 On The Line -- Issue 632 -- April 27, 2007  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 632 -- April 27, 2007 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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San Benito County's great natural beauty has impressed many people over the centuries. It has been recorded in literature and many motion pictures have been shot with its scenery as a backdrop.
But the greatest medium in which it has been captured is art. Painters, both local and from other places, have found it impressive enough to record on canvas, in sketchbooks or by camera. Over the years many residents who enjoyed creating art formed associations with others so minded. They sometimes exhibited their work to their colleagues, or put it on public display at libraries, government buildings and in business offices. Since the early 1990s local artists have participated in Open Studio, an annual two-day event in April in which individual artists, sculptors and photographers welcome visitors into their work places or other settings. Local artists were originally included in an Open Studio which also featured Santa Clara County artists. However, it gradually grew into a separate counties showing. In the past few years San Benito County has also encouraged artists from Aromas to participate and they and those of San Juan Bautista are enthusiastic about the event. Indeed, of the 30 artists participating this year, 14 of them are from - or at least will exhibit their work - in Aromas. Last year students from San Benito High School exhibited their artwork at the YMCA building. Much of it was extremely good and the reception it got encouraged the young artists. The schools did not exhibit this year but 30 artists did on April 21 and 22. Most did it in their own studios, which are often their homes, but some showed their ability at other places. Some artists exhibited together. Most artists feature hors d'oeuvres of the cheese and cracker type, although a few go beyond that. All who decided to open their studios are hospitable and enjoy having interested strangers as well as friends. There is a common trait among the artists. They all speak well of each other and appreciate the joys and woes common to all who create. A few may have private opinions about how they would have captured a sunset or sketched a child at play but if they do they keep them to themselves. The first stop was at Shannon Grissom's home, which was bedecked with more of her pictures than usual so that guests would have a better idea of her range. Husband Dwight Grissom stood by to lend a hand wherever he could. Mrs. Grissom is as enthusiastic as she is creative, which accounts for a lot of her success. She is a professional artist and maintains a rigorous schedule at the palette and she loves it. She also is a promoter of her work through television and by trips to expand her audience. Last month in Tennessee a PBS channel with a million viewers signed on her show, "Give Your Walls Some Soul." She is also a moral cheerleader for others who have artistic aspirations. This year she invited Benjamin Gallegos to display his sketches in her home. At 19 he already has a keen eye and a vivid imagination. He acknowledged that he was nervous in showing his art to strangers, especially since it was the first time he had done so. A number of guests gravitated to his work and one could see the quiet pride in his eyes at their remarks. Also standing by with Mrs. Grissom was her friend and part-time office manager, Stacy Souza. Mrs. Souza was the office manager at the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce last year and is both efficient and supportive. The line of visitors was fairly steady but "not what it normally is," Mrs. Grissom said. Many other artists made the same observation as there were at least two other events scheduled that weekend that drew some of the potential crowd. At She's, the women's clothing store on San Benito Street, Francene Markle was exhibiting in the back section of the store where she had the previous year. However, this time Barbara Ament was exhibiting with her. Both ladies had lighthouses in their displays. One old fellow who knows both ladies fairly well said that his grandmother had been in charge of a lighthouse. Mrs. Ament said, "Really?" and he responded, "I think so. My mother used to tell me her mother did light housekeeping as a young woman." The next stop was at the home/studio shared by Kent Child and wife Kathleen Sheridan. Child is a sculptor while Miss Sheridan specializes in painting. They also encourage anyone who wants to take up art, especially young people. Speaking of young people, Miss Sheridan was quite enthusiastic about her two grown daughters and sons. Hanna Laine Rodriguez teaches in San Francisco. Her husband is a Bolivian classical guitarist. Jennifer Lane Schwarzwaelder and husband Stephan live in Dresden, Germany and are expecting a child in October. Matt Laine, who is a project assistant in San Jose, will be married next Feb. 29 in Thailand; and no, he is not choosing that date so he will have to buy an anniversary present only once in every four years. The next and final stop was at the home and studio of Sylvia Nichols, where both she and husband Court Nichols welcomed their guests with broad smiles. Mrs. Nichols, whose family moved from England to the United States when she was still a girl, Her mother entered her daughter's watercolor in a regional rural art program in Wisconsin and it won the state's junior purchase award. After graduation from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, she taught art and English. She married and became the mother of three children. The family's moves were tied to the career of Nichols, plant breeding and plant pathology and ended in Hollister where he became a tomato breeder for Ferry-Morse Seed company. She has been deeply involved with the art movement in San Benito County. In addition to her watercolors, Mrs. Nichols does block printing. She said that this might be her last year with Open studio as it takes a lot of work in preparation but she, too, is an avid supporter of her colleagues. So in a county that is home to the world-famous Teatro de Campesino, culture abounds in many other ways, including the Oriana Chorale, various theatrical groups, and an interest in art that began here centuries ago. |
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