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It’s the day after the big Art Fiesta week-end!
The second annual Art Fiesta at the Matador went off with nary a significant hitch and our trusty new counter indicates 1,785 people came through during the three days. Friday night was hugely popular with 575 visitors; Saturday–the hot hot hottest day–about 400; and Sunday, Mother’s day about 800! Amazing!
- Meet Art and his girlfriend Fiesta!
Of course, we couldn’t have done it without the dedication and commitment of all the participating artists, first and foremost. Our Art Fiesta Committee, headed by Gayle Womack and her cohort Linda Patrick, couldn’t have been more talented, willing to work, fun-loving, and level-headed. Our Avenue 9 Gallery interns, Karen Rosenbusch (CSUC senior) and Alyssa Rustin (PV High freshman) and Reta Rickmers’ PV High art students (including Dra who really stepped up when we needed him) staffed the information booth and helped build the ChiVAA Chico Palio horse and helped Aubrie Koenig at the children’s activities table. Speaking of which, Aubrie had some fabulous and expert help: none other than Daniel Vera (Artist and Butte College Instructor) and Kim Kurnizki (Artist and President of Arts for All) and Darice McGuire (Artist and Art-e-Studio Instructor). Are we blessed or what!?
The food and drinks vendors were deliciously talented and efficient and kept everybody energized and satisfied.
The non-profit groups offering all manner of educational possibility to passers-by helped fulfill our mission to showcase all that the visual arts in Chico have to offer at all ages and levels. And the entertainers were just fabulous!
None of this, of course, could have happened without support from the City of Chico; with the free parking in not one but two lots generously provided by our great Chico vecino neighbors at the Chico Nut Company. And then of course, there’s the less obvious–for the second year this year, we thank Cal-Flor for the sponsored room which this year went to Sea Monster (sometimes known by her real name, Christine Fulton). Tolar AVL donated the sound system for the whole week-end (makes me wanna cry with joy!), Recology donated the magic blue containers that kept the grounds pristine, the news media (E-R, Synthesis, CN&R, Upgraded Living, The Digger, KHSL, KCHO, and KZFR) went all out to share the news, and Lorraine Dechter from KCHO/KFPR worked with me to record Matador stories.
A huge thank you for Lawrence and Irene, managers of the Matador Motel, and their staff who yearly turn themselves into pretzels to accommodate our crew–taking beds out of rooms and grooming the grounds just so–and the Matador’s owner who lets us use the space. We also thank artists Pat Collentine and partner Susan Larsen whose idea it was to “occupy” the Matador as a perfect location for a visual arts exposition in Chico.
Finally, we want to thank Merelen Glumac Volpato, one of the three daughters of the Glumac family who built the motel way back when for telling us her story–we how have it on file! What an amazing adventure that immigrant family lived that resulted in this gorgeous jewel of local architecture that we now enjoy! It was a pleasure to meet them when they came by this week-end. And here they are to prove it: Maria, Merelen, and Nira.
Look for some You Tube videos and slide shows soon! And please go to our Art Fiesta at the Matador and Chico Visual Arts Facebook page and like us. We like you!
Maria, writing for all of us on the Art Fiesta crew!
