STOCKTON, CA -
The Tidewater Art Gallery is planning on a rotating art exhibit in the County Administration Building in Downtown Stockton. According to Artist and Board Member Denny Ah-Tye the County Administration exhibits will last through the summer for the Art Walks and hopes “to pursuit exhibiting long term in the county building.” Ah-Tye shared his gratitude as, “they [county staff] are giving us the opportunity during these summer months to display Tidewater artwork.”
Meanwhile, on June 03, 2011, Lori Gilbert staff writer at the daily The Record Newspaper quoted Ah-Tye, “We’re running into financial troubles and the board made the decision to close the downtown site.” Following that report, Ah-Tye stated to Bilingual Weekly (BW), two days later, “We are working on exploring other possibilities to prevent the closure of the gallery; there is a chance that we may not close.”
If the Tidewater does close its Weber Gallery there are some members that may not make the move. Among them is Gay Lynn Sanders, a Jewelry Artist who appreciated the gallery, “I loved my time at the Tidewater and I am sorry I am not transitioning with them.” Print artist and painter Tim Tanis also shared that his “decision [to leave] was based on wanting to show in a regular gallery space rather than a government building.”
Ah-Tye elaborated that, “Even if we do not close we will still be exhibiting at the county building. It is a revolving collection of Tidewater artists in conjunction with the Art Walks of June, July and August.”
“There are five confirmed artists that I know-of so far that will stay with the Tidewater if they close the downtown gallery,” said Artist & Photographer Arturo Vera who plans on continuing with the Gallery, “The first Art Walk is scheduled on June 10th; we will have a soft opening, as well as the reception show at the Tidewater,” Vera elaborated that the opening at the County Building will not only have “beautiful” artwork but also musical ambiance with a Violinist and Cellist.
Vera further explained that “For now, there will be Jewelry for sale at the Downtown Tidewater Gallery”, however, its speculated that jewelry will only be available at the County Building during receptions. “The gallery does have a long-term plan, and if it all goes accordingly, we will continue to fund-raise, exhibit, and look for a permanent home,” Vera added with enthusiasm.
When BW asked about the move Ah-tye concluded that, “Until we meet as a board on Wednesday (June 8, 2011) we don’t have anything concrete to share.” However, Vera believes in the galleries team, “we have a strong fundraising team. We believe they will help us come out of our financial difficulty, the whole art community is hurting, and we need to step-out of the box. We will continue to help the community with art, and have a great deal of exposure, but we need to be realistic in our financial status.”
On a positive note, BW published on June 5, 2011 — the Stockton Arts Council announced their 17 grant recipients totaling $50,000, of which $2,300 will go to fund the Tidewater’s Rising STARS young artist program, for mentoring and learning the business of art, including matting, framing and display. The checks will be handed out at a City Council Meeting in July. Click Here to read
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Bilingual Weekly is your source for general community news in both English and Spanish, covering topics such as education, art, culture, sports, entertainment, finance, business, politics, government, national, and local news to San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties of California.
“I loved my time at the Tidewater and I am sorry I am not transitioning with them.” Print artist and painter Tim Tanis also shared that his “decision [to leave] was based on wanting to show in a regular gallery space rather than a government building?
Posted by vjukix | July 22, 2011, 8:56 pm