Press releases

Now in it’s 6th year, the 2018 Downtown Bishop Chocolate Art Walk features 27 locations in Downtown Bishop featuring an impressive and wide range of creative and artistic presentations.

Art Walk logo for banner 2

More than 50 artists, photographers and musicians will be displaying their creative work alongside unique artistic performances. And as always, free unique chocolate treats at every location! Many artists will be present at the various locations to share stories and insights about their work. Everyone is welcome, so please come out and enjoy the fun on Saturday, October 20th, from 3 to 8 PM and support your local artists, musicians and businesses during this entertaining, tasty, & stimulating evening!

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(1) THE PROJECT ROOM @ Independent Project Press (186-A Willow St.) offers viewers the opportunity to enjoy an exhibition of transcendent art from two of Los Angeles’ most prominent minimalist artists. Barbara Kerwin and Eric Zammitt present Transcendental Meditations: The Geometry of Creation, featuring colorful multi-media paintings and sculptural objects. Each artist has mastered their own unique vision and methodology to express deeply meaningful and mysterious concepts through the language of order and geometry. Olancha-based metal sculptor Jael Hoffmann’s most recent work, TZU JAN – constant change will be on view outside of THE PROJECT ROOM during this year’s Chocolate Art Walk. We will also be offering a selection of Jael’s hand-crafted jewelry inside. Photographer Joe Profita is debuting his most recent creation: a hand-crafted portfolio of photogravure prints with cover letterpress printed at Independent Project Press. Everyone is encouraged to come explore a labyrinth made with volcanic ash and local clay created specifically for this event in the middle of Willow Street by artist Karen Nielsen Licher and friends.  Bruce and Karen Licher’s musical group SR2 will perform in the center of the labyrinth at 6:30 and 7:30 PM. Chocolate-dipped crystallized ginger will be served.

Independent Press Project

(2) Earth Food Revolution (just outside of 186-A Willow St.), the official food vendor for this year’s Downtown Bishop Chocolate Art Walk, will be serving their signature Rockin’ Avo Tacos, Sizzlin’ Salmon Tacos, and Vegetarian Black Bean Chili. And be sure to try our Cinnamon Sun Tea sweetened with Apple Cider, served cold or hot! Serving from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

(3) The East Willow Stage (193 Willow Street) Mountain Rambler Brewery once again presents The East Willow Stage at their warehouse space directly across from The Project Room @ Independent Project Press. The performing schedule for the East Willow Stage is: 4:30 – Ella and Samual F. Trout and The Toddlers; 5:30 – Dallas Frederick; 6:00 – Cassie Burgenbauch; 6:30 – SR2 (Bruce & Karen Licher with Mary Tannheimer); 7:00 – Daughters Rae; 7:30 SR2 (Bruce & Karen Licher with Mary Tannheimer).

4) Sage to Summit (312 N Main St.) Aerialist Sara Kaiser will be performing on aerial silks. This versatile discipline was born out of the circus and crosses into the realms of dance, sport, and theater. Sara will be performing “continual flow” on aerial silks throughout the event. Her performances will be held for approximately 15 minutes each hour on the hour.

(5) Anne Marie’s Home Boutique (336 N Main St.) will be featuring beautiful hand-loomed weavings from Cheryl Winstead and “Pet Portraits” by Cheryl McDowell.

(6) Looney Bean of Bishop (399A N. Main St.) will exhibit art by Ryan Spaulding and Kathleen Long, along with photography by Michael McDermott and Peter Stow. On offer will be Looney Bean’s scrumptious homemade coffee bark.

(7) Whiskey Creek Restaurant (524 N. Main St.) will feature two new sculptural works by Bishop artist Dallas Frederick. “I will be showing sculptures that serve as representations of man’s influence and relationship to the environment. Although made primarily of steel and wood, each holds deeply onto the notion of fragility. Through careful, yet sometimes heavy-handed metaphor I discuss the intricate, interwoven lives of inhabitants of a location. Please come visit.” Special chocolate treats freshly made in the Whiskey Creek bakery will be served.

(8) Radicle Wellness (407 Hammond Street) will feature Art the Children Create Outdoors from Wild Roots Forest School. Chocolate made with local goji berries and lavender grown by the Bishop Paiute Tribe Food Sovereignty Program will be served. Please enter via the screened-in porch area.

(9) Bohemian Artworks / Bonnie Jay Jewelry (287A Academy Street – behind the barber shop) will feature silver & copper jewelry by Bonnie Jay; vibrant paintings by John Millerburg; ceramics by Frances Cholewa & Tom Meyers; beaded jewelry by Wanda Daugherty: contemporary silver jewelry by Michelle Pettit. Daniel Pierce will be selling knives and doing a flint napping demo. Enjoy fabulous music by John Millerburg (guitar) and Greg Carroll (harp) throughout the evening. Bonnie Jay Jewelry will be offering chocolate ganache cupcakes and dried apricots dipped in dark chocolate.

(10) Good Earth Yogurt (251 N Main St.) will be displaying paintings by Janice Kabala. Come enjoy a special musical performance by Me and Thee between 6:00 – 8:00 PM.  Come sample our organic chocolate frozen yogurt.

(11) Black Sheep Coffee Roasters (232 N. Main St.) will exhibit a new art show: Mountain Artists features David Kirk, Kate Rutherford, Ryan Spaulding, Ann Piersall Logan, Janice Kabala, Susan Greenleaf and others. Our fun tradition of having a kids art activity continues with a theme of Vibrant Mountainscapes. Fresh Chocolate treats from the Black Sheep bakers will be offered. Live music will accompany the evening.

(12) Eastside Sports (224 North Main St.) will feature Amy Wicks Rope Art – climbing ropes and other cord repurposed into interesting works of art; Ron Overholtz Wood Turnings – a wide variety of turned wood objects; and Nancy Overholtz Nature Art – beautiful watercolors of critters, birds, and places. Hand made chocolate desserts in a variety of forms will be offered.

(13) Wild Iris (150 North Main St.) Wild Iris Art & Creativity For Healing’s mission is to support emotional healing through art & creative expression for those living in pain, grief, fear or stress. Wild Iris in Bishop offers Art & Creativity for Healing groups and personal sessions in Inyo and Mono Counties. Come view a collection of abstract paintings created by Art & Creativity for Healing participants.

(14) Snap N Crackle Candy (124 North Main St.) Local author Debbie Fox Schumacher will be present and signing copies of her just-published children’s art book titled The Rollie Pollie Adventures. In addition, showing her graphite and charcoal drawings is Bishop-based artist Risa Planchon, who “sees the world as simple and realistic, and that’s why I love working with graphite pencils and charcoal. They seem to be the best mediums to portray things simply for what they are.” Samples of Snap N Crackle Candy’s hot cocoa will be available as a complement to their handmade truffles, toffees, and bon bons.

(15) Body and Soul (197 N. Main St.) Body and Soul will have Fiddlin’ Pete as our musician, Dick and Marilyn Buhler displaying hand carved and painted gourds and hand woven baskets made from pine needles, Gary Young photographs on metal, and Pam Christner displaying fused glass jewelry designed by Pauline Somers. We will be serving many different kinds of homemade chocolate treats.

(16) McMurry’s Bar (175 N. Main St.) will be displaying tattoo art and prints by Bishop-based artist Weston Maddox from Alliance Tattoo Shop. Locally-made chocolate will be paired with a variety of local dark stout beers. This location is open only to those 21 and over – sorry if this excludes you.

(17) Bishop Art Supply (125 N. Main St.) will be featuring the following local artists: Ron Luce, Bill Goodman, Annie Cashner, Christine Eyer, Laura Talbot, Mary Matlick, Liz Wistrom, Carol Taylor, Lynn Peterson, Pat Metivier, Joy Niewald, Sharon Taylor Lewis, Penny Carter, Helen Warren, Mickey Short, Kay Wilson, Dawn Kirby, Pat Crowther, John & Gina Webber & Marilyn Hayden.

(18) Paint It Away (103 N. Main St.) is a place where you become your favorite artist. Artwork by Paint It Away customers will be on display.  Homemade hot cocoa, chocolate covered marshmallows and chocolate covered fresh mint leaves will be served. Also, we are offering a 10% discount on all Gift Cards purchased on this fun night.

(19) Sierra Cottons & Wools (117 E Line St.) will be hosting porcelain artist Kenny Willingham from The Horseshoe Gallery in June Lake, CA. Kenny has been a potter for over 25 years in the Eastern Sierra. His high-fire porcelain pieces range from utilitarian bowls, mugs and vases to detailed steins and loving cups for the Bishop Country Club and June Lake Triathlon. Kenny will be including a ceramic yarn bowl for this very special occasion. Homemade Chocolate Almond Trifle will served.

(20) Mammoth Gear Exchange (106 South Main Street) Come visit us in our new location in the former home of Mountain Light Gallery, where we will be displaying water-based oil paintings featuring Eastern Sierra landscapes from Bishop-based artist Emma Ruppell. Emma’s miniature one-of-a-kind greeting cards picturing drawings of local peaks she has climbed are also available for purchase. Also on display will be a selection of photographic prints from photographers Galen Rowell, Tony Rowell and Trevor Anthes. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts flown in direct from Hawaii will be served.

(21) Spellbinder Books (124 S. Main St.) will be featuring: local artist Pat Crowther, who works in watercolor, oil, & pastels in a variety of subjects including plein air landscapes; Crowley Lake artist Debb Campbell, who works in plein air, watercolor, oil, and printmaking; Swall Meadows-based photographer Gary Clark, whose subjects include local wild horses, abandoned landscapes, textural studies, and regional scenes; artwork by Millie Black, a Missouri resident and Lake Sabrina camp host. Millie is a skilled urban sketcher working in watercolor and ink with some plein air thrown in. Homemade chocolate cookies and treats will be offered.

(22) Pupfish Cafe (124 S. Main St. behind Spellbinder Books) will feature beautiful Eastern Sierra family photography by Amy Leist. Amy delights in being witness to the love and connection expressed between people in extraordinary as well as ordinary times of life. “I strive to create relaxed, playful, and authentic images of people having fun together and soaking up the beauty around them.” Assorted candies and cookies with chocolate dipping sauce and hot chocolate, including samples of our macTavish hazelnut chocolate latte will be available.

(23) Mountain Rambler Brewery (186 S. Main St.) “Every year since the Chocolate Art Walk began we, a loose knit group of artists (Lori Michelon, Karen Licher, Margaret Palchak, Laurel Stanford, and Dana Ellis) have come together to show what is on our artistic minds. This year, with so much happening in the world, we retreated, created, and have emerged once again for the Chocolate Art Walk. Please come see our new work at the Mt. Rambler Brewery because, despite everything, We Aren’t Finished Yet.”

(24) Inyo Council For The Arts (137 S. Main St.) ICA will feature Phoebe Cantelow’s whimsical papier-mache birds; Scott and Ryan’s tiny acrylic paintings: Clara Place’s scented candles and handwoven potholders; Bev Schroeder’s lampworked and metalsmithed jewelry and photography; Carol Trainor’s scented soaps; Lynna Walker’s beadwoven jewelry. Music will be provided by Ryan/Orion Duo playing Jazz and Bluegrass music from 4:30-7:30. A variety of chocolate, appetizers and beverages will be offered.

(25) The Main Street Stage (Corner Of Main and Line Streets) The Inyo Council for The Arts is pleased to present Sandy & The High Country, performing between 4:30 – 7:30 PM in the parking lot on the southwest corner of Main and Line Streets. Hailing from southern Inyo County, Sandy & The High Country have been entertaining audiences in the Eastern Sierra for many years with their blend of country, R&B and rock tunes.

(26) FlowMotion Pilates (168 W. Line St.) will present “Movement Arts.” Ranae Scott will be offering adult demo classes throughout the event: 4:30 ~ Contemporary, 5:00 ~ Hip Hop, 6:30 ~ Contemporary, 7:00 ~ Hip Hop. These demos are condensed versions of Ranae’s regularly scheduled classes. Each will include a quick warm-up and a short, beginner-friendly dance sequence.  Anyone (age 16+) is encouraged to come and dance, regardless of experience! We will offer vegan & gluten free, dark chocolate drizzled fruits & nuts. In addition, Cerro Coso Community College will display information about Career Technical Education programs offered through the Bishop campus, including Emergency Medical Technician, Nursing, Medical Assisting, Peace Officer, Human Services, and Child Development.

(27) Bishop CoWork (180 Home Street) presents the Grand Opening of our new public shared work space starting at 5:00 PM. Additionally, we are partnering with the Bishop Area Climbers Coalition to welcome everyone to enjoy our Happy Hour from 7:30 – 9:00 PM.  Artwork on display: Ben Ditto – Photography; Jeff Deikis – Photography; Annie Cashner – watercolor painting; Ann Piersall Logan – painting; John Millerburg – painting; Josh Huckaby – photography; Kate Rutherford – Suspended Stone Design; Janel Caton – Painting; Rhiannon Williams – Painting; Steve White – exquisite wood wall furnishings. 

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Barbara Kerwin and Eric Zammitt

Transcendental Meditations: The Geometry of Creation

A two person exhibition featuring geometric, abstract artwork presented in THE PROJECT ROOM @ Independent Project Press

Opening Reception: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20TH, 3 PM – 8 PM, concurrent with the THE DOWNTOWN BISHOP CHOCOLATE ART WALK, presented by Independent Project Press. The Exhibition runs October 20th, 2108 thru January 5th, 2019.

The Project Room @ Independent Project Press is thrilled to announce the opening of “Transcendental Meditations: The Geometry of Creation,” a two person exhibition of transcendent art by two of Los Angeles’s prominent minimalist artists, Barbara Kerwin and Eric Zammitt.

This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the intimate juxtaposition of sublime works by these two contemporary artists. Each artist has mastered their own unique vision and methodology to express deeply meaningful and mysterious concepts through the language of order and geometry. The works of both of these artists are equally and infinitely mysterious, refined, quiet, meditative and transcendental.

Barbara Kerwin speaks about her paintings as expressing “a love of systems and a catalogue of feelings, nuance and measurement.

Barbara Kerwin press photo

Barbara Kerwin

The paintings mark time and its passage.”  The work is labor-intensive, utilizing dozens of layers of paint. The works in this exhibit are part of her Wealth and Benefits series — works of complex, geometric patterns utilizing the rectangle as a motif applied to her longstanding interest in economic systems. The paintings are created with acrylic, oil, or other mediums such as oil in high-melt waxes, each medium being chosen for how it will fulfill the need of each work.

Dr. Betty Brown, a well known Los Angeles art critic and art historian has written that “…Kerwin creates paintings that point beyond the visible world. They function as quiet meditations on balance, harmony, beauty, and the enduring order of the universe.”

Barbara Kerwin created two Wealth paintings and four Benefits paintings for Transcendental Meditations: The Geometry of Creation. According to Kerwin, she “began creating the Wealth pieces during the Arab Spring. Uneasy with the anger caused by the world’s economic conditions, I started making sensual, grid-based paintings that incorporate asymmetric geometries and often include the color gold to signify wealth.” In Kerwin’s words, the Benefits series paintings are “dedicated to those wealthy individuals who use their fortunes to help mankind. Their particular efforts are analyzed and then interpreted into a geometric abstraction that utilizes the trapezoid as a breakout form.”

Barbara Kerwin received her MFA in Painting & Sculpture from Claremont Graduate University and has exhibited nationally and internationally. Her works are collected widely, enjoyed in such prominent collections as the Peter Thiel Collection and the Paul Allen collection. Her work can be viewed online at http://www.barbarakerwin.com/.

Barbara Kerwin will present a workshop on geometric reduction and color theory during the final week of the exhibit. For further details please contact THE PROJECT ROOM @ Independent Project Press.

In his own words, Eric Zammitt’s work “alludes to the dynamics and interplay of dual elements; matter/energy, spirit/body, emotion/intellect. It is simultaneously about our gestalt experience of the drama and beauty of creation, and our intellectual fascination with its parts and how they relate to create a whole.”

Eric Zammitt press photo

Eric Zammitt

 According to Zammitt, “one of the ways I find of expressing this interplay is by compounding complexes of patterned color into synergistic wholes. Color and pattern are primal to our history and survival. They touch parts of us that are archetypal, rooted in nature, and infinitely curious. I employ abstraction and minimalism as ways to bypass the literal and go directly to metaphor, emotion, and the ineffable. At the same time, like classical music, which integrates intellect and emotion, the works are based in structure, rhythm, and a form of logic.” The works are often associated with energy fields, music, quantum and string theory, weaving, land and seascapes, genetics, and other similar concepts. 

In contrast to Barbara Kerwin’s work, which is created via a process of layering of paint and building up of a topographical surface, Zammitt’s wall and sculptural works are made of tens of thousands of solid bits of colored acrylic plastic glued together, then sanded and polished. These bits are laminated into cohesive panels through an intensive process of layering, slicing, and reassembly. This process is then followed by wet-sanding and polishing. For Eric “colored acrylic plastic is simply paint, but in solid form, and my “brushes” are the bandsaw, table saw, and glue.”        

Jeff Davis, a writer for the Pasadena Independent, visited Zammitt’s studio last year and wrote eloquently about Eric’s art and process: “To construct the wall works, the towers are sliced into long slats, and again into sticks that can then be arranged into new designs. As you stare at the works, patterns start to emerge: Waves of light, a sense of energy and the DNA double helix are common elements in many of the wall pieces. Others seem to evoke feelings of music, time and digital pixilation even though they are analog (hand built) constructions.”

Eric Zammitt’s work is widely exhibited and is collected internationally.  His work is included in such prestigious collections as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Museum of Art and History in Lancaster, California.

Eric Zammitt’s work can be viewed online at www.ericzammitt.com.

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Come visit THE PROJECT ROOM @ Independent Project Press in the Eastern Sierra town of Bishop to meditate on the modern aesthetics of two of Los Angeles’s prominent contemporary artists. 

Curated by Bruce & Karen Licher, THE PROJECT ROOM hosts periodic exhibitions of artwork, photography, and installations reflecting the diverse creative talents to be found in and around the Eastern Sierras.

THE PROJECT ROOM @ Independent Project Press is located at 186-A Willow Street, just one block east of Main Street, in downtown Bishop. 

Gallery hours are 11:00 – 3:00 on Saturdays, and by appointment during the week. 

Contact the gallery to make an appointment, at 760.873.3600 or [email protected].

 

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