Neighborhood Artists Open Studios

by Rita Sklar

Several neighborhood artists are participating in Pro Arts' Open Studios this year. Plan to drop by and visit their studios, which are all close to each other in the Glenview, Dimond, and Laurel districts. The studios represent a rich diversity of styles and prices. Refreshments will be served at the studios.

Artists open their studios for two weekends: Saturday and Sunday, May 31 June 1 and June 8 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Award-winning watercolorist Rita Sklar will open her studio on 3826 Fruitvale Avenue, in the Dimond District (near Dimond Park between Whittle and Tiffin). "Watercolor allows me to express my awe of the natural world." For a preview, visit Sklar's Web site at www.ritasklar.com.

Dan May is an East Bay artist who has worked from his Oakland studio, at 3896 Whittle Avenue, for the past 15 years, producing monoprints, linocuts, and acrylic paintings. May has shown his paintings and prints in galleries throughout California, and his work is in numerous private and corporate collections. Dan's studio will be open May 31 and June 1 only.

Toni Clark will be at 3118 Madeline Street, in the Laurel District (corner of Laurel), showing large, slightly abstract color photographs, small slightly abstract watercolors, and unusual ceramics. Her untitled works reveal a passion for composition, line, and color. She welcomes you on both Sundays, June 1 and June 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For the last several years Debra Koppman has been creating objects almost exclusively out of recycled and found materials. Koppman will participate on both Sundays, June 1 and June 8, at 2307 Damuth, between Lincoln and Fruitvale.

Margo Rivera-Weiss shares studio space with Cris Guerrero and Dolores Moorehead in the Fruitvale neighborhood. Rivera-Weiss will show vivid watercolor paintings as well as mosaics, recycled art, and Hebrew calligraphy. Images can be seen at www.geocities.com/incajew. Guerrero will show originals and prints of his Latin-inspired cityscapes. Moorehead will display her beaded jewelry earrings, necklaces, and more. The studio is at 2607 School Street, 1 block west of Fruitvale. Please call 532-9676 for more information.

Allegra Printz, a graduate of the Boston Museum School of Fine Art, will show new pastels in her ongoing Pt. Reyes Landscape series and pastels of the East Bay hills, oil paintings from her "Driving California" series, and charcoal drawings and oil paintings of urban-industrial landscapes. This is Allegra's 12th straight year as a Pro Arts Open Studio participant, her second year in Glenview, at 1419 E. 38th Street, on the second floor.

Gina Dominguez is a mosaic artist. "For me, making mosaics is painting with glass and tile. I have been creating wall hangings, permanent installations, and garden features for seven years in Oakland." Her studio is at 1532 Excelsior Avenue, on the corner of Excelsior and Randolph. Her Web site: www.snapshotmosaics.com. Phone her at 531-9755.