Atelier One in Graton Presents its Annual Open Studio
By Robert M. Poplack
Atelier One in Graton invites the public to its annual open studios event on Saturday and Sunday, September 28 & 29, 11 AM to 6 PM. Seventeen accomplished artists, designers, architects and one unique gallery will be open for the viewing pleasure of art lovers and those curious to see this hub of creative activity. The historic Atelier One building, which dates to 1919 and was converted into studios in 1983 by the Langworthy architectural team, is set into the vineyards and apple orchards of West Sonoma County. This event makes the perfect stop for those touring wineries, buying organic apples, exploring the Russian River Watershed, or stopping for lunch in one of several destination restaurants in downtown Graton. Artists will be available to discuss their work and share their ideas and innovations with the public.
The Gazette’s September theme, “A Lifetime of Learning” exemplifies the creative process for many of the artists participating in this year’s open house. Visual exploration through imagination, observation and experimentation are reflected in the artists’ works, which will be on display. The creative endeavor itself requires that the artists must be willing to learn in an ongoing way. Artists by necessity change and develop over time and with experience.
A number of the artists who work in the Atelier One studio building are directly involved with lifelong learning as art educators, including the abstract painter. Lisa Beerntsen who is an instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College, and painter and sculptor. Robert Poplack who recently retired as Professor of Art at Notre Dame de Namur University. The amazing realist painter. Charles Becker runs his own school out of a studio on the downstairs level. His highly realistic still life paintings can be seen in his salon style studio on the second floor.
Artists learn from their interactions with nature, as can be seen in the work of a number of artists in Atelier One. Cindy Cleary employs organic materials to explore our place on the planet. Installation artist, Christiane M. Vincent’s environmental installations reflect the human condition. Britta Kathmeyer’s zen- like images of landscapes and vessels are influenced by Eastern philosophy. Linda Sorenson and Susan Greer employ a sense of place in their landscapes. Elizabeth Peyton creates delicate botanical paintings and drawings and Susan Proehl’s work approaches the landscape through abstraction. Monty Monty makes sculptures from the reuse of vintage materials that transforms the parts into familiar forms.Robin F. Borgers Whealdon will display her lyrical painting and drawing and the venerable expressionist artist Robert Breyer will be showing his paintings, drawings and prints. Stalwart Sonoma County artist . Claude Smith will show his gestural abstractions in the halls on both levels.
Learning should continue until death. Affinities and character reflecting a lifetime may be found among one-of-a kind cremation urns by internationally recognized artists in Art Honors Life Gallery at FUNERIA, curated and directed by Maureen Lomasney. Visitors are also welcome to find calm and stress-relief on entering the massage studio of Viki Ius.
We look forward to seeing the community at Atelier One in Graton for this annual event while also welcoming new clay artists and potters to Bowen Street — the Studio 9000 Clay Collective, kitty-corner from Atelier One, who are inviting visitors to their building the same weekend.
Atelier One
2860 Bowen Street, Graton, California
Saturday September, 28 & Sunday September, 29
From 11 AM to 6 PM
