April 18, 2023
By Meagan Friberg
It’s true – size really does matter! Just ask the artists participating in Studios on the Park’s “The Big Little Art Show,” on view in the Atrium Gallery throughout April. Founding Resident Artist and Professional Watercolorist Judy Lyon is the guest curator for this exciting exhibition featuring works, very small and very large, that will explore the myriad of ways scale affects the perception of art.
“In this show, an artist might present an idea on a small scale, and also in a dramatically larger interpretation, which presents unexpected challenges,” Lyon said. “Large, imposing images usually make a sudden impact — all-encompassing, at least momentarily — but little jewels quietly beacon to you and pull you in, maybe even intertwine with your heart and brain.”
The opening reception of the exhibit will take place Saturday, April 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the monthly “Art After Dark” event. This free evening of art, wine, and music will feature wines from Rava Wines and Brophy Clark Cellars and live music by award-winning singer/songwriter Ynana Rose. Wine will be available for $8 per glass.
Participating artists will utilize the element of size by creating original, two, and three-dimensional works of art in all mediums measuring 12”x12” or smaller, or 36”x36” or larger, but nothing in between. In this dynamic exhibition, artists are encouraged to play with scale as a key component in the composition of artwork.
“We hope people will come with no preconceived idea about the reasons for this show,” Lyon said. “It’s just the Big and Little of it… there’s no middle. So, this eliminates most of the pieces you would have seen in other exhibits.”
Art sales from exhibitions such as “The Big Little Art Show” also serve as fundraisers for essential arts services to more than 100,000 students, families and visitors annually. Among the many essential program and outreach efforts made possible is Kids Art Smart, a Studios on the Park exclusive that provides free visual arts programming for thousands of local students, from kindergarten through high school.
New artists, workshops, and classes
In addition to viewing “The Big Little Art Show,” be sure to stop by and say hi to two of the newest artists, Elizabeth Kilimnik and Joyce Bauerle, resident printmakers who recently settled into Studio 13. The open studio concept at Studios on the Park is inviting, educational, and just plain fun… so make time to say hi to all of the resident artists when you’re downtown.
As always, there are several exceptional classes and workshops scheduled this month, including:
Still Life Oil Painting Workshop with Elio Camacho • April 13-14 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Charcuterie 101 Workshop with Zest It Up • April 19 • 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Organizing a Scene Into a Compelling Work of Art with John Cosby • April 22-26 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Advanced Cookie Decorating with Arty McGoo • April 27 • 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sand + Succulent Workshop with Zest It Up • April 28 • 3:30-5 p.m.
Studios on the Park, open daily, is located at 1130 Pine St. in Paso Robles. To learn more and register for classes and workshops, call 805-238-9800 or see studiosonthepark.org.
