Art exhibition showcases Ben Hazard’s acrylic sculptures

Artist Ben Hazard with his charcoal portrait of Warren Wilson. Photo by Adam Turner

By Donald Greene
Alameda County Arts Commissioner

Sweet Dreams, an exhibition of acrylic sculpture by Oakland artist Ben Hazard, will be shown at the Craft and Culture Arts Gallery in the Elihu M. Harris California State Office Building in Oakland, from January 9, 2009 to February 27, 2009 with a companion exhibition of powerful charcoal drawings at the Joyce Gordon Gallery in downtown Oakland.

These two separate exhibits herald Hazard’s return to full-time work as a producing artist inspired by his unique “candy-like” acrylic sculpture pioneered in the 1970’s and more recently his powerful charcoal drawings. [Read more]

Art for the Holidays

By Donald O. Greene
Alameda County Arts Commissioner

The Joyce Gordon Gallery celebrates the completion of its fifth year and the beginning of its sixth year with a special holiday bazaar featuring more than 17 artists, including painters, photographers, and sculptors.

The salon style exhibit will focus on affordable art for the holidays, a benefit silent auction. and a community gathering on New Year’s Eve. Bids for the silent auction will start at the opening night Dec. 7.

A percentage of the auction sales will benefit the 8th-grade class of Northern Light School in Oakland.

The Joyce Gordon Gallery,  at 406 14th St.,  reflects the social and cultural diversity of Bay Area and international artists. The aim of the gallery is to respect the creative pursuits of the individual and seeks to make such work accessible to a broad audience. The gallery is open to the public Wednesday through Friday, 12 p.m.. - 7 p.m;  Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

The gallery is also available by appointment for private events and showings.  Purchasing original art would make a perfect holiday gift for someone you care about.

Happy holidays art collectors and lovers.

Donald Greene, Post’s New Art Writer

By Donald Greene
Alameda County Arts Commissioner

I am humbled and honored to have this opportunity to express my professional artistic expertise, opinions, and criticisms about art. Frankly speaking, I love telling the truth about art, music, and the people that create it.

“Art is the creative play of the human mind.” This definition was offered by the Pulitzer Prize winning poet Gary Snyder in 1975. It was a good insight then and today it continues to be useful and very true.

When we peel away all that our society has said about “art”- the business of art, the status of art, the cultural importance of art - we are left with nothing more than a playful, curious human impulse, an impulse that knows neither its ultimate destination nor how it may finally arrive.

Everyone can experience the joy of art. It is in us as a God-given gift.

I will be writing a column about the arts, covering current art exhibits, one person and group shows, poetry, photography, local museums, theatre and dance groups, music events, movie notices, and reviews. The world of art for daily functional living for collecting and investment is also an area that will be addressed in my column.

Donald Greene Appointed to Alameda County Arts Commission

By Conway Jones

Donald Greene has been appointed to the Alameda County Arts Commission by Supervisor Keith Carson.
“One of Alameda County’s greatest assets is its artists. The Commission can be the pivotal force in nurturing and promoting the Arts,” said Greene, reflecting about the Alameda County Arts Commission.
Greene moved to Oakland from his birthplace Youngstown, Ohio when he was six years old. His life’s work for 38 years has been teaching art and perfecting his artistic talents.
He taught Mexican and Afro-American art at the Oakland  Museum, the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, and had a 14 year teaching career for the Oakland Unified School District. He was the head of the Arts Department at the Skyline  High School. [Read more]