Review By Horst

Sunshine and good times prevailed at the ART WALK's first anniversary. The high light for me was the entry of Brooking's classy South Coast Inn into the line-up of venues. The new owners, Cat Bonney and Sharlyne LeDux, presented the "Webfoot Weavers", a dozen or so local women who showed their fiber art work and demonstrated their craft. The elegant rooms of the historical Beckwith mansion, the surrounding gardens, immaculately kept and in full bloom, the friendly artists and staff and tasty hors d'eouvers made the visit a thorough delight.

Only steps away, on the lawn of the Manley Art Center, Eva Maria Klaas of Pelican Bay Arts presented another first: the firing of pottery using the ancient Raku technique. In the new Gallery, watercolorist Claudia Mach showed her recent work, watercolors and fiber pieces, while the Carl Rovainen Trio, harmonica, banjo and dulcimer, invited visitors to sing along in the social room. Many other artists were around to discuss their work and shoot the breeze.

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From there I walked the 3 minutes to Brian Scott. On the main floor pastel Christina Olsen showed her whimsical works on paper, canvas, and ceramic surfaces. Her happy scenes, crowded with bathing ladies, sleeping cats, smiling cars, and fish floating in mid air warmed my heart. Christina's good friend Polly Collen shared the spot light with her impressionistic pastels. I saw her talking shop with Jane Simmons, local master pastelist. Welcome back, Jane.

Down the stairs, in the Dungeon, Margaret Cowley had done a great job hanging the exhibit for Sara Broderick. This must be the best all around hanging job I have ever seen in this gallery, including best previous efforts of my own. Sara's works, large watercolors, oils, and pastels of landscapes and still lifes as well as plenty of her her figurative work and sculptures were presented at their best. A multi-dimensional artist (and inspiring teacher) Sara is.

Words and Pictures featured the oil landscapes of Mildret Ford. Her scenes of the Arizona desert are her most spectacular work - in my opinion. These scenes are executed in a unique style reminiscent of the pointillists of the late 19th century. A time consuming technique hardly ever seen in these hasty modern times. In the back ground Nina Paulsen's lively piano, in the nook delicacies created by Pat Stewart and friends, in the front shelves full of good books to browse through - how much better can it get?

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The library was the most quiet spot this month. Why? The pianist on
duty advanced two theories. First: no food nor drink! Who was in charge of that? Someone goofed! Second: those award winning paintings had just been seen in the Azalea Art Show the week before. No reason to see 'em again. Good thinking, Sherlock Broderick.

In the opinion of all I talked to, artists, gallery owners, art
walkers, musicians, the Art Walk's first anniversary was a success. And it's going to get even better as we go into the summer, believe me.

Look at this site again around June 20, when it will show the program for July's Art Walk.