Art
Friday, May 12, 2023
Local Student Wins Congressional Art Contest
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Fri, May 12, 2023 at 1:05 PM
According to a release from her school, North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman called Bowie last week to share the news.
The 17 year old’s painting, “Balance in Two Worlds,” is part of her Advanced Placement art portfolio, which “focused on modern Indigenous culture.”
Bowie, a tribal member of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, wrote in her artist statement: “This is a painting of myself after a ceremony in my traditional regalia, that is all hand-made. As I stand looking at a modern world, it feels like there is no place for Native Culture anymore. The church is a major element (considering the decades of damage the Catholic Church inflicted on my people, especially during the boarding school era). The blue jays in the tree show significance because their feathers are important and used to make the veil in the flower dance (women's coming of age ceremony), which I will be having for myself very soon.”
In addition to having her painting on display in the U.S. Capitol for a year, Bowie will also be flown to Washington, D.C., to participate in an award ceremony with winners from other congressional districts.
“Trinity is an exceptional artist and student,” Maya Makino, Trinity’s art teacher at St. Bernard’s Academy, said in the release. “She is a focused artist who creates pieces with deep layers of meaning. I’m excited for Trinity’s bright creative future.”
Read the release below:
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Photos: 39th Annual Lantern Floating Festival
Posted By Mark Larson on Tue, Aug 9, 2022 at 5:22 PM
The emotional event, linked to the 77th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, was described by organizers as "an opportunity to offer spiritual consolation for everyone affected by the pandemic, those we miss, departed loved ones, ancestors and all we hold dear." The event began with participants creating their own personalized lanterns at a workstation on the Arcata Plaza during the morning farmers market. The low cloud cover lasted until sunset, when the sky turned colorful. The lanterns entered the water after twilight.
The event was hosted by Arcata Mayor Stacy Atkins-Salazar and included Humboldt Taiko's drumming, poetry reading, shakuhachi flute music by Rick Kruze, songs by the McKinleyville Choir and the Raging Grannies, and other speakers. See the slideshow below for highlights from the event.
The city of Arcata’s Nuclear-Free Zone Committee started the Arcata Lantern Floating Ceremony 39 years ago to commemorate the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, and to affirm Arcata’s dedication to the cause of peace, to bring awareness to the dangers of nuclear proliferation, and to advocate for environmental sustainability. Community groups helping to create this event include: the city of Arcata, Humboldt Buddhist Peace Fellowship, GI Rights Hotline, Shinnyo-en, Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Social Action Committee, Veterans For Peace, Humboldt Friends Meeting (Quakers), United States Servas and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
Friday, July 29, 2022
Former Arcata McKinley Statue May Soon Have a New Home
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Fri, Jul 29, 2022 at 5:16 PM
The Canton Repository reported July 22 that the Timken Foundation of Canton — which officially took control of the bronze work by noted artist Haig Patigian — has decided the Stark County Courthouse, where the 25th president once practiced law, should be the sculpture’s new home and asked Stark County commissioners to “accept the statue as a donation for the corner of Tuscarawas Street and Market Avenue.”
"It's an exciting project for the city and the county," Commissioner Janet Weir Creighton told the newspaper. "It's a way to honor William McKinley and have a statue of him downtown."
The county commission, equivalent to the Board of Supervisors, still needs to cast an official vote on the matter.
More than three years have elapsed since the nearly 9-foot memorial to the president felled by an assassin’s bullet in 1901 was placed on a bed of tires in a flatbed truck to make the 2,600-mile trip to McKinley’s one-time home of Canton, Ohio, where he is buried and his presidential library is located.
Commissioned by Arcata rancher George Zehnder as a tribute to the slain McKinley, whom he had admired, the statue survived the Great San Francisco earthquake in 1906 and held court over the plaza for more than 100 years before being removed.
Monday, May 16, 2022
Artist, Poet, Activist and Karuk Ceremonial Singer Brian Tripp has Died
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Mon, May 16, 2022 at 3:38 PM
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Photos: Celebrating Charlie Moon, Chinatown and the Year of the Tiger
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Tue, May 10, 2022 at 5:05 PM
Sunday, November 7, 2021
Heading for Charlie Moon Way
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Sun, Nov 7, 2021 at 12:04 PM
The hope is to “create a space for learning about those stories,” according to Brieanne Mirjah D’Souza of the Eureka Chinatown Project, which first proposed the renaming before the city council in May. While a number of names for the alley were considered, “We really thought naming this after a person specifically would be a way to color in the lines of the story” of Chinese people in Humboldt. And Moon, she says, “represents so much more, and a crossing of communities.” Given the number of local Native people who can trace their lineage back to Moon, Mirjah D’Souza says, “We’re not just honoring someone who’s passed — it’s his descendents that will be around.”
Friday, October 22, 2021
North Coast Otters Art Initiative Raises $300,000
Posted By Iridian Casarez on Fri, Oct 22, 2021 at 10:35 AM
The initiative led by wildlife professor Jeff Black began in 2019 with the hopes of launching the initiative in 2020, however, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, plans were changed and the otter sculpture scavenger hunt was postponed.
The goal of the initiative was to celebrate professor Black's 20 years of “citizen science” river otter records study, where residents who spot otters catalog when and where they were seen, and raise awareness about wildlife conservation and celebrate the arts.
This summer residents in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Trinity and Siskiyou counties were able to find otters scattered throughout businesses, however, more than 300 "otter spotters" participated in the raffle and submitted entry forms for a chance to win one of the 32 raffle prizes donated by local businesses.
“Hundreds of people, including grandkids with grandparents, families, couples and, well, everyone, seemed to fall in love with these otters,” Black said. “The merger of art and science was an absolute joy throughout the North Coast.”
Thursday, September 9, 2021
North Coast Otter Sculpture Auction and Preview
Posted By Iridian Casarez on Thu, Sep 9, 2021 at 12:01 PM
Thirty-two otter sculptures that were a part of the massive five-county scavenger hunt will be up for auction on Saturday, Sept. 11, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Clarke Historical Museum, followed by an online auction of the remaining 70-plus otters the following week.
The North Coast Otters Public Art Initiative was created to celebrate life, water and otters, support local businesses and raise funds for student projects.
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Time to Start Looking for Otter Sculptures!
Posted By Iridian Casarez on Tue, Jun 22, 2021 at 3:25 PM
The initiative's creator and Humboldt State University wildlife professor Jeff Black says he's really excited about finally getting the otter sculptures out.
"I've been getting phone calls from people in the community telling me that they're excited about getting to look for [the sculptures]," Black told the Journal. "I'm very excited about giving people something to look forward to."
All otter sculptures are up for bidding through an online silent auction open throughout the summer, and the highest bid sculptures will be sold in a live auction in September. The funds will then be used to fund HSU otter research and student internships with community-based watershed projects.
The North Coast Otters Public Art Initiative was created to celebrate life, water, and otters, support local businesses and raise funds for student projects.
You can download the otter sculpture guidebook (or artist location key) here, or simply head to the nearest shop, gallery, school or other North Coast locations to pick up a copy.
“The initiative arose from a desire to share what we are learning about wild river otters with the community,” Black said. “River otters are at the top of the food chain in coastal watersheds, rivers, and wetlands, and just like us, river otters need clean water and fresh food each day.”
Black says that "Bunty," the sculpture that inspired him to create the initiative, will make "special appearances" to promote the treasure hunt.
Happy hunting!
100+ Otter Sculptures on Display in Public Arts Initiative to Raise Awareness about California's River Otters
The much-anticipated North Coast Otters have arrived! The North Coast Otters public art festival, treasure hunt, and online auction begin today.
North Coast Otters Public Arts Initiative is a community “treasure hunt” tour of more than 100 sculptures painted by local artists, with an aim to celebrate life, water, and otters, support local businesses, and raise funds for student projects. Visit the North Coast Otters Public Arts Initiative website for more information.
North Coast Otters merges art and science, encouraging imagination and observation from our region’s rich creative community.
The project commissioned 108 unique pieces of Otter Art now displayed at shops, galleries, schools, and other North Coast locations. Participating artists decorated three-foot-tall otter sculptures for an educational art trail throughout Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Trinity, and Siskiyou counties.
Use the maps and guidebooks to locate the otters. Learn all about the charismatic critter, which shares our wild rivers, coastlines, and wetlands. A Junior Otter Spotters "activity booklet" will be available to inspire the young and young at heart.
Otter Art sculptures are available for bidding in a silent auction online throughout the summer, and the highest bid sculptures will be sold in a live auction in September. Proceeds will go to HSU otter research and student internships with community-based watershed projects.
A guidebook—available at each host location and downloadable on the website—shows locations of participating shops, restaurants, and visitor centers. This public arts initiative provides an accessible opportunity to explore our connection with the natural world.
“The initiative arose from a desire to share what we are learning about wild river otters with the community,” says Jeff Black, HSU Wildlife professor and project lead. “River otters are at the top of the food chain in coastal watersheds, rivers, and wetlands, and just like us, river otters need clean water and fresh food each day.”
The project encourages community members to participate in the ongoing citizen science river otter records study by consistently reporting when and where wild river otters are observed throughout the North Coast region.
Since 1999, HSU students have been collecting otter records from citizen volunteers as a means of tracking the quality of North Coast habitats. River otters, seen at all times of day in our area, have captured the attention of thousands.
“Some of these wild river otters travel far and wide to find enough food each and every day,” Black says. “River otter numbers are beginning to recover thanks to efforts to restore and clean up habitats, but they need our commitment to ensure their presence in the wild.”
Send details of wild otter observations to otters@humboldt.edu or call (707) 826-3439.
Thursday, June 10, 2021
North Coast Night Lights: Eclipse of the Super Flower Moon
Posted By David Wilson on Thu, Jun 10, 2021 at 1:00 AM
The moon’s orbit around Earth is elliptical, a squished circle, which means that sometimes the moon is closer to Earth than at other times. When the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach, called perigee, the full moon is called a super moon, and naturally, being closer, it is a slightly larger full moon than otherwise.
Blood Moon is a term referring to the deep reddish-orange that the moon becomes during a total lunar eclipse, which we saw on May 26 this year. A total lunar eclipse such as this occurs when the moon passes directly through the densest part of the shadow that the sun casts behind Earth. The plane in which the moon orbits Earth is offset from the plane about which the Earth orbits the sun, so it isn’t often that Earth, the moon, and sun line up in this way. When the three celestial bodies line up with the moon behind Earth, the moon passes into Earth’s shadow and is eclipsed.
Do you think a photograph is always going to show reality? Or that it has to? Since I began teaching Digital Photography at College of the Redwoods, a beginning class, I’ve noticed a common conception that photographs always show “reality,” and that they capture instants in time. It’s understandable, since this is how we typically use our cameras — to capture and freeze what we saw. The typical photograph does often capture an instant in time and space pretty much the way we saw it, or remember it. It can even become the way we remember it, whether it was exactly how we saw it or not. This makes an interesting topic for discussion in class.
Cameras see the world differently from the way you or I see it, and sometimes what they capture is either beyond what we can see with our own eyes, or else it falls far short of what we see with our own eyes. I call those phenomena the camera’s superpowers and limitations. To have powers beyond ours, while also having limits greater than ours, means that it is possible to capture photographs that do not closely resemble what we saw with our flesh and blood eyes. So which was reality: what we saw, or what the camera saw? I tend to say either or both, for our realities are a matter of perception, and seeing things in new ways is useful.
This image represents both the camera’s amazing superpowers, and its severe limitations. The camera’s superpower here is its ability to see so much better into the low light of night than my naked eye can. It was still the dark of night for me, just enough light cast by the moon to throw a shadow behind me as I watched its face darken and redden. The Milky Way was visible, too, but as always it was fairly faint to the eye, and color on the landscape was almost nonexistent, though I could discern some yellow in the stripe.
Our eyes see the world moment-by-moment, and staring into the night for seconds at a time does not make the night any brighter. But unlike our eyes, the camera’s patient eye in this case gathered light for a full thirty seconds, building up the image lightness and detail with each passing second. The camera’s more patient eye was able to capture the road, landscape, and night sky with far more clarity, detail and color than I could. The sensor’s ISO can be turned way up, too, allowing it to capture even more detail in near darkness. These are superpowers of the camera that can bring us views of the night that we will never see with our naked eyes. It’s still reality.
But what about the moon? It didn’t fare as well in the exposure; it ran into a severe limitation of the camera and became over exposed, which resulted in it not looking the way I saw it at all. To my eye that morning as I photographed beside the road, the eclipsed moon glowed a beautiful amber-red, bright enough to easily see color and detail in it. But to the camera, which was set to capture the much darker landscape and night sky, the lighter moon became a featureless bright white spot in the sky. The camera was not able to capture both the relatively bright eclipsed moon, the dark landscape, and faint Milky Way all at once because the difference in brightness values between the darkest and lightest elements was simply too great. Its superpower of seeing into the darkness did not allow it to see both the dark landscape and bright moon at once, and the moon became too bright.
I wanted to bring home the full eclipse experience that I’d had, with the moon appearing the way I had seen it, and the Milky Way accompanying it with the landscape visible beneath it. To do so, I made a second exposure in which the moon looked normal. But though the moon looked good in this one, now the sky and landscape were nearly completely black, much darker than even my naked eye had seen it. My solution was to use the moon from that image on top of the too-bright moon in the photo of the landscape and sky, with the result that now my image of the Super Flower Blood Moon eclipse of May 26 more closely resembles what I saw that early morning.
I had to work at it to bring you the eclipse as I’d seen it. A single snapshot couldn’t do it. Some might say I should have left the sky black and had a normal-looking moon surrounded by blackness. Some might say I should have left the moon a bright white spot with the Milky Way and landscape as you see here. Neither of those is what I saw, though. I chose to share this.
To keep abreast of David Wilson’s most current photography or purchase a print, visit or contact him at his website mindscapefx.com or follow him on Instagram at @david_wilson_mfx and on Twitter @davidwilson_mfx . David teaches Art 35 Digital Photography at College of the Redwoods.
Recent Comments
-
Re: Arrest Made After Fatal Hit and Run at Richardson Grove
Fine job of the justice system. Keep letting repeat offenders off the hook with a…
-
on September 25, 2023
-
Re: Sheriff Releases Names, Details in Pine Hill Shootings
Pretty infuriating that the sheriff's office tried to charge her when she went to them…
-
on September 13, 2023
