Emerging

That kind of gets to the heart of it - common ground, something that everybody understands and participates in to some extent. The human dialogue. People through the ages have been telling their stories through song, dance, visual expression; and the under 20 crowd has as much to say, if not more, than anybody else. “Teenagers - no, everyone - needs the arts. It’s part of what makes us `human,’” says Clark.

All of the arts, not just visual, are a part of their dream. They have musicians and poets in the group as well, and writers like Clark, who waxed eloquent: “I love words and painting with them the way another might create shapes on a canvas. Any form of healthy expression is better than none, or violent, abusive expression. I’d rather have a place to go to share prose on how lost I feel at 17, rather than feel the urge to drink it away, to become numb.” This could be anyone talking, really. These issues are not unique to teenagers. They just have a harder time finding a welcoming place to share their troubles and get some direction.

These are all good reasons to come out and support this group, if not the simple love of seeing the work of artists budding with creativity. While it’s important for them to work for these solutions themselves, there is lot that adults can do to help. Says Clark, “Everyone in this community has something to offer us, just like we hope to offer something to them. Donations, of all sorts, time, money, resources, airtime, are so, so helpful.” If you want to find out more about them stop by their MySpace page www.myspace.com/thecoffeeopp or e-mail them at thecoffeeopp@gmail.com.

In other news, Bob Benson is retiring after 34 years of teaching art at the College of the Redwoods. As his way of saying goodbye, he’s exhibiting a body of new work - 26 new pieces - at the CR Gallery. Known for his expressive watercolors, these works are mixed-media “works in progress” on wood and paper, showing a new direction for Benson. “None of these pieces were produced from observation,” he notes. He’s excited about the new course his work is taking, saying, “It is the ability to trust and not interfere with the intuitive that allows creativity of the highest order to be realized.”

Unfortunately, word of this show went out late - the work is only up through Monday, April 9. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday or Fridays by appointment. Call 476-4558.

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