Too Good to Forget: "Lighten Up" at Studios on the Park

Remembering the Past at Studios on the Park

This blog preserves what I find interesting in Paso Robles. Of course, I can't keep track of everything that interests me or I wouldn't have time to go enjoy it, but I try to make frequent visits to Studios on the Park. Much that is worthy to remember from there happened before this blog started. This "Lighten Up" exhibit had lamps designed by many of my favorite artists.

Many artists in residence back in January 2014 whose work I feature here are no longer there. Many artists not in residence also exhibit their work here. I featured Dale Evers' contribution to this exhibit on my Tidbits from Templeton blog which preceded this one. See his amazing lamp here. Laure Carlisle was also in residence then. So was Joe Thomas. This post will show some of what I skipped when I wrote the first post on that event.

Hanging Lights

In the photo above you can see the display of lamps hanging in the atrium. The one in the foreground was painted by Anne Laddon.  One of my favorites isn't visible in this shot, so I'll show it to you below. The title is "Smudge and Squiggle" -- the mascots of Studios on the Park. This lampshade was created by Joe Thomas.

Table and Floor Lamps

Most of the lamps on display were table lamps, with only a few floor lamps to be seen. Here is a typical display from this exhibit, and this one also has a floor lamp.

This mixed media lamp below is one of my favorites. I like it because I need a lot of inspiration and bright ideas myself. Although to the best of my knowledge Nancy Vest has not yet been an artist in residence at Studios on the Park, she usually is a participant in the Paso Robles Art Association exhibits.

Ever wondered what to do with your collection of old cameras? Laure Carlisle had a great idea. Make a lamp out of them. I'll bet you've never seen a floor lamp quite like this before. Displays were crowded close together and in odd places -- wherever they would fit, so it was hard to isolate this lamp from its surroundings. I blew up the cameras a bit so you could see them in more detail without the shade.

Which lamp do you think is most inventive? Which would you rather have in your home?Have you ever made a lamp? Feel free to share in the comments. 

Dale Evers and Christian Van Evers at SoundScapes

Since music is the theme of the current SoundScapes exhibit at Studios on the Park, it's not surprising that some artists made use of musical instruments in their works on display. We have already seen Eve Chartrand working on her violin exhibit in her studio. We saw her completed work hanging on display here.  We have also seen Anna Meyrick's mosaic work on her guitar, which she titled "Light My Fire" for the exhibit  previously. Dale Evers and his son Christian Van Evers also created work for Soundscapes.



There is some debate about the name of the steel and stainless steel sculpture by Dale Evers pictured here. I  have used the name that was at the base while it was on display. The Studios on the Park website shows a photo of a very similar work on the page for this exhibit called "Michael." Look at the bottom of that page to see the photos.





Dale also exhibited "Acoustic Aroma' -- another sculpture using a guitar theme. It is pictured below.

Dale's son, Christian, who uses the surname Van Evers in honor of his family heritage when he promotes his art, also has guitar art in SoundScapes. You can read more about Christian Van Evers here.  The guitar art I've shared here is titled either 'Guitarron" or "Guitaron." I have seen it spelled both ways on different web sites. However it's spelled, Christian Van Evers created it. I'll show you first the front, and then the back. Of course, all these works are best seen in person, and there is still time to get to Studios on the Park to see them before the exhibit ends. While you are there, be sure to also see the Cigar Box Vignettes by Hellie Blythe. 

SoundScapes is all about how music speaks. This throw pillow is a reminder of how powerful music is.

Music Speaks Throw Pillows Browse Zazzle for a different
throw pillow.

Sculpterra Is a Great Place to Find Unique Gifts from Local Artists

See Large Sculptures by John Jagger and Dale Evers at Sculptera

Sculpterra Winery  is known not only for its wine,  but also for its art. As you enter from the parking lot you are greeted by this big cat sculpture, "Golden Morning," by John Jagger. As you enter the garden, you see even more sculptures by John Jagger, and some newer ones by the new resident artist, Dale Evers.

Find Smaller Replicas of the Sculptures for Sale in the Tasting Room

Not only does Sculpterra feature these impressive large sculptures in its outdoor sculpture garden, but you can find smaller replicas of some of them inside for purchase in the tasting room. This display in the window show some of Dale Evers' work for sale. John Jagger's work is displayed in other parts of the tasting room.

Sculpterra Also Displays and Sells Wall Art by Local Artists

Art on display at Sculpterra is not limited to sculpture. Each month there is a wall devoted to a visiting artist.  The Artist of the Month for April, 2015, is Jack Oliver and you can see most of his wall display here. The work of other artists using different media can be seen throughout the tasting room. If you enjoy art or giving art gifts, you are sure to find something unique there as you are enjoying your wine.

Find more photos and a video tour of Sculpterra.

This book features beautiful color photographs of Sculpterra and other spectacular central coast wineries. I first saw it at the Lavender Festival one year at the Sculpterra booth, and that's how I decided I wanted to pay Sculpterra a visit.
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An Introduction to the Sculpture of Paso Robles Artist Dale Evers

I first discovered Dale Evers when I was walking by the Paso Robles Library one day and saw his studio across the street. It was fascinating because the outside of it was decorated with fantastic and imaginative metal sculptures. I can't find those first photos at the moment, but a few months ago I walked by the studio again and this caught my eye.

On another occasion, my husband and I paid our first visit to Cayucos. Near the entrance to the pier we saw this sculpture. Then I read the plaque beneath it and discovered Dale Evers had created it in memory of his father, Ellis W. Evers. You can enlarge any of these photos by clicking on them.

Since then I have been discovering how diverse Dale's work is, and how far away some of it has gone. The Dale Evers Website will show you much more about him and his work than I can here, but it's well worth a peak if you like  sculpture.

The last time I saw Dale's work was on July 4, 2014, at a party at Sculpterra Winery. I hadn't realized then that Dale Evers was the new artist in residence at Sculpterra until I saw this sculpture near the tasting room and the style looked very familiar. Sure enough, it was Dale's work.  This also looks exactly like the sculpture that lived next door to me in the ZinAlley Vineyard for a long time. It is not there anymore, so it may have been moved to Sculpterra.

Are you familiar with Dale Evers' work?

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