TANA, YoloArts Present ‘Larger Than Life: Murals in the Making’

An exhibition of murals by local and regional artists communicating stories of social and political issues, history, identity and culture, curated and presented by UC Davis’ Taller Art del Nuevo Amanecer, or TANA, and YoloArts, opens today (July 8) at The Barn Gallery in Woodland.

A family friendly reception with printmaking, student and community projects, music and refreshments will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. See more information below.

“Larger Than Life: Murals in the Making” includes work by Elyse Doyle-Martinez, Chris Herman, Jared Konopitski, Emma Montalbano, Gladys Padilla, Jenn Ponci, Melissa Uroff and artists affiliated with TANA. Many of the artists are from Woodland and Sacramento who contributed to “Wide Open Walls,” activating spaces in alleyways and buildings in Sacramento through murals. 

For this exhibition, the artists’ murals are on 4-foot-by-6-foot plywood sheets, each accompanied by the artist’s statement.

ART 171’s group mural

The exhibition also includes a group project by students of ART 171: “Mexican and Chicanx Mural Workshop.”

“TANA is pleased to collaborate with YoloArts on this exhibition and I am particularly excited to contribute a mural produced by students in this year’s ‘Mexican and Chicano Mural Workshop’ at UC Davis,” said Jose Arenas, executive director of Taller Art del Nuevo Amanecer, or Art Workshop of the New Dawn, run by the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies. Arenas also serves on the YoloArts board.

“The mural is based on the themes of decolonization and indigenous healing and was created via Zoom, with each student making individual panels, pieced together into one movable mural.”

Throughout the exhibition, which runs until Aug. 19, community members are invited to “make their mark” on a group project — a mural that will be set up outside the gallery during the times it is open to visitors: 2:30 to 5 p.m. every Thursday and two Saturday afternoons monthly.

As part of YoloArts’ Knowledge at Noon series, Arenas will present a talk about the collaborative and empowering aspects of the mural-making process, and current TANA community projects, noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11. 

Opening reception

Today’s reception (July 8) will feature the unveiling, at 6 p.m., of the  third annual high school mural project created by students and staff at Cesar Chavez Community School of Woodland — a project facilitated by Tomás Montoya and Monica Aceves Robles. 

The 45-piece Yolo Community Band under the direction of Bobby Rogers will play at 7 p.m. on the Gibson House patio, performing familiar tunes and marches celebrating the spirit of the 4th of July.

The Barn Gallery is at 512 Gibson Road. Face coverings recommended in the gallery for guests who are not fully vaccinated. The exhibition is also available for viewing online.

More information is available by email: ya@yoloarts.org.

ONGOING EXHIBITIONS

‘Feathered Relations: Works by Marwin Begaye’
C.N. Gorman Museum (virtual)

 “Feathered Relations” explores sacred Indigenous beliefs around birds and their link to nature. Begaye's prints and paintings place a variety of birds in the foreground, depicting them naturally, but also existing on a higher plane. This exhibition is based on his show that was on display at the Gorman when the pandemic forced its closure.  Begaye (Diné) includes prints, wood blocks and multimedia works to create a conceptual homage to birds. For the artist, birds are about our relationships — to nature, to one another, to culture. Image: “Waiting for Spring,” 2018, monotype on paper, 30”x22”.

‘New Flavors: Collected at the Candy Store’
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art
Through Nov. 12

This exhibition recasts a unique chapter of Northern California’s unconventional art history in 24 works by 11 artists whose work was first championed by gallerist Adeliza McHugh. Developed in conjunction with an upcoming exhibition at the Crocker Art Museum in celebration of the Candy Store’s 60-year anniversary, “New Flavors: Collected at the Candy Store” expands the conventional narrative through centering the lesser-known stories of female artists and artists who identify as Cuban American, Japanese American, Mexican American and Native American. Gallery capacity is limited to keep visitors and staff safe. Reserved-time tickets required (free), available online.

Tours at the Crocker

The Tiffany Tour

Enjoy an intimate guided tour of the art featured in “Louis Comfort Tiffany: Treasures from the Driehaus Collection”  along with other glass art in the Crocker’s collection. Tour schedule: 10 and 11 a.m., and 3 p.m. Thursdays, July 8-29, and Fridays, Aug. 6-27. Register here. 

For America and Beyond

Feast on works by American artists in “For America: Paintings From the National Academy of Design" and “Legends From Los Angeles: Betye, Lezley and Alison Saar in the Crocker Collection.” Tour schedule: 10 and 11 a.m., and 3 p.m. Fridays, July 9-30, and Aug. 5 and 12. Register here. 

Both of these in-person tours are free with museum admission and advance registration. Tours are limited to groups of no more than six people. 

Pence’s Annual ‘Slice’ of California

The Pence’s “Slice” exhibition is on view through Aug. 15. “Slice” is an annual exhibit of current work in all media by California artists, as selected by an artist or curator for its conceptual strength, visual interest, and overall merit. Faith McKinnie, independent curator and founding director of the Black Artists Fund, selected 31 artists from more than 175 applicants, to exhibit work for the summer display. Always an eclectic blend of subjects, media, and presentation, “Slice” 2021 is a snapshot into the important creative work that regional artists are producing right now in their studios. More information is available here.

Coming Up

Adam Forfang at John Natsoulas Gallery

Look for the Adam Forfang exhibition at the John Natsoulas Gallery, July 21-Sept. 1, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Find updates here.

Social Media of the Week

We came across this Instagram post reminding us to check out the work of alums Zeina Baltagi and Julia Edith Rigby, on view at Axis Gallery.