It is as exciting to see the work as it is for the artists to realize they’ve met the challenge, which permits them to use any medium, 2D or 3D, as long as it fits in on 50 6x6-inch squares. Limiting? Yes! In a good way. No two artists approach the task the same way, and the ideas that are born out of the time-crunch-plus-the-format are absolutely stunning.

Juror Barry Sakata, owner of B.Sakata Garo in Sacramento (who has shown such greats as William T.Wiley, Manuel Neri, Roy DeForest, Richard Shaw, and Nathan Olivera), chose this year’s participants from a field of 121 entries. The finished works show a level of creativity and depth of vision that only this type of uninterrupted concentration can produce.

An added attraction is that small works means the price of purchase is well within most budgets, which is unusual in such a high-end art exhibition. (I personally own 20 of these diminutive masterpieces and can’t wait to add to my collection!) Many artists will be offering a 10% discount on the purchase of two or more pieces. Go to “Exhibitions” at the Sanchez Art Center website (www.sanchezartcenter.org) for the 50-50 Artists Roster, with links to artists’ websites and blogs.

A ticketed Preview Party will be held from 6 to 7:30 pm on Friday, Aug. 24, followed by the FREE Grand Opening from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Preview attendees will be able to view the show in its entirety as well as to select and purchase works in advance of the official opening. After the Grand Opening begins at 7:30, buyers may take their purchases home with them. Preview tickets are $10 in advance (plus $1.34 in service charges) through www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/250995 (1-800-838-3006), or $20 at the door.

All of the panels will be for sale, and some are even selling ahead of the opening through the artists’ blog sites. Many artists are offering a 10% discount on the purchase of two or more pieces. The artists hail mostly from the greater Bay Area, some from as far north as Napa and Santa Rosa, and a few from as far south as L.A. Click here for the 50-50 Artists Roster, with links to artists’ websites and blogs.

Gallery Hours
Sanchez Art Center is located at 1220 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica, 1.5 miles from Highway 1, in the buildings with the colorful mural facing the street. Following the August 24 opening festivities, galleries are open to the public Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm, through September 30.