Five picks for September ArtHop

For the past 15 years, Terrance Reimer has been building a collection made up of work by local artists. He purchased nearly all work directly from the artists, usually at ArtHop events and through local gallery openings in Fresno and in the North Fork area where he lives.

Now you can see his “The Collection” as part of ArtHop, the monthly open house of galleries and studios in the downtown and Tower District neighborhoods held 5-8 p.m. at most venues Thursday, Sept. 1. The show is the featured exhibition at Corridor 2122 and one of my ArtHop picks for September.

Why local art?

As an artist himself, Reimer – a noted photographer – started his collection to support a local art community that welcomed him and inspired his personal work.

“I value and respect personal expression of any kind as it relates to the human condition,” Reimer says. “This personal artistic expression has been thriving here for decades, much of it outside of the snobbish ‘white-cube’ culture that art has become, especially in urban areas.”

The collection includes works from such artists as Craig Schub, Joshua Wigger, Samantha Lazcano and Aimee Frost-Dent.

The underdog underground ethos prevails provocatively in much of the work, Reimer says. Artists working at H Street Studios and the Pearl Building Lofts were in creative collectives that birthed much of the work.

“The collection illustrates the influences of collaboration and the artist collective that also embody the D-I-Y aesthetics and sensibilities from the skateboarding, graffiti and street art culture that inform their work and presentation,” he says.

Details: Corridor 2122, 2122 Mono St. www.facebook.com/corridor2122.

French painter

A silent, peaceful light bathes the everyday scenes of French painter Ivana Minafra, whose recent visit to California turned into a full-scale show. Her “Traces of California” opens at 1821 Gallery & Studios.

“As soon as I landed my very first European foot on this ground,” Minafra says, “I immediately sensed the energy, the warmth, the light, like a veil had been removed from before my eyes.”

The series of 25 to 30 paintings, mostly oil on canvas, focuses on ordinary images, roads, entrance halls, parked cars, buildings, public swimming pools: things apparently void of any beauty or interest, “on which the eye never stops.” They represent for her quietness and charm when they are revealed by sunlight, she says.

Born in Genoa, Italy, her work in 2017 will be showcased at the American Initiative for Italian Culture.

Details: The show runs through Oct. 8 at 1821 Gallery & Studios, 1821 Calaveras St. An artist’s reception will be 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31. www.1821gallery.com, 559-233-9992.

‘Geek’ art

At Chris Sorensen Studio, Fresno’s first “Geek Artistique” show features such themes as science fiction, fantasy, comic art, fan art, cartoons and animation. Lisa Anderson has curated the show, which should be a tech-lover’s delight, including QR codes linking to videos from some artists. Cosplay (dressing as pop culture characters) is encouraged, and a sci-fi themed laser show is planned.

Among the artists featured will be The Fresno Bee’s editorial cartoonist, S.W. Parra, who has eight pieces in the show.

Details: Chris Sorensen Studio, 2223 S. Van Ness Ave. www.facebook.com/GeekArtistique.

Plein air

Looking for a fresh, outdoor feel to your art? The San Joaquin Valley Plein Air Group Show at Fresno Art Hub could be your respite. The show includes works by Halley Grant, Maxine Fargason, Sandy Kowalis, Sharon Scott, Laura Silberman, Jocelyn Starkey, Marilyn Torchin and Joyce Tuck, all part of the famed original Tuesday Group of plein air painters.

Details: The show runs through mid-October at Fresno Art Hub, 2024 N. Van Ness Blvd. www.fresnoarthub.com, 559-229-2405.

Glorious food

In a show sure to make your mouth water, The Bee’s photographers collaborate on “A Celebration of Food,” an exhibition at the paper that includes some of its best recent food photography. Adding even more flavor to the evening is a cooking demonstration from Young Chefs Academy owner Shayna Telesmanic. She will use fresh figs provided by the California Fig Advisory Board.

Details: The Fresno Bee, 1626 E St. The show will continue through September and is viewable from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.

This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Five picks for September ArtHop."