Fresno Famous

You know what's great about Art Hop in July?

Air conditioned galleries.

Start your Art Hopping this month in a strange and distant land: the Tower District. You don't need a passport, just courage. It can be scary north of Belmont, but the art is worth it.

The truly adventurous will start Art Hopping north of McKinley, at Javawava. This month the café is featuring the metal sculpture of Amy Kohl in a show titled "Girls, Boys, and an Ode to a Dead Goat." Ms. Kohl will be exhibiting new works, including new variations on her signature goddess sculptures. Rounding out the show will be phallic pieces and a metal goat head (hence the title of the show). How can you not love a woman who welds?

Grab your iced latte and head down to Spectrum Gallery for the memorial exhibition of one its founder members, Bob Goldfeder. A trained architect, Mr. Goldfeder's photographs showcased his love of black and white imagery and sense of social justice. His sensitive portrayal of the former 'relocation camp' for Japanese Americans on the eastern slopes of the Sierra earned him acclaim from the community. Mr. Goldfeder passed away in Colorado. He was 72. Keep traveling south to Ashtree Studios, where a sneak peak at 2006's Rogue Festival awaits. "Find your Muse" showcases the entries for the 2006 Rogue Festival Muse- the public image of the Rogue Festival. Evaluate the art critically, and then think of wich one you would most like to see on a tee shirt. Also featured is the art of Donnalee Dunne, Richard Silva, Enrique Lopez and Aileen R. Imperatrice. Keep going south and cross into familiar territory. Make a beeline for H Street Studios, opened to the public for the last time. The artists studios are set to close in August, and the building will be converted into lofts. Warning: no air conditioning.

Next head over to Fresno's own gallery row, Mono St. Don't miss Stephen Dent's new exhibition at Corridor 2122, "mona_lisa.jpg." The most important exhibit of this month's Art Hop, mona_lisa.jpg "explores the cult-like phenomenon of the Mona Lisa through the use of images, text and sound appropriated from a wide range of internet-based sources." Appropriated from a wide range of internet-based sources? We like the sound of that.

Dent explores how people view the painting through hundreds of vacation photos- and their file names- snapped at the Louvre, the painting's home. "She is the most popular holy relic of Western culture, housed in the Cathedral of Western culture and millions of people make the pilgrimage every year. What is most interesting to me is not the painting itself, but peoples' response to and interaction with the painting," said Dent.

Swing around the corner to see the newest members of Fig Tree Gallery. "Four New Faces" exhibits the work of Manuel Vasaure, Stephanie Pearl, Glen Delpit, and Brianna Johnson Smeds. Vasaure is a multimedia artist whose work explores the transition from drawing to sculpture. Pearl draws inspiration fro Zen mediation, and explores color and texture in her paintings. Delpit, best known as a roots musician, has been making art for 30 years. He'll be displaying various assemblages, collages and found objects in Cornell-like boxes and paintings. Smeds's expressive paintings are based largely on photographs. A moment is captured on film, and then the artist retells the story, allowing it to take on its own life.

Don't miss the new exhibitions at Spectrum Gallery, Silva/Salazar Studio, and the Bus Barn, all located in one convenient mini arts district. From Van Ness and Mono head down to Fagan's for a pint, and the metal work of Frank Jackson. Jackson is a real live cowboy: he won rookie of the year in bulling and the all around in the Southern Rodeo Association in 1989 and the early 1990's. He's also a blacksmith, which is what inspired his metal work. Fagan's will also feature the live music of the Fresneaux Ramblers.

Journey deep into the Fulton Mall for Fulton Plaza Thursdays- this week features the music of Los Hooligans. Plus Childrens Musical Theaterworks sings Songs of America in the KidsZone at 6:30pm- bring your children to Art Hop! While you're on the Mall, visit Caffe Fulton for the photography exhibit of Tamela Ryatt. Featuring birthday portraits and figurative shots of Joe and Lisa. (Plus birthday cake!)

Finally, make your way down Fulton to Club Jinnaka, downtown's latest gallery. Enjoy the pottery, photography, and wood paintings of the three Jinnaka boys before popping next door to the world famous Tokyo Garden.

Cap off your Art Hop night at the big Tokyo after party! The most happening post-Art Hop destination will feature the up-and-coming Visalia group Vile Red Falcon and Fresno favorites No Cello and Rademacher (featuring new Fig Tree member Brianna Johnson Smeds on drums). Throw back a Singapore Sling (or two) and relish in downtown nightlife.