SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Hello from Michelle Gomez with the Tahoe Art League (TAL). I am delighted to write about the Studio Tour that started Friday, August 1, and continues Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tahoe Art League is one of South Lake Tahoe’s oldest non-profit organizations, but let me tell you, there’s nothing “old” going on at this summer’s Studio Tour!
It’s our 18th year of Studio Tour, where artists open up their home or business studios and galleries, to showcase their works, demonstrate their techniques, engage with fellow art-loving patrons, and sell their stuff! There are 18 studios with 33 artists participating – for example, Studio 12 has six artists in the beautiful front and backyards of Diane Fannan. Other artists pair or triple up at a location, making for a fun and welcoming experience.Â
So here’s how my day went down: we all met up at Tahoe Art League Gallery at 3062 Lake Tahoe Blvd, next to Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum (please pay a visit to this beautifully curated gem of a museum, the docents are fantastic). Our current Summer Art Show at the TAL Gallery has many unique pieces for sale, functional art, jewelry, gourds, all by local or part-time Tahoe residents. Grab a Studio Tour Brochure/Map and get going! I loaded 10 people and one very polite Chihuahua, Matilda, into my Art Party Bus, and we hit the road for Kelly Smith Cassidy’s Studio 14 at her historic home on Lakeview Avenue. Kelly fired up her torch in her workshop and quickly crafted exquisite aspen leaves of bronze for all of us, souvenirs especially special for the Kentucky family, the Gumberts, that I insisted jump (kidnap!) in the RV for the rest of the Tour. Oh, but first a quote from Rachael Sweeten: “Only God has made more beautiful leaves than Kelly Smith Cassidy!”
Next stop, a few streets away, Studio 11, the home of Malcolm Tibbetts, world-renowned segmented woodturner. Oh. My. Gawd. You need to see it in person to believe it! His works are legendary. You may know his three massive outdoor pieces in front of the old Tribune Building, now Co-Work Tahoe. Wait until you see his workshop, and what comes out of it. Enough said. Well, wait, I am reviewing comments from my friends: “Gorgeous! So unusual and gravity-defying wooden sculptures.” “Tortuous and balanced.” Just go there and meet this cool man and his super cool wife, Tere.
Next stop, a few blocks away, the lovely home of Dianne Fannan, featuring her works plus five other artists. You may know of Dianne and Bob Fannan, with their Ukelele Club of 300+, but she is also a talented artist specializing in mosaic tile art and gorgeous hand-dyed baskets/bowls, all very affordable. The other artists at her property are hip and cool, great photography, oil and acrylic paintings, incredible wood art – this is a perfect place to buy gifts that you can tell your friends, made with love and care by a local Tahoe artist!
Okay, next up, Studio 8, featuring three of my dearest artist friends at the gorgeous home and backyard (on the Keys Lagoon) of Ellen Nunes. Ellen has become quite the something-something in the art gallery community, with her exquisite liquid pour techniques. She spoke so passionately and excitedly about her zest and zeal for playing with paint, we all fell in love with her. And then there’s my dear friend Darlynn Sharpe, who started the first elementary art program for our schools here 20+ years ago, to be renamed B.A.T.S, Bringing Art To Schools. Now living in Reno, creating her spectacular acrylic and resin functional art wood pieces, charcuterie boards dripping in pearls and gems, wow, you must see her collection on display inside and out of Ellen’s home. And then there’s Francis Rider, beloved former Technician at LTCC, who taught pottery and ceramics, very talented Raku pottery artist. Each piece is one of a kind and so aesthetically pleasing. When you hold one of his mugs, filled with your hot coffee or tea, you are pleased with the artist and yourself for purchasing it.
Okay, getting on with my Tour from today…Do not miss Studio 9. For one thing, there’s a parrot on the premises. That ancient bird has a lot to say. Artist Rick Madden is pretty well-known for his Lazy Susans, featuring fractal art and resin pours. He has so many other lovely, affordable pieces. I bought tiny precious wine charms, made of wood shaped like Lake Tahoe, with clear blue resin for the lake. Perfect host/hostess gift.
Final stop, the Round Hill Shopping Center on the Nevada Side, where Safeway is.
Studio 16 has artist Shelley Zentner at the Untethered Building in the Safeway parking lot. This three-story professional building houses many important local companies, as well as Untethered, a shared workspace like their sister property Co-Work Tahoe. Shelley’s phenomenal artworks adorn every wall, hall, and office space within. You need to make an appointment to view her works, but this weekend she is opening to the public to see her works. She shared some of her current projects with us today, wish I could tell you more, but it is so private, provocative, and wow, absolutely incredible what is going on in our small town, of very unique and art appreciative individuals. Stay tuned for more on that topic in the future when all can be revealed…but in the meantime, do not miss this opportunity to be invited into a very private and special gallery.
And then you cross the parking lot to Casey’s, a well-known watering hole and eatery where artist Charlotte Castillo has her vibrant oils hung on the walls of both dining rooms. Charlotte is my dear friend, I love helping her teach art in the classrooms and at her sold-out Paint & Sips at Casey’s and Valhalla Tahoe. She also paints on wine glasses, denim fabric clothing, candle holders, you name it. Stop by for a great meal and browse her wonderful art; she will be there to greet you!
Whew. Okay, I’m done now. There are more studios that I will visit this weekend.
For more information, maps, etc., please visit the Tahoe Art League website at www.talart.org
Art from the Heart,
Michelle Gomez
PS Final parting comment from Art Party Bus guest: “The Art Tour is SO worth it!”
