Five picks for July ArtHop: From a new space for the Armenian Museum to Cactus Harris playing the organ at Warnors
By Donald Munro
Yes, it’s baking hot. But think of all those starving Parisian painters sweltering in cramped garret apartments as they suffer for their art in Europe’s humid heatwave.
Pictured above: Cactus Sam Harris will perform the Warnors pipe organ as part of July ArtHop.
The least you can do is hop in your air-conditioned car and head downtown for a bit of Fresno early-evening dry heat to celebrate ArtHop. (The monthly open house of galleries and studios in the downtown and Tower District neighborhoods runs at most venues from 5-8 p.m. at most venues on Thursday, July 3.)
Here are some picks:
Armenian Museum of Fresno
It’s a busy summer for the thriving museum (a prominent Measure P beneficiary) between a popular photography exhibition at its regular home near Fashion Fair and an expanded presence downtown just in time for ArtHop. The space is in the same proximity as the Gallery on Fulton, an outdoor space that stretches along Fulton Street from Inyo to Calaveras streets, but it’s in the air-conditioned Helm Building (1107 Fulton Street).That’s a key selling point, particularly during the summer months. The inside setting will offer visitors a cool, immersive cultural experience just steps away from the street festivities, says Varoujan der Simonian, the museum director.
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“We’ve long dreamt of having a space in downtown Fresno,” said Varoujan Der Simonian, director of the Armenian Museum of Fresno, in a news release. “We had hoped to expand into a downtown location this year, but unforeseen fire safety requirements have delayed that transition. Thanks to Measure P funding, however, we’re able to participate in Gallery on Fulton and remain connected to the vibrant downtown arts scene on the first Thursday of each month — until we can secure a permanent downtown gallery.”
The museum will showcase curated pieces from its collection.
This will be a wonderful opportunity for the Armenian Museum of Fresno to expand its reach.
Tim Padilla at Downtown Artist Gallery
Padilla, whose new show is titled “Rites of Passage,” makes a commitment to large-scale drawing.
“Once the drawing process has begun, do not stop until it is finished,” he tells me. I used compressed charcoal to start the mark on the paper, rub and press my hands in to that mess, and begin sculpting, by petting and rubbing with my open hands and fingers.”
Dog lovers will be intrigued. A sneak peek at the exhibition shows a number of drawings that include the juxtaposition of dog faces and bodies on human torsos, in a sort of tattoo style.
Along with the ArtHop opening, a reception will be held 1-3 p.m. Saturday, July 5, at the gallery (701 L Street).
CMAC celebrates a year of Art Beat
Live music, food and interactive photo activities will mark the festivities at the Community Media Access Collaborative (1555 Van Ness Ave.). From the organizers:
Fresno Art Beat was a Measure P funded cohort that provided production training to twenty-two participants through documenting arts and cultural events. This program created a space for underrepresented voices and served the community through storytelling.
Over the course of the program, the team covered a wide range of events including the Young Writers’ Conference, Bad Girls Market, the Pride Parade, and more. Through these documentaries, Fresno’s creative future shines brighter with every story shared.
Joy Core Project
This sounds like a sunny exhibition at the Joy Core Project: “From Fresno, With Love” is an art show and post-card sale. (Remember post cards? They’re wonderful treats to receive in an actual mailbox.) Featured artists are Nataly Barajas, Kylee Conriquez, Adrienne Diaz, Pam Flores, Angel Lesnikowski, Goku McAfee, Jade McAfee, Alek Blaze Palacios, Maria Rosas and Ruth Soderlund.
Cactus Harris at the Warnors
And finally, for you non-organ aficionados out there (I’m talking about the musical instrument, not kidneys or livers) who don’t know him, Harris is one of the area’s preeminent ambassadors for the sound. He will give a performance on the classic pipe organ at the beautiful Warnors Center for the Performing Arts in which he’ll be playing everything from Sousa to Elvis and The Beach Boys. It’ll be a fun mix that shows off the organ’s versatility, he tells me.
“For me, Warnors is the most beautiful performing arts space in Fresno, not only because of its stunning architecture but because it represents nearly a century of history. Truly magical! The organ has been the theatre’s continuous voice, creating a soundscape for thousands over the decades. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as the official house organist and carry that torch.”
The Munro Review has no paywall but is financially supported by readers who believe in its non-profit mission of bringing professional arts journalism to the central San Joaquin Valley. You can help by signing up for a monthly recurring paid membership or make a one-time donation of as little as $3. All memberships and donations are tax-deductible. The Munro Review is funded in part by the City of Fresno Measure P Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Fund administered by the Fresno Arts Council.
