June Exhibits 

GRAND HALL

"My Kentucky Horse Experience" 

Works by James Crow

James Crow, an American Sporting Artist, lives with his wife Molly, a retired Show Horse trainer, on a small farm near Lancaster, KY. James Crow is not just any sporting artist, but an internationally recognized and acclaimed artist throughout Kentucky and the United States, all the way across the pond to Bedfordshire, England.  

Renowned for his equine oils and watercolors, James L. Crow has transcended the equine spirit in fine art for the past 27 years. He began his career as an abstract expressionist specializing in acrylics, pen and ink and charcoals. Later, he embraced watercolors when he joined the American Greeting Card Company as an illustrator. James has always had an affinity with nature and for a period of time he was a "plein-air" artist - one who paints outdoors. While he now takes his ideas back to the studio, he still derives inspiration from the natural world. "I carry my camera with me wherever I go because I never know when I might find the magic in a moment," he says. "As a racing and [horse] show fan myself, I'm drawn to painting from that perspective. I also like to capture the feeling of activity around me." 

Crow contends, "All painting shares the same properties of color, light and composition. In my abstract paintings, I concentrated on my concepts of life, the universe and music. Now, as a painter of the horse world, I concentrate on their life energy and the play of light on them and their surroundings." Evident in his use of light, James' erudite use of both oil and watercolor creates a dramatic effect that has become the hallmark of his collection. 

Other Crow paintings and prints are hanging in private collections throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Europe and Japan. Mr. Crow's work is in the private collections ofWayne Newton, Karen and Paul Powell, Mark Cole, Linda Commings, Michelle MacFarlane, Brown and Forman Distillaries, Star World of Arabians, and the American Saddlebred Museum. His work has been exhibited at the International Museum of the Horse, Lexington, Kentucky, Churchill Downs, Headly Whitney Museum, New Jersey Equine Art Show and the Colorada Wilderness Center. 

FARMERS NATIONAL BANK GALLERY

"Sculpture in Clay and Stone"

Works by Russ Barragan  

Russ Barragan, a clay, stone, and bronze sculptor, moved to Danville from southern California about a year and a half ago to make Danville his new home and work full time on his sculpture. Between 1997 and 2008, Barragan spent his time working on many projects used for TV programs, movies, magazines, and other commercial and private uses in Sun Valley, California where he was the principal sculptor for a set and model shop named Imagivations. 

He began making small heads in clay around age 8 and worked for two years in high school under Sacramento ceramic artist, Eric Dahlin followed by working exclusively in ceramics under James Kaneko at American River College. Barragan accredits his success to his skilled teachers throughout the years.

"I have always preferred sculpture to painting or drawing and have a deep appreciation of classical and ancient sculpture and architecture combined with many years of exploring the awesome beauty that can be found in nature and geology. All of this has influenced my own opinion of what forms are interesting or beautiful. I have strived to develop skill in carving and shaping rock and clay into objects, vessels, bodies, creatures and forms that communicate this opinion in a concrete form with the hope that others will also find some beauty in that which I make." 

From giant pastries for the movie Santa Clause 3 to giant balls of yarn for The Gilmore Girls series, and even multiple arms for a Halloween skit on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Russ Barragan's creativity and passion for his artistry can be seen in every piece. Don't let the picture fool you--these are not small pieces!

You're Invited!

Please join us for our June Exhibiting Artists' Reception in conjunction with the Great American Brass Band Gallery Hop!

Friday, June 10, 5:30-9 p.m. Free and open to the public. Both artists have works for sale.

STARRY NIGHT STUDIO

An all-new social painting experience at the Arts Center you just can't miss! 

Brand new classes are coming-check the website for new listings!

Gather your friends for an unforgettable evening of
fun and fine art!

This isn't your typical art lesson -- Starry Night Studio is a social painting experience offered on scheduled dates each month for all levels of artistic talent open to fun and creativity!

 

Upcoming Schedule    

 

  

 

 

Tranquility Beach 

Tuesday, June 14 (7-9 pm)
Click here to register! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Van Gogh's Sunflowers 

Tuesday, June 28 (7-9 pm)
Click here to register! 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

It's Martini Time! AT MERMAIDS! (219 S. Fourth Street, Danville)

Tuesday, July 12 (7-9 pm)
Click here to register! 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Sunrise, Sunset

Tuesday, August 2 (7-9 pm)
Click here to register! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fanciful Fleur de Lis

Tuesday, August 16 (7-9 pm)
Click here to register! 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a group interested? Ask us about a private party by sending an email with your name and what piece you would like to do-just click here! Starry Night Studio is a perfect for a birthday party, bachlorette party, team-building exercise, or any celebration!

Wednesday, June 15, Noon-1 p.m. at the Community Arts Center

To reserve a catered box lunch ($10), make your reservation online by 

6 p.m., Monday, June 13, by clicking here or call to order: (859) 236-4054. Participants also may bring their own lunch with $5 admission at the door.

On the third Wednesday of each month, the Arts Center will present a featured artist who will perform, demonstrate or lecture on his/her work.  Time will be available for discussion with the artist as well.  The monthly Lunch with the Arts series features a variety of topics from literary arts to performing, theatrical, and visual arts. The series typically takes place in the Community Arts Center's Grand Hall.