“Turtle Tribe” by Vicki Byrum Dennis is one of several aquatic-themed works on display at Gallerie Renee Marie through May. (Painting by Vicki Byrum Dennis)

Staff Report

“The Shape of Water” is not just a recent Academy Award winner for Best Picture. It is also the name of Gallerie Renee Marie’s spring show, which will have its opening reception on Saturday, March 17 from 4 to 7 p.m.
According to co-owner Stephanie Gray, the co-op gallery’s members decided on the theme to honor and recognize the importance of water to the Bay Area, from the Pacific Ocean to the massive San Francisco Bay and Benicia’s own Carquinez Strait.  “We also recognize the irony of enjoying each day the plentiful water that surrounds us yet recognizing our daily concern about the lack of rain and ongoing drought,” Gray said. “I suspect both sides will be represented by our artists.”
Gray added that the gallery’s 13 artists will interpret the theme in their own way and medium, whether incorporated into jewelry designs, sculpture, and paintings.
“Water can be seductive, fun, challenging, refreshing, frightening, but most of all, a requirement for life,”  gallery co-owner Renee Marie Jordan, said.  “I’m working on new abstract pieces for this show, and I hope to convey at least some of those diverse aspects of water.”
“For me, the theme is about fluidity and adaptability,” Keri Luiz, painter and jewelry designer, said. “Water takes on, or adapts to, the shape of what surrounds it, even in its frozen state.”
“As a fairly new Benician, I am completely enamored of the Strait,” artist Vicki Dennis said.  “I love to walk and picnic by the water.  The play of the light on the water inspires me creatively and spiritually.”
Dennis and her husband have explored much of the California coast, first as visitors, now as residents.
“I will have one watercolor painting in the show called ‘Blue Fish’ that is based on a photo we took at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and I’m working on an acrylic landscape that celebrates the Strait,” she said.
“Some of my pieces include the octopus, because it is one of the most ‘fluid’ creatures out there,” Luiz said. “They are a highly intelligent and versatile species. Plus, it is just plain fun to draw tentacles. I will have some new jewelry pieces as well as paintings or drawings.”
Gallerie Renee Marie is a contemporary art co-operative located on First Street in Benicia and is an active participant in The Galleries of First Street, a collective of eight galleries represented on Benicia’s main shopping street.  The gallery artists are Renee Marie Jordan, Stephanie Gray, Vicki Byrum Dennis, Laura Garcia, LorriMarie Jenkins, Keri Luiz, Nancy Truax Narciso, Anne Petty, Nicky Ruxton, and Stephen Schumm.
In addition, three new artists have joined the gallery this month:  JoAnneh Nagler, Ken Weichel, and Erika Pazmandi.  They each will be displaying for the first time during “The Shape of Water.”
“The Shape of Water” will be on display through Benicia’s Open Studios, May 5 to 6.  The exhibit closes Tuesday, May 8.  Gallerie Renee Marie is located at 1038 First St. and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.  For more information call 707-480-5501, email galleriereneemarie@gmail.com or visit www.galleriereneemarie.com.

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