SO WHAT HAPPENS AT ONE OF OUR WEEKENDER CELEBRATIONS?..... I'm mingling at this one to give you my experience.
ARTS and CRAFTS.....and FOLKS! Yesterdays weekender event at The
Madrones was off to a slow start, but before we knew it..... the tacos
were sizzling on Alicia’s grill, visitors and guest were chatting with
the artists and our winemakers were making new friends. I have to say
that these monthly celebrations are a lot of fun for all of us, as well as an
added reason for members of our community to stop by and say hello. The
lucky visitors in the area also have an opportunity to chat one on one
with the winemakers about their craft and what they are up to at the
moment.
I left the shop doors open and took a few moments during the day to go
out and visit with the artists and talk about their work. Not only did
we discuss how art fits into their daily lives, but the struggle with
our current economy and the challenge of maintaining a vision while
evolving their craft as a viable commodity with "form” &
"function”. I spoke at length with ceramicist Nick Schwartz and his
fiancé’ Jessica about the challenges of a young artist today to ink out a
living, as well as the possibility of a new revival in the American Arts and Crafts scene. As we spoke my mind
continued to drift back to the idea of art as objects of inspirational beauty with purposeful function in our daily lives. Whether it is a
bowl you serve a meal in, a quilt to keep you warm or a walking stick
for your explorations in nature. I had to quietly suggest the
depression era as a historical time of great art-wares. This was a
viable movement supported by the populous. I honestly think we are
currently in an incubation period, these are exciting times that push at our
depths for transformation.
A few of my other artist conversations were with Debra Lennox about her
beautiful wood block prints. She was set up on the courtyard with
examples of recent blocks she had carved and stories of her trip to Japan
this past summer. Nancy and Bill McCleod showed their folk art pieces
and furniture with stories of living off the grid and hunting for native
ceanothus for their table legs. Deanna Apfel had her quilts
displayed in the Bink tasting room with some that had beautiful photo
fabric image transfers of local scenes here in the valley. Alexis Moyer
had a stunning display of her vibrant blue glazed pottery, Kit Lee
offered tastings of her olive oil and local Chocolatier Shelley Fields
of Wicked Bonbons offered her phenomenal hand made chocolates. The
Ukeholics kept us entertained with there acoustical talents. It was fun
to see musician and carpenter Henry Hill after all these years, as we
pointed towards the front building here saying "you remember working on
that?”
As for our visitors and guests: John Dixon of Glendeven Inn stopped by
for a quick hello and to taste of some of the current wines. I visited
with the Schoeneman’s of Ferrington Vineyards and The Brewery Gulch Inn,
exchanging stories about harvesting tomatoes and fall canning. Peggy
came by to buy some cheese and informed me that they had finally
finished harvesting their vineyards as the threat of Botrytis loomed. (At this time of year, you don't want to hear those horrible few words...."We had to drop some fruit.")
Herbalist and Natural Medicine woman, Mary Pat Palmer visited and gave
me some great suggestions of other books to carry in the shop. Beverly
and Sandra continued to pop by and Brian Snelling from Londer’s Tasting
room stopped by at the end of the day to visit. I love our community.
The collaboration with The Arts Council of Mendocino County in
celebrating American Craft Week was a great Idea that Cindy Paulson of
Bink Wines had. I know all of us at The Madrones look forward to
supporting our local artisans and creating opportunities in the future
to showcase and celebrate their work.
So what’s next? Well, think of forests and meadows and the first rains of
the season. From a dry sleep awakes the fungi we all look forward to
foraging. Yes folks, in November we are celebrating "The Mushroom”.
Mark your calendar for Sunday the 13th!