Special to the Town Crier
Los Altos art galleries and art dealers are looking to jump-start their new year with new exhibitions featuring both local and big-name artists from out of the area, working in a variety of mediums.
Here's what's happening locally in January:
Viewpoints Gallery, 315 State St.: This cooperative gallery of local artists had four members who received awards last year. Betty Dennis received an American Watercolor Society award and Carolyn Hofstetter received "Best of Show" in the Menlo Art League. Jean Warren received a special award from the National Watercolor Society and Floy Zittin received an Award of Excellence in watercolor at the Amsterdam Art Competition in San Francisco. Dennis, of San Mateo, will be among 13 artists featured at Viewpoints this month.
Gallery Michael, 164 Main St.: Northern California artist Joe Jaqua is featured this month. Watercolors, oils and limited editions make up the largest selection of Jaqua's work assembled in one venue. Cityscapes and coastal vistas from around the world, as well as local Bay Area scenes are featured. Jaqua recently returned from a working trip to Europe.
Michael Shoffner, owner of Gallery Michael, said people usually don't think of Los Altos as a place of fine art, but "There are just as many galleries and studios in Los Altos as there are in Palo Alto, and the quality is just as good or better."
Sunbird Gallery, 333 First St.: Sunbird owner Ingrid Jackson-MacDonald said she is installing a new computer with a digital camera and a scanner so she can take pictures of an artist's work and send copies to her clients.
"I am taking the back part of my gallery and turning it into a painting studio with some sculpturing so I can do my work here instead of at home," Jackson-MacDonald said. "Today there is a changing style of expressive art and it is very individualistic. Each piece stands out by itself."
ZYT Galerie and Framing Center, 923 N. San Antonio Road: Owner Ralph Doerr is busy preparing for a show starting Feb.17, with etchings by the Kasimir family and featuring Luigi Kasimir. Doerr said the show will run for a month and will feature more Kasimir etchings than any other gallery in the state.
His framing studio has been in operation 23 years in Los Altos, and he said he is busier than ever.
Gallery 9, 143 Main St.: For the rest of January, watercolor landscapes are being exhibited by Suej McCall. Starting Feb. 1, watercolor and mixed media landscapes by Yoju Kondo will be featured.
Kondo, who often goes by just "Yoju," has been described as using a unique blend of Asian and Western styles with eclectic combinations of China ink, gouache, pastel, pencil, crayon and a collage to create art in bold, striking colors.
"I express what I feel in my painting without adhering to a particular style," Kondo said.