Coast Highway Art Collective: Celebrating "Nine Years Of Art And Friendship"
By Rozann Grunig
Nine years ago in March, led by Founding Manager Barbara Fast, a group of like-minded artists joined together and opened the doors of the Coast Highway Art Collective.
On Friday, April 2, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, the members of the Collective invite the public to join them for an opening reception of a retrospective show, honoring, remembering and celebrating past and current members.
The Collective has an average of 20-25 members at any time. Some are founding members who have helped guide the group over the past nine years. While others members have come and gone, the constant among the group is a feeling of “family.” As with all families, the group has welcomed new members, celebrated their achievements and watched valued members leave for other pursuits. They have mourned the deaths of two of the founding members, Arna Means and Jane Reichhold. Several pieces from both Arna and Jane will be featured during this exhibit.
Current CHAC manager, Ling-Yen Jones, says “I enjoy and love seeing the new pieces of art that artists bring into the gallery. The artists have given the CHAC the unique creativity that it needed and the fun, beautiful and joyful art the community wants to see. During the past year of social isolation, many artists have found it uninspiring and tough to continue to create. However, many collective members have found that inspiration from being part of the gallery, preparing for an exhibit of their work and still being active in our group.”
Artists participating in this exhibit include Bea Acosta, pine needle baskets; Andrea Allen, Chinese brush paintings and ceramics; Phil Clark, wood furniture; Colette Coad, glass; Barbara Fast, fabric art and basket making; Chris Grassano, oil painting, Rozann Grunig, photography; Paula Haymond, mixed media; Vicki Hodge, jewelry; Geraldine LiaBraaten, photography; Ling-Yen Jones, Jewelry; Arna Means, etchings and paintings, Jack O’Rourke, watercolor; Amanda Pence Hopkins, painting; Brenda Phillips, ceramics; Jane Reichhold, ceramics and beadwork; and Deborah Threlkel, abalone jewelry.
The exhibit runs from April 1 to the 25. The Coast Highway Art Collective is regularly open Thursday through Sunday from 11:00am to 2:00pm. The gallery is at 284 Main Street, Point Arena, next door to the Redwood Credit Union. More information is available at Coast-highway-artists.com.
