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Exhibition

Jul 02 2010

Windowed Wall Selected for “Glimpses in Time” International Exhibit

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Windowed Wall, one of my newest night photographs, was juried into this year’s “Glimpses in Time” exhibit at the Joyce Gordon Gallery. The exhibit opens Friday and runs through July 30. As always, it features dozens of photographs from artists across the US and around the world, so there will be plenty of fantastic photography to see (and, ahem, collect).

I hope to see you at the free reception, which will be this Friday, July 2, 6–9 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The show runs through July.

My work has been juried into all four annual “Glimpses in Time” exhibits. The juror this time around was Linda Connor, professor of photography at the San Francisco Art Institute, where she’s taught since 1969.

“Glimpses in Time” is always a tribute to a late photographer, and this year we’re honoring Imogen Cunningham. She was a peer of Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Weston, Dorothea Lange, and others, and her influence on the art form is still felt today.

The Joyce Gordon Gallery is at 406 14th St. (at Broadway) in Downtown Oakland, steps from the 12th St. BART station. You can catch the exhibit Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 1–4 p.m.

Jun 05 2010

East Bay Open Studios 2010

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For the seventh time, I’m happy to be participating in Pro Arts’ East Bay Open Studios. I’ll have some new prints and old favorites. Remaining 8″×10″ prints are only $75, and my popular Night Photos screensaver is $20.

The show takes place over the first two weekends in June and involves over 450 artists throughout the East Bay, mostly in Oakland and Berkeley. You can see an online preview of the work being exhibited on the Pro Arts Gallery website or in-person previews in Oakland, Berkeley, or Richmond.

Some very local artists and I have collaborated to form the North Berkeley Artists Walking Tour, a self-directed tour of studios in the northwest section of town. I’ll have maps of the tour and postcards from other artists on the walk.

While you’re here, pick up a free copy of the Directory of East Bay Arts, the color catalog with maps to the studios, an arts calendar, and other things East Bay art lovers need to know.

So please stop by my studio between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., say hello, check out my work, and tell me what you think. If it moves you, please take some home so you can be inspired every day.

Jan 07 2010

University of San Francisco School of Law Rotunda Gallery Exhibition

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USF Rotunda Gallery exhibit of night photography by John ViasI’m pleased to have seven of my night photos on display through May 24 in USF’s School of Law Rotunda Gallery, 2130 Fulton St. (at Parker St.), third floor, in San Francisco. The show was curated by independent art consultant Saiko Matsumaru. Here’s an excerpt from her write-up about my work:

Most of the work here is captured using the strong, direct light of streetlamps, creating images that are precise and architectural. This is not to say that these photos aren’t beautiful—they are, with their saturated colors, careful composition, and sharp detail—it’s just that we see a world that is very ordinary and very alien at the same time. A constructed world, built by people but from which the people—and seemingly only the people—have been extracted. . . .

The dreamlike images of Triplet Tanks and Blue Wall, captured with exacting precision by Vias, are bathed in a clear, cool light, imparting a feeling of otherworldliness; we almost get the sense that these scenes could be somewhere on a moon of Jupiter. Yet this photography is very much about this world. About the world that surrounds us—quietly, stilly, beautifully—waiting for those with both the patience to slow down and look for it and the skill and artistry to capture it.

The gallery is open to the public Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dec 05 2009

Winter Open Studio 2009

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Like last year, I’m mostly doing my own thing. I’ll be opening my studio to you this weekend and next, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. I’ll have $20 screen savers, which make great stocking stuffers, and a variety of prints to choose from. As you know, although there are hopeful signs of recovery on the way, the economy remains sluggish. These are times when we especially need beauty and inspiration in our lives, and art can provide them like no mass-produced item can (not even an iPhone). So to make it easier for you to bring my art home with you, and because they’ve been such a success, I’m extending my discounts for this show:

  1. 20% off all prints larger than 8″×10″. If you’ve been waiting to buy a print, now’s the time.
  2. In-stock 8″×10″ prints are on close-out for only $75, down from $125, or 40% off.

You’ll receive an even larger discount if you make a multi-print purchase. So come by my studio, say hello, and bring some inspiration into your life. Or you can call or use my website to place your order and receive the discounts.

Also, I’ve helped organize a walking tour of artists within a few blocks of my studio. You can pick up a free map and listing to our studios and go on a little tour, enjoying the fall foliage and picking up some holiday gifts. Bring some friends along for even more fun!

I hope to see you and your friends at the show, so please tell everyone you think may be interested. Thank you for your interest and support, and happy holidays!

Nov 07 2009

Wooden Photography

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Pro Arts’ 35th Anniversary Party/Box Art Benefit Auction is coming soon. This year’s challenge was to turn a 5.5″ cube of wood into a piece of art to help raise needed funds for Pro Arts. For various reasons, I didn’t get my block until recently (thanks for getting it to me, Vicky!), and I didn’t get it done until Halloween afternoon—and the preview started November 3! You can see a picture of it here. Click on it for a larger view. Of course, art needs to be seen in person to be fully appreciated, especially three-dimensional pieces.

"Night Cube, a mixed media artwork by John ViasUnlike last year, I came up with my concept for this piece relatively easily, refining it as I went. I visited Cesar Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina on a cold night this week, trekked to a high spot so I could see the skyline in every direction, put the block on a tripod, and photographed it from all four corners and from above. I shined my spotlight on it to make the block stand out. Lights from the skyline shimmer in the photos’ backgrounds. Then I applied the photos to the block so it looks like you’re there at night in the park looking at the cube, except each of the four sides has a picture of a corner. I hope it fetches a large sum for Pro Arts.

Night Cube, and dozens of others, will be up for auction this Saturday evening, 6–9 p.m., at 150 Frank Ogawa Plaza in Downtown Oakland at Broadway and 14th St. There will be refreshments, music, and silent and live auctions. Also, sponsorships are available in advance of the event for $50. If you sponsor an artist, you’ll receive reserved privileges at the event. Call Pro Arts for details.

Dropping off my piece Saturday, I got a sneak peek at some of the other pieces, and as always, I’m impressed at what the other artists came up with. The auction is fun and exciting—it’s better than Ebay! The East Bay artist community needs Pro Arts to stick around another 35 years, so please come out, say hello, have a snack, and place your bids. See you there!

Oct 17 2009

Night Photography at SF Open Studios at Fort Mason

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For the fifth year running, I’ll be participating in Studio Nocturne, an exhibition by 10 night photographers that’s part of San Francisco Open Studios. I’ll be showing some new work as well as old favorites.

This year, for the first time, we’ll be on the ground floor of Building D, where we’ll have a lot more room. Also, Charity Vargas will be joining us for the first time. Among other work, she photographs the UC Berkeley campus at night. Hours are 11 a.m.–6 p.m. There will be lots of other artists exhibiting at Fort Mason Center, and it’s always a fun show with lots to see, so come on out this weekend!

You can learn more about the artists, get links to their websites, see example images, and get more details of the event at the Studio Nocturne 2009 website.

Jul 03 2009

Wall and Hedge Selected for “Glimpses in Time” Tribute Show

By Exhibition, Recognition No Comments

Wall and Hedge was selected for “Glimpses in Time,” an annual juried photography exhibition, this year in honor of Manuel Alvarez Bravo, at the Joyce Gordon Gallery in Oakland. I’m very pleased to have been included in the show for the third year in a row. Almost 154 entries were submitted from across the US and five foreign countries.

A public reception will be held Friday, July 3, 2009, 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m., coinciding with Oakland Art Murmur. The Joyce Gordon Gallery is at 406 14th St., Oakland, just steps from the 12th St. BART station. The show runs through this month.

The juror was Rene de Guzman, senior art curator at the Oakland Museum of California.

Manuel Alvarez Bravo was a Mexican photographer best known for his sometimes dream-like, sometimes political, surrealistic work. I encourage you to learn more about his contributions to the arts. And come see the show!

Jun 06 2009

East Bay Open Studios 2009

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For the sixth year running, I’ll participate in Pro Arts’ East Bay Open Studios. Stop by, see my new work, and pick up a free copy of the Directory of East Bay Arts (the new, expanded color guide with maps to the show, an arts calendar, and other things East Bay art lovers need to know).

The show takes place over the first two weekends in June and involves over 400 artists throughout the East Bay. Please stop by between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., say hello, and take home some art to inspire you and remind you this really is a beautiful world.

Dec 13 2008

Winter Open Studio 2008

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In previous Decembers, I’ve opened my studio as part of an organized open studio event. This year, I’m doing my own thing. I’ll be opening my studio to you this weekend only, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. I’ll have $20 screen savers, which make great stocking stuffers, and a variety of prints to choose from. As you know, the economy has seen better days. These are times when we especially need solace and inspiration in our lives, and art can provide them like nothing else. To make it easier for you to bring my art home with you, I’m making two special offers for this event:

  1. 10% off all prints larger than 8″×10″. If you’ve been waiting to buy a print, now’s the time.
  2. In-stock 8″×10″ prints are on close-out for only $75, down from $125.

You’ll receive an even larger discount if you make a multi-print purchase. So all prints are discounted, but only during this event. So come by my studio, say hello, and bring some inspiration into your life. Or you can call or use my website to place your order and receive the discounts.

I hope to see you and your friends at the show, so please tell anyone you think may be interested. Thanks, and happy holidays!

Nov 08 2008

My First Mixed Media Piece

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Mixed media artwork, a photo mounted to a section of doorSeveral weeks ago, as I was leaving Pro Arts Gallery, I encountered a volunteer outside. He strongly encouraged me to take one of the hunks of household doors he was giving out. Pro Arts’ annual Box Art Benefit Auction was coming up and this year’s challenge for participating artists was to turn a piece of door into a piece of art to help raise needed funds for Pro Arts. Reluctantly, I selected a door chunk, not knowing what I was going to do with it. Using photography as my primary medium, I hadn’t had the need for wooden substrates. Over the coming weeks, I came up with and rejected several ideas. I eventually figured out what I wanted to do, and my first mixed media piece, Door on Door, was born.

It, and over 100 others, will be up for auction this Saturday evening, 6–9 p.m. There will be hors d’oeuvres by Greenleaf Platters, beer, cocktails, music, portraits, silent and live auctions, and a new auctioneer this year. Also, sponsorships are available in advance of the event for $100. If you sponsor an artist, you’ll receive reserved privileges at the event. All the money goes to Pro Arts.

I had the opportunity to see some of the other pieces and I’m amazed at what some of the artists were able to come up with. I’m excited to see what happens at the auction! So come say hello, have a snack, and place your bid.

Update: Pro Arts’ director bought this piece.