Art exhibits around SLO County

By Monica Fiscalini

Vinyl vertical blinds. Yuck. They can’t end up in the trash fast enough for me.

But, I’m also one of those people who looks at them poking out of the dumpster and thinks, “There’s got to be something I can make with those.”

Barbara Rosenthal has found the solution. She took acrylic paint, made colorful abstract designs and strung them on apiece of metal for an outdoor sculpture.

It is blowing in the wind through June 9 at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden for the ninth annual Art Eco: Connections with Nature.

Rosenthal’s “Falling Waters” is just one example of art made from reclaimed and recycled materials on display daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at El Chorro Regional Park, across from Cuesta College on Highway 1.

Start at one end of the garden to see hers and other outdoor contributions and work your way toward the indoor Oak Park Pavilion to see the remainder of the 70 pieces.

Finding all of the outdoor works of art among the preview garden is a bit of a treasure hunt. Richard Rowe’s stoneware blends right in, while Lena Rushing’s colorful gourd “Garden Gnome” jumps right out.

Inside are the funky assemblages, shadow boxes and shrines that always get my attention first, but also intricate 3-dimensional mosaics from Sue Nolte and pine needle baskets created by Elizabeth Bear.

This show, co-sponsored with Frame Works, is highly recommended. Visit www.slobg.org   for more information and exhibitrelated events.
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One show that I won’t get a chance to see before deadline but can safely recommend is a collection of Al Schnupp’s assemblages and sculptures inspired by theater through April 28 at Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St. in Paso Robles. Schnupp is on the Cal Poly Theatre and Dance Department faculty.

He will read his play “Cross-Roads ” at 7 p.m. April 20 at the art space. Expect “a celebration of family and theater amidst the paradoxical forces of the world.”
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April is filling up fast with arts activities so here’s a heads up for the Seven Sisters Quilt Show presented by Associated Quilt Guilds of the Central Coast. The cost is $10 to check out 40 vendors and quilt exhibits April 27 and 28 at Alex Madonna Expo Center, Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo. More info is available at http://www.aqgcc.org/Events/Seven  _Sisters_Quilt_Show_2013.html .