Arts

As the planning evolves for the Martinez Open Studios event, it’s becoming apparent that artists working in a wide variety of mediums will be represented. Besides fine art painters and photographers, on the roster are glass workers, body painting, dancers and even costumers.

Nancy Peacock falls in the last category. A Martinez resident since 1980, Peacock has brought sewing to a new artistic level, evidenced by the costumes she makes for the Martinez Opera and the Livermore Opera and the custom clothing she completes upon commission.more...

A season-appropriate artwork by John Swett Elementary student Tanner Matthews was selected on Saturday to advance to a statewide competition at the 32nd District Showcase, hosted by the Martinez PTA Council and held at the Performing Arts Center at Alhambra High School. Matthews’ winning entry won out over submissions to the Reflections Art Program Contest from all the Northern California PTA Councils.more...

Even if you suffer from what is clinically known as insectophobia — being afraid of insects — you do not have to worry in the least about viewing Cirque du Soleil’s latest production entitled Ovo. These insects are the most talented bunch of bugs you have ever seen, and they don’t sting! The two-plus hour show is an extravaganza of color, music and multi-talented performers. The sights and sounds will captivate your attention for the entire affair.more...

Carol Glashoff made her mind up to open a new art gallery in Martinez just two weeks ago. In short order, she has transformed a previously long-vacant storefront at 627 Main Street into a light and airy display space filled with delicate jewelry, sculptures, watercolor paintings and unique objets d’art, all handcrafted by local and East Bay artists.more...

Despite years of loans, grants and almost-free rent from the City of Martinez, the stewards of the Willows Theater Company announced this week that the company might soon be going belly up.

Rich Elliott, the Willows’ Artistic Director, told the Gazette that unless the company can raise $350,000 by Nov. 1, it would be forced to shutter the Campbell Theater in Martinez, as well as its main stage in Concord.more...

Sunday’s 40th Art in the Park, an annual event held each August since 1969 and hosted by the Martinez Arts Association, drew hundreds of art lovers and families looking for a fun-filled local celebration. Two hits of the days were the Dumpster Diversion project, for which M.A.A. membership chair R.C. Ferris led participating kids in creating Art Heads, Styrofoam heads that “the kids stuck all kinds of weird things into, all recycled and found goods.” M.A.A. artists also turned donated reusable grocery bags into one-of-a-kind pieces that sold out at $5 a piece.more...

Trompe l’oeil, French for ‘trick the eye’, is a time-honored technique painters use to create the illusion of a three dimension image on a two-dimensional surface.

The technique dates back at least to ancient Greece, when in the fifth century B.C., the story goes, two painters who had mastered the technique, Zeuxis and Parrhasius, held a contest. more...

Larry Tobias, director of the Willows Theatre’s current offering, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” promises “a humorous diversion that will take us out of ourselves for a little while and give us a good laugh.” Tobias delivers on his promise.more...

Local artist R.C. Ferris, a.k.a. the Dumpster Diva, organized a “Swaporama” at the mARTinez Gallery two weeks ago, bringing together members of the Martinez Arts Association (MAA) and local teachers to swap used art supplies.

“There is no place in Contra Costa County where an artist can get cheap and used art supplies,” said Ferris. “The nearest one is the East Bay Depot in Berkeley.”

Local teacher Carol Wiley of the Briones Independent Study School picked up binders and paper for her class.more...