Powering Up! Redondo’s electrifying new art show

Check out a book, and then check out the art.

Friday through Sunday, the Redondo Beach Art Group (RBAG) is holding its annual “Power of Art” group show at the Redondo Beach Main Library. Georgette Gantner is this year’s organizer and chair, with plenty of support from RBAG’s co-presidents, Patti Linnette and Debbie Collette.

Gantner herself is steeped in more than just the visual arts (of late she’s been penning song lyrics), and she’s been surrounded by creative types in all media – her father was an actor and her daughter, Mallory, is a singer and actress. Not so surprisingly, then, one of her inspirations for this year’s “Power of Art” exhibition was an NPR feature on John Harbisson entitled “Seeing Music, Hearing Color.”

Sure, the visual arts are at the center of RBAG, Gantner says, “but I’ve always wanted to incorporate theatrics, music and whatever. I come from that background.”

Dance and music and spoken word events aren’t new to “Power of Art” events, and they always seem to add to the celebratory nature of the exhibition.

This year’s guest curator is Max Presneill of the Torrance Art Museum.

The kick-off
The gala opening takes place Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. Live music will be provided by Avenue J, a local jazz band that spotlights 15-year-old Carly Stock on saxophone.

There are a number of visual highlights, and let’s begin with “Postcards from Redondo Beach,” curated by Richard Stephens, which features numerous 11”x11” works by various artists, each one having something to do with the city. Not to be missed, and there’s no way you will, are installation pieces by Cie Gumucio, Patti Grau, Diane Reeves, Suzi Dalmau, and Silvia Peluso. Grau has been sculpting with a chainsaw, and Stephens has been filming her at work. So let the chips fall where they may.

The “Imprint” gallery, which Gantner herself has curated, features work by printmaking students from Long Beach State (Gantner’s alma mater) as well as prints from Studio 1613.

For those who believe that mum’s the word, a silent auction – with an array of 32 gift baskets, created by RBAG artists – takes place on Friday, whereas a silent auction for the work in “Postcards from Redondo Beach” extends through 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Last but not least, The Grilled Cheese Truck will be on the premises, Friday night only.

Sail on, sailor
Saturday (12 noon to 7 p.m.) and Sunday (12 noon to 6 p.m.) promise a variety of events, beginning with “Where the Wild Things Are” from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Sponsored by South Bay Hands on Art, it’s an art project for all ages. Afterwards, there’s the intriguing Pacific Opera Project, helmed by Josh Shaw. “He takes these operas,” says Gantner, “and he puts a spin on them.” When he presented ‘Tosca,’ she adds, Shaw staged the first scene in a church, the second in a nearby playhouse, and the third in an outdoor courtyard.

Algo-Rhythm, with Dave Lebental and Patrick Bolen, perform classic rock and original tunes from 5 to 7 p.m. Bolen’s been a long-time guitarist for Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons.

Naturally, an appetite for music and art, and books, is one thing, or maybe three things, but additional nourishment can be found on the patio where tacos and wine will be sold.

And on to Sunday.

Max Presneill is scheduled to give a curator talk from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Presneill’s shows at the Torrance Art Museum always illustrate the notion that art needs latitude and leeway.

“I admire his guts,” Gantner says. “He’s not concerned about being aesthetically pleasing; he’s not concerned about what people think. He puts stuff out there and it has a good social message.”

Richard Stephens, always ready to roll up his paint-splattered sleeves, conducts an all-ages pastel workshop from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

What’s that you’re hearing as the day winds down? The Redondo Jazz Duo, with guitarist Derek Bomback and vocalist Mallory Gantner, performs from 4 to 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, Yellow Vase will sweeten the deal with their delicious and just desserts.

“Power of Art 2014,” taking place Friday, 6 to 10, Saturday 12 noon to 7, and Sunday 12 noon to 6 p.m., in the Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 Pacific Coast Hwy., R.B. Throughout October, select work from the Redondo Beach Art Group is on view in the display cases at both the main library and the north branch, located at 2000 Artesia Blvd., R.B. Information, (310) 376-5577 or RedondoBeachArtGroup.org.