Artist Sharon Wilcox, one of the coordinators of next month’s “It’s Hip to Be Square” art show in Murphys, holds her laughing sheep painting that will be included in the show, which will run from Nov. 8-11.
Courtesy photo
A special showing of 80 to 100 artworks on 6-inch by 6-inch miniature canvases by 20 local artists will open at the contemporary fine art gallery, Art on Main, in Murphys on Friday, Nov. 8.
The show’s opening reception, which will include refreshments and mellow music by Jim Lanier, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Many of the show’s artists are planning to attend the reception, and attendees of this public event will have opportunities to meet them.
This show, titled “It’s Hip to Be Square,” will run through Nov. 11. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
A diverse range of one-of-a-kind artworks, such as mosaics, oil paintings, and glass and encaustic pieces, will be featured in this first-time show at the gallery.
These artworks will be prominently displayed in the gallery on professional display panels that will be on loan from Arts of Bear Valley.
Accompanying each art piece will be cards created with artistic lettering by Diana Boegel, who is also one of the show’s artists.
Each artist will have three to eight miniature artworks on display at the show.
Murphys resident Gail Szukalski, who is coordinating this show with Sharon Wilcox, told the Enterprise last week that the common denominator of the show is the 6-inch by 6-inch size of these artworks, making them more affordable and giftable.
“We feel like it’s a more affordable, giftable (size),” she said. “(If) you don’t have room for a (larger) piece of art from an artist that you love, you can find room for a 6(-inch) by 6(-inch piece).”
The general cost range for these miniature artworks is $32 to $125, Szukalski noted.
“Of course, it is what the artist has into the piece (that will determine the price),” she said.
In addition to coordinating the show, Szukalski and Wilcox are among the show’s artists who will be presenting their works.
Wilcox, who paints lighthearted works, such as a laughing sheep that will be featured in the show, will offer a selection of miniature paintings.
Szukalski spoke about the mandala artworks that she plans to present in next month’s show. Mandalas are typically circles with repeating symmetrical shapes.
“Normally, I’m a jewelry artist, but I used to paint mandalas on rocks, which I haven’t done in a long time,” she said. “But this is way out of the box for me. So, I’m doing mandalas on 6(-inch) by 6(-inch) pieces of wood (with acrylic paint).”
Two of the mandala artworks that she will have in the show have peacock-like appearances, and are aptly titled, “Peacock 1” and “Peacock 2.”
Shown above are four miniature paintings that will be included in the “It’s Hip to Be Square” art show in Murphys from Nov. 8-11. Three of the paintings were painted by Sheila White, and the painting on the upper left corner was painted by Anita Hellam.
Lance Armstrong/Calaveras Enterprise
Szukalski described what it is like for her to create mandalas on miniature canvases.
“I just find those so mesmerizing and therapeutic to work on,” she said. “This has been such a nice sidetrack. And so, yeah, mesmerizing.”
Highlighting the works of one of the show’s other artists, Linda Swedlund, of Arnold, Szukalski noted that she shares a similar background with that artist.
“(Swedlund) normally does mosaic on rock, as well, but she did these (miniature pieces on canvases) for the event,” she said.
Szukalski shifted her attention to the miniature artworks of another artist, Duane Papais, who is also the husband of the gallery’s owner, Bambi Papais, whose idea it was to create this show.
“These ones just came in (for the upcoming show), and they are encaustic (hot wax artworks),” she said.
While standing near Szukalski during the Enterprise’s Oct. 18 visit to Art on Main, Murphys artist Sue King described the creation process of Duane Papais’ encaustic art pieces.
“I think they’re his (photographic) images and then he does layers of wax on top (of those images), then he added his verbiage (as part of his works),” she said. “They’re encaustic, which is layering of wax.”
King, whose art will also be featured in the show, mentioned that she is having fun creating artwork on such small canvases.
“It’s so much fun,” she said. “It’s just like, ‘Wow, I guess I can paint on a small (canvas) and figure (it) out.’ It’s just that system of saying, ‘Adjust to something.’ And people love different.”
Szukalski told the Enterprise that she is very excited about the upcoming “It’s Hip to Be Square” miniature art show.
These miniature paintings are among the 6-inch by 6-inch artworks that will be featured in the miniature art show at Art on Main in Murphys from Nov. 8-11.
Lance Armstrong/Calaveras Enterprise
“We are very excited, because I feel like this is going to be just (something) new,” she said. “It’s made all the artists really think outside the box and come up with new creations, and just the variety is (amazing). I’m hoping it will become an annual show.
“But come on out to the show. It gives everyone the opportunity to meet most of the artists (and) just to see the beautiful new creations. There will be 6-inch by 6-inch mini pieces of artwork in all different mediums, (and there will be) something for everyone.”
Gail noted that “It’s Hip to Be Square,” is a very fitting show for Art on Main, which was established in 2012 and has served as a cornerstone for local artists, providing a unique space where creativity, culture, and community converge.
“We’re here to support local artists, and this gallery gives us all a creative outlet,” she said. “It’s a place where artists can showcase their work, meet collectors, and connect with people.”
She added that this gallery is an inviting place for many different types of people to visit.
“Even those who aren’t necessarily buyers often come in just to browse or find inspiration,” she said. “It’s a (place with a) welcoming, no-pressure atmosphere.”
Art on Main is located at 488 Main St., Suite 103 in Murphys.
For additional information about this gallery and its upcoming “It’s Hip to Be Square” miniature art show, call (209) 728-1888.
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