NOVEMBER EXHIBIT @ GALLERY NORTH

Curated by TOM FRANCO, Firehouse Art director
The artists of the November show at Firehouse Gallery North:

JULIA LAZAR
KELLI HILL
SCHEHERA VAN DYK
& TERRANCE GRIEBEL all met living in Bolinas for extended times.
Schehera Van Dyk and Terri Griebel still do to this day.

It's time to have a Bo-Show in Berkeley and celebrate the season with art, poetry and music. Tom Franco will also host an artist talk which should be lively considering the peeps involved.

OPENING NIGHT
FRIDAY, November 22, 2013
7 - 10pm

1790 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley Gourmet Ghetto

Kelli Hill and myself Julia Lazar, met at Brighton Beach in Bolinas, when Kelli clad in her blue wetsuit, with blonde hair down to her butt, with her classic longboard was heading out to the 'patch' where her peers, some of them famous surf stars back in the day, caught those long slow waves. It was winter, so no naked surfing that day, but we met and became friends over the last 30 years. It's such a blast to have an art show with Kelli.

Schehera Van Dyk has lived on Brighton, where she now has her art and ceramics studio, living the life of her passionate dreams, with husband, son and mom. We've known each other for about 30 years now and I so appreciate Schehera's art style and exuberance. Her dinner ware is highly collectible, and
I can't wait for the Berkeley crowd to fall in love with it, as the Marin folks already have.

Terri Griebel is a force of nature, besides being the radest artist I knew in Bolinas, he also shreds on the surf board and was one of the first mountain bikers in the world. When I met him in the 80s, he was sporting a 'Cunningham' prototype and carving new trails down Mt Tam, chased by rangers.

Terri has several painting on exhibit, one of which was a gift to Kelli, a portrait of Michael Sims, aka Saint 11:11, not because he was pious, but as rad as any free spirit ever will be.


Michael Sims died at the age of 32, on Kelli's sofa one afternoon, and we all keep magical memories of him we shared as friends. Here is a video he did with Jimo Thomas and Martin Matzinger: "Dogs in Bolinas". Michael also was the first white hip hop artist we all knew. May he rest in peace and join up again anytime.

Posted by: Julia Lazar
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COTTAGE FOOD MARKET NIGHT A BIG SUCCESS

AT THE FIREHOUSE ADELINE ART EVENTS HANGAR

Photo collage by Julia Lazar.

Organized by Alex Stone, celebrating the brand new 2013 cottage food laws. 

Did you know that it may be legal for you to sell your own homemade food? A new series of “cottage food” laws allow people to make money from their creativity!

More about the new organization headed up by 'Girl Alex" on her facebook page.
To be repeated in May 2013, Date will be on our Facebook Page as soon as it's determined. 

If you are a vendor and would like to sign up to be considered a vendor for the May Cottage Food Market, please fill out this form here. 

Posted by julia lazar, let us know what you think, your comment counts.

FIREHOUSE ARTISTS @ PUBLIC MARKET IN EMERYVILLE

MARCH 2013
5959 Shellmound Street, Emeryville, CA 94608
Inside the Public Market hall by the Kid's Play Space
Open to view everyday, 8am to 8pm

Curated by Tom Franco and Julia Lazar
Featuring Firehouse artists
Luka Dziubyna and Phillip Ng

PHILIP NG - Artist Statement

Philip is a local Asian American artist, originally from Hong Kong and imigrated to the Bay Area. Although his life story may be unconventional, Philip believes in fundamentals when it comes to his art. Like the Chinese culture, Philip believes in tradition and incorporates it into his work. He says that it is important for an artist to build a strong discipline and foundation of basics to learn how artists before have progressed the arts so that you can continue to progress it further.

All the figure paintings in the show are done from live models. He prefers live references to paint from, which allows him the chance to capture the emotion of the subject and light of the environment. His favorite medium is oil but has begun exploring into acrylic.

His work has been shown in group shows in San Leandro Library, Senior Center, and the San Leandro Museum & Art Gallery. He has been a member of the San Leandro Art Association for 30 years. Recently, Philip has joined the East Bay Figure painting group and the East Bay Landscape Painters group couple of years ago.

Luka Dziubyna - Artist Statement

I don't set out to produce art about one subject or another. What I do set out to do is exhibit whatever subject I am painting in its very own light and atmosphere. My paintings are like a timeline of my life and very personal to me.

I must admit that there has never been a piece of my own art that I have liked, at least not for long, and if I ever produced one, I may stop painting entirely. There is a constant struggle and love/hate relationship with my paintings. I go through immense moments of pleasure on working on a piece and may become easily frustrated with it and hope to never see it again, here lies the balance in my creative process. But regardless of how much frustration each piece may bring me, I always return to work more.

My work tends to focus on either abstract forms that are composed in such a way that a realistic image can appear, or reactionary strokes that are directly related to the topic at the time it is being painted

I began painting since age 14 with my grandfather who was classically trained in Europe. Currently I am attending AAU in San Francisco, pursuing my Masters in Fine Art.

Some of my subject matter is about people that I come into contact with, my most recent pieces stem from my 6-week, 500 plus mile walk on the Camino De Santiago in Northern Spain. it was there that I would encounter everything from people who were terminally ill and dying of cancer but chose to make the pilgrimage, to random animals such as massive bulls and steer that would pass us on the journey each day.

I believe my style is a mixture of Expressionism and Impressionism, which I like to call "Reactionary". I am always asking myself, "Am I being true to a piece if I paint someone who is a terrible person in a good light? or vice versa, take a beautiful person and represent them on a canvas with heavy strokes and gloom?"

Posted by julia lazar, let us know what you think, your comment counts.

Firehouse Gallery North March 2013 Exhibit and event

San Mateo—Hillsdale High School art students showcase their work, 

March 2013, at Firehouse Gallery North, 1790 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709

The exhibit, “Aspiring Artists Showcase” on view from March 8th through March 31st 2013, features 50 paintings and photographs by twenty-eight Hillsdale High juniors and seniors. 

Opening Night:Friday, March 8, 7-9pm

Live music by Chloe Little

Forum conversation with the artists and Tom Franco

Poetry readings

A collaboration between Hillsdale art teacher Cindy Lynch, and the Firehouse Art Collaborative curation team, Tom Franco and Julia Lazar.

“Our collaboration presents a unique learning environment for our students to explore their own work and their potential future as an artist,”Hillsdale Visual Art Teacher Cindy Lynch said. “We are grateful to the Firehouse Art Collaborative for making this possible.” 

Students featured in the exhibition are Haley Amoroso, Kyle Okano, Camila Benavides, Jean Ma, Philip Thomas, Kylan Wong, Christopher Hernandez, Jenny Lee, Jazmin Bustamante, Kelly Wang, Brian Spiekerman, Noam Margalit, Ava Donovan, Julia Yarak, Elise Phillips, Michael Yan, Kelly Lemons, Chang Liu, Emily Pichel, Travis Abrams, Kathryn Ullrich, Ricky Gonzalez, Danielle Gaggero, Lisa Raimondo, Shannon Song, Alex Herzog, Eric Newgard, Jordan Smith and Allison Lee.

“We met Cindy Lynch last year and her passion and enthusiasm for teaching art inspired us to develop this opportunity,” Executive Directors Tom Franco and Julia Lazar said. “These students are extremely talented and we hope this show inspires other organizations to support high school art education.”

For open door times please check our Calendar page.

For more information contact
Cindy Lynch,650-558-2699, clynch@mail.smuhsd.org
Or email Julia Lazar:  firehouse.art.collective@gmail.com

To find out more about Hillsdale High School of San Mateo.

For the Facebook event page, please click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/235259859943348/

Posted by julia lazar, let us know what you think, your comment counts.

TOM FRANCO'S ART ATTACK

Celebrating a new year 2013!

At YBCA's ConVerge program, a monthly open door event, bringing artists and peeps of all stripes and disciplines together...more in their own words here*. How to find it here.

Tom Franco and Julia Lazar host the January 17th ConVerge afternoon, 4-8pm, in celebration of a New Year of Art, the victory of collaboration over competition, value over profit, and have invited several close artist friends and collaborators to co create an experience of current culture only live art can give.

Posted below are the performance artists in order of their appearance:

A big shout out to our intern Molly Walsh, who created the slides for this post!

Performances start at 4 pm in the Grand Lobby by the 'Small Room for Big Ideas Gallery".

Get directions here.

Live event support

 Live video projection and recording

 Hosts

 Audio and eclectic sounds all around

 Culinary artisans par excellence!

*The YBCA:ConVerge series is a free monthly public gathering featuring creative and generative social art practices. ConVerge is where community and innovative multi- and inter-disciplinary arts practices come together in our free and public spaces in a fluid, interactive, experimental format designed to engage audiences. YBCA's Grand Lobby and Room for Big Ideas will come alive during ConVerge events with social art, live music and inspiring curated performances, as well as drinks prepared by YBCA mixologists.
Posted by Julia Lazar and Molly Walsh

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LIVE ART EXHIBITS & EVENTS

Continue at Public Market in Emeryville 

curated by Firehouse Art Collaborative co directors 

Tom Franco and Julia Lazar

The winning combination of local emerging artists exhibiting stellar work in a public space, live music and art making workshops hosted by various east bay groups invited by FAC is whats up this year every last Friday of the month.

Next to the "Kid's Play Space", the area is coming alive as a meet and greet, mingle and create your own fun art card or pieces to take home. Public Market's new ownership has indicated an interest in FAC's continued presence and we are making plans, proposals and time to create the best outcome for everyone involved.

Our best interest is the larger Emeryville community, peeps living in the area, to have a swell spot to eat, meet and experience community and culture live, every time they visit Public Market. A place we can go to chill and stroll, eat and some of us creative types even do some online work outside our own pajama lounge called home. 

Opening nights are listed on our facebook events page.

Next up are two artists who complement each other with completely different styles. View their visuals below.

Be sure to come by, Friday, January 25, 6-8pm and say Hi!
Tom Franco will be your Emcee and there will be an art making table with the supplies donated by "Sticky Art Lab" of Berkeley fame hosted by the lovely Pollyanna Lee.

Posted by Julia Lazar
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CURATED ART EVENT "FEATURE FRIDAY"

...at Public Market in Emeryville
5959 Shellmound Street, Emeryville, CA 94608
Featured artists:

• ANNE LOURIE*
• LEO ZUBRITZKY*

Opening night Friday, December 14, 5-8pm
Hosted by Tom Franco.
Free collage making table hosted by Leslie Cologne and friends.
Face painting offered by Tammy Artis.
Friday, December 14th, 5 – 8 pm

Stellar Live Music cast for Public Market scheduled by 'The Marketing Method Group".
5 pm – Tara Linda, Jazzy Blues
6 pm – Owen Plant, Jamaican-born California Folk
7 pm – Spidermeow, Psychedelic Folk Rock

This promises to be a swell, fun and easy event, perfect to meet, mingle and get your local art on. If you have been waiting to come to one of our art openings, this is the One for 2012.
Feature Fridays, ongoing evenings of celebration, with live music and art at Public Market in Emeryville, were a great success through 2012 with the local patrons and owners.

We are happy to know, that the New Ownership at Public Market is continuing the vision of making the Public Market into a destination for the experience of community, culture and art as part of our daily lifestyle in Emeryville.

*ANNE LOURIE

paints every day and is her 90th year of life. We are so honored to have such a soul in our midst.
Anne Lourie, was born in Philadelphia 90 years ago and studied art at the Philadelphia College of Art, Tyler School of Art, University of Pennsylvania and many other places throughout Philadelphia.
In 1949, Anne lived in Paris for two years, doing portrait and figure studies with live models. 

Here is a story in Anne Lourie’s own words:
“....of a portrait I did in Wildwood, NJ. In the 1940s, I was working as a portrait artist on the beach and the boardwalk was above me.
Ella Fitzgerald came, still in costume, from her performance, with her 2 huge Bodyguards standing on either side of her. She stood above me, watched me work, and then asked me to do a portrait.
She was wearing a huge long, pink-feathered boa around her neck, which trailed on the ground. I drew her and then refused to accept any money for the drawing.” 

Anne moved to Berkeley 26 years ago and has been an artist for over 70 years, painting portraits, landscapes and abstracts.
She now has an art studio space at the Firehouse Gilman Street location and still paints every day.

*LEO ZUBRITSKY

born in Detroit Michigan, his family steered him onto the path of colorful cultural landscapes. He was drawn into the art world at an early age with influences such as Vincent van Gogh, Diego Rivera, Salvatore Dali, and Pablo Picasso. In 1964 he traveled to the New York World’s Fair and was touched by Michelangelo’s Pieta.

At Eastern Michigan University Leo earned a BFA and became interested in multimedia artwork.

Leo Zubritsky works as a consultant to Bechtel Corporation as an Art Director on projects like development of photo database for USAID, top level presentations, trade show displays and many successful proposal efforts. Projects include: corporate board game metrics, caricatures for gifts, multimedia projects using animation and video. Leo works primarily with Marketing Communications and Corporate Communications groups.

In 2004 he took assignment in Baghdad, Iraq with AECOM-PADCO and SBH working for USACE creating multimedia presentations in English and Arabic language, video, DVD production, website design, display exhibits, poster campaigns, Corp logo design, briefings, reporting, media events, and conference coordination. Leo worked directly with the Public Affairs Office out of GRD headquarters in the International Zone. He provided support to media projects and presentations in a war zone for 5 years.

As a promotion he was able to create a video of the theme park ride called, Titanic – the Experience in Sydney, Australia. His role was to art direct; create the storyboard, title introduction, and ending title animation. Another of his key contributions was developing a second version of the iceberg sequence, in which the Titanic smashed right thru the iceberg, and continued into the sunset. The legacy of that ship goes on forever by way of this theme park ride.

During the 2001 winter semester he taught a multimedia Portfolio Development class at Berkeley College, CA. Leo lives in Berkeley with his family and is a principal artist in the Firehouse Art CoLab.

His artwork has been exhibited in: Ann Arbor Art Fair, Art Gallery’s in Berkeley, Awarded 2 murals in Detroit Michigan

Contact : Leo Zubritsky

Phone 510-527-6269

e-mail:  lzubrit@ix.netcom.com

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Holidays! Back to celebrate Art and Peeps

Time to count all blessings of the year closing, to celebrate family, neighbors, connections made, losses and gains, friends and frenemies, our East Bay environment, collective accomplishments and collaborative learning. The whole gamut it takes to make up life at the cutting edge of authentic artist living.
Tons of gratitude to all the currency it takes to stay sustainable, even thrive, and those who manage to continue to support in every large and smallest way.

Gracias = graciousness and gratitude to Youz.
Big Holla out to our interns and volunteers across the entire bay!
Go Cal students and thanks a bunch to help put our events on the map.

At the Firehouse Art CoLab we like to THANK ALL our collaborators, for a year full of healthy growth, some healthy pruning, tons of creative nourishment, stellar food supporting our events and artists artists artists everywhere we venue. You are such an inspiration, we've listed you all year and look forward to showing you off to what's next to come.

Here is what's up for the last weeks of 2012:

Friday, November 30, 6-8 pm at the Public Market in Emeryville
Sparkling live jazz and DJ music, art exhibit opening for Carol Jenkins and Ellen Zucker curated and
hosted by Tom Franco.

Gallery North Open Door hours for the holidays, on 1790 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley CA 94709.
Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 4-8pm hosted by exhibiting artists Robert J Knight and Julia Lazar extended show through December 31, 2012.

Friday, December 14, 6-9 pm at the Public Market in Emeryville
Holiday celebration made easy, with an FAC curated Feature Friday event, hosted and curated by Tom Franco and Julia Lazar. Featuring artists Annie Lourie and Leo Zubritsky who have a lifetime of awe inspiring art to show, live only- no website peeps, gotta come see their awesomeness in person.

Holiday Art Gifts will be available by some of our best diy Makers and Artisans coming to show & sell that day only. Experience a stellar line up under the coolest roof in Emeryville to date. Let's celebrate.
Also, bring your tiny peeps, as we will have our all time favorite face painter Tammy Artis on board again.
Located by the popular kid's play space ball pit by the back entrance.
Tip: Back entrance is also a great spot to park and enter.

ELLEN ZUCKER: Showing November-December

CAROL JENKINS: Showing November - December 2012

ANNIE LOURIE, in her 90s paints in her studio every day. Really. Showing December - January 2013

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November show open through December 1st

Thanks to everyone who came to the opening on Friday November 9th, Art Attack...we were packed to capacity at 9pm...Cool!
Stay tuned for the video, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Betsy Franco read poetry from her book "Metamorphosis", Tom Franco debuted his live singing and guitar playing skills, Jimmy Dillon sang "Hold on to your dreams..." friends, neighbors, cal students, artists, live punk rock, DJs, peeps from our of town...made this the kind of party you smile for days about...we did.

Robert J Knight's sculptures resonate, especially with the men folk, in a big way. Every time we open the gallery door people stream inside and marvel at the symbolism, craftsmanship, tactility and authenticity of the Heart in Wood sculptures.

"To facilitate the Open Door times for the gallery, the exhibiting artists volunteer to host on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 4pm to 8pm through Saturday. 

December 1st, is closing night with refreshments, music and hopefully You."

Updates about daily and weekly events are easy to find on our facebook page.

ARTISTS
Julia Lazar
"Picture the Art of Life"
Photography

Robert J Knight
"Hearts in Wood and mixed Media"
Sculptural wall hangings

Tom Franco CoLab
"2012"
Sculpture and paintings

• Photography exhibit chronicles the art of life...in nature, travel, current culture and surroundings captured by Julia Lazar. 
• New exhibit of Bob Knight's amazing heart sculptures carved of wood with symbolic renderings in metal and found objects.
• Experience two new paintings from Tom Franco's Art Lab 2012

Robert J Knight "Hearts in Wood" sculptures

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ART ATTACK

At GALLERY NORTH
1790 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley gourmet ghetto
7-9pm

Robert J Knight, Hearts in Wood and mixed Media
Bob Knight's heart sculptures carved of wood with symbolic renderings in metal and found objects

Tom Franco CoLab paintings

Julia Lazar Photography, life in pictures

Dj Kamyar Jarahzadeh and DJ Fish will create the vibe with eclectic sounds
Bevy bar open with sparkling, still and smooth smackings also for snacking hosted by the fabulous Pollyanna and her friends.

Celebrating November birthdays with friends and collaborators, this event promises to be stellar, and a heartfelt art attack...

Julia Lazar, Dragon kill at dawn

Robert J Knight wall sculpture

Tom Franco CoLab 2012

NEXT FEATURE FRIDAY SHOW SEP 28 2012

Coming up fast:

Feature Friday Art opening night with Curated Art Event by Firehouse Art Collective directors: Tom Franco and Julia Lazar.

September 28, 6-9pm inside the Public Market hall in Emeryville, CA 94608

Featured artists:

Korianna Kisielprice
Kristina Lim

With light refreshments, a big live music line up emceed by Tom Franco, and a chance to meet the artists.

Always fun and with so many choices of ethnic foods you just can't go wrong...also check out our friends at Hot Italian if you are craving hipster ambiance.

Korianna Kisielprice

Kristina Lim

Bio
Kristina Lim is known for her vibrant landscapes captured with the bleeding translucency of watercolors and the thick intensity of water miscible oils. “The solidity of a mountain peak jutting out of fog, the waves breaking in a green blue ocean – I’m inspired by nature’s uncompromising force. Like the mariner shooting the albatross we are destroying what saves us.”
Born in Berkeley, California in 1981, Kristina is an artist and activist currently living in her hometown. A member of the Firehouse Art Collective, she has had a solo show at the Mudrakers Café in Berkeley, and exhibited at 200 in Brooklyn, NY, SOMArts in San Francisco, and at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley amongst others. Kristina curated an exhibit at the Chinese Cultural Centerin San Franciscoin 2007 featuring two of her pieces. She is also an artist with Bok Choy Apparel. Kristina graduated from Vassar Collegein 2004 with a degree in Studio Art.

Artist Statement

The solidity of a mountain peak jutting out of fog, the waves breaking in a green blue ocean – I’m inspired by nature’s uncompromising force. Like the mariner shooting the albatross we are destroying what saves us.
The mountains have been my redemption. When the pieces of my life cracked and fell apart like a jackhammer on porcelain, I found solace in climbing mountains and volcanoes, swimming in the Amazon and the Pacific, and painting those moments of peace, wonder, and beauty. I let the physicality of medium – the bleeding pigment of the water color run and create clouds, light, space, and waves. Or how the thick painterly quality of the oils work to create solid mountains and expressive light-touched clouds. The medium and my physical experience with place guide the process.
There is so much in life we try to control and predict. Nature at least is honest; there is no facade of day after day of unchanging normalcy. Life mimicking life much like art responds to life through a watery whisper of clouds and the strength of a purple white snow capped volcano.

ART FOR SCHOOLS FUNDRAISER IN PIEDMONT

Firehouse Art Collective directors Tom Franco and Julia Lazar were invited to collaborate. With onsite live painting projects to be auctioned off live.
Silent auction goes on of super cool creative birdhouses and other intriguing tidbits goes on while champagne and wine flows and the locals mingle.

The irrepressible and dynamic Karen Stanton generates the annual "Birdhouse Auction Gala" hosted by Piedmont residents and parents in their upscale, short of posh estates, and is crazy successful pulling the right peeps together in support of Art in public schools of the district.

This year she got Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day to donate a signed guitar and other rock'n'roll paraphernalia, where half of the proceeds went to Billie Joe's old high school  in the Rodeo district in Oakland.
Cool we say!

Was an awesome day and people donated great funds for the arts to continue in public high schools these parts of town. Thanks Karen!!! really.
Special thanks to our friend Andre Salcido, a pro auctioneer in Alameda, for coming out to help.