Third Friday Art Walks a new feature in Downtown Campbell
By CATHY WESELBY
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
SEPTEMBER 21, 2007
CAMPBELL REPORTER NEWSPAPER
Watch out, Carmel, here comes Downtown Campbell, which is developing a reputation as an art community. New art galleries continue to open downtown,as the Third Friday Art Walks add to the momentum.
Starting Sept. 21, 10 galleries within a four-block radius will be open and offering special activities from 6 to 9 p.m. Artist Sonya Paz says the four gallery owners in the Courtyard were brainstorming recently on how to draw more people downtown and came up with the idea of Art Walks on the third Friday of every month.
The four artists, Paz, Lorraine Lawson,Mary Medrano and Debbie Arambula,encouraged the rest of the Campbell art community to join in on the monthly event. “Our artwork is so different,” Paz says.“We all offer spicy alternatives.” Paz says the group decided that instead of advertising in the pricey Gallery Guide, which excludes Campbell,the group decided to create its own guide that maps out the galleries in downtown Campbell.
Lawson, owner of Gallerie Boheme, says the energy in the Courtyard has shifted over the past six months. Lawson moved her gallery to the front of the Courtyard and her friend, Medrano, moved into Lawson’s previous space. Arambula opened up a gallery in addition to her Heartworks studio, and Paz opened her gallery next door to Arambula in April. “What used to be antique row is becoming an art colony,”Lawson says.
Down the street, Pirjo Polari- Khan opened her Terra Polaris Gallery two months ago in the space occupied previously by Mind’s Eye Gallery. “I’d like people to know we’re here and make downtown Campbell the place to come to,”Polari- Khan says. She hopes that people are interested in learning about art,and she promises to “take the fear out of art.” Tucked in the back is the Mawauzo Gallery & Custom Framing. Mawauzo Fikira paints modern, abstract works and creates buttons with African and political themes, in addition to his custom framing. “Framing is just as important as art,”Fikira says.“A person’s more likely to buy a piece of artwork if they like how it’s framed.”
BRUNI Gallery executive director Mark Gray said Paz talked him into joining the Art Walk.“It’s not something that we normally do,” Gray says. The BRUNI Gallery has been in downtown Campbell for more than eight years,featuring work of celebrated artist Bruni Sablan and Gray,the official artist for the San Jose Sharks. “We like downtown Campbell,” Gray says. “Humanity is disappearing, and it’s hard to create in an atmosphere without humanity.”
If viewing all of the artwork proves inspirational, head to the Art Beat at the other end of downtown. Art Beat owner Erinn Turi offers classes for children and adults in pottery, mosaic and painting. In addition to classes people come together to create items for birthday parties, bridal showers and corporate teambuilding events. During the Art Walk,Turi says,visitors will be able to see artists at work and learn more about the classes offered.
Downtown Campbell is developing into an artist community. To encourage people to explore art (from left) Erin Turi, Sonya Paz, Lorraine
Lawson, Mary Medrano (seated) and Debbie Arambula will be part of the Art Walks event. The BRUNI Gallery, Terra Polaris Gallery and
Stone Griffin Gallery are also participating.
