ARTS RWC: ART on the Square is on Friday. Meet more Redwood City Artists!

YO Redwood City!

Get your BIG glasses out, the Elton John Tribute band of Kenny Metcalf will be churning out the hits while you are SHOPPING at the first ART on the Square of 2013.  Father’s Day is Sunday, and if you haven’t found the perfect gift, get over to Hamilton and see what 25 artists have created that would be just right for your man or men in your life.

We are thrilled with the Redwood City artists who will be joining us and feel like you should know your local artists.  You can find a bunch featured in my past blogs.  But now, let’s introduce you to TWO fine artists who will exhibit at AOTS on Friday.

MEET Melinda Miller Collins

Melinda is a bit of a Renaissance woman.  Not only does she create paintings and mixed media pieces, but she also makes jewelry! Raised in the State Department as the daughter of a U.S. diplomat, she lived a nomadic life until settling in Redwood City 30 years ago. Now this is home and she especially loves the changes the city has gone through in recent years.

She graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and taught there, as well as teaching at Canada College and West Valley College. Many of her paintings from past years are traditional plein air oils. Her newer paintings are acrylic on a collage base, utilizing printed paper, rice paper and/or newspaper.  They are personal interpretations of landscape scenes in California, France and Italy. One of her paintings is featured on the new ART on the Square postcard. 

Melinda’s jewelry is either bronze metal clay, formed by hand and fired in a kiln, or assembled from silver and/or antiqued brass components.  Each piece is unique. The bronze is hand colored and patinated by Melinda, giving them a painterly quality unusual in jewelry.

Melinda will participate in three AOTS shows this summer, but why wait?  Be sure to see Melinda and her artistic creations on Hamilton at ART on the Square Friday night!

MEET Sandee Ferrara

Sandee is the owner and artist of Ferrara Artistry, working on decoupage under glass dishes and refinished furniture.  Growing up in small town Alaska along with her travels in Europe, Central America and Mexico, she describes her art as “a palette of new world simplicity and old world charm.”

It all began when she needed a diversion from my stressful career in high-tech marketing.  Working with a friend, Sandee took a piece of wrapping paper, cut out images of trains and tickets and molded them to the back of a glass plate.  This inspired her to attend classes to refine her technique.  Ten years ago, this diversion blossomed into a successful line of glass art, and Ferrara Artistry was born. Her art constantly evolves as she continues to express herself through the colors and designs of her work, which now includes refinishing wood furniture.

In Sandee’s words, “I am a 19 year resident of Redwood City and love walking through the shows and events taking place downtown.  I am grateful for the hard work of AOTS making Redwood City an art destination on the Peninsula. This year I decided to join in and feature my art. On June 14 and Aug 23, please stop by my booth and say ‘hello’!”

WOW, REDWOOD CITY!  There is so much creativity and artistic talent right here in the ‘hood!  And we at ART on the Square really appreciate that and want to share this with y’all.  Please do come out on Friday to ART on the Square and support your local artists.  Help to make RWC a “Destination for the Arts”. 

Thanks, and Remember to always follow your h’art!