Talented Artists and Craftmakers
Showcase Original Work
Festival’s New Arts and Crafts Curator Brings
a Fresh Infusion
of Highly-Regarded Artisan Talent
Chic clothing and accessories, whimsical sculptures, hand-carved woodwork, fairy tale dolls, dramatic photography, one-of-a-kind jewelry, watercolor landscapes, functional ceramics, shimmering glass vessels, and leather goods –– you’ll find all of this and more at A La Carte & Art, May 15-16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Castro Street in downtown Mountain View. Enjoy gorgeous spring weather, stroll among well-stocked booths and meet 200 exceptional artists and craftmakers at Mountain View’s popular spring festival.
Pacific Fine Arts, the festival’s new arts and crafts curator, brings a fresh infusion of highly-regarded artisan talent. “Everything at the festival is handcrafted by the exhibiting artist,” said Dana Hale-Mounier of Pacific Fine Arts. “All work is juried to ensure that the quality of product remains high, with great variety and price points to satisfy every budget.”
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| Mindy Goldman painting (left), Jeffrey Murray photography (top right), and Jan Knudson photography (bottom right) |
Fine Art
Award-winning artist Mindy Goldman is known for her unique figure paintings in oil, as well as her whimsical mixed media and watercolor art. The San Ramon resident uses vibrant colors and vigorous brush strokes. Her Diva collection explores the confidence and femininity of the contemporary woman. There is an ethereal quality to Danville photographer Jeffrey Murray’s vivid photographs. Stormy skies, vineyards at sunset –– he captures the essence of California nature against dramatic backdrops. Perk up your kitchen or foyer with a vivid oil and acrylic painting by Foster City artist Brooke Howie. Her extensive graphic art background reflects the simplicity of line and color. Give your favorite room a touch of whimsy with alphabet photography by Jan Knudson. The Groveland resident has a thriving business that resulted from a simple idea: taking black and white photographs of objects that resemble letters of the alphabet. Her wall art proclaims words such as “laugh,” “dance” and “dream.”
Alixandrea Mullins mixed media
Rob Nehring metal sculpture
Manny Magallon ceramic plate
Conny Olarte handmade soaps |
Beth Karpas fabric doll
Danell Rios-Schmehl fabric shopping bag
Zenon Hipolito handwoven rug
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Sculpture and Mixed Media
Butterflies, hearts, flowers … Aptos artist Alixandrea Mullins spends hours hiking to hidden waterfalls and botanical gardens. She combines photography, graphic design and painting to create her stunning pieces and express her inner daydreams. Oakland resident Rob Nehring uses recycled materials for his humorous scrap metal sculptures. He describes sculpture as “something you back into when looking at a painting.” Mountain View artists Gig Everett and Wendy Colombo wow the crowd every time with their unusual Bubble Art. They combine drawing and digital illusion to create “effervescence from within.” Circles and arcs are complement real world images. Looking for a special gift? San Jose artist Manny Magallon has developed sparkling, crystalline glazes for his vases and plates. No two pieces are the same.
Functional Art
Put those video games away! Mountain View artist Beth Karpas makes old-fashioned fabric dolls and puppets –– the perfect gift for today’s child. She has combined her love of stories with her passion for dolls to bring storybook characters to life. Livermore resident Danell Rios-Schmehl has gone green. She puts a twist on plastic shopping bags by using pretty fabric. Her stylish creations beckon shoppers to reuse and recycle! Native American master weaver Zenon Hipolito learned his craft when he was only eight. A seventh-generation weaver, Zenon combines Zapotec designs from his ancestor’s temples and mixes them with contemporary designs to create stunning rugs. Union City resident Conny Olarte mixes shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil and palm oil to make rich, smooth soap. She will introduce her new line of gift baskets, solid massage bars and hand creams at the show.
Dana Westwick and Lisie Rigby pajamas |
Wearable Art
Fourteen years ago, San Mateo resident Jill Pillot opened a consignment store for gently-worn clothing. This inspired her to become a costume designer. Today, she rips, cuts and recycles fabrics to make boutique fashions. Summertime is the perfect season to wear organic sea glass rings, earrings and pendants by Santa Cruz artist Krista Hammond. She and her husband have collected sea glass for 20 years and use only the finest materials. Slip into crisp, white sheets wearing sophisticated pajamas or a nightgown by Danville residents Dana Westwick and Lisie Rigby. Their collection is modern with a slight nod to vintage designs. Every woman can use a summer scarf or wrap over a strapless dress or tank top by Moraga fiber artist Anne Brooks. She threads her loom by hand and her colorful creations have been shown in museums and galleries all over the country.
Jill Pillot fashions
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Krista Hammond sea glass ring
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Krista Hammond sea glass bracelet |
Anne Brooks silk and chenille wraps |
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