie and was told to not have the meeting without him. So what's the real deal here? The real deal is there's something fishy going on with the Mayor calling all the shots and postponing the meeting until Thursday when Paula will not be able to attend and Freddie will. What does that mean? Well Paula expressed she was in support of the PBID and only mentioned some trash issues that need to be addressed. And word is Freddie is against the PBID. So this means the PBID loses a positive vote and gains a negative. What's up with politics? Either way the meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, don't we the citizens have any say in the matter? We were there, we were ready, what about us?

-Juan

From the other half of Bunny Gunner:

I would like to add that I am for the P-BID/ DPOA and happy with what they have done for our Downtown area, so are my customers....I hear wonderful things about our town from people who travel from all over Southern Ca. to do business with me....they love it here!
We have grown to love the members of the DPOA too... it makes me sick to think that they could loose their jobs.
That is why I went tonight! Larry Egan, Lorena and Augusto and all the members of the DPOA have gone beyond the call of duty to make this a place others would want to spend their time and money. Larry is the best thing that has happened to us in the 9 years that I have been living and doing business in the Arts Colony.We are so fortunate to have a fine art photographer on staff, Sally Egan, who tirelessly is at every event shooting pictures to promote our businesses and bring new business to the downtown area.
The Metro Pomona Website is like no other, Jason Christman ( brand new Papa) is a genius...the best web designer I've ever seen. Thank you to all of the members of the board of directors, Carolyn Hemming, Mike Showalter, Kathy Tessier, Jerry Tessier and Don Church, you have all done an excellent job!

The vision statement for the DPOA is:

Metro Pomona is a safe, clean, friendly, historic mixed-use urban neighborhood that serves as a regional destination for arts, antiques, retail and entertainment and as the center for commerce, education, and cultural life of our diverse community. The core purpose of the Downtown Pomona Owners' Association is to make Metro Pomona a desirable and economically vibrant place to be.

Mission Accomplished!

-Susie

Downtown Galleries Support P-BID

2009-06-01T02:34:00.000-07:00

I have lived in Pomona for over 20 years. I am a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and went through all of my schooling in the PUSD. I have been active in the Arts Colony of Pomona since 1996. Since then I have seen the area grow from a quiet "Ghost Town" to a growing community, and now to a thriving Arts and Music destination. I remember when P-Bid was first announced and considered a really bad idea. I saw it pass and within the first few years, really make a positive difference in the community. Since then, it has really taken off the ground and become the driving force behind the improvement and expansion of the area. DPOA has really become the main advocate of all the small businesses including the restaurants, antique shops, and galleries in the area. Without the help of the promotion, security, and maintenance DPOA provides, the area would still be stuck 5 years back struggling to survive and bring shoppers, and patrons to the businesses.

Susie Eaton and I currently own and operate a small business called Bunny Gunner. It is an art gallery, picture framing shop and sign shop on 2nd St. As a business, we pay into the PBID and are glad to do so. The amount of benefits we obtain from the DPOA are far greater than anything we could do ourselves. Some of the things DPOA provides us small businesses are a great website, security, and maintenance. The website at metropomona.com has become a main draw for people to find out about the area and have many interesting reasons to visit. Security provides a safe environment for businesses to thrive without the worry of break-ins, robbery, homeless presence, and other disturbing elements more present throughout other parts of the city. Maintenance provides for a clean a presentable area which is inviting for new visitors and prospective businesses. I'm not sure what the records say, but you might find the Downtown area to be one of the fastest growing business communities in all of Pomona. New businesses mean lots of new tax dollars benefiting the city, and increase in taxes might have a direct impact on the taxes being paid by the city itself.

If the PBID does not pass, I would expect to see a decline in the downtown area which would have a diverse effect on the whole city. Pomona has had a hard time with it's reputation. It has become infamous from gangs, crime and the CHP officer murder. The downtown area has been one of the main driving forces to turn this image around. With the help of the DPOA, the arts colony and antique row have been successful at turning this negative stereotype around and attracting people from Claremont, Orange County, LA and other surrounding communities to the area. There is no longer the stigma of being shot, mugged or your car being broken into, mainly thanks to the security of the DPOA and the confidence the patrons themselves have in the area.

So I stand in full support of PBID and all it has done to turn the area of Downtown Pomona around and provide for a safe, clean, exciting, and traffic full area for a small business like my own to thrive. Please vote to keep the PBID and the DPOA so I may continue to believe in all the great things Pomona has done for itself.

I would also like to add the fact the we live at our business and have a 24-7 perspective of what goes on in the downtown area. I would like for you to consider asking all others speaking on behalf of the matter if they live in the area and are then fully experienced to comment on the subject.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

-Juan Thorp and Susie Eaton

A.S. Ashley writes:

In two-plus years living in Downtown Pomona, I've seen nearly a half-dozen new restaurants open, empty storefronts filled, the renovation of the Fox Theater, and 30 percent growth in art venues in the Arts Colony.

And that's during these devastating financial times. Thank you, DPOA!
To read more of what Ashley writes about this subject, you can read his article in The Daily Bulletin

The Blue Core Gallery adds:

I am an artist here in the Pomona Art Colony, I moved here in 2001, became a VPD Commissioner when the P-BID was just in the works. I got married and moved away before it took effect, I was gone 5 years and just moved back 3 months ago and was amazed how Pomona had changed. I feel more secure now with the security the DPOA has on force. I have a 3 year old and we visit the Veterans park on a daily basis and to see the security on patrol is wonderful, not to mention the way the DPOA keeps this town clean, the visitors we get from the Metro Night out and other events. I can compare Pomona before the P-BID and after, because I was born and raised here in Pomona, went to all the schools here so I can speak with authority that Mr. Egan and the DPOA needs to be renewed, this town deserves to keep growing in the right direction and removal of the DPOA would put this town back to the state it was in when I left 5 years ago. thank you, Steve Ruiz ex VPD commissioner/artist

-Steve Ruiz

And this from Cheryl Bookout:

I have been a resident and director of an arts nonprofit in downtown Pomona since 1999. When the PBID was put in place and the DPOA took action, downtown Pomona took a turn in a long awaited direction...a very positive direction. I've been a member of various committees over the years, the goals were always the same for our downtown business district: a cleaner and safer city, to become a destination city in the greater Southern California community to experience art and culture and attract new commerce. These things are happening. If we should suddenly lose the DPOA, we would be thrown back to the days of dirty streets, graffiti on the windows and a less safe place to be. With the renovation of the Fox Theater as a music venue, the youth music crowd will be an ongoing part of our community. With this comes higher visibility for the area and a greater need for all the things that the DPOA provides.

Downtown Pomona needs the DPOA now, more than ever.
-J. Cheryl Bookout

Call to Artist

2009-05-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

Art Towers

Simon Rodia took 33 years to build his towers in Watts, Gustave Eiffel
built a famous tower in France and Antoni Gaudi created 18 towers as
part of the temple of th Sagrada Familia in Spain. These towers soar
above us, but also inspire us

WATCH ART HAPPEN invites teams of artist to be inspired by these
structures and take the opportunity to create their own art towers. More
than one million visitors will view the process as part of the exhibition
The Making of Art at the Millard Sheets Center for the Arts
at Fairplex during the 2009 L.A. County Fair, Sept. 5 through Oct. 4 Teams
will receive a commission of $3,000 for their Art Towers.
For more information:
Millard Sheets Center for Arts
Coordinator: Dina Romero
909-446-7242

Millard Sheets Center for the Arts
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona, Ca. 91768
909-865-4560

SCA PROJECT GALLERY ART RAFFLE

2009-05-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

SCA Project Gallery will be hosting an art raffle. This fundraiser is a great opportunity for people to win some great art donated by local artists and help out SCA. Tickets will be sold throughout the week and the drawing will take place on Memorial Day, Monday May 25th. Tickets will be $5 each or 5 tickets for $20. Bunny Gunner will have some tickets on hand available for purchase.Tickets will be sold May 16 - May 25 - respond to this E-mail address: cheryl@scagallery.com, and we will be sure to get tickets to you. If you would like to attend the Memorial Day get-together, let Cheryl Bookout know and she will send details.
Click below to see all the details

Colony Continues to Grow

2009-05-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

With the addition of three new galleries, the Pomona Arts Colony continues to grow as one of the leading art walks in Southern California. Did you drive down here and couldn't find parking? Well thats a good thing, that means we are continuing to break records with the attendance for the art walk. There were a few big events that contributed to the large crowds. The Downtown Center had to student shows, one of the SAE highschoolers and the other showing the winners of the Tile Mural contest for Pomona students. Another student show was also held at the dA featuring the work of PUSD students. The Glass House had a huge show, the Fox Theater had an art auction to benefit Wounded Warriors, and the church had their regular service. Also adding to the mayhem was "Safety in Numbers", the group photography show at DBA256, our show here at Bunny Gunner with Cathy Garcia and David Flury, and a big print making group show at 57 Underground. To add to this already full night, 3 new galleries opened their doors. One was The Blue Core Gallery showing the work of Cheryl Bookout down on the west end of 2nd St. Another was Mirimar Longboards, located just over by Joey's Gallery. An lastly, OBJCT Gallery opened it's doors with an amazing display of hard edge modern type artwork. Welcome to the neighborhood new galleries, just remember, you have to do this everymonth. And I can't forget to mention the Rolo Castillo has a display of about 100 of his rock posters plastered on the walls of Joey's Art Bar. And A.S. Ashley opened his studio doors and invited people to come on in as part of the art walk. and the Farmer's Market had over 1,800 people come through. All in all it was the perfect night for an art walk in a colony that continues to expand.
-Juan and Susie

Peaches is Found

2009-05-10T14:19:00.000-07:00

WE FOUND HER! She was around the corner behind the restaurant, a popular cat hang-out.

She made it home by herself.

Second Saturday Artwalk May 9th

2009-05-08T00:08:00.000-07:00

Our good friends Steve and Cori Ruiz will be opening their brand

new gallery The Blue Core Gallery
featuring the art of Cheryl Bookout, which happens to be one of our favorite artist and is also a dear friend of us here Bunny Gunner.
Cheryl opened our gallery 2 years ago with a beautiful and successful show.

Bunny Gunner

Cathy Garica and David Flury
this 2nd Saturday at Bunny Gunner
Opening Reception May 9th, 6-10pm

266 W. 2nd St Pomona, CA 91766
BunnyGunner.com

dba256 gallery

It's going to be a great night!
There will be 16+ openings this Saturday!
go to pomonaartscolony.com to see them all

"Fundraiser / Beer Party"

2009-04-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

Come one, come all ...
It's a FUNDRAISER!
It's a BEER PARTY!
dA Center for the Arts is hosting the introduction party for Dale Bros. Brewery's late spring seasonal beer, Dude of York. They will be raffling off great prizes, and every raffle ticket you put into the jar will be rewarded with a sample of this new beer, a creation inspired by the session beers of England. Dale Bros. Brewery T-shirts and glasses will be available for purchase with a portion of the sales going to benefit dA Center for the Arts.
Your support of the dA is always important to its survival. In these tough economic times, the dA needs your support more than ever. Come out and celebrate the dA with friends and a beer.
Monday, April 27, 2009
5:00pm - 8:00pm
dA Center for the Arts
252 S. Main Street
Pomona, CA
909-397-9716

Smogdance Film Festival at the Fox Pomona

2009-04-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

The dA is selling tickets for Smogdance and hosting after parties each night.

They will be open today, Friday, at Noon until 7PM, and will re-open around 9PM to host the after party for Smogdance attendees and filmmakers.

Saturday they will be open from Noon to Midnight.
Smogdance starts at 7PM and the gallery will stay open for last Saturday fun and the after party for Smogdance.

Sunday, Smogdance starts at 5PM, the gallery will open at 6PM in preparation for the final after party for the Smogdance Film Festival.

Monday, it doesn't stop, they have a fund raiser from 5PM to 8PM,
Sponsored by Dale Bros. Brewery, where they will introduce their new beer: Dude of York!
Stop by have a beer and help the dA!

Smogdance starting times
Friday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 26 at 5:00 p.m.
Smogdance Schedule of Films
http://smogdance.com/2009.html
Smogdance Silent Art Auction
Host:
dA Center for the Arts

The 11th annual Smogdance Film Festival with it’s tradition of showing independent films will also present an art auction that has an intimate connection with one of the films being screened at the Pomona Fox Theater.

Six prominent Downtown Pomona and Inland Empire artists will be representing the viable and thriving art scene in the area, and it is not by accident that a majority of these artists were involved in one of the documentaries being shown at Smogdance.

The project, TENTS OF HOPE, with the film entry "TENTS ~The Patchwork Project", a documentary by Francesca Roveda, is a film about communities gathering support for the people of Darfur, symbolically and literally.

Local communities across the U.S. raised money, purchased and painted tents in locations nationwide committing their efforts not only to a political cause, but in practical terms, allowing these tents to be donated to the struggling refugees in the Sudan.

Though our own local area artist’s segment in the film was modest, their spirit, energy and effort to this project was not, and again, these artists are offering up their talents and works to support Smogdance and raise money for dA Center for the Arts.

During the Smogdance Film festival, in the main lobby of the Fox there will be six artists displaying 12 pieces of art (two paintings per artist).

The artists participating are:

Fr. Bill Moore SS. CC., A. S. Ashley, Manny LeGaspe', Thomas Stubbs, Juan Thorp, and Alex Couwenberg.

The Silent Auction will last the entire three days of the Smogdance Festival with bidding closing 15 minutes after the end of the last film on Sunday.

Some of the artwork in this auction is listed into the thousands of dollars, but starting bid price on all works is 50 dollars each, with $10 minimum raises thereafter.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get incredible art at a bargain, and help support the dA Center for the Arts!

The greatly anticipated opening of the Pomona Fox Theater will present for its first truly public event since its restoration, the 11th Annual Smogdance Film Festival, bringing this dA Center for the Arts production back home to downtown Pomona.

This three day event, beginning Friday, April 24 will feature a broad range of independent films including comedy, animation, drama, documentary, etc., and what better venue than the Fox Theater to showcase these film makers and their cinematic work?

When: Friday, April 24th 7pm
Saturday, April 25th 7pm
Sunday, April 26th 5pm

Admission: $10.00 per night or $20.00 Festival Pass
General Admission
$ 8.00 per night or $16.00 Festival Pass
Student/Senior

Where: Pomona Fox Theater, 301 S. Garey Avenue

Silent auction winners will be announced during the Sunday after party at the dA after the Film Festival.

Please contact A. S. Ashley about any questions concerning the Smogdance Silent Art Auction:

a.s.ashley@hotmail.com
661.428.1772

Fun day in Pomona with good friends

2009-04-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

Bunny Gunner and crew was at the "5th Annual Taste of Pomona" sponsored by the Pomona Chamber of Commerce. We had a nice booth with merchandise, pictures of our gallery and shop, and some framed art to show off. Some of the restaurants in attendance included, Tony's Famous French Dip, The Sheraton, McKinley Grill, Safron Catering, DBA256 Wine Bar, Double Tree Hotel, and some others. Also the City of Pomona had a booth along with other organizations such as the YMCA and Western University. It was a great night with lots of good food and good music. The stars of the show seemed to be a group of students from Village Academy who were lucky enough to meet President Obama. Our mayor, Eliott Rothman was in attendance and even helped us load our truck as we packed up. The night was a good time, thanks to Frank Garcia and Pomona Chamber for throwing another successful event.

After the "Taste" we headed back to the Arts Colony just in time to catch a stellar performance by Kimya Dawson. She was kind enough to return to the arts colony were she has played in the past in places like 51Buckingham and 5iftybucks gallery. Her set was amazing, including songs from newer kids albums and some old favorites that make your heart weep and jump for joy all at once. Thanks Rolo, Terry, Joe and the dA for bringing such cool talent to the ears of us Pomonians.

We finished off a great day with a couple of beers at dba256, thanks Johnny for a fun night at Dabooya!
-Juan and Susie

April Artwalk

2009-04-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

Yet another great Art Walk. The star of the show again would have to be the dA Gallery and their CGU show. Rolo, the curator has been frequenting Claremont Graduate University's shows held every Tuesday and picking through the grad students studios to find the right stuff. And stuff he found, the show features work from over 20 students ranging from a huge brightly colored fabric stage with stuffed hanging forms, to a spray foam monkey swinging from a tire. Nothing traditional at this show, its all over the edge make you think and look twice kind of work. Just around the block was the "Vegas Show" hosted by Franz Keller and Bob Pece of SCA Gallery. This show pulled out all the stops, and the dice, and the cards. The feature of this show seemed to be the painting-assemblage of 17 year old budding artist Cecilia LeGaspe. You might recognize the name since her father is a famous local who was working on a giant totem pole painting at the Po Gallery. Manny also had work hanging at the Glass House Record Store, including some 4 new paintings specially for the show. Moving on down the block, Alex Brown put together yet another benefit show with ceramic pots available at a mere $5. Just next door Magic Door 4 books was having a book signing and talk with a quite famous author. There was a nice crowd gathered there to listen to his words of wisdom. Back on the home front, Bunny Gunner featured the work of Ryan Chorbagian, who's first show ever was quite a success. Ryan's pieces were continuously being praised and admired. His assemblage pieces consist of wood and metal found boxes filled with other found trinkets such as religious statues, flash bulbs, wire, candles, old discarded photos and other interesting gems. Just next door, Inkd Chronicles displayed the drawings and paintings of David Cook. A regular to the space, David's graphite drawings have a sort of surreal and psychedelic feel with faces transforming into other beings and animals. All in all, another great Art Walk to keep the year on the right step. Get ready for next month, and summer, its going to be hot in more ways than one. Art walks are every 2nd Saturday of the month from 6pm - 10pm.

Pomona Art Walk this Saturday April 11th

2009-04-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

Our Friends from Bedlam Magazine posted this on their website....Check it out!

The Pomona Art Walk is a wonderful opportunity to discover a quaint, tree-lined community centered on an approximately ten-block square area that has retained much of its classic Main Street charm (this was where the exterior town scenes were shot for The Cat in the Hat) while adding some quirky and architecturally intriguing elements that make it an ideal strolling zone. But it is the quality of the newish galleries, such as the da Center for the Arts, the Bunny Gunner Gallery and more than a dozen other arts venues, that draw crowds from across L.A. to this enticing event on the second Saturday of each month, six p.m. to whenever. A map of the Walk is included among the Art Walks Maps section of this website (see the menu bar at the top of the page).

The assemblages of Ryan Chorbagian featured at Bunny Gunner Gallery are reason alone to make the trek, as are the always-innovative installations at the da, just around the corner, which this month features work by Claremont Graduate University students, curated by Rolo Castillo, who is more or less the godfather of the Pomona arts scene (kissing his ring is not, however, mandatory). This is NOT your usual show of student work, however. Castillo has hand-picked the works of gifted and startlingly original artists that will not disappoint visitors.

Chorbagian's assemblages at Bunny Gunner have narrative, religious and festishistic elements that suggest deeply personal totems. There is a touch of nostalgia to them, and the warm materials (wood, faded photos, curious metal
Ryan Charbogian, "Fish Hook," assemblage

instruments graced with the patina of time) make these objects attractive for their pure physicality alone.
Bunny Gunner's gallery is an intimate space that is always interesting to visit, filled as it is with the paraphenalia of working artists and the tools of its custom-framing business as well as bits and pieces of artwork from once and future BG shows.

Ryan Chorbagian Fill Box
April 11th through May 6th
Opening reception, April 11th, 6 p.m.
Last Saturday reception, April 25th, 6 p.m. BUNNY GUNNER art services Art Gallery. Fine Art Framing. Graphic Design. Signage Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 7pm 266 W. Second St. Pomona, CA 91766, 909 868 2808, BUNNY GUNNER.com.

event date / time:
Apr 11 2009 6:00pm - 11:00pm
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Tonight at LACMA

2009-04-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

Late Night Art

April 4, 2009
8 pm–midnight

TWO ACCLAIMED EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW
Art of Two Germanys/Cold War Cultures
Franz West: To Build a House You Start with the Roof,
Work: 1972–2008

DJ/VJs STRAIGHT FROM BERLIN
Pioneer video scratcher Safy Sniper and independent filmmaker, curator, DJ Christine Lang

INTERACTIVE ART MAKING
Engage with playful work derivative of Franz West’s Adaptives with Finishing School

IN-GALLERY READINGS
New Yorker staff writer and author of Honey and Junk Dana Goodyear
Poet, journalist, art critic, and Art Center teacher Amy Gerstler
Winner of the Berlin Prize Fellowship and the Lannan Literary Award for poetry, author August Kleinzahler
Writing students from USC read work inspired by the Franz West exhibition

LIVE MUSIC
Tom Peters performing Hanne Darboven’s Wunschkonzerte
Opera 17 A&B and 18 A&B on double bass

FOOD & DRINK
Sausages on the grill with German ale and wine

ADMISSION
Call 323 857-6010 or stop by the LACMA Box Office for tickets ($10).
Advance purchase only available until March 27. tickets may also be purchased at the event.

In-kind media support provided by LA Weekly.

Education programs at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art are supported in part by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and the William Randolph Hearst Endowment Fund for Arts Education. Funding for the DJ/VJ has been provided by the Goethe-Institut, Los Angeles. The Readings have been organized by Brighde Mullins, Director, Master of Professional Writing Program, USC.

Header image: A.R. Penck, Der Übergang (Passage), 1963 (detail), oil on canvas, 37 x 47 1/4 in (94 x 120 cm), Sammlung Ludwig, Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst, Aachen, © A.R. Penck

2009-04-04T12:39:00.001-07:00

The Leak of Contemporary Artists

Exhibit Dates: April 11 to April 27, 2009
Opening Reception: April 11th, 6-10 pm
Closing Reception: April 25th, 6-10 pm
Exhibit Location: The dA Center for the Arts, 252 S. Main St., Pomona Arts Colony

The dA Center for the Arts proudly presents The Leak of Contemporary Artists, a curated exhibit comprised solely of art students from Claremont Graduate University. This unique show is an opportunity to showcase some of the groundbreaking work being produced by CGU today. The show includes 34 artists, with work ranging from painting to sculpture, to site-specific installations. The quality and variety of work is not only impressive, but a demonstration of the force CGU has become in the LA art scene and beyond.

Rarely do we see such an ambitious, original and professional, collective of art students in a show outside of the academic scene. The work is inventive, critically concerned, and varied in expression - exemplifying CGU’s focus on individual visual languages.

At the dA, curator Rolo Castillo’s creativity and energy produces shows that are new, exciting and outside of the box. With the guidance of his inventive and open nature, CGU artists are encouraged to take chances with their art and displays. Nicole James explains, “There is a freedom I feel here that I don’t feel in other galleries. The space doesn’t feel traditional and I really like that”. Fresh art meets a fresh space. The result is art that is enhanced by the surroundings.

The Leak of Contemporary Artists hopes to showcase the first “leaks” of this new breed into the art scene, and to call recognition to the high quality of artists and art at Claremont Graduate University.

The dA Center for the Arts is a non-profit community organization that has been the heart
of the Pomona Arts Colony marking 25 years in June 2009.
For more information contact Terry Castillo at 909-397-9716, www.dacenter.org

Art Show to benefit local organizations who help people in the midst of changing their lives.

2009-03-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

"RHYTHYMS: Vessel Forms by Patricia Ferber and 'Small Pleasures' by Ingrid Lilligren"

Bunny Gunner Gallery, March 14 - April 8, 2009.

Patricia Ferber is an established southern California ceramic sculptor and will be showing ceramic vessels and "Spiral Vessels", a new direction in her work over the past year and a half. Technically challenging, the artists says "they giving me inspiration in the continuation of my clay endeavors".

Ingrid Lilligren teaches at Iowa State University in Ames and is a southern California ex-patriot. 120 of her "Small Pleasures", created one a day over the course of one year's time from dry pastels and eggshells will be installed in the gallery. She is using all proceeds from sales to benefit local organizations who help people in the midst of changing their lives.

Ferber is primarily a sculptor who works in varied media. Encompassed are clay pieces, paintings, as well as large architectural and environmental landscape works. About her ceramic work she says, "Ceramics involves me in a cathartic process tapping my creative potential to a greater extent than any other media utilized. During this process the clay serves as an extension of my imago mundi". Further work may be viewed at PatriciaFerber.com.

When Lilligren began the project that resulted in 243 "Small Pleasures" she settled on a strict format: a 7" x 7" square with a centered circle of 4 _". By working with limited materials; dry pastel surrounding the circle where the eggshells are contained she was able to "explore what it would feel like to do the same thing over and over". In addition, the artist explained, "You get very creative when you limit yourself". More work at ingridlilligren.com.

The exhibit runs from March 14 - April 8, 2009. Opening reception will be during the Second Saturday Artwalk, March 14 from 6 to 9pm and a Last Saturday reception will be on March 28 from 6 - 9pm.

Gallery hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 10am - 7pm. Phone - 909-868-2808; bunnygunner.com.

FDA Approves Depressant Drug For The Annoyingly Cheerful

2009-03-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

Made by Pfizer, Despondex is the first drug designed to treat the symptoms of excessive perkiness.

Last Saturday, 2nd Metro Night Out

2009-02-25T22:09:00.000-08:00

Have you been to one of the last Saturdays? Well, there's lots more to do now. January was the first "Metro Night Out", which is like your typical gallery 2nd opening but with a few added features. The DPOA has brought the farmer's market, usually held on Wednesdays, to the Artwark and Last Saturday. This includes live music, fresh vegetables and fruit, gifts, info booths, food and other fun stuff. Also included in January was a car show. Several clubs brought out their shiny low-ridin tricked out cars for all of us to enjoy.

February's "Metro Night Out" promises to be just as exciting. People are catching on that it's a better night to see the art when 2nd Saturday might be too crowded or just to crazy to talk to anyone. We know that all too well here at Bunny Gunner.
I don't remember talking to anyone, so if I didn't say hello, stop by this Saturday and we can all get a chance to chill out. Remember it is "All U Can Eat" our biggest show of the year, we sold over 200 pieces, but there's still lots of great finds to choose from and some of the artists have replenished their stock. So if it was too crowded to see the art, or you just didn't make it to Pomona, this Saturday is a great chance to see art, do the walk, get some veggies, listen to the band and have a good time.

To find out who's and what's showing at the galleries go to Pomonaartcolony.com
for the times and listings.

-Juan
All You Can Eat
At Bunny Gunner, Thru March 11
By: Stacy Davies

One of the feelings a great art show always elicits is a yearning for more art: sometimes the show is so wonderful that you just can’t get enough, other times, you just haven’t found that one piece to connect with—and looking for art that speaks to us is why most of us go to see art shows in the first place.

Susie and Juan have taken care of all of the above for you in their new buffet-styled show, a free-for-all of over 100 pieces that cover every wall and fill every corner in their petite gallery. The guidelines were basic—no theme, each piece must be 5x7 or smaller, and each artist could submit up to ten pieces—and the result is truly an artistic smorgasbord of color, shape and content of everything from Shag-styled bikini babes and wistful desert scenes to ceramic tiles and construction paper.

Manuel Ortega’s dual Mickey Mouse wood panels strip away the warm and fuzzy Steamboat Willie façade and give us a somewhat possessed and possibly anarchist rodent instead. Amy Bystedt offers up five funky “Polaroid” pictures of vintage suitcases photographed in random landscapes—under a bridge, on a grassy knoll, on a city street—as if the poor little luggage has lost its way, or perhaps has finally decided to travel alone (no more waiting in the hotel room for some dreary human!). Photography artists Leslie Brown and Sally Egan also go retro—Brown with a series of colored pencil treated pics of rockabilly chicks at a salon, heads under hairdryers and gossip flowing like beer, and Egan with a hilarious set of “JC Penny Portrait Studio”-type shots, you know, the kind that have both a frontal smiling face shot and a three-fourths pensive one superimposed up in the corner? Except that Egan put her three-fourths shots in sparkly orange wine glasses adding yet another layer of comedic kitsch.

Other notable pieces include Sarah Riedel’s four-toned cutouts of an angst-ridden woman, Finishing School’s black ski mask mini-mobiles (doesn’t everyone need a terrorist dangling from their rearview mirror?) and Peter Owens architectural graphite and blocked color drawings of industrial landscape and buildings. There really is something for everyone in this show—and a great overall collection of interesting and thought-provoking pieces. There’s also some high-calorie gluttonous fun, and what else would you expect with a title like this? (Stacy Davies)

All You Can Eat at Bunny Gunner, 266 W. Second St., Pomona, (909) 868-2808; www.bunnygunner.com. Open Tues.–Sat., 10AM–7PM. Thru March 11. Free

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As an extra bonus you get a tour of the Arts Colony with these Lovely Ladies ( The Red Cup Society) I'm a member, but will be holding post at Bunny Gunner. Just meet at the dA at 7:00 PM on Saturday and soon after that the tour begins....I guarantee you will have a blast!
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The Red Show
Closing Reception: February 28, 2009 6-10pm
Exhibition Location: The dA Center for the Arts, 252-D South Main Street
Pomona, CA 91766. 909.397.9716 The Pomona Arts Colony.
www.dacenter.org
www.pomonaartwalk.com

The Red Show
At the dA Center, Thru February 28
By: Stacy Davies

The dA curator, Rolo Castillo, is a real anarchist. He doesn’t give a hoot about writing long, curatorial dissertations on why he’s put together a project, and really, I give him props for it. It does lend itself to a hodgepodge, anything-goes-mentality, but sometimes that can be refreshing, and Castillo certainly has a keen eye for art that works.

This weekend, on lovey-dovey V-Day, he’s put together everything red. Doesn’t have to mean Valentines, of course, there are other forms of red—some people might be engaged in bloody couple squabbling and single types may be tossing back too much pinot in hopes of snagging a midnight shag. Whatever your motive and agenda, The Red Show will certainly give you something to think about—and might even be a hotspot for acquiring a spindly or Rubenesque pickup.

Castillo’s piece, as usual, is a riot. In the large-scale Church Fight two multi-colored birds wearing rubber rooster caps square off in front of a house of worship. Each bird has a word bubble that reads “tomato.” One of the fowls is most likely pronouncing it toe-mah-toe, you see. And they’re fighting—two cocks in front of a church, about something petty. Love it.

Other works of note include Mark Lindley’s Deja Rouge—a canvas of layer upon layer of chunky red tones—and Eric Ward’s molten lava-y Rupture, a fiery piece of Plexiglas with protruding piles of pseudo-magma. Thomas Stubbi’s culty bizarre Dogma Eat Dogma in which a group of hooded pagans worship a red Fu Dog and giant banana split will no doubt keep your internal conversation pleasantly befuddled. CM Venice McCurdy’s vintage red book impaled with nails that spell out “read” and A.S. Ashley’s clever, goopy-red mouse trap Missed You Again are small treasures that are just too clever. Perhaps most intriguing pieces, however, are Richard May’s dual men’s room doors covered with repetitive stenciled text: “be a man”; each door is also painted up with a figure of Iron Man and Superman, as well as collaged clippings of a lynching, a black boy in tears, the Lone Ranger, Tarzan, and signs that read “thou shalt not cry” and “thou shalt not display weakness.” Harsh, jacked up, and fantastic—just what you need on such a sentimental day. (Stacy Davies)

The Red Show at the dA Center for the Arts, 252 S. Main St., Pomona Arts Colony, Pomona, (909) 397-9716; www.dacenter.org. Thru Feb 28. Free

Tonight in Pomona

2009-02-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, February 21, 5-10pm

works by
MICHAEL MAAS & BOB PECE
at the new
5IFTYBUCKS GALLERY

213 E Holt Ave. Pomona
one block east of Garey, sharing the corner with the American Legion

5IFTYBUCKS GALLERY is in an 1950's car dealership structure brought back to life at the end of 2008 by Rolo Castillo and his phantom crew.

The American Legion has their famous steak dinner for $8.00 served from 5:30 to 7:30pm.
(They also offer chicken and a vegetarian plate.)

New Show at The Claremont Museum of Art

2009-02-19T10:47:00.000-08:00

Juan painting his mural for The Claremont Museum of Art....still a little ways to go!

Install

Detail

Accompanying James Hueter: A Retrospective
Citrus Processor by Juan Thorp
Part of OUTSOURCE: The CMA Public Panel
Located in the eastern end of the Packing House courtyard, the Museum’s newest public initiative invites artists to create sight-specific outdoor installations. Pomona-based Juan Thorp created a new painting on canvas for the space, titled Citrus Processor. Furthering the artist's investigative imagery of deconstructed machinery, this work references the history of the Museum’s home, The Packing House, and the City of Claremont's unique association with the citrus industry.

James Hueter: A Retrospective
February 22 – May 3, 2009
Opening reception Saturday, February 21, 2009, 7 p.m.
This retrospective exhibition chronicles the work of James Hueter, one of our region’s most dedicated artists and best-kept secrets. Hueter epitomizes a generation of artists who established their reputations in Claremont following World War II and contributed importantly to the creation of the art-rich environment we enjoy today. A 1948 graduate of Pomona College and 1951 recipient of a Masters Degree from the Claremont Graduate School, Hueter has enjoyed a career that spans 60 years and continues to be as productive as ever.

James Hueter: A Retrospective surveys Hueter’s art from his early realist and surrealist paintings, through a long period of investigating and refining hybrid forms of painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, and architecture. The exhibition culminates with recent works that meld all of these disciplines, exploring multi-faceted realms of representation and illusion. With more than 75 works on view, new generations will discover an artist of diligent devotion to a vision sustained through decades of experimentation, refinement, and perseverance.

This is the first such exhibition to examine the entire range of James Hueter’s unique artistic vision, realizing a core mission of the Claremont Museum of Art to celebrate the region’s rich artistic heritage through in-depth exhibitions of its most prominent local heroes.

James Hueter: A Retrospective is generously sponsored by Gould Asset Management LLC of Claremont, CA.

Additional support for this exhibition has been provided by Dr. Janet Myhre, Mathematical Research Analysis Corporation,
Schenck & Schenck Photography, Bunny Gunner Art Services, and Swan Graphics.

Pomona Art walk review

2009-02-16T12:26:00.000-08:00

Wow! what a great art walk! every venue was hopping.

Thank you all for coming out and being a part of the excitement!

We haven't quite recovered yet but here are some pictures.

You know what they say "a picture speaks a thousand words"

-Susie

Come join us for Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T15:13:00.000-08:00

ALL U CAN EAT

The best thing happening on Valentine's day is the Pomona Art Walk. Bring your date and enjoy the art, dining and atmosphere the Pomona Arts Colony has to offer. If you don't have a date, find one, or enjoy some of the "Anti-Valentines" day shows at some of the galleries. We have some awesome shows lined up for your enjoyment, just check the venues Pomonaartscolony.com

We here at Bunny Gunner would like to invite you to ALL U CAN EAT.

All U Can Eat 2009 is our show that is not to be missed.
This will be our 4th annual show featuring the work of over
90 artists and close to 500 pieces of art. All the work in it
is 5" x 7" or smaller and the average price is around $50.
If you remember the past shows, the stuff flies off the wall,
so get here early...HERE'S A SAMPLE FROM EACH ARTIST....THERE'S MUCH MUCH MORE!

Don't miss this chance to collect work from your favorite artists.

The dA Center for the Arts will have its annual opening for The Red Show a.k.a. Simply Red. The Red Show is an open call exhibition that's focus is on any artwork that contains or represents the color red. The color red is one of the most representational, symbolic and vibrant colors in the spectrum. Its presence alone commands the attention of the eye. Its uses range from representing love, anger, passion, decadence and pain. This dynamic color will surely inspire artists to create work that astounds us all.

However, The Red Show does not celebrate only the color red, it is also an eagerly anticipated highlight event for The dA Center for Arts. Running annually for the last 21 years, the show has become a staple in the community, one which people prepare for all year. At The dA itself, The Red Show has become a grounding tradition, anchoring itself in the community as a reliable idea with unexpected results. The Red Show acts as a beacon of crimson for local artists, fresh new artist, and Pomona Arts Colony patrons. Everyone is always welcome at The Red Show.

At SCA Gallery it's the

“THE BLUE SHOW"

Art Exhibition at SCA Project Gallery -101
Blue painting, photography, drawing, mixed-media, sculpture,
ceramics, video installation

Opening Reception, Saturday, February 14, 2009 6 - 9 pm
Concurrent with 2nd Saturday Pomona Art Walk

as the nearby dA Center has their annual RED SHOW,
we have the BLUES

Visit our new STREET LEVEL GALLERY #101,
Founders' Building 281 S. Thomas Street, Pomona

BLUE is the color of COOL, the color of CALM, the color of TRUE
BLUE is an OCEAN, or a NOTE, or a MOOD

Aladdin Jr.is having a Reception & Sneek Peek
Come taste samples of traditional Mediterranean food during the Second Saturday ArtWalk.

Farmer's Market and so sooo much more!!!!!

-Susie

The Claremont Forum Gallery

2009-02-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

This one is for our good friends over at the Packing House in Claremont.
Claremont has their ArtWalk on the 1st Friday of every month.
It's really cool! Lots of art venues, especially in the Packing House.
There's The Claremont Museum of Art
Beautiful Crap with art from the very talented Karen Green
Amber Noland + Link Contemporary Art Presents:
ASAD FAULWELL

Thomas Stubbs has some paintings in Replay, Thomas is also the featured artist on the Metro Pomona website,

He is an amazing painter!

The Claremont Forum Gallery
presents:
"PRINCE HARRY PLAYS POLO"

paintings and drawings by Warren Travis
opening reception:
Friday Evening, February 6, 2009
@6:00 p.m.

located at:
586 West First Street
Claremont
phone: 909-626-3066

Warren Travis

Education:
B.F.A. University of Texas l954
M.F.A. Stanford University l967
California College of Arts and Crafts
Warren has designed costumes and in some instances scenery for over l50 productions on the West Coast. Professional work with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, California Shakespeare Festival, American Conservatory, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, CPA, Mark Taper Forum and San Francisco Ballet.

Since his retirement from the University of California he has studied figure drawing and painting at The California College of Arts and Crafts under Tom Watts, Claire Brees and Melisse Herman.

Designs for the Department of Dramatic Art, University of California at Berkeley's Production of War of the Roses were exhibited on slides in the Prague Quadriennale.

The Theater Internationale Exhibition in Novi Sad Yugoslavia and Prague featured his designs for Judevine Vt. which he designed for ACT.

The Los Angeles Theatre Critics Award for Designs at the Mark Taper Forum.

The Bay Area Theatre Critics Award for his work with California Shakespeare Festival. Designs for King Lear, Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, Richard II. Pericles Prince of Tyre.

West Coast Dramalogue Award for Lady's Not For Burning by Christopher Fry at American Conservatory Theatre and Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare at Ashland Shakespeare Festival.

Designs for San Francisco Ballet's Badinage with music by Stravinsky opened in the San Franciso Opera House and went on the European Tour with that company in l979.

Scene Design USA exhibition at Lincoln Center in New York City in l979. The designs featured were for Cyrano De Bergerac, designed for the Department of Dramatic Art in Zellerbach Playhouse in Berkeley, CA.

Warren Travis is a retired Professor Emeritus from Department of Drama, University of California at Berkeley where he taught Costume Design and Costume History and instituted The Costume Study Collection and Undergraduate Minor in Costume.

l997: Visiting Artist in Residence at Stanford University. Taught Design for Directors and designed costumes for Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, which reopened the recently remodeled and refurbished Memorial Theatre at Stanford.

Studied drawing at Cluny Museum- Paris, France.

-Susie

Jeff Soto at The Riverside Art Museum

2009-02-03T17:48:00.000-08:00

Have you been to Riverside lately?
Well, if you're an artist or someone who really appreciates art,
you gotta get your butt down there.

The Riverside Art Museum is featuring a solo show of the works
of Jeff Soto: Turning in Circles. How is Jeff Soto, a world renowned artist, showing in Riverside you ask? Well, he's from there. Returning to his hometown to do an awesome show is really a treat for the rest of us who might not have a chance to see his work shown outside of California. Susie and I got to see it with an empty gallery, being able to enjoy each piece to it's fullest and spending plenty of time starring. The paintings have a wide variety of painterly brush work and rendered illustration mixed together.

The main wall is a huge installation painting where Soto painted on the wall and also attached wood discs with images on them.

Actually the pictures give you an idea, but you have to see the real thing for yourself.

A great time to go would be on this Thursday, February 5th, Soto will be there doing a book signing. It is also Riverside's art walk that is held every 1st Thursday from 6-9pm and a great time to see the other openings in the area. Thanks Jenelle Lowry for the Museum Passes and sharing this great exhibit with us.
-Juan

This Saturday in the Colony

2009-01-29T12:27:00.000-08:00

To Celebrate the Closing Reception of The Gun Show this Saturday, Jan. 31

The dA will begin festivities at 5pm with a new and improved Martini Club

Most of the galleries will be open and The Farmers Market will be open at Thomas Plaza from 5PM to 9PM. Fresh produce from Certified California farmers, organic fruits and vegetables, crafts, food, live entertainment, and more. This Saturday night we will also feature a "Cruise Night", open to all show cars, and car clubs. The cars can be seen in the parking lot behind Thomas Plaza, between First and Second Streets.
(check out http://www.pomonaartwalk.com/ and http://metropomona.com/home.php for all the cool things happening around the colony Saturday)

Then at 8pm:

KSPC 88.7FM and the dA Center for the Arts presents

"General Profanity" – A concert series

Featuring

Bobb Bruno (http://www.myspace.com/bobbbruno)

Halloween Swim Team (http://www.myspace.com/halloweenswimteam)

Ojos Rojos (http://www.myspace.com/rojosojos)

Brian Dolphin (http://www.myspace.com/briandylandolphin)

Admission free, donations welcome!
FMI: promotions@kspc.org

http://dacenter.org/

Thursday Screen Printing Classes at the dA

2009-01-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

*Thursday Night Screen Print Exposition*

The Screen Printing Exposition is a chance to watch the process. Every Thursday instructor Rolo Castillo will demonstrate different aspects of the screen printing process. It may involve t-shirts, fine art prints, show posters, or whatever Rolo is currently working on in the print shop. The exposition can be a prelude to the Saturday workshop which is more intensive, where the class as a whole creates a piece of art or a t-shirt to take home.

Every Thursday 6pm to 10pm • $10 • (limit 10 people)
Instructor: Rolo Castillo
Ages 14 to 105
Intensive Screen Printing Workshop
Every Saturday 2pm to 6pm
$75
dA Center for the Arts
252-D South Main Street
Pomona, CA 91766-1630
Tel: 909.397.9716
Fax: 909.629.8697
www.dacenter.org
www.myspace.com/dacenterforarts

Y-ART SALE

2009-01-24T14:32:00.000-08:00

You don't want to miss this!

Here's a chance to pick up art by some well known local artist or art supplies at yard sale prices!

Y:-Art sale is January 31 on Saturday, 8-2 . It is to be held inside the Packing House in the Claremont Forum Gallery. 586 West First St. Claremont, 91711
Art and art related materials, beads, unique fabrics at yard sale prices. It is the place to buy art and art related things and materials at low prices...cheap! This is their fifth year. For more information you can speak to Jan Wheatcroft 909-626-3066
e-mail Claremontforum@gmail.com

My Sweetie, Juan Thorp will be there with his art and maybe some items from around the shop, panels, canvases, art supplies, frames, mats, etc...

-Susie

“Let them Eat Steak”

2009-01-16T00:28:00.000-08:00

"Let them Eat Steak" at the newest gallery in Pomona, 5IFTYBUCKS GALLERY.

Originally in L.A. 5IFTYBUCKS GALLERY has seen many venues, and mostly in Pomona. Artist Rolo Castillo along with wife, Terry have successfully run the gallery and brought much energy and excitement to the Pomona Arts Colony. After L.A. the gallery moved to 2nd St. by the corner of Park Avenue, where it spent many years hosting some of the greatest shows in Colony history. Then later it visited Antique Row and was located next to Locust Plaza, now it has it’s new home on one of Pomona’s busiest streets, Holt Avenue. It is right along side the American Legion on the corner of Gibbs, one block East of Garey at 213 E. Holt Ave.

Where do they get all the energy? Along with 5IFTYBUCKS, Rolo and Terry have also successfully revitalized the dA Center for the Arts as Curator and Director. In the past, they also created 51Buckingham which was located at “The Vault” building and later moved to Taco Nazo. Popztlan was their gallery and home on the corner of 3rd and Main, and now this!? We love the energy these two bring to the Colony, it has been a motivation for us all to “GET UP OFF YOUR BUTT!”

So What’s in store for this Saturday?

Amy Bystedt and Sally Egan have both been photographers for over ten years, and have been friends for longer. They have always wanted to do a collaborative piece and now got the perfect opportunity when approached by Rolo. “Let Them Eat Steak” is a series of self-portraits in which the Artists portray themselves in common social situations while using the idea of the classic American snapshot to exaggerate these familiar activities.

Amy and Sally will both be on hand and ready to eat steak. The American Legion, being a great neighbor, is hosting a steak dinner. The dinner is from 5:30 – 7:30pm and is only $8. So get there early and get there hungry.

If that wasn’t enough on your plate, our Mayor will be on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5pm kicking off the opening of our newest gallery 5IFTYBUCKS.

-Juan and Susie

Arts Colony Continues to Grow

2009-01-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

January 2009 Pomona Art Walk.

It was a fast fly through the galleries in Central Colony this month.
We have some great photos by our resident shooters, Jill Carol and Lee Tintary, Susie and I got some good shots as well. Two new galleries opened their doors and two more businesses devoted their space's for gallery walls.

First place you get to when you cross under the "Arts Colony" neon arch is Joey's BBQ. Oscar has done a great job of transforming his bar and freeing up some wall space to hang art. The art was tattoo inspired along with some pop stencil paintings above the bar.

Selkouth, next door opened for the night showcasing a fresh batch of artists to the colony. They are mostly Orange County artists, which is great to get more people from outside to Pomona.
You can learn more about this new gallery on our press page for the Colony

Gallery 475 officially opened their doors with art from over 25 artists. They had live aerosol painting outside the gallery and a slew of artists working on their sketch books inside. This gallery is a great addition, giving the Colony another edge in the spectrum of its art. Gallery 475 is located on the West side of the colony on 2nd St.

The Globe also transformed their space to provide wall space for local artist and one time resident David Flores. True to the venue, his art has a street edge. Flores' stencil paintings are created from pop images and photo shoots he creates himself.

At the Downtown Center, there was a great exhibition of many large paintings. The work of Karen Kauffman, a Southern Ca. artist. Karen had a variety of colorful paintings with great range in stroke, color and texture.
Karen was kind enough to sign her exhibition catalog for local artist Manny LeGaspe, who was too shy to ask himself.

Also joining the artwalk was the Metro Pomona Farmers Market. Usually on Wednesday nights, it took up residence in Thomas Plaza and provided entertainment via live music to the art walkers. A welcome addition to the growing colony. See the market again on last Saturday when they will also have a car show.

The dA once again pulled out it's big guns (literally), and proved to be a destination point for the night. "The Gun Show" featured the work of countless artists, local and beyond, some from LA, including David Buckingham who created two giant guns out of painted metal sheets. All the art had some kind of gun, either in image or in sculpture form. One notable piece is the "Shot Gun" in which Armando Peralta resin formed those little tiny liquor bottles into the shape of a long rifle. Also include were a caravan of strollers and kids toys transformed into military vehicles and authentic looking guns by Dan Van Clap.

SCA is starting anew, they will be using a ground level space along with the current basement. Bob Pece along with Franz Keller, co-directors, kicked off the new season with "What the heck is that thing?". This is a group show of art that is mostly unrecognizable, no figures, no landscapes, just abstract forms. Franz projected one of his movies on the windows of the new space ustairs, as to tease us about things to come.

At our Gallery, Bunny Gunner, we had the work of four artists, Sumi, Cindy Rinne, Tomoko Suzuki, and Penn Weldon. Sumi and Cindy both created fabric pieces with stitching to create collage like pieces. Penn's paintings are landscape close-ups of vegetation on black background and Tomoko has paintings of various birds in flight with directional graphic arrows to signify wind direction.

Overall, a very busy night for the Colony as it continues to grow.
-Juan

New Gallery, New Bar, New Look.

2009-01-09T11:21:00.000-08:00

Have you been to Joey's BBQ lately? Things are changing, and we like it. No, the food is still the same great grub it has always been. According to Susie, the best Chili ever and I really enjoyed my fresh made sausage. What is different is the front room which is now a bar with umpteen beers on tap!

I know it's been a bar for some time now, but they've made other changes in the past weeks. They being, brothers Oscar and Raymond Perdomo of the family owned and operated Joey's BBQ.

The floor and walls are all painted, some of the wall fixtures were removed to clear way for bare walls to hang art on, and the lighting has be come more ambient.
Outside, they have removed the awnings, giving the facade a more streamline feel.
Back inside, the
walls will now be displaying art and Joey's will now be part of the art walk, Yay. Speaking of art walk, have you noticed Joey's new Neighbor? Selkouth Fine Art is the newest member of the Arts Colony.

They had a soft opening last month and plan to have an even bigger on this time. With over 23 local and OC artists currently showing, this new gallery promises to be an exciting addition to the growing art walk. Now if we could just get someone to fill the empty next to Selkouth, we would have a dinamite block.
Joey's BBQ

Voted "Best BBQ in the Inland Valley"
Mon 11-3 Tue-Thur 11-3/4-8 Fri 11-3/4-9 Sat 12-9 Sun 12-8
117 W. 2nd St. Pomona, CA,91766

909-865-0699 Phone
909-865-1728 Fax
www.joeysbbq.com

The art walk is tomorrow, Saturday January 10 from 6pm - 10pm and on.
-Juan

Cut-A-Thon at Savoie

2009-01-05T11:25:00.000-08:00

Two years ago Elizabeth and Kevin Pilon were expecting their first child. During labor Elizabeth suffered a AFE. A Anmotic Fluid Embolism, which is so rare most doctors will never see encounter one. More than 50% of women die when they have a AFE. Luckily Elizabeth survived the AFE but was left with a partial hysterectomy at the age 23. She can still biologically have children she just cannot carry them.

Savoie Complete Hair Solutions will be hosting a Cut-A-Thon on January 11th from 11a.m. to 3p.m. to help raise money for Kevin and Elizabeth to have another child via surrogate. Sheila Pilon (Kevin's sister) has decided to carry the child for them. Sheila is also a stylist at Savoie and will be one of the five stylist helping out with the Cut-A-Thon. Savoie is asking for a minimum of $20 donations. Haircuts only please. Thank you. 909-865-6500
More about this story in the Daily Bulletin
Family raising money to fulfill promise

WATT THE DUCK?!

2008-12-30T20:02:00.000-08:00

So maybe you noticed the huge hole accross the street from us at Bunny Gunner. Most peoples' reactions are, hey weren't there buildings there a week ago? or what are they going to build there. It is frustrating to answer the later question. It goes something like this, 260 something condos, but not for another 4 years because of the collapse of the housing market. Lately my answer has been, who knows, maybe they're going to sell it. Either way, we're stuck with an empty whole that for the time being, we are enjoying. Yes we like it, the "WATT hole" gives us a beautiful clear view of the train and the snow capped mountains. How nice it would be if they didn't build anything but instead made it a park. Wait, there might be some truth to that comment. The locals, including myself are pushing for some sort of sculpture garden. Even if it is temporary and is behind a fence. Here is my rendition of what would be really ideal:

Some of the other colonists have other ideas about the "WATT hole". This is a take from local correspondent A.S. Ashley. (Pomona Arts Colonists does not necessarily agree with or endorse the following ideas or oppinions). Knock 'em dead Ash...

WATT THE DUCK?!
by A.S. Ashley

The folks from WATT, the makers of the nice vacant lot pit-pond along 2nd Street in the heart of Pomona’s Arts Colony, are finally fashioning a wrought iron fence to go around the property.

Good news, right?

Maybe not, I heard that plywood panels are going to be attached to the fence. It is rumored the panels will be painted by artists, but I don’t know by who or of what. No one is telling anybody anything and the Arts Colony is being left in the lurch.

The problems posed by the panels are: having anything attached to the fence is subject to vandalism; the local police are against having anything block their view of the lot; and I doubt anyone in the Arts Colony is going to be pleased with the area fenced in with plywood, whether it be painted by artists or not. It will look "trashy" in no time.

I have spoken with Watt’s representative to the DPOA (Downtown Pomona Owners Association), as well as some of the financial backers of Watt’s project in Downtown Pomona, about a proposal for a sculpture garden.

Money seems to be their primary concern.

With the WATT/Artisan project on indefinite hold due to the real estate downward trend (after demolishing two blocks of buildings leaving the Arts Colony looking blighted), local businesses, galleries, and artist residents have come away feeling abandoned and betrayed.

The downtown community is not exactly sympathetic to Watt's professed financial woes, especially when one group of Pomona land owners, the Tessier family, has shown tremendous courage in recent months revitalizing downtown with such additions as the PHO Vi restaurant, the Brick Nightclub, renovation of the Opera Garage, the incoming Aladdin Jr. restaurant, and of course, the Granddaddy of them all, The Fox Theater.

At least the Tessier's can't be accused of not believing and investing in the future of downtown Pomona. In contrast, the Watt Co. is now being talked about among locals as cheap and dispassionate. 

As far as the sculpture garden, we feel this proposal could fit the bill while waiting for any construction to begin. The garden could serve as a huge attraction for the downtown area, and restore some credibility to the Watt Co.

The city can provide the fill for the pit (the City Manager has already indicated this); the sculptures and security would be sponsored by David Armstrong and AMOCA in setting up the rotating venue, and we have the support of the local community and civic leaders.

We in the colony would like to help put Watt’s best (webbed) foot forward towards our downtown revitalization efforts.

The DPOA (Downtown Pomona Owners Association) is having their board meeting on the fourth Thursday of January, where WATT will give a presentation on the plan for the fence surrounding the vacant lot.

It will be open to the public, and we encourage all interested parties to be in attendance.

Meeting Date: Thursday, Jan 22, 2009
5:30 P.M.

Meeting Location: California Bank and Trust
255 W. Mission Blvd., Pomona, CA 91766

Of course, I intend to voice my concerns about the vacant lot at the next City Council and Planning Commission meetings.

A. S. Ashley
PACA (Pomona Arts Colony Association) Chair

Snoop Doggy Dogg in the house in the Muda f-in House...

2008-12-27T16:44:00.000-08:00

That’s right, Snoop Dogg along with Warren G, Suga Free, and Lady of Rage all rapped for us last night at the Glass House here in Pomona. It was so cool that these great artists played right in the heart of the Arts Colony. The show started off with a bang and continued to rock it all night, even Pomona PD was in the house enjoying the show and keeping point on the crowd.This didn't stop people blazin it up, I think the contact high got me in the gansta mood. The crowd was jumpin’ to many of the hits I’ve only heard on the radio. Snoop's performance was amazing, he had this gansta mic with "Snoop" spelled out in diamonds. He also invited Don the magic Juan who is a true live pimp all decked out like a leprechaun wearing a picture of himself. This night was also special because it was Susie’s son, Ian’s birthday present. He and his wife Cynthia were right up front and center and were able to take some great video of the performance.

“A great trip down memory lane of early 90’s hip hop, a gansta’s paradise. It would have been the entire death row crew if Dr. Dre was there.” said Ian Leiva. To my surprise, Ian knew to ask for the set list, and he got it. Here’s the proof.

-Juan

Bike Ride

2008-12-23T16:32:00.000-08:00

Here is the new and final edit of Midnight Ridazz The Movie. Completed on March 01, 2007. There are currently two other versions out there. "The first one I completed is the 3 minute version for KCET which was edited in a few days". ...-Shawn Bannon
Our good friend Ed Giardina from "finishing school" asked if we would spread the word.....
CALLING ALL WANKSTAZ
Come ride with me on my birthday!
instazzzz or outstazzzzz???
People's Ride
12.26.08
Place: Meet at Rite Aid, Hollywood and Vermont
Time: 9:30pm
Ride: 10:00pm

IF YOU DRIVE THERE,
DO NOT PARK IN THE RITE AID LOT. THEY WILL TOW.
There is plenty of street parking.
The People's Ride was designed for those who cannot make it to LA Critical Mass or want to continue to ride when LACM is over.
It is similar to Critical Mass in scope and ideology, but with more organization. A route will be determined and disseminated to the riders. Again this is a slower ride, not for messenger racers or speed demons, though they are encouraged to ride with us and cork intersections. The ride usually ends near the start point, close to a Metro Station or bus lines.
We aim to have fun while reminding the LA car culture that there is another alternative. This is a non-confrontational ride through traffic. Educate rather than aggravate. Tell drivers that they are welcome to join us on a bicycle.
We will do no physical or economic harm.
The California Vehicle code gives bicyclists all the rights and privileges of a motor vehicle. We aim to exert our rights.

A night of coal and switches

2008-12-20T11:49:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!
With Christmas being next week and all, the dA is having their CLOSING RECEPTION this SATURDAY!
It's going to be a crazy party with special musical guests!

Rhino Records & KSPC Presents
Lux Nova Umbra Est
KuKuNuKu
Moscow
We'll be rockin' the house! C'mon down!
A night of coal and switches

A Winter Solstice Celebration
Doors open at 7pm, Music starts at 9pm
The dA Center for the Arts
252-D South Main Street
Pomona, CA 91766-1630
Tel: 909.397.9716
Fax: 909.629.8697
www.dacenter.org
www.myspace.com/dacenterforarts

photos from last week
courtesy of Lee Tintary

New Year's Eve Party at Casablanca

2008-12-17T20:31:00.000-08:00

Our friends from Casablanca Mediterranean Bar and Grill in Claremont
Who also own Aladdin Jr.( which I blogged about a week ago) http://pomonaartscolony.blogspot.com/2008/12/guess-whos-coming-to-dinner.html
are having a New Year's Eve Party and they asked us if we would spread the word.
This sounds like a great way to bring in the New Year!
The food here is EXCELLENT!
read about it in this article
http://www.dailybulletin.com/search/ci_8326967

here's the deal....

4 COURSE DINNER
DESSERT
DJ ALL NIGHT
DANCING
HOOKAH ON PATIO
CHAMPAGNE TOAST
BELLY DANCER
AND LOTS OF FUN ALL NIGHT!
TICKET ON SALE NOW $75/PER PERSON
500 W. 1ST STREET
CLAREMONT, CA 91711

-Susie

December Artwalk review

2008-12-15T01:26:00.000-08:00

December proved to be a big and exciting art walk finishing off the year with a bang, or should I say burn. I was able to do the artwalk early and see most of the shows without the crowd blocking the art. There were a few notable events and that made this a special artwalk. To start, there were to "Impromptu" shows in some of the empty retail spaces. One was by Cal Poly student Alex who put together a benefit show with lots of student work and local artists work. He was able to raise over $500 for autism and Asperger's syndrome. The other show was titled "This Shit is Real" and featured art inspired by the famous Basquiat. There were murals with collage painted on the wall and also a dj playing for the crowd.

Down the street next door to Joey's BBQ, a new gallery opened. "Selkouth" is the creation of photographer Nate from Orange County. To our amazement, he was able to fix up the space, get some art together and open for the artwalk in a few days. Welcome to the neighborhood. Also new, "Gallery 375" had a soft opening featuring work of local artist and gallery owner, Jim. Watch out for their grand opening next month. Jim's gallery is located at 375 W. 2nd St. across from the billiards hall.

Back to mid town, Galeria Rustica on Thomas hosted a show curated by artist Oscar Magallanes. The theme here was "Revolution" and include work by Oscar, LA artist Germs a few other artists and 3 paintings by myself. Hint: look for the tanks.

A few blocks away, AMOCA hosted a chili cook-off which featured chili served in ceramic bowls donated by artists. I didn't make it to this one but heard it was a great fundraiser and good chance to purchase some art.

SCA Gallery in the basement had the work of painters Anna Friesen and Bob Pece. In the back of the gallery was also a fundraiser silent auction and small work exhibit. This help raise money for SCA who is planning to move upstairs to street level in the near future.

The dA Center for the Arts had one of their biggest shows of the year. "Quema del Diablo" was an event not to be missed. The gallery was lit up in red and featured "Devil" theme artwork. At one point, the patrons took to the streets following a hearse and people in costume holding devil sculptures. They made their way around the block and came to the front of the dA to start the bonfire. Paper mache sculptures were burnt as well as the crowd throwing their old credit cards and photos into the fire. I was able to throw in a few of my old drawings that needed to disappear.

On the home front, Bunny Gunner was showing the work of two of our friends and great artists, Clifford Matlock and Michael Aschenbrenner. Michael created close to one hundred ceramic styles that were hung in groups set next to Cliff's oil paitings of tea pots and Christmas ornaments. After enjoying the company of the late artwalk crowd, we headed over to the new Glass House bar that is now officially open for business and ended the night with a toast.
-Juan

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

2008-12-11T15:18:00.000-08:00

After two years of being empty FINALLY we are going to have a new restaurant on the corner of
Second and Main St. 296 W. Second St. and not just any restaurant, but one of our favorites, Aladdin Jr.!
Awesome food, they are a perfect fit for Arts Colony.
There is a nice patio for dining and hookas...right next door to us ;-)
and they will stay open till 2:00 am ;-)
This is the best news I've heard in long time!
Pretty soon we won't even have to leave our neighborhood because we will have everything we need right here.
check out their website http://www.aladdinjrrestaurant.com/index.html

They're moving in already!

-Susie

Karen Green Book Signing and Open Studio this Saturday@ Beautiful Crap in Claremont

2008-12-09T11:47:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Crap and Spineless Books
invite you to an Open Studio and Book Signing for
here/gone: AN ABC FLIP BOOK FOR GROWN UPS,
an artist's book by Karen Green
published by Spineless Books
Eat. Drink. Stare. Meet the artist. And publisher.
Buy the book or the exclusive limited edition.
Support art. Push the ocean uphill.
Saturday, Dec.13 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Upstairs @ The Packing House
532 W. First Street #212
Claremont, Ca. 91711
Call 909.291.5685 for more information
Private viewing by appointment.
beautifulcrap.com/spinelessbooks.com

here/gone: AN ABC FLIP BOOK FOR GROWN UPS, by Karen Green is an invertible, constrained artist’s book comprising 52 mixed-media paintings. Zipping and unzipping the alphabet in a narrative of love and unlove, these phosphorescent compositions shed a dizzying, serenity-disrupting beauty. here/gone is a runner-up of the Fitzpatrick-O'Dinn Award for Best Book Length Work of Constrained English Literature (2004), as judged by Christian Bök, author of Eunoia.

"Karen's aesthetic observations are nothing less than infectious.
Her art has the ability to draw you into a world that only you thought was secret".
-A.S. Ashley

Finding Joy

2008-11-29T09:57:00.000-08:00

This coming Thursday night is Finishing School's final event for their residency at MOCA. Come on out for the workshop and build some foxhole radios to take home. Better yet, call the Finding Joy Hotline and record yourself to become part of the project.

As the final event of their three-month Engagement Party residency, Finishing School presents Finding Joy, a public intervention taking place at MOCA Grand Avenue’s Sculpture Plaza, on Thursday, December 4, from 7 to 10pm. Engagement Party is the dynamic new initiative developed by The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA), to engage innovative Los Angeles–based artist collectives.
Intrigued by the military term “finding joy” (referring to the successful establishment of radio contact on the battlefield) Finishing School will lead a workshop in which participants will build small DIY radios that will be used to detect prerecorded transmissions located throughout the museum. To generate audio content, prior to the event Finishing School will interview members of the MOCA community about what brings them joy. The public is also welcome to share their thoughts by phone; to participate, please call the Finding Joy Hotline at 213/455-2926 and follow the instructions. Reception with cash bar to follow.

This event is FREE and open to the public. No reservations are required.

"Tray Chic" at the dA this Saturday, November 22nd

2008-11-19T21:40:00.000-08:00

This a great cause!

Our friends from the dA are having an event on Saturday and YOU should come!
This is perfect chance to pick up unique gifts for Christmas and support your local arts
while listening to some Jazz and enjoying a glass of wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Here's the deal,

Tray Chic
Serving up FUN & FUNDS
Event date: Saturday, November 22, 2008
Time: 6pm to 10pm
Location: The dA Center for the Arts, 252 S Main St., Pomona Arts Colony, CA 91766
The dA Center for the Arts is known for creative fundraising. There were the metal chairs, the bowling balls, the skulls, and now artists have taken cafeteria trays and transformed them for the "Tray Chic" silent auction fundraiser.
The event will take place this Saturday during the closing reception for the dA's current show, a remarkable art exhibit titled Popztlan. The dA has gained its reputation as a place where established contemporary artists such as Karl Benjamin and André Miripolsky, show alongside talented local and emerging artists. The Popztlan exhibit, featuring two paintings by Karl Benjamin, and a bridge that was once installed over the L.A. river, is truly a sensory adventure.

A preview of early Tray Chic submissions, indicates a range of concepts that are “off the hook” so to speak. Notable artists such as Michael Woodcock, Dan Van Klapp, Fr. Bill Moore, and Dee Marcellus Cole are contributing trays, our beloved First Street Gallery volunteers are in the mix, and a few new artists will be making their en-tray into the downtown art scene. The dA has a strong artist base and the support for this event has been enthusiastic.

Here's 2 trays made by Juan Thorp ( my sweetie)

Trays will be sold in an silent auction format, with proceeds going to support The dA’s mission. Bidding starts at 6pm, and closes at 8:45pm. Winning bidders can purchase and take their trays on the spot. Trays not sold during the silent auction will be available for purchase during the month of December.

For extra fun while deciding which tray to bid on, there will be a wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, the dA Martini Club will be recruiting new members, and a jazz trio to embellish the evening.

For more information
Contact Terry Castillo
(909)397-9716

This was in IE Weeky today

Getting Tray Chic
in Pomona, Saturday November 22
By: Stacy Davies

While eating cafeteria-style food is not one of those dining experiences we ever intentionally seek out (you’ve been on the road three hours, you’re starving, and there’s a Sizzler—what you gonna do?), we do have our radar scoped out for people who get all creative with mundane, functional items and make them kitschier than they already were. In fact, we live for it. Lucky for us, the dA Center is holding a fundraiser for itself this weekend, and doing exactly that—offering up cafeteria trays transformed by local artists such as Michael Woodcock, Dan Van Klapp, Fr. Bill Moore, Dee Marcellus Cole and more, and peddling them at a silent auction to keep the dA thriving. Funkiness for a good cause? We’ll take two helpings, please. The event takes place at the closing reception of the dA’s current exhibition, Popztlan a “truly sensory adventure” that among other things features a bridge that was once installed over the LA River. There’ll also be hors d'oeuvres, wine tasting, and a jazz band to keep you greased and groovy. So unhinge your wallet and check out this worthwhile event—remember, you have holiday shopping to do, and nothing says “I love you” more than molded sheets of plastic and fiberglass embellished with a Venusian pin-up girl with missile-tipped ta tas. I can now check grammy off my list. (Stacy Davies)

Tray Chic fundraiser at dA Center for the Arts, 252 S. Main St., Pomona Arts Colony, (909) 397-9716; www.dacenter.org. Sat., Nov. 22, 6PM–10PM
-Susie

Secret Glass House Bar Opening

2008-11-16T01:01:00.000-08:00

Finally, after 2 and a half years of waiting, the Glass House Bar is ready to open. Earlier today, Saturday November 15, we got an anonymous tip that the bar was going to have a private opening. Well, we took it slow and waited to go see for ourselves until after dinner at Pho Vi and a drink at DBA. The buzz was out, several people where already reporting that it was the spot of the night and it was packed. Just like the streets were during a random Saturday night. It seemed Pomona was the place to be. Was it the fires keeping everyone local? Or keeping everyone away from the OC? Well, just to name a few, The Globe, Pho Vi, Casa Jimenez, Joey's BBQ, and DBA, Sakura Ichi, all reported big crowds. Back to the new bar, we entered passing a curious guard holding a digital ID reading machine. This should of been a tip-off for the future/high-tech, sleek feel the bar entails. What a crowd, we immediately saw our friend Jaclyn bartending and ordered our two Stellas. We then proceeded deeper into the bar and discovered a whole group of our local colonists were already holding a beautifully sculpted glass and wood table for all of us.

By the way, Perry (owner and creator of this living sculpture) was there to greet us and welcome us to his latest creation. He is seen here with our friend Christina who is also the manager for the Glass House Record Store next door.

Looking around you can't help but notice the Future/Retro/Minimal feel of the decor. The tables, benches, chairs, ceiling, windows, bar, and everything else is custom made of mostly welded steel and glass. We know "Malibu" Jim Arneson had a lot to do with this, being the lead sculptor, he also created the Huge Metal "Wing" above the bar and the giant steel apendage protruding from inside and extending out over the front of the building.

Oh Yeah, and I can't forget Tom Pathe's huge painting of a TV color test bar hung solo on the west wall. It is illuminated by two massive lights giving it a glowing presence which makes the room complete.

Well, needless to say, this place is an instant hit. With a full bar and great atmosphere, it will be a definite stopping point for all those crazy people looking for a good place to drink. This said, it adds another peg to our booming Downtown Pomona night life and music culture. Bravo Perry, we love it and can't wait to come back.

November Artwalk in Downtown Pomona

2008-11-09T18:38:00.000-08:00

It was 2nd Saturday again and it was a good one. I was able to sneak out of Bunny Gunner and do some of the artwalk. First stop was a Cal Poly student show at the old Progression Space. Cal Poly and other students regularly put these quick one night shows up in some of the empty retail spaces in the arts colony. We thank Jeved for this as they are very supportive of the arts. Well, on to the art, the students put together a really nice painting show with lots of different styles and subject matter. After this show I headed around the corner to SCA. Our friends Cheryl Bookout, Randy Au, Mary Dessert, and Patt Buchanan had a beautiful show with paintings and sculpture. I most liked the way the show was presented with art from all the artist mixed together throughout the exhibition space. Next door was the Latino Art Museum, I made a quick run through here saying hello to our friend, the director, Graciela Nardi. She sent me off with some of her delicious home made empanadas. The art was one artist who's work is very fiery mix of abstract and geometric painting. Headed back upstairs and past Pho Vi, who was jammed with lots of hungry artwalk patrons. I love how Pho Vi opens their large doors and gives the restaurant an outdoor porch feel (by the way, they're finally serving beer now). Do you know "The Po"? Its the little tiny space outside DBA. Its a tiny room with 4 large windows making it an ideal installation space to show art for people walking by. This time they had the work of Martin Gantman, "Oedipus Rehung". The artist mixed a variety of famous paintings and photographs and then encircled them in a neon heart. On to DBA, we walked in and said or hellos to Ron Faris, owner of the Bar/Gallery. This current show is made up of amazing photorealistic paintings of various people in everyday situations by artists Alyssa Monks. Most notable are the paintings above the couch area of a female figure who appears to be covered in water. The artists ability to create the illusion of wetness using a paint palette-like technique was what impressed me most. Just next door at the dA was my favorite exhibition of the night (besides Joel's of course). Rolo Castillo curated "Poptzlan" which is what the name suggests, an explosion of Pop art and just over the top exhibition design. There was a giant steel bridge erected in the middle of the gallery taking up and framing the entire show. Karl Benjamin's massive paintings, wow, and right next to two awesome paintings by Robert Reynolds really made this a top notch show. The show stealing works were two gigantic portrait paintings on the north wall. They are very bright and colorful faces accented with a hint of geometric line work. The show that doesn't stop, Popztlan also opened the basement and had a band playing and 3 projections in the new basement lounge. I came back rounding the block to listen a bit to the bands playing outside of Ink'd Chronicles. They have a tattoo inspired art show that is also a cancer awareness benefit. Buzzing away, the tattoo artist were inking people up to the sound of the bands and the decor of dozens of great pieces of art. Back home at Bunny Gunner, we are exhibiting a show by our beloved friend, Joel Heflin. He created giant flannel grams of apocalyptic-like events. These pieces are funny, they have child-like cut out felt monsters being bombarded by angels and jet planes. We even got to make t-shirts from some of the left over cutouts. Joel is member of the art collective Finishing School and has a great bunch of friends who all came together to support him. Joel even had a visit from the folks from MOCA!. We ate a delicious meal cooked by in home traveling Gourmet Chef and our friend, April Boyer who's company is called " The Modern Gourmet". This was the most amazing meal! April spoiled 20 of us. She came in at about 1:00 and started cooking her heart out. Dinner was ready at 4:30 starting out with Appetizers : Proscuitto-Wrapped Shrimp and Bruscetta. Then for the main course; Ceasar Salad
Chilled Penne with Chicken, Pesto and Pine Nuts, Meatball Lasagna, Brocolli Rabe with Garlic and Romano Cheese and Tiramisu for dessert. Unbelievable! I highly recommend April, this was a real treat! We haven't felt pampered like that in years! She does everything from doing all the shopping , bringing all the platters and bowls to cleaning up after the meal...she does everything and at a great price! I'm telling you, that was the best Lasagna I have ever eaten! Everything was so delicious and we even had leftovers for today;-) Thank you April! We love you!

Well, that was our weekend here in the Colony, I hope that you enjoy the slideshow and we invite you to join us on the second Saturday of every month to celebrate the arts and entertainment, right here in downtown Pomona.
-Juan and Susie