60th Anniversary Art in the Redwoods
It’s Diamond Time! Art in the Redwoods celebrates its 60th anniversary, and we’re all here to welcome the return of this annual event. The celebration of art along with the accompanying food, music and creative arts vendors is a must-attend event on the grounds of Gualala Arts. Art in the Redwoods is August 19-22, with both in-person and online options. The festival opens with the Top Hat/Boxed Hat Dinner on Thursday, August 19. A favorite of many (particularly those of us who like to eat), the event is perhaps the most delicious fund-raiser of the year. Dinners need to be reserved in advance and, in turn, they’ll be ready to pick up at Gualala Arts on the 19th between 3:00pm and 7:00pm. Each dinner is $150, which includes a $100 donation letter. This year, each dinner ticket holder will also receive a raffle ticket and be entered in the drawing for a beautiful oil painting created and donated by Sandy Ostrau. The 30” x 30” painting can be seen on the cover of the Lighthouse Peddler. It’s titled “Pier Shadows,” and one lucky person will be able to bring the painting home after the festival.
The dinner itself presents enough options to please any food lover. Chef Rebecca Stewart is creating four different dinner-to-go options united under the umbrella of Bold World Flavor. Included entree choices are Salmon with Madagascar Thai curry sauce, or Roasted Caribbean spice chicken, or Braised short ribs, or Rustica Rotolo, a vegetarian option. More details are at GualalaArts.org.
Friday gives everyone a chance to preview the art on display for this year’s Art in the Redwoods. Once again the preview includes the option to enjoy some champagne while previewing the art, and those attending on Friday will be the first to see which art the judges have selected as their choices for ribbons in a variety of categories. Tickets for the preview are $25 and can be purchased in advance e at the Dolphin Gallery in Gualala.
Saturday and Sunday are the days when all of the excitement comes together on the grounds of Gualala Arts. The galleries will be filled with art, vendors will be offering their unique creations, food will be available for purchase and music will heard off and on Saturday and Sunday. The gates open at 10:00am both days, and admission is $10, again with tickets being sold at Dolphin Gallery during August (tickets may not be available at the gate, so get yours in advance). There will be free admission for those visiting on Sunday, between 10:00am and 12:00noon.
Art awards for this year’s festival will total more than $5,000, all provided by local sponsors. Award-winning artwork is selected by the Fine Art Exhibit judges, and our visitors and gallery viewers will be able to purchase artwork directly from the online gallery or in person at Gualala Arts. A link to the online part of Art in the Redwoods is available at GualalaArts.org. The awards will be announced via live-stream Friday, August 20 at 6:00pm and then posted on the website.
Entertainment will include performances by the Ernest Block Bell Ringers, The Tonewoods, Coastal Singers, and a bit of storytelling. In addition, the Mendocino Dance Project will bring their dynamic and exciting talent for performances both Saturday and Sunday. " The company's thought-provoking work addresses what it is like to be human from many different angles. The dancers are dedicated to their community, working as professional artists, living in a beautiful, rural environment. And BAKU returns to bring their unique "Jambient Soundscapes" to the festival on Sunday afternoon. Their music has been described as a fusion of jazz and Afro beat, drawing upon Cuban, Latin, Middle Eastern and other cultural influences.
Once again, Art in the Redwoods brings the community together—visitors and residents alike—for a fun and joyous weekend.
Pictured: Mendocino Dance Project
