Artisans Demonstrate their Creativity at Templeton's Annual Day in the Shade Art in the Park Celebration
Approaching the Day in the Shade Art Festival
A Park Full of Creative People and their Art
When most people think of art, they think of pictures -- paintings, photographs, or drawings. I saw some of each of those forms today at Templeton's Annual Day in the Shade, where local artisans and artists have a chance to display and sell their creations. Traditional artists seemed to be in the minority at this year's event. They were more in evidence last year. Today I saw a lot of handmade jewelry, glass art, fabric gifts, metal creations, and creative use of recycled items such as glass bottles and discarded table flatware. I'm going to show it to you in two ways: video and pictures. I hope you enjoy strolling through the park on a day of perfect weather with me, seeing what I see and hearing what I hear, as many people select their Mother's Day gifts. All music you hear in the background is being provided by Alicia Broussard, but it's all pre-performance, since I left before she was officially on stage at noon. I also left before the wine tasting area was set up, since I wasn't going to taste the wines today anyway.
A Brief Introduction to Day in the Shade, 2011
Dan Shattuck's Very Crowded Booth
Dan Shattuck's Hummingbird with Rose
First Let's Get An Overview of the Atmosphere
I came to Day in the Shade just after I finished my Farmers Market Shopping at the edges of the park. The wine tasting area (the empty tables that are roped off) was still being set up, as was the sponsoring Chamber of Commerce Table. Most of the art exhibitors were in place, as well as a few food vendors. The musicians were also still setting up and were supposed to start their real performance at noon. Since the announcements stated the event started at 9 AM, I didn't realize I was early.
In the adjoining video, you can walk with me to see some of the booths. We will revisit some later in more detail. Last year I tried to see everything and interview many artists and artisans, some of whom have exhibits here again this year. Dan Shattuck, who fashions his art objects from recycled table flatwear, more commonly called silverware -- knives, forks, and spoons, was one of the people I interviewed last year. Dan's booth is the first one I enter in this video. The other one I take a close look at is Steel by Design, where you see the wind chimes and crafted steel objects. I also interviewed the owner of that company last year. You can read the entire write-up of last year's Day in the Shade and see the interviews and also the video of the magic show they had last year if you follow the link. I'd like to focus on some vendors that are new to me this year in this hub. Let's start by watching the brief video, above, right.
Setting up Chamber of Commerce Table
Getting the Chamber of Commerce Table Set Up
Day in the Shade is sponsored by the Templeton Chamber of Commerce. You can see them setting up their booth here. I'm guessing this is where they will sell cups for the wine tasting, and where people will leave their bids for the items in the silent auction. You can see some of the items for the auction on the table below. It appears that many of the wineries and other vendors have prepared gift baskets of their wares to be auctioned off. I'm guessing that the proceeds will be used to help cover the expenses of the event.
Getting the Sign on the Chamber Booth
The Auction Table
Rachel Tamagni Shows Off Her Art Made from Bottles
Sheri Klein Exhibits her Glass Art
Glass Art Exhibits
There may have been more than these two artisans with art made of glass, but I didn't see them. The two I want to introduce are Rachel Tamagni and Sheri Klein.
Rachel is really a massage therapist and integrates her massages with Reiki, Reflexology, and Shiatsu. As she explains in the video interview we did, she considers her unique glass art therapeutic. In the video she also explained her art pieces made from recycled glass bottles.
Sheri Klein also uses glass fusion to create her art objects. As she explains on her website, she likes to make objects like clocks that have more than just decorative uses. If you click the above link to her website, she explains her technique in creating with "warm" glass. She teaches this technique in her workshops, which can be held in her facility in Shell Beach or at your location. Details and connect information are on her website.
How Does Your Community Celebrate Art?
Does your community have an an outdoor event that celebrates the arts and is free to the public?
Do you want to learn to create glass art?
I have watched glass blowers, but have only seen glass fusion done once, while I was visiting Studios on the Park in Paso Robles. Seeing art made from recycled bottles and other kinds of discarded glass was a new experience. One difference between me and these artisans is that they can look at discarded glass and form a mental picture of what it could become if arranged properly and warmed in a kiln. They know the potential of the materials and have the skill to make something beautiful with them. I just see something to throw away if I can't think of another use for it as it is.
Do you have the imagination and desire to transform discarded glass into art? The books on the right can teach you the techniques and let you know what you will need to get started. Or maybe you live close to someone who teaches classes in making glass art. In either case, if you want to learn, you can.
Color Vibe Silk Scarf Display
Hand Marbled Textiles
Sharon Gellerman sells unique silk scarves, no two alike. On her web site she states that she makes them using the "process of marbling to apply layers
of colorful dyes on a specialized solution that allows the dyes to float
above the liquid. Then I manipulate the layers into unique designs and
transfer them onto silk and other natural fibers." For more details and pictures, and to buy the scarves if you can't get to one of the shows where Sharon exhibits, visit the Color Vibe website. She explains there how she actually gets those vibrant colors and designs onto the silk. Her inspiration comes from the scenery of Israel, where she was raised, and the beauty of the California Central Coast, where she now resides. Be sure to click the picture for a better view of the scarf colors and designs.
Aileen's "Happiness" Miniature Lemon Bonsai Tree
Aileen in her Booth at Day in the Shade, 2011
Lanee Marie's Earring Designs
The Jewelers Who Make Handcrafted Jewelry
There were a number of jewelry vendors this year, but I have picked only three to feature here. I can't include all the vendors or this hub would get way too long. I'm going to feature Aileen's Art, Lanee Marie Jewelry Design, and Designs by Helene.
For Aileen, making her wire art is a form of therapy, and a distraction from chronic severe back pain, as well as an expression of her creativity. I was especially drawn to her tree sculptures, since I had never seen anything quite like them, in spite of all the craft exhibits I visit on a regular basis. My favorite was "Happiness," a miniature lemon / bonsai tree, which has over 1000 pieces of glass individually woven into wire branches. These include 100 glass lemons, 150 glass leaves and over 750 green glass seed beads, which are the leaves. You can see it in one of the pictures at the side, as well as on the Aileen's Art website, where it, and Aileen's other work, is for sale, if you can't make one of her exhibits. Be sure to visit her "About the Artist Page while you're on the site. And do click the pictures to the right to enlarge them for a better view.
Next we will look at part of Lanee Marie Jewelry Design. Lanee Marie appears not to have a web site, but I thought you might enjoy looking at her earring designs anyway. I can contact her and request she contact you if you see something you want.
Last, but not least, is Helene Bailey, who has an Etsy store for Designs by Helene. I found Helene sitting out in the sunshine instead of under a canopy like most of the others. I thought it showed her jewelry off much better being out where the light could hit it rather than being in the shade of a canopy. She explained that she didn't have a white canopy, which was the color required for this event, and didn't want to go out and buy one just for this show. I can't say I blame her. I think it worked to her advantage anyway. Below, top, you will see an overview of her booth. Be sure to click on the pictures for a better view. Below, center and bottom, are some of Helene's bracelets and earrings. For a greater variety or close-up shots, or to buy, visit the Etsy shop linked to above.
Overview of Helene Bailey's Booth with Helene in the Back
Bracelets by Helene Bailey
Some of Helene Bailey's Earring Designs
This is the end of my Day in the Shade Tour for 2011
I wish I had had time and space to show you the painters, photographers, and other artists who were at Day in the Shade, 2011, but I concentrated on those last year. This year I wanted to zero in on some of the artisans who create their art in other media. I wanted to share the unique creations of those who work with glass, wire, recycled materials, fabric, and, most of all, their imaginations as they visualize the possibilities of everyday materials used in extraordinary ways.