Artists Create Mischief For Art From Scrap Fundraiser

Santa Barbara: On the evening of Saturday, April 5th, the Art From Scrap Gallery will be transformed into a celebration of all things assemblage. From 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm, over 70 mischief-making artists will show their work in the Art From Scrap Assemblage Art Show and Fundraiser. The theme of this year’s event is Mischief! The challenge was to create a new artwork that incorporates a piece of previously created art.

From March 8th until April 5th the public is invited to the Art From Scrap (AFS) to bid on their favorite art. This year’s artists include local greats Ron Robertson, Neal Crosbie, Colleen Kelly, Bari Ramoy, Brad Nack, Mike Brady and many others. Assemblage master Michael deMeng, who taught a workshop at Art From Scrap in February, also contributed a piece to the show.

The cost to attend the evening event is $15.00. Tickets are available online at EventBrite or at the door, proceeds benefit AFS art programing. Artwork will be sold during the closing night party where you can enjoy a mischievous photo op with Bob Debris, music with DJ Darla Bea of KCSB FM, food, beer from Telegraph Brewery and wine from local winemakers. Bid on silent auction items including a four night stay in Sayulita, Mexico, dinner at local restaurants and lots more!

What Will They Create? is a juried art exhibition. This year’s judges include Charles Donelan, Executive Arts Editor for the Santa Barbara Independent, Gregory Corso, Publisher of Santa Barbara Seasons, Dug Uyesaka, Santa Barbara County Second District Arts Commissioner, Jeremy Tessmer, Gallery Director at Sullivan Goss and Holly Mackay, Artist. The prestigious Hollister Family Awards with cash prizes totaling $1,000 will be presented to the first, second and third place winning artists.

This year’s Assemblage Muse is Dan Levin. Levin says, “I was honored when asked to be the muse as I am a strong believer in the mission of Art From Scrap… Also, the idea of mischief definitely appeals to me.”

What happens when an artist uses someone else’s art to create something new? For her assemblage, Troy Locker Palmer used a picture journal created by Tara Patrick that had been donated to the Art From Scrap Reuse Store. The resulting “collaboration” is called Storybook.

Troy explains, ” When I explored Art From Scrap’s collection of items for this current exhibit, the first thing my hand landed on was this old sketchbook. It had me from the start..”

Tara Patrick says, “It was a journal that I had kept packed up in boxes for years-it moved with me all over the country.”

Troy continues, “I knew I wouldn’t have enough time to embellish every page myself, and I enjoy interactive pieces, so, in keeping with the free-spirited theme of “Mischief”, I thought it would be fun to let go of control of the piece and let everyone participate in the process.” Troy invited those who view Storybook to add their thoughts, poems, words and sketches to the book.

Tara says, “It’s wonderful that this book that I started is out of a box, is touchable, and that it is now a changing and growing piece of art because of Troy’s participation and hand’s on concept. She and I both encourage people to come to the gallery and add their own piece of story to Storybook.”

To view Art From Scrap’s 2014 Assemblage Art Show and/or add your words or images to Storybook, visit the AFS Gallery Tuesday-Friday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 400 pm.

About Art From Scrap: Art From Scrap promotes materials reuse and waste reduction through art discovery. The Art From Scrap Re-Use store has been a beloved community resource for over twenty years. Regular Saturday art workshops, led by local Santa Barbara environmental artists, provide fun and creativity for both children and adults. The Art From Scrap Gallery features a rotating calendar of exhibits, bringing together art lovers, collectors and artists to explore environmental issues.

About Explore Ecology: Explore Ecology is the hands-on ecology group for kids. An environmental education and arts center, Explore Ecology delivers a variety of environmental education programs including Art From Scrap, Flows To The Ocean and the Watershed Resource Center that encourage creative thinking through science exploration and art discovery. Explore Ecology empowers people to protect and preserve the environment and inspires them to make smart choices that shape a better future. Explore Ecology has been growing informed and thoughtful citizens since 1990.