Times-Standard
Eureka, California
May 18, 2018

Five artists will gather to share their work with the public at the Samoa Women’s Club in Samoa for the first weekend of North Coast Open Studios.

Working in silk, clay, paper, and more, this diverse group of artists will show their work on Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3, from 10 to 5. There is also a special preview on Friday, June 1 from 6-9.

The artists at the Samoa “hot spot” include silk painter Tina Gleave, Japanese watercolor artist Annette Makino, ceramicist Jennifer Rand, milliner Amy Fowler and watercolor painter Araya Shon. 

At the Samoa Women’s Club, the artists will show their work, discuss their inspirations and demonstrate their tools and techniques. They will offer original paintings for sale as well as art prints, silk clothing, one-of-a-kind hats, greeting cards, jewelry, ceramics and more.

“Open Studios is always a fun time to connect with art appreciators and local friends,” said Gleave. “This event is all about sharing art and meeting new people, which makes me appreciate my community and all it has to offer.”

Gleave is a fine art silk painter who received her Master's Status from Silk Painters International last year. She makes her silk paintings into wearable art silk prints and currently sells her fashions across the nation in museums, galleries, boutiques and national retailers. 

Makino said, “My art fully comes alive only once it is shared with others. Open Studios is a wonderful opportunity to connect with my customers one-on-one and hear stories of how my art impacts people.” 

Using Japanese watercolors and sumi ink, Makino combines her joyful paintings with original haiku and other words. Besides paintings, she will offer cards and prints of her art.

Rand enrolled in a beginning ceramics class while working on her M.A. in literature at Humboldt State University—and quickly found herself hooked. She spent several more years taking ceramics classes, as well as a semester on exchange studying ceramics at the State Academy of Art and Design in Stuttgart, Germany. 

Rand finds the ceramic medium a fascinating and unpredictable process that never fails to excite her imagination.  

Fowler is a milliner who has had her women’s fashion headwear published and shown locally and internationally. She designs her creations under the name Millinery by Amy Fowler, and is also the owner/operator of the online millinery supply business Humboldt Haberdashery.

Fowler uses a variety of classic and modern materials to construct her head pieces, and enjoys incorporating a variety of techniques in her designs. Her pieces are hand blocked and sewn, and all of the flowers and trims are handmade specifically for each piece.

Araya Shon has been painting with watercolors since she was five years old, and especially loves to paint flowers. She is currently in the eighth grade at Fieldbrook School.

The historic Samoa Women's Club, which looks out onto the dunes, is rarely open to the public. The house is located between Arcata and Eureka at 115 Rideout Avenue in Samoa, a four-minute drive from the Samoa Bridge. 

Directions are as follows: From Samoa Boulevard, turn left onto Cookhouse Road. Turn right onto Vance Avenue, and then take the first right onto Rideout Avenue.

Refreshments will be served at this family-friendly event and there will be free raffles for art. The building is wheelchair accessible.

Now in its 20th year, North Coast Open Studios is a showcase of Humboldt County artists and their work. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about the Samoa Women’s Club event, call (888) 508-5228.