November 14, 2006 > Newark Artists Open Studios

by Mona Shah

Ever wonder how artists find inspiration and transform these thoughts into worldly creations? What happens between the idea and the finished expression of that idea? Newark artists are inviting the public to come by their studios, ask questions, watch them in action and take advantage of direct sale pricing. One-of-a-kind items available at these studios are perfect for gifts and decorating during the holiday season.

The 8th annual Newark Artists Open Studios is an opportunity to visit local artists and select original holiday gifts - an original oil painting or a set of note card reproductions signed by the artist. Don’t miss your chance to stroll through Newark artist studios on Saturday, November 18 and Sunday November 19 to see an amazing variety of art including jewelry, ceramic tile bird baths, mosaic garden sculptures, oil paintings, pastel landscapes, tile murals, Japanese inspired prints, and view a display of children's art by students of Simone Archer.


This year's Newark Artists Open Studios features three studio sites with resident and guest artists at each site. The studios are all within a few miles radius so it's easy to visit all of them. The following is a preview of the creative artists you will meet in their studios. Several artists will be demonstrating their techniques and welcome the opportunity to share their “tricks of the trade."

36541 Cherry Street

Simone Archer
Picturesque ceramic wall murals of koi fish and the vineyards of Napa, France and Tuscany inspired from her European travels. An exhibit of her students’ art from classes for children and adults will also be on display. Get a glimpse behind the scenes of a ceramic studio with an electric kiln and see how she designs individual tiles that piece together like a puzzle to form stunning ceramic bird baths or tile wall murals of rolling vineyards.

Margie Dickerson
Dazzling glass jewelry pendants, earrings, bracelets and rings. Margie will display how she fuses glass into dazzling pieces of jewelry.


36493 Bridgepointe Drive

Linda Patterson
Oil and pastel landscapes with scenes of Mission Peak and Coyote Hills. Peek at Linda Patterson’s hundreds of nature sketches used to fabricate 15 concrete walls on the San Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek Trail in Santa Clara. Linda will also share her techniques for landscape painting.

35911 Ruschin Drive

Dimitry Grudsky
Vibrant mosaic tile garden sculpture and colorful figurative watercolors. Watch Dmitry Grudsky create a mosaic sculpture with tiny pieces of colored glass.

Yukie Nakanishi
Japanese inspired ceramics including bowls, teapots, cups and stunning vases. Ask Yukie Nakanishi about the Japanese inspired shapes, textures, and glazes she uses for her ceramic art, influenced by her recent visit to her home in Japan.

Adriane Dedic
Etchings, Japanese wood block prints, mono-prints and digital art prints of geisha, bicycles, and funky shoes. See an etching press and print making demo at Adriane Dedic's studio. Adriane combines traditional etching and Japanese woodblock printing with digital manipulation.


Maps are available at the Newark Library, 6300 Civic Terrace Ave; the Newark Community Center, 35501 Cedar Blvd; the Silliman Activity Center, 6800 Mowry Ave; at each artist studio, and online at www.myartiststudio.com/openstudios-map.jpg.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call Adriane Dedic at (510) 794-3436. A preview exhibit will be displayed through November 19 at the Silliman Activity Center, 6800 Mowry Ave., Newark, and will showcase a sample piece of art from each artist.

8th Annual Newark Artists Open Studios
Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(510) 794-3436