October 22, 2007

Tracy Cultural Arts Announces Artists’
Special Events at The Grand

Tracy, Calif. – Through December 15, 2007, the City of Tracy Cultural Arts Division is presenting The Making of an Artist, its inaugural exhibition at the Grand Galleries, Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Avenue in downtown Tracy, Calif.
In the conjunction with the exhibit, a series of gallery talks and special events introducing the four featured artists will be presented in October and November.
All events are free of charge and open to the public.

The events are:

Saturday, October 27th, 1 pm
Miguel Guerrero:  The Making of an Etching/Aquatint
Mr. Guerrero will present the process of printmaking from sketch to editioned print, including etchings and monotypes.
Meet in North Gallery/Demonstration in Visual Arts Studio 2

Saturday, November 3rd, 1 pm
Adele Fox:  Textures & Transformation
Ms. Fox will present a Gallery Talk and hands-on workshop using tree leaves to inspire and create artwork.
Meet in Souza Gallery/Presentation & Workshop in Visual Arts Studio 2

Saturday, November 10th, 1 pm
Arturo Vera:  The Making of an Artist
Vera’s multi-media presentation explores the importance of parents and guardians in encouraging an artistic child.
North Gallery

Saturday, November 17th, 1 pm
Lisa Cooperman:  Green Art
Ms. Cooperman’s presentation is family friendly and will include a presentation/demonstration with recycled materials.
Meet in Matthews Gallery/Presentation and demonstration in Visual Arts Studio 2

“All four exhibiting artists, Lisa Cooperman, Adele Fox, Miguel Guerrero and Arturo Vera are from San Joaquin County.  Being able to hear them talk about their work and experience it in a personal way is a rare opportunity and we are happy to offer it as part of this inaugural exhibition,” says William F. Wilson II, who is curator of the exhibit and Grand Galleries supervisor.

“Our beautiful new facility is just as much about learning and experiencing as it is about being entertained, so we plan to include these kinds of events with all of our fine art exhibits in the future as well.”

Lisa Cooperman is a sculptor, public artist and educator who has lived in Stockton, Calif. for six years where she is currently the Curator of Education at the Haggin Museum.  Her sculpture has been shown nationally and regionally with exhibitions from Washington D.C. to Oakland and San Jose.  She is a national member of the A.I.R. Gallery in New York City.  New work is currently on exhibition in the group show, Compass, at the Black & White Gallery in New York. 

Adele Fox has exhibited work in cooperative, private, college, and university galleries.  In 2006, her group of 23 works titled Nature Mind Continuum was exhibited at Delta Center for the Arts/Horton Gallery in Stockton.  Currently, a collaborative piece is on view at the Visual Arts Gallery in New York City as part of The Missing Peace: Artists Consider The Dalai Lama. 

iguel Guerrero began sculpting in stone in 1971 and expanded to include cast bronze, welded steel, clay, and mixed materials.  Since 1990, his focus has been on drawing and printmaking.  His exhibitions have included numerous private commissions, a bronze sculpture on permanent display at the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and a commemorative woodcut placed in the Cambria in Corvo, Azore Islands.

Arturo Vera, a native of Guanajuato, Mexico, has spent more than 20 years mastering the art of professional photography, exhibiting extensively in California.  He has received the Photographic Technical Excellence award, known as “The Silver Cindy,” from the Information Film Producers of America, and the Best in the West Fest award from the Multi-Image Category. 

Public hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and for one hour prior to performances on either of the Grand Theatre stages.  Free parking is available on nearby streets and lots.  Tours are available and gallery lectures can be arranged by appointment

The Grand Galleries Exhibitions Program offers combinations of professionally produced exhibitions and arts-based events, featuring local, regional, national, and international artists, as well as arts educators and organizations in all disciplines and genres.  Often, exhibitions will collaborate with the Arts Education and Presenting Programs to develop educational and interactive components such as demonstrations, gallery talks, receptions, residencies, and workshops. 

The Grand Galleries are accessible to persons with disabilities and patrons are asked to call ahead to address special requests and needs at (209) 831-6ART (6278). 

Further information regarding the Exhibitions Program is available by calling 209.831.6ART (6278), e-mailing grandgalleries@ci.tracy.ca.us or visiting www.atthegrand.org.