2021 Exhibitions
Bridges and Walls
November 13, 2021 - January 30, 2022
Click here to watch Orin Carpenter's Art Talk
Bridges and Walls, a solo exhibition by 2021 Artist in Residence Orin Carpenter, has been extended through January 30, 2022. The exhibition is the culmination of the artist’s year-long residency on the MarinMOCA campus. Carpenter’s mixed media work is informed by his own personal experiences and observations of human encounters, and the outcomes that occur. He is inspired by the concept of humans building bridges to seek connections, or conversely, creating walls for protection. The artist's work investigates, and reflects on, those experiences and asks the viewer: “Did you build a wall or a bridge today, and why?” We invite visitors of all ages to explore this thought-provoking exhibition. The exhibition is free to the public.
Bridges and Walls in-person artist talk: Click here to watch Orin Carpenter's thoughtful talk about his work and process.
About the Artist
Orin Carpenter is an artist and educator and currently the Visual and Performing Arts Director at Marin Catholic High School. He holds a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Memphis, and received his MFA in Illustration from Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Carpenter has shown widely in galleries in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the country. Most recently, in 2020, his work was included in The de Young Open exhibition of Bay Area artists at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. He is currently represented by Artize Gallery in Palm Springs, CA. The artist leads workshops that focus on art and racial justice and has partnered with Boston College University Roche Center for Education, and the Archdiocese of Omaha, to share his expertise as both an artist of color and educator. Carpenter's work has been published extensively and he is frequently interviewed on radio and podcast programs.
Carpenter states: "Being an artist of color (AOC), I have the power to bring others into the world I experience through the lens of my creations. I have the power to educate, elevate, and challenge anyone who encounters my works of art, allowing viewers to see the world through my eyes. Hopefully my art can change their perception with a new vision and offer them the opportunity to share in the journey… my journey."
Images:
American Taboo, 2021, mixed media, 22 x 28 in. Courtesy of the artist
Tilling the Soul, 2021, mixed media, 16 x 48 in. Courtesy of the artist
Self-Doubt, 2021, mixed media, 22 x 28 in. Courtesy of the artist
Happenstance
November 13, 2021 - December 23, 2021
Watch the Happenstance Art Talk here
Virtual Art Talk recording available here:
Happenstance is a dynamic exhibition of work that demonstrates how fortunate accidents, or unexpected events, often contribute to serendipitous results in the art-making process. Juried by Zoë Taleporos, the exhibition showcases the work of twenty artists from around the country. Taleporos states: "All the works selected demonstrate a reverence to process over outcome. These works all integrate unintended factors that surprisingly create harmonious, interesting forms and compositions."
For example, Anna Rybat created her painting, Yellow Stripe, by manipulating fabric drenched in paint until the composition presented itself. The result is a wall relief with an energetic presence comprised of folds, ridges, and valleys of fabric. Also on view are monotype prints by Kristina Nobleman, who, while using a large-scale printing press, accidentally creased the paper. Nobleman considered these prints imperfect but ultimately, they became the impetus for an entire body of work, informed by the original mistake. We invite visitors to experience this engaging exhibition that highlights the positive outcomes of embracing the unexpected. The exhibition opens November 13 and runs through December 23. The exhibition is free to the public. Download the list of award-winners here.
Zoë Taleporos is a curator, arts administrator, and writer based in Oakland. She currently works as a Public Art Project Manager at the San Francisco Arts Commission where she is involved in commissioning a wide range of artworks for public spaces. She co-organizes Premiere Jr., an exhibition space that commissions new work by Bay Area artists on a 6-by-12-foot billboard in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset. Formerly, she was a co-director/curator of Royal NoneSuch Gallery in Oakland and Queen's Nails Projects in San Francisco. As an independent curator, she has implemented exhibitions and public programs for the California College of the Arts, San Francisco; Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito; Pro Arts, Oakland; among many others. Her writing has been published by KQED Arts, Art Practical, and MIT Press. She received her MA in curatorial practice from California College of the Arts.
Download the list of accepted entries here
Image credit:
Anna Rybat, detail from Yellow Stripe, 2021, 3D sculpted colorfield painting, 24 x 4 in.
Kristina Nobleman, Fractured 4, 2021, monotype, 37.25 x 1.625 in.
Susan Zimmerman, detail from Grid Play, 2021, linen, natural dyes, acrylic medium paper, balsa wood, glue, 50 x 45 x 2 in.
Assembly Required
September 11, 2021 - November 7, 2021
Reception: Saturday, Sept. 11, 5pm-7pm
Drawn from MarinMOCA's artist member community, Assembly Required highlights the legacy of assemblage in Northern California, contextualizing the found materials used in tandem with the traditional mosaic art techniques on display in Italian American Icons.
The exhibition features work by Barbara Jacobs, Gary Kell, Patricia Leeds, Sonya Hammons, Kerith Lisi, Linda Mueller, Lee Nisbet, Celina Pagani-Tousignant, Lisa Rodondi, Hannah Rosenberg and Carolyn Wheeler. These artists use found materials to explore a range of subject matter and style.
Image credits:
Kerith Lisi, detail from In Between, 2021
Hannah Rosenberg, Of Storms and Roiling Seas, 2019
Patricia Leeds, As the World Spins
Planet Earth Fights Back
September 11, 2021 - November 7, 2021
Reception: Saturday, Sept. 11, 5pm-7pm
Artist Phyllis Thelen champions nature in her solo exhibition Planet Earth Fights Back. In Thelen’s art, “planet earth” has a voice. This exhibition of recent work depicts environmental disasters that threaten our planet. Her three-dimensional sculptures decry the consequences of climate change, overpopulation, mineral exploitation, pollution and more. Some globes teeter on screws alluding to mankind’s harmful intervention. Her hammer-mounted globes come alive with a first-person narrative that warns of the earth’s power to fight back. Thelen’s abstract encaustic wall-works depict her emotional response elicited by humanity’s abusive practices.
To ensure a comfortable visit we are reinstating capacity limits until further notice. To visit this exhibition please schedule your preferred day and time here.
Phyllis Thelen is an experimental artist creating sculptural forms out of organic materials. She received her B.A. in Art from Connecticut College, and continued her education at the Art Institute of San Francisco, Dominican University of California, and the Miasa Bunka Center in Japan, where she studied with Toshi Yoshida. Thelen received an honorary Ph.D. from Dominican University in 2002.
Thelen's work has been featured in solo exhibitions at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art and Morris Graves Museum of Art. She was a featured artist in a group show at Arts Benicia, juried by Lawrence Rinder of the Berkeley Art Museum. Additional exhibitions include the Quilt and Textile Museums of San Jose, CA, the Napa Valley Museum, the Gallery Strasse in Japan, the Presidio of San Francisco, Dominican University, Falkirk Cultural Center, and Art Works Downtown in San Rafael, CA.
Thelen is a Founder of Art Works Downtown, the Marin Ballet Association, and Youth in Arts. She chaired the San Rafael Cultural Affairs Commission, and has been listed in Who’s Who of American Women. In 2010 she received the Cultural Treasure Award from the Marin Cultural Services Commission.
Planet Earth Screwed-Oceans Polluted, plastic refuse, paper, wood, metal screw, 7 x 12 x7 in
Planet Earth Screwed, Over-populated, wood, metal screw, 9 x 14 x 9 in
Planet Earth Screwed-Drilled, paper, paint, metal screw, 8 x 14 x 8 in
Italian American Icons: Mosaic Portraits
September 11, 2021 - November 7, 2021
Docent tours every Wed. at 11am and Sat. at 2pm. Reserve your spot: (415) 506-0137, info@marinmoca.org
Exhibit Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors 65+ and students 13-25; free for members. To visit this exhibition please schedule your preferred day and time here.
Docent tours offered every Wednesday at 11am and Saturday at 2pm through November 6. Contact the office at (415) 506-0137 or info@marinmoca.org to schedule your tour.
MarinMOCA, in collaboration with Associazione Naonis and the Italian Film Festival presents Italian American Icons
Presenting Sponsor: Carson Wealth
Experience this stunning exhibition of contemporary mosaic portraits created by the talented young artists of the internationally-known Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli based in Northern Italy. The work of these skilled artists utilizes a mix of found materials and age-old mosaic art techniques to create iconic portraits that offer a fresh take on an ancient medium. Their methods aptly nod to the art of assemblage, a medium embraced by many of the most notable artists from Northern California such as Robert Hudson and Jess. The artists have created 22 mosaic portraits of Italian-American cultural icons of our age. Their choice of subject matter ranges from the well-known Italian-American actor Sylvester Stallone to singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, whose mother is of Italian-Irish descent.
The exhibition is presented in collaboration with Associazione Naonis and the Italian Film Festival. Curated by Guglielmo Zanette, Italian American Icons is a remarkable collection of mosaic portraits that highlight the skill and artistry of these emerging artists. Along with an array of palpable influences—from agriculture, film and business—we celebrate the cultural affinities of Marin County’s Italian heritage through this exhibition.
Mosaics artist residency connects Italy to Marin
MarinMOCA will bring a mosaic artist from the Friuli region to Marin County as part of an artist residency program. The artist, Denise Toson, is a graduate of the Scuola Mosaicisti. She will give art talks and demonstrations during her stay in Marin.
Exhibit Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors 65+ and students 13-25; free for members
Additional support provided by: Fenwick Foundation, Colette and Bob Battaglia, Sue and Joe Carlomagno, Servino Ristorante, Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco
In-Kind donations provided by: Fogolar Furlan Nord California, PromoTurismo Friuli Venezia Giulia and Stacy Scott Catering, The Art of Good Food
Dialogues
July 24, 2021 - September 5, 2021
Art talk: Saturday, July 24, 4-5pm Public reception: July 24, 5-7pm
An art talk will occur on Saturday, July 24 from 4-5pm. Join the artists in the Second Floor Gallery for an intimate exchange about their work and inspirations, followed by a reception from 5-7pm. Doors open at 4pm with limited capacity.
Dialogues is a paired exhibition with artist members Gary Marsh and Donna Wallace-Cohen. In recognition of their artistic achievement, they were awarded this exhibition for winning first place in the 2020-2021 MarinMOCA Members’ exhibitions. Marsh’s sculptures and Wallace-Cohen’s paintings are informed by deeply personal experiences, resulting in an engaging dialogue between artist and medium.
Marsh creates organic forms using castings in hydrocal and non-shrink grout, making sculptures that appear both soft and hard, despite the rigidity of the material. Marsh says: “The work I created for this exhibition addresses the passing of time and the need to honor the physical and mental changes that inevitably require our acceptance and attention, no matter how difficult that task may be.”
Wallace-Cohen’s stunning paintings reflect her time spent among ancient Redwood trees. The artist states: “The woods give me the illusion of feeling wiser than I am. I hear the ancient voices of souls who once lived here--chanted, worked, danced--centuries before I was born.” Her paintings envelop and transport viewers to a quiet, meditative place. The exhibition runs through September 5 and is free to the public.
An art talk will occur on Saturday, July 24 from 4-5pm. Join the artists in the Second Floor Gallery for an intimate exchange about their work and inspirations, followed by a reception from 5-7pm. Doors open at 4pm with limited capacity.Slide show images:
1- Donna Wallace-Cohen, Ancient Voices #3, acrylic, ink, pastels, felt tip pens
2- Donna Wallace-Cohen, Ancient Voices #4, acrylic, ink, pastels, felt tip pens
3- Gary Marsh, Memory Block #1, 2021, hydrocal and non-shrink grout, found objects, 13 x 7.5 x 5 in
4- Gary Marsh, detail from The Unforgiving Barrier, 2021, hydrocal and non-shrink grout, found objects, 12 x 14.5 x 1.25 in
Continuous Clay: Trends & Innovations
July 24, 2021 - September 5, 2021
Public reception: Saturday, July 24, 5-7pm
Continuous Clay: Trends and Innovations, features nine inventive Bay Area artists working in ceramics today. Following in the footsteps of such pioneering Bay Area artists as Robert Arneson, Viola Frey, and Peter Voulkos, who championed the materiality of clay and elevated the medium beyond the realm of craft, the nine artists presented here build on this legacy by taking unconventional approaches to traditional techniques. For example, Michelle Gregor, a San Francisco-based contemporary figurative artist--one of the most highly regarded second-generation sculptors of the Bay Area Figurative Movement working today--employs a painterly approach to glaze application. Her work displays her masterful, intuitive sense of color. Also on view is work by Marin-based artist Brett Crawford. Crawford, a skilled potter, juxtaposes traditional vessel forms with experimental surface treatments as seen in Sperry Fingerprint. Curated by Jeff Downing, the exhibition includes Brett Crawford, Shenny Cruces, Michelle Gregor, Jeannie Ichimura, Pancho Jiménez, Mark Messenger, Maria Paz, Tiffany Schmierer and Tiffany Tang. Taken as a whole, these artists are creating something entirely new and exciting!
Though all the work varies greatly in style, technique, and conceptual approach, the artists share one thing in common: an immense passion for this magnificent medium's deeply primordial and unforgiving nature. Visitors of all ages will experience an imaginative, engaging display of the limitless possibilities of clay.
Artist-led Ceramic Demonstrations with Michelle Gregor and Mark Messenger
Saturday, August 21, 11am- 1pm
Admission is $10/adults, $8/seniors and youth to age 18. Purchase tickets here.
Go behind the scenes to watch and learn from two of the featured artists in Continuous Clay! The artists will conduct side-by-side demonstrations to walk you through various technical processes incorporated in their dynamic art practices while chatting about their different approaches to the medium. Michelle Gregor will demonstrate her sculpting techniques which incorporate gestural mark making and improvisation. She will also deconstruct the human figure into simple shapes from which to create various poses; reclining, seated and standing.
Mark Messenger will demonstrate his process for creating a human bust. He will take you through the full sequence of his process from his use of conceptual drawings, maquettes, and physical supports to actual sculpting, hollowing and completing the work.
Continuous Clay: Trends & Innovations is curated by Jeff Downing, Professor of Art and Head of the Ceramics Area at San Francisco State University. Jeff Downing discovered the art of ceramics while majoring in music composition at the State University of New York at Purchase. Drawn to the spirit of experimentation and nonconformity that characterizes art and artist in California, Downing moved to San Francisco in 1985 where he rapidly became exposed to a broad spectrum of ceramic sculpture being produced and exhibited in the region. Downing studied with several well-known artists in the San Francisco Bay Area and went on to earn his MFA from San Francisco State University in 1992. Since 1996, he has been teaching ceramics workshops and classes at various institutions throughout the country. Jeff Downing exhibits his sculpture internationally and in the United States and he has received numerous awards for his work. Find the curatorial statement here.
Continuous Clay Artist Bios:
Brett Crawford started creating objects in clay over 30 years ago at Saratoga High School with Leah Aguayo and later with Dave Ogle. For over 15 years, he taught wheel throwing at UC Davis and UC San Diego – an experience that challenged him to deeply understand how to control the shapes emerging from the clay. Standing on that foundation, Brett continues to explore the nature of shapes that our brains find attractive and discover unique glazes to complement the forms. As a Ph.D. scientist, his methodological approach to his artistic explorations can be perceived in his work. www.crawfordceramics.com
Shenny Cruces received her MFA in Ceramics from San Francisco State University. Her work has appeared in shows nationally and internationally including the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Biennial at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Monumental Clay at Palo Alto Art Center, and at c.r.e.t.a Rome: Ceramics, Residency, Exhibitions, Teaching, & the Arts. Her work has received numerous awards and residencies including Murphy Cadogan Fellowship from San Francisco Foundation, and a Kiln God Award Residency at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts. Shenny is currently a Professor of Ceramics at San Joaquin Delta College. www.shennycruces.com
Michelle Gregor lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a BFA from UC Santa Cruz and an MFA from San Francisco State University. Michelle is a tenured Professor of Art at San Jose City College. Her figurative sculptures in bronze and ceramic range in scale from large architectural installations to small scale work with subtle and delicate surfaces derived through multiple kiln firings. Her architectural work may be seen in such locations as the Spa at Pebble Beach and The Olympic Club in San Francisco. Michelle’s sculpture has been described as lyrical, graceful and spiritual. www.michellegregor.com
Jeannie Ichimura developed a love of all things ceramic while learning to throw on the potter’s wheel in Osaka, Japan in 1995. After years of making pottery, Jeannie shifted her focus to sculpture in 2015. The process, textural quality, and hint of unpredictability that are integral to working with clay are a constant invitation to explore. Ideals about gender, domesticity and societal norms inform her current work. Jeannie received her MFA from San Francisco State University, and her work has been exhibited in California, New York, Michigan, and Ohio. She currently divides her time between teaching ceramics at SFSU and SF Recreation and Parks, and working in her studio. www.claywrangler.com, www.instagram.com/claywrangler
Pancho Jiménez holds a MFA in Sculptural Ceramics from San Francisco State University, and his BA from Santa Clara University. He has exhibited extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area and nationally at universities, private galleries and civic spaces. His work is part of the permanent collection of the Crocker Museum of Art, the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, the Triton Museum of Art, the University of San Francisco and Santa Clara University. He was named an Artist Laureate by SVCreates. His solo show at the Triton Museum of art was named one of the Ten Best in Northern California by art ltd. Magazine. He has been featured in Ceramics Monthly and numerous publications including, "The Ceramic Design Book", "Extruded Ceramics" and “500 Ceramic Sculptures.” He has taught courses at San Francisco State University, West Valley College and is currently a Senior Lecturer at Santa Clara University where he has been teaching since 1999. www.panchojimenez.com
Mark Messenger was raised in Southern California and now lives in the East Bay where he is a Professor of Art at Diablo Valley College. His sculpture is a melding of folk and fine art traditions. The work combines drawing, painting, modeling and pottery techniques to investigate recurring mythologies, exploring social, political and psychological issues in the form of narratives. Mark’s work has been exhibited extensively and is represented in a number of national and international collections including the Crocker Art Museum, the Archie Bray Permanent Collection in Helena, MT, the International Ceramic Center in Kesckemet, Hungary, and the Hubei Institute of Art in Wuhan, China. International projects have included group sculpture projects in both Cuba and China, and a large scale, permanent installation at Parque La Carolina in Quito, Ecuador. Mark received a BA in Social Science from Westmont, a Teaching Credential in Art from Cal State Fullerton, and an MFA from San Diego State University. www.messengerceramics.com
Maria Paz (b. Quilpue, Chile) is a self- taught Latinx sculptor based in Oakland. Her work explores the bond broken with her home country and how her experience as an immigrant in the United States has shaped a multiplicity of identities. Paz has exhibited work at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Arts, Pt. 2 Gallery, Southern Exposure, and New Image Art in L.A. Paz was a finalist for the 2019-2020 TOSA Studio Award and has held workshops at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco). She was recently awarded the Bed Stuy Arts Residency in Brooklyn, New York and is featured in a group exhibition at Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Arts. Paz is represented by Part 2 Gallery in Oakland. www.part2gallery.com/mariapazpublic; www.mariapazstudio.com
Tiffany Schmierer received her MFA with an emphasis in ceramics from San Francisco State University. Her artwork has been exhibited in regional, national, and international exhibitions. Her ceramic sculpture is held in private and public collections, and has received numerous awards. Schmierer is a Professor of Art at Skyline College where she heads the ceramics program. She has been sculpting in clay for over twenty years, and loves the versatility, physical, tactile, and expressive qualities of the medium. Her ceramic sculptures are created as three-dimensional canvases on which to explore drawing, painting, and printmaking methods. tiffanyschmierer.com
Tiffany Tang is an artist and educator from the SF Bay Area. She has always been someone who deeply absorbs her surroundings, which leave lasting impressions that come out in her artistic expressions. Be it a blessing or a curse, life continues to give her stories to tell through her deep rooted traumas. Tiffany is interested in the tension that exists between the tactile, functionality, and color pallete of her work. Tiffany also finds great joy in mentoring and teaching others, using her past experiences in life along with her skills in clay. She received her BA in Art and Art History from San Francisco State University and her MFA in Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design. www.tiffanytang.com instagram: tiffanytangstudio
Artwork credits:
Home page: Tiffany Schmierer, Connecting Threads, 2017, ceramic, thread, nails, 24 x 15 x 5 in.
Maria Paz, Front view, Mama, ceramic and glaze, 2020, 22 x 21 x 15.5 in.
Michelle Gregor, Magnolia, ceramic and glaze, 24x 24 x18 in.
Exhibition Page: Maria Paz, Mama, ceramic and glaze, 2020, 22 x 21 x 15.5 in.
Slide Show:
Shenny Cruces, Breast Plates, 2016, ceramic, 28 x 38 x 8 in.
Pancho Jimenez, Cara e Cara, 2015, ceramic, 22 x 27 x 22 in.
Tiffany Schmierer, Connecting Threads, 2017, ceramic, thread, nails, 24 x 15 x 5 in.
Jeanie Ichimura, 48 Years, 2018-present, porcelain, wood, steel wire, 60 x 12 x 6 in.
Michelle Gregor, Magnolia, ceramic and glaze, 24x 24 x18 in.
We thank the following individuals for their support of the exhibition:
Kathleen Gaines and Ray Welch
Invincible
July 24, 2021 - September 5, 2021
Click here to watch the on-demand Panel Discussion!
This exhibition pays tribute to the vibrant culture, heritage and resiliency of the Latinx diaspora. Curated by MarinMOCA artist member Luis Garcia, it features the work of seven Northern California artists: Juana Alicia, Edgar Arturo-Camacho, Lark Calderon-Gomez, Luis Garcia, Ramona Garcia, Manuel Ruelas and Pablo Villicana Lara. These artists explore their world view through work that investigates constant⏤and often taboo⏤themes in the Latinx Community, including post-colonial identity, racism, sexual identity, gentrification, immigration, and poverty.
Curator Luis Garcia states: “ ‘Estado Invincible,’ or ‘Unconquerable State’ means not capable of being subdued or brought under control. I believe that ‘Estado Invincible’ is a state of mind that resides within artists of color and Latinx communities in general. There is resilience within our communities, where the spirit thrives. In a time of division, and uncertainty, it is important to amplify all voices, especially those of underrepresented communities of color. This exhibition hopes to do that, to broaden viewers’ perspectives, to educate, and to reinforce the ‘Unconquerable State’ of mind.”
Virtual Panel Discussion
Watch the on-demand recording here
Join Curator Luis Garcia and artists Edgar Arturo-Camacho, Lark Calderon-Gomez, and Manuel Ruelas for a lively conversation about their works on view in the exhibition.
Artwork credits:
Exhibit Page:
Edgar Arturo Camacho and Miriam Mosqueda, Sol- Remember When You Didn't Know You Were the Sun, 2019, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 in.
Slide Show:
Pablo Villicana Lara, Tochmetztli, 2019, watercolor, 19 x 30 in.
Juana Alicia, Cuarantena/Quaratine, 2020, scratchboard drawing, 24 x 24 in.
Luis Garcia, Amigas, acrylic, dry pigments, 12 x 12 in.
Manuel Ruelas, Resistiendo II, 2020, mixed media on canvas, 60 x 40 in.
Still
May 29, 2021 - July 18, 2021
Still, is a solo exhibit of artwork by Lisa Rodondi that reflects on the past year of loss, heart-break and ultimately, healing, she experienced during the pandemic and social justice uprisings. Her work explores the concepts of fracture and mending, perseverance and hope, reconciliation and resilience, and states “I am still here.” She deploys a variety of mixed media techniques using tactile materials and methods including hand stitching, painting and joomchi, a traditional Korean paper making method, resulting in evocative, sculptural reliefs. The artist states: "Art making is a healing and empowering process through which I explore my inner world. Symbolism and an alignment with a Divine Spirit are often expressed in my work. My intention in creating art is to cultivate a sense of connection for our communities." We invite viewers to appreciate the quiet beauty of Rodondi’s art.
Images:
Keep Standing Up, 2021, sumi ink, hanji (traditional Korean handmade paper), thread, pigment ink, silk covered paper yarn, hemp cloth, 15 x 31 in.
Detail from: eQuaLeSSence II, 2021, persimmon dye, silk covered paper yarn, thread, pigment ink, paper cord, linen, hemp cloth, 33 x 23 in.
conVERGEnce
May 29, 2021 - July 18, 2021
Watch the virtual tour with juror Susan Snyder
conVERGEnce is juried by Susan Snyder, a partner in the Caldwell Snyder Gallery. In a time of extraordinary flux, how do artists investigate coming together—or coming apart—in their practice? The exhibition features the work of over 60 artists from around the country who explore the theme in innovative, expressive ways through a variety of mediums. Visitors will experience an exhibition of thought-provoking and engaging artwork. The exhibit is free to the public, no appointment required.
Download the list of award winners here.
Download the list of accepted entries here.
image credit:
Home Page: Bibby Gignilliat, Big Original Intentions, 2021,mixed media on wood, 72 x 96 in.
Slide Show:
Lori Murphy, Intersection, 2021, mixed media collage with staples, graphite, and wax on page from “Metropolitan Seminars in Art” by John Canady, 12.5 x 10.25 in.
Sara Slee Brown, Souls Ascending Green Gate, 2020, paper, glue, acrylic varnish, pencil, 12 x 24 x 2 in.
Margot Hartford, Yellow Hydrant, 2020, photograph, 16 x 20 in
Youth Homelessness to Hope
April 28, 2021 - May 23, 2021
The Youth Homelessness to Hope is a traveling mural project spearheaded and produced by the Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity (AHO) Youth Leadership Team. The team is comprised of previously homeless youth served by AHO, a 17-year old award-winning Marin nonprofit organization. AHO provides support for 16-25 year-old teens and young adults without families or resources. The mural answers the important question “What kind of world do you want to live in?” and includes themes of social justice, the environment, climate change and Black Lives Matter. We invite the public to view this uplifting artwork that shares the youths’ vision and messages about the challenges they face. This project employed 15 formerly homeless youth for three months as artists and event planners. In addition to the murals on view, visitors will see an engaging retrospective of the many exciting projects produced by the Youth Leadership Team over the past 12 years. This free exhibit is on display in the Second Floor Gallery
For the past eight years, the murals have been exhibited throughout the Bay Area where AHO youth share their stories to educate the community about youth homelessness and the critical issues highlighted in the murals.
Following the close of the exhibit on May 23, the AHO Board, Council and Youth Leadership Team will gift the murals to the College of Marin as their permanent home. Dr. David Wain Coon, Superintendent/President of College of Marin says:
“We are honored that AHO has generously chosen to gift College of Marin the Youth Homelessness to Hope murals, following the closing of its current exhibit. The murals will be permanently displayed at the College so that future generations can be inspired by the murals’ themes of social justice, the environment, climate change, and Black Lives Matter which are visible in the artistry of the murals,”
The AHO Youth Leadership Team Story:
The Youth Homelessness to Hope traveling mural is the vision and inspiration of the AHO Youth Leadership Team, comprised of homeless and at-risk youth served by Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity (AHO). The mural is the culmination of a year-long process to bring awareness to the crisis of youth homelessness and the plight of the planet. The AHO Leadership team engaged 1,200 young people from 30 private, public, alternative high schools, middle schools and colleges to participate in the project.
The AHO Youth Leadership Team was born in November 2007 when Kevin Ippolito, Amy Phelan, Mario Rangel and Ali Fadeff wanted to “give back” for the help they had received from the Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity organization. Their mission was to unite young people ages 16 to 25 in Marin County who were previously homeless or at-risk of homelessness, and other socially conscious youth from all socio-economic backgrounds, with the goal of designing youth-led projects to foster awareness and bring funding to the organization that was helping them succeed.
The Team has produced dozens of successful projects that create awareness about youth homelessness in Marin County.
12th Annual Altered Book Exhibition & Fundraiser
April 24, 2021 - May 23, 2021
Click here to access the silent auction on Bidsquare
Thank you! We are grateful to our community for the support of the museum during the Altered Book fundraiser!
Did you win an Altered Book? Upon receipt of your invoice please contact the office to arrange for pick-up or shipping: info@marinmoca.org or (415) 506-0137
This year MarinMOCA is pleased to announce that we have again received a $10,000 challenge grant from the Donald O. and Ronald R. Collins Fund of the Marin Community Foundation. The challenge grant will match winning bids and contributions dollar for dollar up to $10,000, effectively doubling each winning bid!
No more room on your walls for artwork? Please consider a contribution to our Fund A Need. You can donate online via our website here.
The book becomes art at MarinMOCA’s 12th Annual Altered Book Exhibit and Fundraiser. Marin’s most unique art show features over 130 original book art objects, created by artists who combine compelling messages with creative technique. Fans and art collectors will see an innovative display of Altered Books. Mary Austin, Founder of the San Francisco Center for the Book, and Donna Seager, of Seager Gray Gallery in Mill Valley juried this year’s exhibition for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mentions. Watch the Art Talk with Donna Seager and Mary Austin, now posted to Youtube.
We thank our generous supporters:
Donald O. & Ronald R Collins Fund
Bank of Marin
Black Cat Studio
Harvest Market
Alders Financial Solutions
Images: Altered Book by Julia Arndt
Kingdom of Heaven by Sophia Moreau
Choir by Maria Esther Sund
Altered Book by Bebe Kuhr
Refuge
February 27, 2021 - April 18, 2021
“Refuge,” a solo exhibit of paintings by Janey Fritsche. This new body of work integrates figurative exploration with life on the water. Seeking to escape the day-to-day trauma of current events, Ms. Fritsche found peace and tranquility at the beach, in particular China Camp State Park. Says Ms. Fritsche: “There is magic where the land meets the sea, the melding of conscious and subconscious.” Her dazzling oil and ink paintings capture the essence of that magic through luminescent color, and deft handling of light and dark values. Her work expresses joy, wonder and relief in the restorative nature of the seashore. We invite viewers to experience the transformational power of the ocean, through these engaging paintings. The free exhibit runs through April 18.
M. Louise Stanley: No Regrets
February 27, 2021 - April 18, 2021
Art, career and process: A conversation with M. Louise Stanley
Take a docent tour of this fascinating exhibit: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:00AM, beginning March 24 through April 17. Limited to 8 participants, reservations required. Email the office to reserve your spot: info@marinmoca.org.
Admission: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+ and students 13-25.
Free for members and children under 13.
“M. Louise Stanley: No Regrets, 50 Years of Art and Activism.” Ms. Stanley is best known for her humorous narrative style, inspired by Western Art history and Greek mythology. Since the beginning of her career in the 1970s, Ms. Stanley, (aka Lulu,) has tackled the thorny issues of our time–gender inequality, corporate malfeasance, social justice, and all-around bad behavior. Given the current socio-political environment, viewers will appreciate her bold work which treats difficult subjects with wit and insight. Spanning five decades, the exhibition will include artworks shown together for the first time, as well as presenting never-before exhibited works. A selection of her art journals and protest signs will also be on view.
“In this retrospective exhibition of works selected from fifty years of M. Louise Stanley’s career as commentator on the human comedy, both the artist’s wit and her prodigious gift for renovating the history of art are on full view,” states Maria Porges, author of the exhibition catalog essay.
Ms. Stanley’s paintings and journals are filled with lush color, and rich, historically-accurate references. Her work reaches out with striking contemporary relevance and will engage viewers in “Lulu’s” world: where “Bad Bankers” receive ‘just’ punishment, and Greek Gods are seen through a feminist lens, as portrayed in “Jupiter and Io.” She is represented by Anglim/Trimble Gallery in San Francisco.
An exhibition catalog featuring an essay by Maria Porges will be published in conjunction with the exhibit.
See the virtual tour of the exhibit here
The exhibition is presented by the Herbst Foundation.
Additional support has been provided by:
Ron Casentini, Daniel and Susan Daniloff, Leslie Ruhland of Accuchex, Law Offices of Marlene Pappas Getchell, Kathleen Gaines and Ray Welch, Dr. Denise Lucy and Dr. Francoise Lepage.
Home Page Images:
Detail from "Homage to Duchamp" 2003, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 46"
Detail from "Psyche and Amor" 2013, Acrylic on canvas, 48 x 55"
Exhibit Page:
“Bad Bankers” 2011, acrylic on panel, 30 x 40”
“Anatomy Lesson” 2003, acrylic on canvas, 72 x 96”
“The Mystic Muse and the Bums Who Sleep in the Golf Course” 1970, watercolor, 11 x 15”
“Jupiter and Io” 2008, acrylic on canvas, 62 x 80”
“Uninvited Guests” 2020. Gouache, 30 x 40”
Here and Now
January 9, 2021 - February 21, 2021
See the virtual tour here
“Here and Now,” is a stimulating exhibit featuring the Artists of MarinMOCA. There has never been a time like here and now. Globally, it’s the most challenging year of the 21st century, with more medical, social, and ecological disasters than ever before. In these difficult times art is essential, for makers and viewers alike. The 90 exhibiting artists have responded with work that is meaningful, hopeful and beautiful. Visitors of all ages are invited to experience this intriguing show of artwork in a variety of media. Awards will be juried by well-known Bay Area gallerist and curator, Kim Eagles-Smith. His eponymous gallery is located in Mill Valley, and he represents established contemporary artists from across the country.
Download the list of award-winners here
Images:
“The Future of Good Ideas” by Pat Margis.
“11/7/20” by Linda Mueller
“Isfahan” by Shiva Pakdel
“The Deluge” by Bill Russell
“Watersong, Now and Then” by Teddie Hathaway
