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By Ramona Frances

OAKHURST - The Sierra Art Trails open studio event lured attendees ignoring dark and ominous clouds to participate in the evening with art and artists.

"This preview provides an opportunity for visitors to see one 'representative work' by each participating artist, allowing them to select works they are most interested in, and to help them plan their visit back to Art Trail weekend," said organizer Jon Bock and proprietor of Stellar Gallery and Williams West Gallery in Oakhurst.

The Sierra Art Trails fifth annual event is the weekend of October 13 and 14.

"It's impossible to see everything artists do. But Sierra Art Trails provides a unique opportunity to meet artists, visit studios, ask questions, view demonstrations and see the artist's creative process at work," Boch said at the Saturday event.

Original fine art and crafts made by over 130 artists in 50 locations in eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties will be available for purchase during the Sierra Art Trails weekend.

"We also encourage people to enjoy the region," Boch said. "There is so much to do here: fine dining, massage and visit(ing) a winery. We hope people spend the weekend. Mostly, we are encouraging people to enjoy and explore the community and have a good experience doing it."

Painter Anita Stoll of Coarsegold said the Sierra Art Trails is a wonderful event.

"It gives people a chance to experience not just one type, one kind or one medium (of art) but rather a beautiful variety, which enables them to see the possibility of an art that perhaps they have not seen before. The event promises to be a new experience, enlightening and enjoyable," said Stoll, a pastel, acrylic and oil painter.

The Sierra Art Trails catalog profiles participating artists and sells for $15. Proceeds help support Sierra Art Trails. Catalog cover art of a flamenco dancer was created by Donald "Putt" Puttman, a former teacher at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.

"I call her the Aloe Vera girl. That gal was a flamenco dancer on Aloe Vera Street in Los Angeles. That was a few years ago," Puttman said as he laughed.

Puttman said Art Trails has a great deal of value. "People can come out to studios to see how artists work. Its educational and good for artists too because they sell some of their work," he said.

For information, contact Stellar Gallery, 658-8844, or Williams Gallery West, 683-5551 or www.galwest.com.

Ramona Frances Ramona Frances is a staff columnist, writer and photographer for the Madera Tribune. You may contact Ramona at 674.8134 ext. 222 or by e-mail ramona (at) maderatribune.net The Madera Tribune online subscription To subscribe or log on, CLICK HERE. For more information first, CLICK HERE.