By Khalida Sarwari
One-of-a-kind art, music, food trucks and wine and craft beer all can be found at Saratoga Rotary’s 59th annual Art Show at West Valley College on April 30 and May 1.
The free event, one of the largest juried art shows on the West Coast, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. As in years past, the event will showcase about 3,000 pieces of art for sale.
This year’s show will feature about 150 artists whose work was selected by a panel of jurors in the categories of sculpture, jewelry, fiber arts, ceramics, glassworks, woodwork and photography. Guests strolling through the art show will find that the variety of artwork runs from the eclectic such as “The Modern Fly” artist who creates art using fly fishing lures for inspiration to Uni Studios, whose clothing is inspired by people. Every year, about 30 percent of the artists are new and showcase their work right alongside a core group of artists such as Glen Dizon, a 31-year veteran of the show who makes fine jewelry, and Steve Hamilton, who has had a presence at the show for than 40 years.
“The Saratoga Rotary Fine Art Show provides a wonderful bonding event for our great community,” said Patti Workman, a spokesperson for the event.
Rotarian Shinku Sharma, who’s chairing this year’s event, echoed Workman’s enthusiasm about the show.
“This is a great outdoor art show that includes a wide range of activities for all ages,” she said.
While art will be a central part of the show, there will be additional activities, Sharma noted, including live music, a “Kids Corner,” craft beer and local wine and gourmet food trucks offering a variety of food.
This year’s event will also feature a variety of musical acts, such as Simmons Family Band, that provides a blend of bluegrass and folk music, to the Lincoln High School band.
Attendees are encouraged to bring along their children as there will be an area dedicated to the little ones, complete with face painting, donkey rides and fun projects. In addition, there will also be a display of hundreds of children’s artworks from 30 local schools.
Finally, this year’s event will have a “dinner for two” sweepstakes where one of the winners will be served dinner from a local Michelin-rated restaurant.
The Rotary has been holding the event since the late ’50s with the aim of providing a community event that showcases high-quality juried art and raising money for local charitable causes. After paying for the operational cost of the show, proceeds will go toward the Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation, which has granted about $3 million to local nonprofit groups supporting schools, seniors, veterans and underserved populations. Beneficiaries encompass a wide variety of organizations including the Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga, Canine Companions for the Elderly, Diabetes Society and the Saratoga Youth Commission.
Last year’s event was attended by about 9,000 people.
The event takes place at 14000 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga. Parking is free. For more information about the Saratoga Rotary Art Show, visit saratogarotaryartshow.org.
Link: Art, food, music and much more at 59th annual Rotary Art Show
