ArtHop today (August 5th) will be a scorcher! Not only from the weather, but the venues Downtown and in the Tower District are HOT! Dress for comfort and to stay cool, as the evening will be inspirational as well as long and fun.

The Fresno Art Council staff - Cindy Dunn, Maria Franco, Angela Story – will be out greeting ArtHop guests.

Featured ArtHop Venues for August 5

Below is a list of some of the prime ArtHop sites to visit for the first Thursday that you don’t want to miss. If your favorite spot is not listed it does not mean that they are not open – they might just be expecting you to come by.

Exhibits not to miss:

Grand opening of Joe Osejo’s City Arts Gallery, 1425 Van Ness, in the heart of the Tower District from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Marcos Dorado is curator and will exhibit along several others listed below. Good place to end your evening.

“Skin – a Summer Splash” a William Raines production at Corridor 2122 located at 2122 Mono Street. Several other galleries are in this area including Gallery 25, Robert Ogata Studio, Silva/Salazar Studio/Gallery, and Fig Tree Gallery.

Two venues include artwork by special individuals. Gorgon Isle Gallery at 665 Fulton Street has a benefit art show, “United By Art” with artwork by local artists and children with special needs. SVS Tower Center, 1240 N. Van Ness has its Inaugural Open House, “Curiosity” featuring artwork by developmentally disabled individuals.

Meet at the Downtown Association of Fresno, 845 Fulton Mall (between Kern and Inyo), at 7:00 pm for a tour of Fulton Mall. Refreshments and a stroll down six blocks of the Mall to view 20 works of art including one by the FAC former director, Joyce Aiken, who is now our Public Art Consultant.

A new ArtHop venue at 630 H Street – The Skate Asylum. Roller derby skaters will be performing.

Fresno City Hall Exhibits for 2011

The Fresno Arts Council is accepting submissions for artists, arts groups and arts organizations to exhibit artwork at Fresno City Hall for next year from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Please mail or deliver your proposal to Fresno Arts Council, 1245 Van Ness, Fresno, CA 93721. The submission deadline is September 30, 2010, which must include the following:

1. Letter of Intent (one page): requesting consideration to exhibit at City Hall and include your contact information: name, address, telephones (cell, work and home), your e-mail and website addresses. Description of artwork: media, style, dimensions and general subject matter (no more than two paragraphs).
2. Artist’s resume detailing previous exhibitions. For art groups/art organizations submit a detailed background of organization and the resume of one contact person.
3. Ten (10) photographs and/or color laser copies of artwork to be considered for exhibition. For art groups/art organizations submit one example of artwork from each artist.
4. Enclose a large stamped self-addressed envelope to return your materials, or they become the property of FAC.

Open entry: All working artists, art groups and art organizations are eligible to enter (with preference given to artists of local or regional residence). The letter of intent and supporting materials will be reviewed by the Exhibit in Public Places Review Panel (Panel). The decisions of the Panel and FAC are final. The results will be sent via e-mail; the accepted applicants will also receive an agreement to be signed and returned within 30 days. If not received in 30 days, we will assume that you are no longer interested in exhibiting at City Hall and another proposal will be selected.

Fresno Arts Council Festival of Art & Wine
October 16, 2010 / 6PM - 10PM

FAC’s upcoming Festival of Art & Wine at the San Joaquin River Parkway Hallowell Center for River Studies on October 16 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm is going to be one of the events you don’t want to miss.

Applications are still being accepted for artists to exhibit at the Fresno Arts Council’s Festival of Art & Wine at the San Joaquin River Parkway Hallowell Center for River Studies on October 16 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The art exhibits will be outstanding, food will be delectable, and Napa Valley wineries will be present with a wide array of wines. Patrick Contreras, Fresno’s master of the violin, will be headlining the entertainment along with local jazz and blues musicians. More news on the event to come!

Contact mfranco@fresnoartscouncil.org and send her digital copies of your art to be considered. Vendor booths are available at a reasonable rate, and sponsors are welcome.

ART LOVER License Plate - Help us reach One Million Arts plates!

The ART LOVER license plate sales fund arts programs, arts education and entertainment. The plate was designed by artist Wayne Thiebold. The Million Plates Campaign for the Arts was officially launched in Los Angeles on June 28. Visit the California Arts Council website to see the video of the announcement from Gov. Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. We want Fresno to go all out to help with this campaign.

We are seeking not only individuals to purchase the plates, but also businesses with fleets of vehicles. Organizations with upcoming events are encouraged to contact the Fresno Arts Council so that we can promote the license plates at your events. Your support in this effort to raise funds for the arts is not only appreciated, but is essential.

One million cars with California Arts Plates would mean $40 million for the arts. That would put California near the top in arts funding rather than dead last. Californians have the power to take our state from last to first in arts funding by choosing the Arts Plate for their cars and supporting arts for children and a strong creative economy and arts infrastructure.

Arts Plates are now tax deductible. All fees for the Arts Plate are considered a charitable contribution to the California Arts Council. Businesses and residents looking to support arts statewide now have an extra incentive to support California arts – and have a cool looking license plate as well.

Since the Arts Plate first went on sale in 1994 it has raised over $20 million for California arts through sales and renewals. Currently over 60 % of the California Arts Council’s budget comes from the Arts Plate.

4 Steps to Order an Arts Plate

Looking to get an Arts Plate for yourself or a loved one? Follow these simple steps.

1. Go to the DMV Specialty License Plate page.
2. Choose a sequential (random number) or personalized plate.
3. Fill out the form. Standard plate ordering requires the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
4. Purchase using a major credit card.

Grant Notification

Kresge Foundation Arts and Culture Program is seeking preliminary applications for Facility Investments and Building Reserves grants. Up to $1,000,000 over a 3 year period. Preliminary applications are due 9/15/10. Go to the Kresge Foundation website for further information.

National Association of Latino Arts and Culture Fund for the Arts offers grants for artists and non-profit organizations. Grants are up to $10,000 and will be awarded to Latino artists and arts organizations for the creation or preservation of artistic works, organizational capacity building, or professional development. The deadline for submission is 9/24/10. Go to their website for the grant application.

Arts Card powered by FresnoLive Discount

The Fresno Arts Council has partnered with FresnoLive to bring the ARTS CARD into the arts community. The FresnoLive Discount Card has many discounts available from local retailers with more being added each month.

The ARTS CARD discount card can be picked up from the FAC office for $10.00 in cash or check. It can also be purchased on our website with a credit card for an additional $2 convenience fee and the ARTS CARD will be mailed to your address.

Better yet, when you become a paying member of the Fresno Arts Council, you are automatically given an ARTS CARD as a benefit.

FAC Service Spotlight: Bulk Mail

Member artists and arts organizations can use FAC’s bulk mail service for ArtHop marketing materials. The U.S. Post Office has notified us that they are being very strict with bulk mail usage. If you would like to use FAC’s bulk mail service please keep in mind that mail must be properly labeled as per the guidelines available at FAC, mail is to be sorted by zip code, and the mail must be delivered to Maria Franco in a timely manner so that she can take it to the Post Office. We encourage you to use the service as it is a cost savings for you.

Computer Workstation with Internet

Just a reminder – the Fresno Arts Council has a designated computer with wireless access for artists to use at our office. Bring a memory stick to save your work as printing is not available.

A Special Note of Recognition

Maria and Frank Franco’s grandson, Brycen Rocha, and his soccer team, the Clovis Odyssey Soccer Team, just returned from winning the National Soccer Championship in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They were undefeated in the preliminary rounds. On their road to this success, they first won the California Regionals. Congratulations to the team and all of the proud parents and grandparents.

Active ArtHop Venues

Please support our Metropolitan Area ArtHop venues; come by and meet the local artists and enjoy the artwork, receptions, wine and music today Thursday, July 15th, from 5-8 pm. For more details about each event, go to the Fresno Arts Council Arts Calendar at FresnoArts.net

• City Hall 2600 Fresno St., 237-9734; 1st floor, artist Rattananan Moerdyk; reception; 2nd floor, artists Valerie Runningwolf & Poppy Scarbro; music by Lance Canales; reception
• The Skate Asylum, Central California Area Derby, 630 H St. (& Ventura, NW corner); 682-7997; various artists & watch a little derby action; reception
• Gorgon Isle Gallery, 665 Fulton St., 288-4753; “United By Art” benefit art show; work by local artists & children with special needs; music, reception; 6-9pm
• Corridor 2122, 2122 Mono St., 240-9164; artists Aurora Armijo, Bob Barnes, Kristi Bolin, Marij Bouwmans, Nanette Maki-Dearson, Paulette Fleming, Shannon Johnson, Amy Blount Lay, Anne Magana, Kim Mitchell, Karl Petion, Peggy Quinlan, William Raines, Terrance Reimer, Jane Whitehurst & Mary Yoder; reception
• Broadway Studios Downtown, 1416 Broadway at Tuolumne; 869-8659;
• Paul Mullin Studio, 1416 Broadway; 444-0395; Sacred Places; reception
• K-Jewel, 1415 Fulton St., 497-5118; artists Donnalee Dunne; sculptures by Evany Zirul; music by Poor Man’s Poison; reception
• All Things Fresno Gallery & Store, 1424 Fulton, 321-1924; music by Celtic ensemble Pipe on the Hob
• Fig Tree Gallery, 644 Van Ness, 485-0460; artist Iris J. Duarte; reception
• Downtown Association of Fresno, 845 Fulton Mall, 490-9966; hosting a tour of Fulton Mall, featuring artwork by artists Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Clement Renzi, Stan Bitters, Joyce Aiken, Jean Ray Laury, Claire Falkenstein, Tony Rosenthal, Bruno Groth, George Tsutakawa, T. Newton Russell, Gordon Newell, Jan De Swart, Peter Voulkos, Francois Stahly, Raymond Puccinelli and Charles Owen Perry; reception
• Iron Bird Lofts, 1915 Fulton St., 440-8315; Artists market
• The Loft Gallery, 852 E. Divisadero #102;
• Chinatown Youth Center, 901 F St., 492-8254;
• City Arts Gallery, 1475 Van Ness (between Floradora & McKinley), 284-5520; Grand Opening artists Marcos Dorado, Juliana Harris, Andrew Watrous, Brandon Jammal Renel Beckham, Dixie Boswell & Joe Osejo (new Gallery owner & photographer); music by David Aus Trio; reception 5-9pm
• SVS Tower Center, 1240 N. Van Ness, 498-0301; Inaugural Open House artwork by developmentally disabled individuals; reception
• Studio 74, 1274 N. Van Ness, 908-0658; artists Cathy Varvis & Ruben Reyes; music by Suicide Lounge; reception; 5-9 pm
• Law Office of Dean B. Gordon, 1220 E. Olive Ave., 221-7777; artist Mary Lou Brinich; reception
• The Brass Unicorn, 845 E. Fern Ave., 441-7107/737-3487; artist William Camacho; reception
• The Voice Shop, 1296 N. Wishon, 222-7464;
• The Brick Wall @ JA Photography, 2003 N. Van Ness Blvd, 307-3610
• Fulton’s Folly Antique Collective, 920 E. Olive Ave., 268-3856; featured artist Zack Luchetti; reception
• Adornos Art & Dance, 2977 N. Maroa, 222-6565
• Clay Mix, 1003 N. Abby Street, 485-0065