University Art - Newsletter

The Community Artist

University Art Newsletter Vol. 2 Issue 4, April 2003

ART ORGANIZATIONS SPOTLIGHT

This month's art organization is an umbrella organization known as A.V.A. or Alliance of Visual Artists: formerly referred to as V.A.A.S.T. The brainchild of artist Jean Bock, A.V.A. was formed to give artists and art groups a way to exhibit their work in a professional way in an artistic setting. The end result of this noble idea has been the annual show at The Triton Museum of Art known as the AVARTFEST. Traditionally held on the first weekend in June, this juried show with high standards has become a mainstay of the local art community. A.V.A however is only as strong as the artists willing to support it, and due to the loss of key people their annual show has been cancelled for this year. Next year is a different matter entirely! Next June's show should be bigger and better than ever and anyone interested in lending their talent to such a worthy cause should contact either Marian Gault at (408-395-8026) or Jeff Bramschreiber at (408-629-7883) or try www.avartfest.org

COMING SOON

New works by California Artists
featuring Tony Nastsoulas
3/15/03 -- 5/11/03
Triton Museum of Art
1505 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara
Contact (408) 247-3754
or www.tritonmuseum.org

Berryessa Art and Wine Festival
Saturday 5/10/03
10:00 a.m.- 5p.m.
Penetencia Creek Park,
San Jose
Contact (408) 259-5894

Filoli Photography Exhibit
4/4/03 -- 4/19/03
Tues. -- Sat., 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
86 Canada Road, Woodside
Contact (650) 364-8300 ext 507

Open Studios Santa Clara
1st weekend 4/26/03 -- 4/27/03
for details try info@svopenstudios.org

If you have exhibit info that you want to have posted please e-mail at snjbram@aol.com

TRIVIA AND STUFF JUST FOR FUN

April is the month of Easter and so our trivia has to do with the origins of the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs! The word Easter itself is derived from the name of an ancient fertility goddess named Oestra. Spring festivals were held to honor her and the rabbit being sacred to her was held in high esteem. The egg, being a symbol of rebirth and new life, was also held in high regard. With the advent of Christianity, Oestra worship faded away but the traditions held on. Through the years, as with many old festivals, the serious symbols became frivolous and associated with children; so today we have the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs to the delight of our kids!

ASK BRAMSCHANDOZ

Q: What are alkyd paints?

A: Alkyds are fast drying "oil modified" paints. Originally they were called "alcids" because of the combining of alcohol and acid-based resins (that I can't pronounce), with either safflower or linseed oil. The resulting paints are bright, durable, and even weather resistant!

JEFF'S TIPS

Painting should be fun, not a chore! We get so bogged down in techniques sometimes we lose our enjoyment of the process along the way. Here are a few items that might help make things fun again.

Work larger (or smaller) than you are used to.
Try different mediums than you usually use or try to combine them.
Consider a collaboration with someone else with a different style.
Take a workshop or attend a demonstration in a different medium than you are used to and have fun!!

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