There are a few certainties every September: the start of football season, Labor Day and Arts Benicia’s annual auction. Past auctions have celebrated the past including such themes as “The Great Gatsby,” the Wild West and the 1960s. The 25th annual Art Auction and Gala will continue the tradition by celebrating a different kind of […]
Plein Air Paint Out returns for second year Saturday
Last Year, Benicia Plein Air Gallery held its first Plein Air Paint Out to bring artists out of their studios and into the open air to paint scenes of Benicia and win prizes. The event was a success, with 40 artists taking part and East Bay painter Cleo Vilett winning first place, which resulted in […]
Benicia’s water history on display in collaborative Arts Benicia, museum exhibit
Benicia loves its history. Benicia also loves its arts. At last, these two items have come together for a collaborative exhibition by Arts Benicia and the Benicia Historical Museum titled “Drop By Drop: A Brief History of Benicia Water Through the Eyes of its Artists,” which opens Wednesday at the museum. Coming just off the […]
Poets to read responses to artist’s paintings at Rellik
Those who step into The Rellik Tavern will be greeted by the unique paintings of Erika Hoffe. The Benicia-based artist will have her work on display as part of the “Arts Benicia Presents” series through October. Hoffe specializes in acrylic paintings, heavily utilizing black and white amidst colorful backdrops amidst human figures of varying proportions, […]
Grant recipients to deliver quarterly updates at Arts & Culture Commission meeting
Five local nonprofit organizations that have received grant funding through the city will deliver quarterly updates at Thursday’s Arts & Culture Commission (ACC) meeting. Arts Benicia, the Benicia State Parks Association, Benicia Old Town Theatre Group, Benicia Literary Arts and VOENA are five of the local groups that have received funding through the city, with […]
EcoArt Camp gives kids chance to be artistic
It’s summer camp, but with an artistic twist. Beginning in July, Arts Benicia’s EcoArts Camp will open its doors and offer children from grades 3 to 6 a chance to have fun with art in a creative way. This year, EcoArts camp will provide children the opportunity to attend three sessions, some of which are […]
Arts Benicia’s “30 Years, 30 Stories”: 1970s Benicia, an artists’ haven (Part 2)
Arts Benicia is celebrating its 30th anniversary throughout 2017. What does it take for a non-profit arts association to survive and thrive over a 30-year period? It takes commitment, the support of a community, luck, funding, and most of all, dedicated people who simply will not let it fail. Over the course of the year, […]
Arts Benicia’s “30 Years, 30 Stories”: 1970s Benicia, An artists’ haven (Part 1)
Arts Benicia is celebrating its 30th anniversary throughout 2017. What does it take for a non-profit arts association to survive and thrive over a 30-year period? It takes commitment, the support of a community, luck, funding, and most of all, dedicated people who simply will not let it fail. Over the course of the year, […]
Mike Kendall goes ‘Off the Wall’ in new Arts Benicia exhibition
By Jean Purnell Special to the Herald Mike Kendall, considered by friends and local artist colleagues as the “unofficial mayor” of the Benicia Arsenal artist community, will be honored with a special one-man show at Arts Benicia as part of its 30th anniversary celebration in 2017. “Mike Kendall – Off The Wall” will include Kendall’s […]
Jeffrey Tover brings ‘precious oddities’ to Rellik Tavern
By Vicki Dennis Special to the Herald Some artists are intimidated by a blank canvas, but not Jeffrey Tover. For him, that empty space is the best part of his studio day. “I find it exciting in a way, to start from nothing and, with no guide or reference, make something that resonates with the […]