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AR Workshop takes wine and painting to the next level

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Joanne Lui

Joanne Lui is a social media and fashion addict who has lived in Fresno since she was four, and sometimes accidentally says she was born and raised in Fresno. She was actually born in Hong Kong. She loves shopping and the St. Louis Cardinals, and is equally likely to be found in heels or a baseball cap - sometimes both. She blogs about designer bargain hunting and charitable fashion companies at www.shoesoffmyfeet.com
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I have a confession to make: wine and paint nights give me massive anxiety. I’m a writer, not an artist. Not even a little bit. While I think it’s an awesome concept in general, paying to sit down and create “art” that will never be good enough to hang up is not my idea of fun. So when a friend invited me to her birthday celebration at a place where we would be making our own wood signs while sipping wine, I was sure I was about to have another paint night disaster. But AR Workshop in Fresno is SO much different than that. I had so much fun that I’m here to tell you anybody can do this, and everybody should try it!

I should start by saying that wood signs are only one of many, many things you can create at AR Workshop, a nationwide chain of studios that specializes in DIY home décor. The local franchise was opened just a couple months ago by cousins and Central Valley natives Leigh Champlin and Michelle Bentzen. Each workshop is about 2 ½ hours long, and each person in your group can pick a different project within a theme and personalize the words and art on it, so everyone goes home with something they will be happy to display in their space.

AR Workshop

Just a few of dozens of project examples at the AR Workshop studio.

Projects for every personality

My friends and I went on a night where we could create a wood sign, lazy susan, wood tray or wood photo frame, and every project choice was represented in our group. When you register on AR Workshop’s website, you can peruse the available projects and request your customizations. I found a photo board that said “Football is My Favorite Season” and, naturally, asked that the ladies prepare a stencil for me that said “Baseball is My Favorite Season” instead. AR Workshop is a great place to create something with your family’s last name or your child’s name. They even offer wood photo frames for pets!

AR Workshop

My friend and birthday girl Heather Haupt holds a sign that the AR Workshop ladies made to put with our party snacks.

On the night we went, there were two birthday parties that had booked the studio. We were given space to put out some snacks, alcohol, and cake. Our custom project materials were laid out around a space with our name written on it. This is when I started hyperventilating a little inside, because there were literally individual planks of wood stacks at my station, along with hardware, and I started panicking at the thought that I was really going to have to put this sign together piece by piece!

AR Workshop

This really scared me at first!

But the employees at AR Workshop were so patient and great at explaining the steps that I soon found myself holding a nail gun with glee. That’s the thing that ended up being so cool about the experience: I really built this photo board and designed it myself from start to finish. I sanded wood, picked a stain, debated paint colors, stenciled—all of it. The stencil is a key part of the process. Because I had a guide, I avoided the art disasters of paint nights past.

AR Workshop

Me wielding a nail gun—under supervision, of course.

Holiday gifts handmade by you!

This is a great time of year to try out AR Workshop so you can create custom holiday décor and gifts instead of buying generic versions at the store. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas… they’ve got you covered! Other workshop themes include wall hangings, pillows, and canvas totes; centerpiece boxes for your table; and even guest appearances by chefs who will teach you how to decorate cookies or lay out a charcuterie board while you create a custom wood tray. There are also youth-themed events where you can drop off your kids for a few hours to make a project while you go on a date night!

AR Workshop

My friend Mandy staining her project.

Whether it’s for girls’ night, date night or a celebration, AR Workshop is a great place to do something really different with your friends and family, and leave with something that will make you happy for a long time to come. Couples who like to work with power tools will enjoy this far more than painting two of the same canvases together, too!

AR Workshop

My friends Kelly and Traci painting in their stencils on a lazy susan and wood tray.

AR Workshop is located next to Young Chef’s Academy at Champlain and Perrin in Fresno. Follow AR Workshop Fresno on Facebook so you can find out about special events right away, like their Chunky Knit Blanket Workshop that sold out in just hours. Go to their website to find a full schedule and photos of hundreds of project ideas. Then shoot me a message, because I’m dying to find someone to go back with me!

AR Workshop

Our finished projects!

Looking for a great art experience? Vernissage Gallery and Studio is open for business near Fresno High

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JoAnn Hallum

Houseplant killing optimist- freelance writer -kid herder

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If you haven’t checked out the local art scene lately, you’re missing out on a lot. Fresno keeps turning out amazing art, cool vibes, and great community.

Typically, people head downtown for ArtHop (read more about that in my Beginner’s Guide here), but now Fresno’s galleries and studios have spread all over town, including the Fresno High area, which is now home to the Vernissage Gallery and Studio.

Vernissage Gallery

Vernissage glows with excitement

I was able to check out this new gallery last week during a reception for artist Stephanie J. Ryan, and I had a blast. There was a sense of community, and people were chatting and enjoying great art (it’s also quite near Ampersand so I may have walked over there for some honeycomb ice cream after the reception).

Vernissage is bright and easy to find—it’s diagonal from Fresno High. Founded by award-winning French artist Ma Ly, the building is divided in half. On one side is a smorgasbord of local talent, from Bobby Von Martin to Ma Ly and more. There’s a studio tucked into the corner that will feature monthly art classes taught by local experts. The other side of the building features a new artist each month.

This month, the featured artist is Stephanie J. Ryan, who’s a contemporary artist and a professor of Art and Drawing at Fresno State. Her work is layered (both literally and figuratively), with mixed media and innovative techniques. It’s definitely worth checking out before the show ends. You can read more about Stephanie (and her art) on her website here.

Vernissage

The south gallery where featured artists show monthly

Vernissage

Stephanie J. Ryan at the artist’s reception for On Hysteria

Art classes and workshops offered

If seeing studio artists’ work inspires you, Vernissage is a place where you can get started on your own artistic education. There are adult workshops every month. You can take a class on mono print techniques, beginning sculpture, encaustic (a technique using molten beeswax and resin), abstract, and even painting with pens and markers. Each workshop is taught by a local expert and fees vary. You can find out more here.

Vernissage

Learning is fun and creative at Vernissage

In addition to the monthly workshops, Ma Ly Atelier offers ongoing drawing and painting classes for adults and children. The class sizes are small and last about four weeks. You can sign up by email at vernissagefresno@gmail.com.

Vernissage contact info and hours

Vernissage is definitely worth the visit, and you won’t run out of things to look at. Because it’s got such a variety of art and is easy to find, it’s a great place to start your Fresno art adventures. 

Location: 2024 N. Van Ness Blvd.

Business hours:

Monday 1-8 p.m.
Wednesday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

First Thursday of every month for ArtHop: 5-8 p.m.

Phone: (559) 554-8551
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Hemisphere Home is where local art meets worldly treasures

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Craig Scharton

I’m a weirdo. I’m a downtown revitalization, old neighborhood, old houses weirdo.

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I recently got to interview business owner Roseanne Guaglianone, and it was a real pleasure. She has a wonderful presence, and the environment of her store, Hemisphere Home, is beautiful and calming. We talked for an hour-and-a-half, and time flew by. 

Hemisphere Home is both a retail store and a showroom for Roseanne’s design business. It has a sense of style that makes it worth a visit. She carries product lines you can’t find anywhere in our region, but it’s not just a furniture store. She combines furniture with local art and antiques and treasures that she has found throughout the world, or maybe from a local estate sale.

Everything in the store is beautiful. The merchandise is displayed very thoughtfully. Roseanne even has fabric samples that you just have to feel. As a bumbling bachelor, I didn’t even know what you’d do with the fabrics. Roseanne patiently explained that they could recover an old chair that was worn, transforming it into something stunning. The fabrics could become window or wall coverings, or even clothing.

Hemisphere Home

Roseanne Guaglianone is the owner of Hemisphere Home

hemisphere home

Style that reflects each customer’s personality

Roseanne is a local. She was born in Los Banos and grew up in Clovis (graduating from Clovis High). Like many local professionals, she got her start at Gottschalks, where she created special events and fashion shows. She continued her work in the fashion biz at Macy’s.

When a friend asked her to create an interior style for his home, she found her true calling. She realized she could interpret what a person wanted into an environment that reflected their personal goals. She doesn’t impose her style; instead, she likes to customize for each client so their home reflects their taste.

When a store called Interior Systems was listed for sale in Fig Garden Village, Roseanne seized the opportunity to share her design creativity with a broader audience. I am not a shopper. I hate shopping. I measure a successful shopping venture by how quickly I can get in and out. But, I used to love to go into Interior Systems. I even have a set of candle holders (Candelabra? Candle stick holders? I don’t know what they are called, but they’re really cool) from that store.

Roseanne then purchased a dilapidated house on Palm Ave. and with local architect Art Dyson, transformed it into a modern marvel. She took the name Hemisphere to indicate her combined love for travel and finding cool items to bring back for her customers. The store was very popular but, like many others, struggled during the economic downturn. Roseanne also found that she had to battle a personal illness, which she has overcome and is now a picture of health.

hemisphere home

hemisphere home

Where to find Hemisphere Home

Roseanne’s new store Hemisphere Home is the culmination of all her experiences. The store has everything from gifts (my birthday is in August), lighting, art and accessories to a range of furniture lines you can’t find anywhere else in town, such as Bernhardt, Lexington, and Della Robia. The store is located in the Opus One shopping center on the northwest corner of Palm and Bullard across from Petunia’s Place (children’s books) and the Grape Tray (wine shop). They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Drop in for a great experience and say hello to Roseanne, Cindy, and Sweetpea (Roseanne’s adorable rescue pooch).

Give Hemisphere Home a call at (559) 226-0666. Take a look at their website at www.hemispherehome.com or check out their Facebook page. I always suggest that people like pages and give a great rating on social media to locally owned businesses to give them a boost. You can see more of the store and get the feel through this video produced by local filmmaker H Steele. You can also listen to a radio spot that local radio station mogul John Ostlund created.

Incidentally, Roseanne also likes to give back to our community. She is a big fan of the Fresno Art Museum, and she had an idea rolling around in her head for a few years. The idea was Trashique, which brings artists and supporters to the museum for a fun event where people create art out of trash. In this case, it’s fashion. She believe that anything, even trash can be beautiful, edifying, and entertaining. 

Visit the Art of Life Healing Garden at Woodward Park

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FresYes Writing Team

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I recently took a walk through Woodward Park and was surprised to see how much the Art of Life Healing Garden has taken shape.

The garden is a collaboration between the Art of Life Cancer Foundation, the City of Fresno, and the community of Fresno itself. The 3-acre space allows cancer survivors and families affected by cancer to tell their stories with the help of landscapers and artists.

healing garden

There are multiple ways for you, your family, or your business to be involved in this healing space, from sponsoring tiles, trees, and benches to donating time or money to simply visiting the garden and posting to social media.

Learn more about the Art of Life Healing Garden here. To see more photos and video from the garden, check out FresYes.com on Instagram. 

healing garden

healing garden

healing garden

healing garden

healing garden

healing garden

healing garden

healing garden

healing garden

The road to Grizzly Fest leads to this weekend’s festival

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Jol Devitro

Jol Devitro is a writer, actor, and artist who’s recently returned to Fresno after 25 years of adventuring out of the valley. He’s excited to be rediscovering his hometown, exploring and highlighting the cultural diversity that makes Fresno such a vibrant, unique melting pot.

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Grizzly Fest 2018 is upon us this weekend, and the all ages, two-day music festival already seems bound for the local history books, destined to be a milestone moment in elevating Fresno’s cultural significance and redefining it as a world-class city. It will also be a huge feather in the caps of its organizers and promoters, who just recently won a hard battle to move the festival to its new location, Woodward Park.

For the past week and a half, a crew of volunteers has been setting up the section of Woodward Park that will host the event. It will include two stages, a Grizzly Grove (where yet more acts will be found), a beer garden, an art village, and a food truck court.

By the time headliner Snoop Dogg wraps up the festival Saturday night, 30 acts (including artists well outside of the hip-hop genre) will have preceded him. This remarkable feat of organization can be credited to local hip-hop enthusiasts Aren and Vartan Hekimian and their IAN Group, comprised of a group of their best friends, who shared the dream of bringing a world-class music festival—like the kind they used to have to travel hundreds of miles to experience—right here to Fresno.

Stephen Mayu, Jr. is one of the Hekimian brothers’ best friends and a co-conspirator in the IAN Group, which organizes and promotes Grizzly Fest. In a phone interview this week, Stephen gave me some pointers on how best to experience Grizzly Fest. He also shed some light on what it takes to make such a big dream come true in Fresno.

The fantasy that would grow into Grizzly Fest dawned years ago when Aren was managing local hip-hop phenomenon Fashawn, ultimately helping him get signed to Mass Appeal Records, connect with NYC rap artist Nas, and rise to national renown. “During that time there was just a vision of having a festival,” Stephen explains, “because we used to go to the Rock the Bells Festival.” Rock the Bells was held between 2004 and 2006 in Southern California before it started touring the country, eventually drawing Aren, Stephen, and company to New York City.

In 2013, the first Grizzly Fest happened and, since then, the team at IAN Group has strived to make each year’s successive incarnation bigger than and different from those which came before. “People don’t like monotony, so you want to change and be more worthwhile, bringing in better artists.” Switching to a two-day event was also part of the agenda for 2018.

road to Grizzly Fest

Past Grizzly Fests took place at Chukchansi Park but this year it will take advantage of a true festival atmosphere at Woodward Park. [photo courtesy of Grizzly Fest]

Why a move to Woodward was necessary

The crew also decided that 2018 would be the year to change the event’s setting. For the past few years Chukchansi Park has been the venue for Grizzly Fest, but this year the guys wanted to find the perfect field for a proper music festival. “We drove around town, drove out of town to some places, trying to find places that would be accommodating,” Stephen says of the scouting expedition. But ultimately Woodward Park spoke to them.

What makes a field more desirable than a stadium? Aside from the aesthetics of being in a large, open field surrounded by trees, the major factor, as Stephen sees it, is “no seats, man… you’re free to roam.” In a stadium, the crowd ends up in seats; instead of feeling like part of the action, they’re looking down on it. “If you go to a festival, if you’re sitting in a seat, that kind of becomes a concert, in essence,” Stephen explains. The beauty of a festival is that event goers are occupying the same field as the artists and moving around interacting with everyone, so there’s more of a sense of involvement and community, of being in the crowd. With a vendor village, a beer garden, an art display, two stages, and a Grizzly Grove, as well as food trucks galore, there will be plenty to see and lots of reasons to roam.

While Woodward Park was a perfect solution for the organizers, there were still plenty of hurdles to surmount in the planning of this year’s Grizzly Fest. Fresno City Council members Garry Bredefeld and Steve Brandau, representing residents of districts within earshot of the park, fought the proposal to move the festival to Woodward Park. Neighbors worried about traffic jams, parking problems, and other potential disturbances. However, the Chamber of Commerce had the organizers’ backs, agreeing that Grizzly Fest would be a boon for Fresno’s economy.

The boys kept their cool throughout the process, sticking to their guns and avoiding mudslinging. Ultimately the council agreed, approving the move to Woodward. Stephen believes that people who might now be unsure of what to expect from a music festival in Woodward Park will eventually come to an appreciation of what he and his friends are doing. “I just think that any time you do something new, you’re gonna face opposition, and you have to educate people [and show them] you can stand by what you say you’re gonna do.” Stephen believes the festival will draw people into the valley, and that they in turn will “buy into our infrastructure and economy.”

“We’re just trying to increase people’s appetites for something that’s new, and in doing that, we’re growing,” Stephen says, noting that he’s got friends and acquaintances coming in from such far-flung locales as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. “People are coming,” he states.

Speaking to the larger significance of the festival experience, Stephen says, “It’s community. This is something that Fresno can hang its hat on and say, ‘Now we have a festival.’” One that’s capable of drawing not only locals but also valley outsiders, and it’s good for the economy. “If the Bay Area can do it, if L.A. can do it, if Sacramento can do it, we can do it as well. So that’s just what we’re doing… we’re just trying to continue to put Fresno on the map in a good way. Because a lot of talk of Fresno is like ‘there’s nothing to do.’ Well, here’s something that’s more than good that you can be a part of.”

road to Grizzly Fest

Grizzly Fest details

What do attendees of Grizzly Fest need to know? “Just come have a good time, first and foremost,” Stephen says. “Get there on time. It’s gonna be packed.” He also recommends: “Drink lots of water, bring a hat, suntan lotion.”

There’s also an interesting list of what not to bring to the festival, including the obvious (weapons, alcohol) and the maybe not-so-obvious (selfie sticks, strollers, drones). Attendees might want to read this in advance to avoid any hassles with security.

More information, including a full schedule and directions to the festival, is available on the Grizzly Fest website. You can also follow Grizzly Fest on Instagram.

Tickets may still be purchased online or at the Will Call Location, 192 East Via Del Parque #184, in River Park (next to Coney Island Grill).

The full schedule for Grizzly Fest 2018 can be viewed here.

Gates open at 2 p.m. both days. The lineup runs as follows:

Friday, May 18

• Yo Isaac

2:30 p.m. (51FIFTY Grizzly Grove)

• Halo

3:10 p.m. (Sequoia Stage)

• Boom Boom Brady

3:40 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

• DJ Burns

3:50 p.m. (Grizzly Grove)

• Sharks of Dance

4:10 p.m. (Sequoia Stage)

• The Gospel Whiskey Runners

4:40 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

• Zee Will

5:10 p.m. (Sequoia Stage)

• Chicano Batman

5:50 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

• Night Riots

6:40 p.m. (Sequoia Stage)

• Jhené Aiko

7:20 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

• The Kreepers

7:50 p.m. (51FIFTY Grizzly Grove)

• Soja

8:10 p.m. (Sequoia Stage)

• Nas

9 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

• Foster The People

10:20 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

Saturday, May 19

• Broh T

2:30 p.m. (51FIFTY Grizzly Grove)

• Mangchi

3:10 p.m. (Sequoia Stage)

• C5

3:40 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

• FYR

3:50 p.m. (51FIFTY Grizzly Grove)

• Hayashi

4:10 p.m. (Sequoia Stage)

• Strange Vine

4:40 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

• Bawnbeats

5:10 p.m. (51FIFTY Grizzly Grove)

• Cults

5:10 p.m. (Sequoia Stage)

• Washed Out

5:50 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

• Andi Mac

6:30 p.m. (51FIFTY Grizzly Grove)

• Fashawn

6:40 p.m. (Sequoia Stage)

• Dirty Heads

7:20 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

• OSO

7:50 p.m. (51FIFTY Grizzly Grove)

• Action Bronson

8:10 p.m. (Sequoia Stage)

• Phantogram

9 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

• DFNDRS

9:10 p.m. (51FIFTY Grizzly Grove)

• Snoop Dogg

10:20 p.m. (Yosemite Stage)

Further reading

Check out the Bee’s helpful guide to parking at Grizzly Fest here.

Read more about the organizers’ quest to bring this year’s Grizzly Fest to Woodward Park here and here.

 

Explore the exciting world of science at the San Francisco Exploratorium

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JoAnn Hallum

Houseplant killing optimist- freelance writer -kid herder

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Perched on Pier 15 in San Francisco, the Exploratorium is the science museum for people who think they don’t like science. Almost every exhibit is hands on and interactive, and the subjects range from physics to botany and everything in between.

Whether you have an infant or you’re a member of the AARP, there’s something fun for everyone at the Exploratorium. And, since it’s just a few hours away from Fresno, it’s a great day trip or weekend adventure.

Want more information about this magical place? I took my kids last weekend and I’m back to report on the experience.

San Francisco Exploratorium

The front of the Exploratorium is a mix of industrial and modern architecture with a judicious use of cement.

Hours and location

I will admit I’m not the best at physics. And mathematics has been the cause of several questionable grades in my college days. The Exploratorium is stuffed with exhibits that address both of these studies (and more), and yet I didn’t feel trapped or horrible while there. In fact, I felt intrigued, and even took the time to read up on “pi,” that kooky, never-ending number we sometimes confuse with dessert. It was also the first museum I’ve had to drag my kids out of. They actually did not want to leave, despite the fact it was lunch time and we were all hungry.

The Exploratorium (like most museums) is closed on Mondays. Since it’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, we chose to go on a Sunday and miss the traffic. If you decide to get there when it opens at 10, be sure to eat a large breakfast and snack in the car. Hot dogs in the museum café are $9.

Located on Pier 15 at Embarcadero and Green Street, you can easily find parking nearby for about $20. If you’re interested in a discount code for parking, click here to grab it and find a map of the parking options. There is also an F-Market and Wharves Streetcar stop in front, and it’s possible to take B.A.R.T. to the Embarcadero exit and walk a half a mile or so over to the Exploratorium.

San Francisco Exploratorium

The views at the Exploratorium do not suck.

Combining science and art

In 2013, the Exploratorium made its new home at Pier 15 after about 50 years at the Palace of Fine Arts. If you haven’t been since the move, there are new exhibitions that were built specifically for the new location. And, you can catch gorgeous views of the Bay Bridge and the bay while you muck around with science exhibits. 

Speaking of, if you think science is just about science, you’d be wrong. The exhibits highlight the common threads between the arts and sciences. In fact, the Exploratorium often welcomes artists for residencies. One of my kids’ favorite art displays was by Scott Weaver. His toothpick sculpture was breathtaking, not just because of the size and man-hours involved, but because of its delicacy and the fact you can run ping pong balls through it like an oversized marble run.

San Francisco Exploratorium

This is made out of toothpicks and Elmer’s glue.

Even the art of tinkering is given respect at the Exploratorium. The museum was founded by Frank Oppenheimer in 1969 and since its opening, there has always been a view of works in progress. You can still peek into the room where new exhibits are being developed. This is a brilliant move, because my kids saw the workshop and immediately wanted a job there. (Luckily, there’s a tinkering studio where kids can build creations of their own.) 

San Francisco Exploratorium

Tinkering showcases the amazing things a little handiwork can do.

The exhibits are grouped by categories ranging from Human Behavior to Living Systems. One of my favorite parts was the Science of Seeing, maybe because it involved a lot of rainbows, or maybe because it had the giant bubble exhibit I remembered from my childhood visit.

The Exploratorium is kind of dark, which is necessary for many of the exhibits to work properly. Walking into rainbows from darkness was a great sensory experience and, as a bonus, I got to learn how colors are made. The exhibit takes the rainbows and unicorn trend to the next level, with glowing gasses from the table of elements to an interactive sun painting by Bob Miller. 

San Francisco Exploratorium

Just one of many rainbows housed in the Exploratorium.

The East Gallery houses botanical and zoological fun, such as the cow eye dissection that was taking place. A favorite exhibit of ours was the dancing plankton exhibit where you could attract plankton to different lights and watch them dance around it.

Since this part of the Exploratorium is towards the back, I was incredibly hungry (despite the cow eye dissection) and wanted to leave for lunch, which was harder than I anticipated. The kids ran from one exhibit to the next announcing they just wanted to see one more thing. Secretly, it made me happy, because science is pretty cool.

The East Gallery has exciting demonstrations like cow eye dissection. (By exciting I mean gross.)

Of course, when you exit the building there are still exhibits galore outdoors. I didn’t feel too bad dragging my kids past them with a promise of a trolley ride. We had purchased season passes, after all, and we are already talking about our return visit.

If you want to squeeze everything into one day, I tip my hat to you. Just writing this post was difficult because of the sheer quantity of information. Overall, it’s definitely a spot to check out on your next adventure.

While you wait for these geyser models to build up steam, you can enjoy the view of the bay.

Additional Information

You can see the Exploratorium’s website here or check them out on Facebook here to find special events and other news.

Tickets are $29.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids, but public school teachers are free. Because admission is a bit pricey, it makes sense to purchase a Family Season Pass for $149. You can buy tickets online here in advance. Check out season pass pricing here. 

REGULAR HOURS
Tuesday–Sunday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday evening (ages 18+): 6:00–10:00 p.m.
Monday: Closed except select Monday holidays

echo gallery + studio invites you to enjoy art, pastry, and coffee in the garden

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Jol Devitro

Jol Devitro is a writer, actor, and artist who’s recently returned to Fresno after 25 years of adventuring out of the valley. He’s excited to be rediscovering his hometown, exploring and highlighting the cultural diversity that makes Fresno such a vibrant, unique melting pot.

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It’s hard to imagine a more pleasant state of affairs than admiring art, sipping coffee, and munching on a scrumptious pastry while basking in the spring blooms of an enchanting garden. Fortunately, we lucky Fresnans have a rare opportunity to do just that! This Sunday, March 11, from 10 a.m. until 2 in the afternoon, the echo gallery + studio will be hosting a Pottery & Pastry Pop-up along with Cerise de Terre Ceramics and Ooh De Lolli.

This extravaganza of earthenware will feature the works of proprietor Steve Ehlers, as well as those of Kathy Lustig and Lisa Van de Water, Laura Fraedrich, and Heather Garvey. Ooh De Lolli will be on hand with both sweet and savory pastries, and Hi-Top Coffee will be pouring the joe.

echo gallery + studio

In the enchanting Ehlers-Walton Garden, a table waits to be spread with sweet and savory Ooh De Lolli pastries.

Sunday’s pop-up will present Fresnans with a rare opportunity to tarry in the delightful and meditative Ehlers-Walton Garden while discovering compelling new ceramic works, all available for purchase (including odd pieces and misfits at reduced prices!). It’s also a great opportunity to discover the echo gallery + studio, which Steve Ehlers opened just about a year ago after a whirlwind immersion in the ceramic arts.

“I retired from school teaching five years ago, and my husband said, ‘You’re not gonna sit around and do nothing,’ so he signed me up for some classes at Clay-Mix,” Steve explains. For two years, Steve plunged into the world of ceramics, practically living at Ritsuko Miyazaki’s Abby Street studio and gallery, working with clay for eight hours a day.

Wishing to share the joy of the creative process, Steve set about creating a co-op of artists, which led to his decision to open his own space. The building, which comprises the gallery and studio, was constructed in 2000, in the heart of the Ehlers-Walton Garden, which Steve has stewarded now for 21 years.

echo gallery + studio

Fresno native Steve Ehlers in the studio with his inspired teacups.

At Clay-Mix, Steve met Lisa Van de Water, who now shares the studio space full-time. “I had been taking lessons and working at Clay-Mix and wanted to explore some different things, and I needed more time to do that,” Lisa explains. “I acquired a kiln. Steve already had a kiln and asked if I could join up here, and I’ve been here ever since, almost every day.”

Each of the artists in Sunday’s show has a unique style and vision that they bring to the table. “My work is kind of eclectic right now. I seem to be channeling an ancient Japanese man who wants to make tea cups,” Steve says with a giggle. “In the past I was exploring no-till farming and trying to make a political statement about how the use of chemicals and tilling is destroying the soil and really poisoning the soil and water in the valley. And so I was putting on mushrooms and fungi on the pottery. So I’m just really trying to find a voice in clay.”

echo gallery + studio

Steve Ehlers pays homage to fungi with his seemingly living chanterelle vases.

Kathy Lustig specializes in what are affectionately known as “story cups.” When you look closely at her cups, you can see that each one has a narrative to it. “These just come out of her brain as she’s throwing on these, and they’re completely random, but each one is a story of sorts. I just love ‘em,” Lisa says. Steve points out one of his favorite story cups. “This one I like to call ‘Vacations Gone Wrong,’ because you’ve got two hearses leaving the airport,” he quips.

Describing her own work, Lisa says, “I’m not as free-spirited as Steve; I’m more of a perfectionist, and I’m really into the process and function of pottery. And so my forms are pretty simple, but where I take off on that is different surface applications. I’m kind of schizophrenic in what I do, and I’ll explore a different technique and kind of go gonzo with it for a little while.” One such technique is sgraffito. “It starts off solid black, so I put an underglaze on it, and then I carve back to the white porcelain. So you can see it’s a lot like a woodcut print.”

In all of these works, practicality is a common thread. “Most of my work is in porcelain, and most of them are functional,” Lisa explains. “So I do plates and bowls and a lot of coffee mugs, but each piece I see as a fine piece of art that somebody should be using everyday.” In other words, she’s “bringing a little bit of art into everyday living.”

echo gallery + studio

The “story cups” of Kathy Lustig each spin a unique tale.

echo gallery + studio

Lisa Van de Water’s eye-grabbing octopus platters will be on display, and for sale, at the Potter and Pastry Pop-up.

That seems to be right in line with the philosophy of the echo gallery + studio, which challenges the notion of art being just an object that we look at; instead, the gallery puts forward the idea that art is a lived experience. It aims to celebrate the experience of creating, and in doing so, it places emphasis on the act of creation itself, not merely focusing on the final product.

“What I’m really interested in is providing a space for other people to come and explore ceramics and art,” Steve says, “and if you look at the website, the motto or mission statement is really creativity through art, and really not what you make—it’s the process of making it.”

As for Sunday’s Pottery & Pastry Pop-up, Steve says,“We’re hoping people will just come down, look at the artwork, sit in the garden, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy a nice pastry.” And frankly, I can’t imagine any nicer way to bring a little art into a Sunday morning.

The echo gallery + studio is located at 1105 N. Echo Avenue, just off of Olive in the Tower District. Find more information on Facebook.

Girl Scout Miranda Deis introduces kids to downtown Fresno art

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JoAnn Hallum

Houseplant killing optimist- freelance writer -kid herder

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Downtown Fresno is sprinkled with public art. From statues to murals, there’s something to see around every corner—and from local artists to a sculpture by Renoir, there’s variety for everyone. With so much public art to see, it can be hard to know where to get started.

Luckily, we have a Girl Scout to guide us.

Miranda Deis gets ready to lead one of her tours, which meet in front of the Yokuts Indian sculpture. 

Miranda Deis is the creator of MAD’s Downtown Art Guide (found here), and she conducts tours throughout the year. Although she goes by MADCOOKIEBOSS on Instagram, she is clearly much more than just cookies. Ahead of her next scheduled tour, I got the chance to ask Miranda a few questions about how she got started in her mission to get Fresnans interested in public art.

FresYes: What inspired you to give art tours?

Miranda Deis: After moving to the Cultural Arts District I realized most people that live in Fresno are unaware of the public art in downtown Fresno… especially kids. I decided to make MAD’s Downtown Art Guide For Kids for my Girl Scout Silver Award, which is the second highest award you can earn as a Girl Scout. You have to complete a Take Action project to better your community.

FresYes: How can people sign up for a tour?

MD: I have a Facebook page and all of my public tours are listed as events there. You can also print a copy of my self-guided tour, which is a two-mile round trip walking tour. I try to give public tours once a month, and my next tour will be on Saturday, March 10, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. We always meet in front of the Yokuts Indian sculpture on Fulton Street just north of Inyo. You can also schedule private tours for groups by calling (559) 577-9829, or direct message me on Instagram.

FresYes: How much are your guided tours?

MD: All tours are on a donation basis. I want to make sure everyone can attend regardless of their ability to pay.

Miranda Deis

A tour standing by the only Renoir Washer Woman sculpture you can touch! 

FresYes: What is your favorite art piece on your tour?

MD: I love all of the pieces, but if I have to pick one it would be The Visit. I love that you can literally visit with the ladies.

FresYes: Do you have any advice for people who want to get to know downtown art more?

MD: Well obviously I want them to start by going on my tour—it is a great way to get to know both downtown and its art scene. Fresno Art Council’s ArtHop and Arte Americas are also great resources.

FresYes: What do you want to accomplish with these guided art tours?

MD: I have many things I want to accomplish but, most importantly, I want to get more people to visit downtown—that is why I made my guide for kids. They have to be accompanied by at least one adult, hopefully changing two different generations’ perspectives of downtown Fresno. Also, I have heard that a lot of schools are cutting the arts, so I want to inspire kids to learn about many different types of art outside of the classroom.

FresYes: What’s your favorite part about giving the tours?

MD: I love meeting so many different types of people on my tours and being able to teach people (kids and kids at heart) new things about downtown Fresno and its art.

…

If you’re in the mood to explore all of the culture downtown Fresno has to offer, a good place to start is with a tour by Miranda. And as a bonus, she might even sell you some Thin Mints while you’re at it.

Find more about MAD’s Art Tours on Facebook here, or on Instagram here. You can also read my FresYes Beginner’s Guide to ArtHop here.

 

Photos courtesy of Miranda Deis.