'Folklore, Fakelore, Myths and Narratives'

Courtesy of Bonita Museum and Cultural Center

From the museum:
The Bonita Museum & Cultural Center presents Contemporary Art:  Folklore, Fakelore, Personal Myths & Narratives with juror Patrick Ela at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center, November 4 – December 2, 2023. The public is invited to meet the artists at the reception Saturday, November 11, 4:30 – 6:30pm. The exhibition is sponsored by the Artist Mentor Project in conjunction with the Negri Foundation.

This exhibition is a survey of artists working in the field of visual storytelling throughout the United States. Sixty contemporary artists from fourteen states tell tales, present personal narratives and display contemporary craft through the exhibition. The Bonita Historical Society is home to Proctor Valley Monster lore including the Proctor Valley Monster footprint. Through this exhibition we hope visitors will share their personal stories about urban legends and myths from around the world.

Artists in the exhibition: Karen A Gaudette, Robin Adsit, Ellery Akers, Jessica Alazraki, Hilda Alsabrook, Magnolia Altamirano, Stephanie Angelo, Norman Aragones, Marsha Balian, Brandin Barón, Molly Blauvelt, Jovanna Briscoe Catherine Carlton, Denise Cerro, Therese Cipiti Herron, Helen Cox, Bronle Crosby, Jessica Damsky, Christopher Daniggelis, Elaine Dunham, John Flores, Norman Gabitzsch , Ronald Gonzalez, Julia C R Gray, Linda Guenste, Lindsay Hirsch, Jennifer Hoffecker, Ariane Hudson, Adrian Huth, Julie Jenkins, Nannette Klass, Terri Lloyd, Aimée Medina Carr, Ania Modzelewski, Trini Morales, Elena Mukhina Rumyantseva, Mary Nash, Lee Oliver, Celena Peet, Lori Polak, Kari Rives, Eugene Rodriguez, Oscar Rodriguez, Joan Ryan, Karla Rydrych, Séraphine, Michael Sharber, Marc Sirinsky, Rabbia Sukkarieh, Maryam Tafreshi, Cheryl Tall, James Vogel, Amy Vulfovich, Jocelyn G Weeks, Mason Weiss, Louise Williams, Michelle Williams, Cynthia Winters, Gigi Woodward and Evany Zirul.

"The selection process went on for several days as events of the world began to dominate the airways with war, famine, history, weather, the environment and the current state of affairs. Ultimately, related past, present and possibly future concerns addressed by the various artworks became more prominent in my thinking." – Juror, Patrick Ela

Patrick Ela, the juror for the exhibition, is the past director of the Los Angeles CAFAM (Craft and Folk Art Museum, currently Los Angeles Craft Contemporary) and an appraiser of fine art accredited by the American Society of Appraisers. Ela began his career first working as curator for the innovative Los Angeles based lithographic/printmaking publishing house, GEMINI, where he worked alongside artists such as Jasper Johns, Claes Oldenburg, Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg. After he left GEMINI, he became an Educator for LACMA. He is currently Personal Property Governor for the American Society of Appraisers. The museum coordinator for this exhibition is San Diego based artist Lisa Bebi.

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