Downtown Campbell Business Association’s ArtWalk showcases local artists and the beauty of artistic creation

By Jeanne C. Carbone, Editor

If you’re in the mood for inspiration don’t miss Campbell’s downtown artistic community displaying their creativity at the monthly ArtWalk.

“Downtown Campbell’s Third Friday Artwalk is gaining momentum and enthusiasm,” said Artist Sonya Paz who recently opened up a larger gallery in the downtown artistic Mecca. “Each time we have our ArtWalk the event is really terrific and all of our hard work is certainly paying off.”

Indeed, the ArtWalk is gaining momentum with more and more Bay Area residents attending the “tour-on-your-own” style enjoying the galleries as well as the visiting artists displaying their paintings, jewelry, pottery and handcrafted items. On the April 17 ArtWalk artist Brian Haney was working plein air [in the open air] and painting a very lifelike frog in front of Audible Arts. Across the street in front of Ayla Beth Hansen displays her handmade jewelry with semi-precious stones and fossils. A teacher by trade, she uses the extra money for supplies for her students. And then there’s Pacific Art Collective in front of Sonoma Chicken Coop painting a cityscape mural.

The concept of having visiting artists was spearheaded by Paz who along with Stone Griffin Gallery’s Dana Smith organizes the every third Friday ArtWalk event for the Downtown Campbell Business Association [DCBA] members. The work displayed is as different as the ten galleries that occupy space in downtown Campbell. Sonya Paz Fine Art Gallery showcases bold, graphic original paintings and prints as well as designed watches, pillows, pendants, wine glasses and the like making art affordable to the masses.

Smith’s gallery is an abundance of “mostly California landscapes and local artists” and has built a solid reputation after many years in the downtown area. He’s included custom framing and life drawing sessions as well.

“The Downtown Campbell Business Association has a budget for the ArtWalk,” said Smith. “We started in 2004 on Thursday but changed the event to Friday. The live music really helps attendance but the weather is important.”

The art experience at ArtWalk is stimulating but equally entertaining and inspiring are the artist’s biographies which they will gladly share.

Lorraine Lawson Fine Arts in The Courtyard cites her maternal great-grandfather, renowned European artist Gustave Flasschoen as her creative motivation. Growing up in Belgium, Lawson studied the one painting the family had from him and dreamed of becoming an artist. In 1961, they moved to Campbell where she graduated from Del Mar High School. Ten years ago Lawson started painting in earnest and four years ago she opened her own gallery. Her work constantly evolves as she creates studies in texture adding newspapers, sand, and shells. Lawson is equally comfortable creating traditional landscape paintings.

“Art has the power to make us see things from a different perspective,” said Lawson. “I find my own voice in my abstract art. My new found inspiration is exotic papers and sheet music. I always knew I belonged in downtown Campbell. My roots are here.”

Lawson also displays the work of artist Jeanette Stevenson who creates fantasy-like photographic montages from photo transparencies.

Across the way in The Courtyard is Heartworks, Debbie Marie Arambula’s gallery.

“I came to Campbell 10 years ago,” said Arambula. “I was at Kensington Gallery. I always envisioned having an ArtWalk.”

Arambula sells her work at her own gallery called Debbie Marie Gallery but many know it as Heartworks. In the back of The Courtyard she has her studio where she creates cheerful abstract hearts, landscapes and the like in stunning jewel tones. She travels all over the country showcasing her work, selling internationally and says “I love what I do.”

Music permeates the downtown area whether it’s Blues Hammer in The Courtyard or flutist Sam Barth in front of Stone Griffin at the April 17 ArtWalk.

“The ArtWalk has definitely grown,” said DCBA President and Trailsloggers owner Neil Collins. “And it adds so much character to the downtown.”

DCBA presents successful Bunnies and Bonnets Parade

More good times happened in downtown Campbell as the main street closed down and the much anticipated annual Bunnies and Bonnets Parade was held on April 11.

“I try to bring Lillyana every year,” said Joseph Farfen who watched as his 5-year-old daughter draw a basket with chalk on Campbell Avenue. “It’s either our second or third year. It’s a lot of fun.”

Lillyana agreed excitedly saying “I saw the Easter bunny!”

But that is just the beginning of the midday event where kids draw on the street paving the way for a full scale old fashioned parade. While the young artists display their talents, the east end of Campbell Avenue by the railroad tracks lines up with marching bands, baton dancers, classic cars, city officials, school groups, and more readying for the procession. Fostering much attention were the Golden Gate Basset Hound Rescue from Novato who brought 25 of the canines to participate in the procession.

The Bunnies and Bonnets Parade is in its 12th year and is sponsored by the Downtown Campbell Business Association [DCBA]. It has become a must attend event ushering in spring.

–Jeanne C. Carbone