December 14, 2007

Grand Galleries’ New Exhibitions Explore Design in Paint and Wood

Automotive Reflections: Acrylic Paintings by Barbara DeVol

Unfinished: works by Andy Vogt, Krishna Khalsa & Scott Oliver

Tracy, Calif. – Beginning in January 2008, the City of Tracy Cultural Arts Division will present two new visual art exhibitions, Automotive Reflections: Acrylic Paintings by Barbara DeVol and Unfinished: works by Andy Vogt, Krishna Khalsa & Scott Oliver.  The exhibitions will take place at the Grand Galleries, Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Avenue in historic downtown Tracy, California.  Automotive Reflections will run from January 19-February 9, 2008 in the Matthews and Souza Galleries.  Unfinished will run from January 19-March 22, 2008 in the North and Souza Galleries.

An Opening Reception for the exhibitions is planned for Saturday, January 19, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.   In addition, Ms. DeVol will present a Gallery Talk on February 2, 2008 at 1:00 pm in the Matthews Gallery.  A Gallery Talk for Unfinished is to be announced.  The reception, artist events, and exhibitions are free and open to the public.

Automotive Reflections features the acrylic paintings of local artist and arts educator, Barbara DeVol.  Ms. DeVol is most recognized for her paintings that feature the custom car culture with a stylized, reflective perspective.  Her solo exhibition presents her signature works that boldly render light and life in the reflections from the surfaces of classic cars and custom hot-rods.  

Ms. DeVol resides in Stockton, Calif. and has been an arts educator at Merril F. West High School in the Tracy, Calif. since 1997.  She has taught fine arts and humanities since the early 1970s and has exhibited in Utah, Colorado, and California at numerous community venues and events.

 Unfinished, curated by Emily Sevier, presents the work of three emerging Bay Area artists who use recycled wood as the primary material of their sculptures.  This exhibition premiered at Mission 17 gallery in San Francisco, Calif. in March of 2007 and will appear in a new, larger format at the Grand Galleries.  Sevier explains, “There is a deceptively simple elegance to each of the works.  Without extraneous color or embellishment, the artists draw attention to the inherent sophistication of the material at hand, transforming scrap wood or thrift store furniture into commanding sculptural objects.”

Andy Vogt is an interdisciplinary artist and architectural modeler from San Francisco, Calif.  His main material is salvaged plaster lath, the wooden strips embedded in the walls of old houses.  Mr. Vogt holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Intermedia from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has exhibited professionally since 1999.

Krishna Khalsa is a sculptor and arts educator from Oakland, Calif.  She uses materials ranging from toothpicks to wood pallets in repetition to create large-scale structural objects.  Ms. Khalsa received a B.A. from the UC Davis and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Art from Mills College.  She has exhibited professionally since 2002.

Scott Oliver of Oakland, Calif. is a sculptor, wood-worker, as well as co-founder and contributing editor of Shotgun Review, a web-based publication for reviews of Bay Area exhibitions and events.  He transforms used furniture and found objects into new forms.  Mr. Oliver holds a BFA in Graphic Design from California College of Arts & Crafts and studied in the Wood Technology Program at Laney College.  He holds an MFA in Wood/Furniture from California College of the Arts and has exhibited professionally since 2001.

Emily Sevier is a San Francisco-based artist, arts administrator, and independent curator.  She has exhibited in the Bay Area and abroad, has curated exhibitions for organizations including Southern Exposure and Mission 17, and has worked with Southern Exposure, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and the James Irvine Foundation.  She holds a BFA in Painting/Art History from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

About the Grand Galleries

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 collaborate with the Arts Education and Presenting Programs to develop educational and interactive components such as demonstrations, gallery talks, receptions, residencies, and workshops. 

Grand Galleries’ public hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., and for one hour prior to all performances on the Grand Theatre stages.  Free parking is available on nearby streets and public lots at 6th Street and Central Avenue.  Tours are available and private and group gallery talks can be arranged.   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).  To arrange a facility tour, visit online at www.atthegrand.org.