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The East Gallery presents Citizen Joy: Views of Democracy, Gratitude & Aspiration. The exhibition culminates nearly a year of work to identify and develop community engagement projects and events that celebrate and interpret democracy. Barbara Kibbe, Citizen Joy Leadership Team member, exhibition conceptualizer and catalog curator, notes that while developed during an election year — regardless of the outcome — the country needs an informed and engaged citizenry. She states, "Our hope was to make a small contribution to our collection commitment to learn about and participate in our democratic system, shining a light on what we have to be grateful for. In a way, we are making the argument for staying involved, for making what is good better."
Citizen Joy Founder and exhibition juror Jeff Raz notes how art can turn politics into a living, breathing, embodied force. In selecting works for the show, he was looking for two things — pieces that thrilled him, that gave him joy, and art that had a strong point of view about democracy. The selected works provide visitors with an exciting variety of sizes, shapes, colors, textures and ideas Raz also selected a wide range of media and technique, from video to sculpture and from painting to photography to textile art and mixed media. Some of the works are representational, others are fantastical, some are abstract, others narrative.
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| Christine Ong-Dijckes' painting The Guiding Light of Hope includes images of the Statue of Liberty and the American Flag. In her statement, "I made a life-altering choice by leaving my home behind and becoming an 'American'. My choice allowed me to reap the benefits that the American Flag represents and I personally experienced Lady Liberty's welcome."
Many pieces focus on one or more of the core Citizen Joy themes – Gratitude, Agency and Harmony.
Esther Kutnick (Still Happy and Leaning In) thanks Social Security and Medicare for supporting people so they can contribute to society in meaningful ways regardless of age or circumstance. And Nancy Bardach's tapestry Acrobatics celebrates the California Department of Public Health for safely reopening schools after the pandemic.
Celebrating public libraries are two works: Jean Renli Jurgenson's Perspective, and Linette Morales' Public Libraries, Public Joy! which use decommissioned library books to celebrate libraries as safe havens that offer the possibility to dream.
The public is invited to a Juror and Artists Gallery Walk and Conversation on Saturday, Jan 25, beginning at 2pm.
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| Beth Grossman's work All the Rest is Commentary…, reflects variations of the Golden Rule from world religions. On Sunday, Feb 2, from 2:30 – 4:30 pm, community members are invited to convene, reflecting on the Citizen Joy theme of "being in harmony with fellow citizens" and explore the question: How might our world change socially, politically and economically if we acted in harmony with others and lived by the universal Golden Rule? The "table talk" led by Beth Grossman will offer participants the opportunity to engage, documenting their thoughts on a cloth as they gather around the table.
Additionally, earlier that afternoon, on Sun, Feb 2, 1:30 – 3:30 pm a hands-on artmaking activity will be hosted, with "Freedom Bird" templates and materials provided to participants to create their own vision of democracy - what they are grateful for, what rights and freedoms they hold dear, and what it means to be in harmony with our fellow citizens; this activity is suitable for all ages. |
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The Citizen Joy exhibition will also available to view online in the Sanchez Art Center Virtual Galleries. AND, a print-on-demand catalog will allow individuals to order their own copies of the works presented in the exhibition along with supporting essays and informative facts. The multiple formats are in keeping with the overarching hope to be informed and engaged with our democracy.
Sanchez Art Center is located at 1220 Linda Mar Blvd in Pacifica, about a mile east of Highway 1. Following opening night, the galleries are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 1–5 pm, and by appointment, through Feb 9.
The opening, talks, and gallery visits are free as part of the center's focus on "Creating Community through Art".
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Upcoming
Exhibitions: Click here to
see the 2025 schedule |
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