Fresno Famous

Picture it: Fresno, 2010.

Bill Bruce's new show features buck heads sculpted out of ramen noodles. Shiny and red, they sit three in a row on mounted green velvet, with chopsticks for antlers and eyes mysteriously missing. Marcos Dorado has abandoned the human form in favor of the gilled for his current exhibit: "Something's Fishy." Best known for his renderings of nudes, Dorado's marked departure into world of freshwater fish has raised eyebrows and has the Fresno art community talking. Don't miss the group show at the new Corridor 2010: "Variations: A Study of Safety Orange and Camouflage."

There's no telling what impact new developments will have on Art Hop downtown. Perhaps it will explode as thousands of people from miles around make the pilgrimage to Central California's premier arts and shopping district. Or perhaps it will be reduced to the big museums as artists move to new digs in west Fresno. One thing is for sure: the Art Hop of now is nothing to take for granted.

There's no better place to discuss your apocalyptic visions of Fresno than City Hall. In June, fine-art photographers David Ashcraft and Mimi Mann will be exhibiting their work on the first and second floors. Ashcraft, who previously owned a gallery in Oakhurst, offers large photos of landscapes taken in the Sierra and along the California coastline.

Mann will be displaying her photographs of Cristo's "The Gates," the saffron streams that wound through Central Park for 23 miles. "Although most of my work has been black and white, I felt that I must photograph 'The Gates' in color to do them justice," she said. Both Mann and Ashcraft are members of Spectrum Gallery in Fresno. A portion of the proceeds from their works will go to the Breast Cancer Support Center.

Next visit 3 Brush Gallery. Artist Beth Ross enjoys an extended engagement at the gallery. Her work consists of original photos of past & present subject matter that is digitally shaped, combined & morphed into introspective & thought provoking images.

Travel westward to the art hub of Mono Street, and check out Studios at the Bus Barn, Corridor 2122, Fig Tree Gallery, Gallery 25, and Silva/Salazar Studio. The highlight this month is the group show at Corridor: "Materials of Difference"

This collective work of ten artists examines the primary elements of wood, clay and metal, and how they are manipulated and used in a new context. Featured artists include Bob Barnes, Rod Fitiausi, Michele Fox, Mary Ollila, William Raines, Linda Richmond, Tom Wilson and Jame Zarl. Special guest artists include David Bottini from the Bay Area and Willie Sapp from the Midwest. Also showing at Corridor is the work of Marcia Price, who's done something unusual with a wedding dress. Price sculpted a wedding dress in the form of an egret (as in a white heron, not an internet-induced regret) on an 11' x 5' canvas. If you're interested, you can talk to the artist about having your own wedding dress sculpted.

From Mono, travel a few short blocks north to Fagan's, on Kern and Van Ness. This month Fagan's is featuring the works of Gerry Edwards, in addition to yummy Irish appetizers and beer. Edwards began glass blowing after a major automobile accident left him partially disabled. Creating beautiful bowls and vases, he combines his glass blowing, etching and carving into pieces of art that are now being showed in galleries along the West Coast.

Since you're practically on the Mall anyway, stop by Fulton Plaza Thursdays. Have a cheap beer (Heinekens for $3!) and enjoy some live music by the Judah Band, which plays instrumental R&B, and The Nate Ketner Quartet (jazz). Be sure and stop by the TW Patterson Building, which will feature works from the Second Annual Fresno Art Expo.

Cruise through the Met and Arte Americas on your way to Bill Bruce Studio (no deer heads). This month KFSR and Fresno Magazine are sponsoring the show, so listen to some good music as you peruse Bill's latest. If you haven't sent he creepy doll photography, you are in for a treat!

Finally, make your way down Fulton to the brand spankin' new Club Jinnaka. Madera artist Michael Garcia has opened a new gallery next to downtown's favorite bar, Tokyo Garden. For its first Art Hop, the gallery will feature the works of Michael Phillips, Geoffrey Spach, and Michael Garica.

Cap off your night next door at Tokyo Garden. Wash down the wine with some hot sake and get ready for the rockin' sounds of Fresno's Pinkeye, Visalia's Bolex Rex, and Fresno's Rademacher.