Charming Montclair Village is the perfect spot to take a break from the bustle of the Bay during the Montclair Village Art Walk. This sidewalk art show celebrates art in the outdoors with more than 40 artists from the Bay Area and beyond displaying their handcrafted works against the scenic backdrop of the Oakland Hills. Visit the event, connect with the artists and find a unique treasure for gifting or to enjoy in your personal collection.
Presented by the Montclair Village Association, this free open-air art gallery is set to take place Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Among the celebrated artisans participating in this year’s event:
Alice Glass of Alice Reva Designs, Albany uses nature’s flora and fauna to dye her sustainable and eco-friendly fashion. “Each item in my shop is uniquely and carefully slow-crafted by me in my San Francisco Bay Area garage-turned-studio and tiny kitchen. I primarily use silk and only botanically or naturally based dyes to make intentionally crafted silks for your home and body.” Alice’s creations of mulberry silk pillowcases and raw silk eye pillows offer rest and relaxation. Adorn your hair with silk bandanas, scrunchies and headbands, and show off your silky style by wearing Alice’s talented hand-dyed twist to update vintage silk clothing.
George Ehrenhaft discovered his watercolor painting talent after years of teaching high school English in New York. George now calls Moraga home and loves that the local climate allows him to paint outdoors most of the year. At the Montclair Village Art Walk view his showcased watercolor paintings depicting old barns and celebrating nature’s landscapes, mountains, trees, lakes and rivers. Commissions happily accepted!
Susan Berger of Strong Heart Glass, Berkeley creates fused and slumped glass pieces that are both functional as well as a delight to the eye. After building the piece’s structure “it’s a matter of creating a mosaic of sorts by placing bits of glass on or next to other bits of glass, sprinkling crushed glass (called frit), and perhaps using gold or silver foil or paints to make more detailed designs. The colors I use are based on gut response of what moves me at the moment. The designs I make are sometimes based on what I see when I’m walking down the street or an image that pops into my head.” Stop by Susan’s display to see what recent designs have popped into her mind and worked their way into her glasswork.
Kelly Morgen of Kelly Morgen Jewelry comes to the event from her studio in Mountain View. Kelly works to “…celebrate the divine feminine by exploring the psychological relevance of ancient mythology through a visual medium.” Her efforts result in exquisite, meaningful necklaces created with precious metals, natural cabochons, gemstones, ivory from recycled piano keys and a great amount of love and talent. Visit Kelly’s booth and learn the exciting story behind each piece that catches your eye.
Steven Andersen uses Western Red Cedar to handcraft lovely, durable outdoor furniture. Add pieces from his small business, Spring Garden Cedar, to your home just in time to enjoy the warmer weather. Chose from Adirondack and rocking chairs, glider benches, dining tables, chairs and end tables. Custom orders also accepted.
The Montclair Village Art Walk takes place in the Montclair shopping district on Mountain Boulevard at LaSalle Avenue, off Highway 13, between Park Boulevard and Thornhill Drive. For more information, contact the Montclair Village Association at (510) 339-1000 or Pacific Fine Arts Festivals at (209) 267-4394, www.pacificfinearts.com. You can also see more information on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
