Monday, April 29, 2024

ArtQuake !

Oceanside welcomes New York 

Chuck Thomas
    

I remember when the City of Oceanside was described in a story as a Cultural Wasteland by the Union Tribune Newspaper. Yes, that was in the 90's and wow, now look at us! Our Oceanside Museum of Art has for the past 25 years brought National and International art to our City with exhibitions of exceptional merit.

Last Saturday, New York came to town. Chuck Thomas a New York artist has created the Art Center TECHNE.


TECHNE. “Afterburner” is the title of the Exhibition, the first opening for this most glamours gallery in the North County of San Diego. The Exhibition is April 27th to July 20th.    The Gallery is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 1 - 6 PM. Thomas has a studio in the upstairs loft of this most vast vaulted space.

Chuck Thomas and Jack Henry


This event marks a new dawn of what the cultural sensibilities for Oceanside and North County could be. The excitement was palatable, the very air explosive with new possibilities. Many of the Artists are from the east and were there in attendance. I spoke with one of the young artists who was so glad to be here in this City by the Sea, and was eager to make an artist to artist conversation. 


Jack Henry
 Jack Henry artist from New York, is a maker of light filled constructions small and large work, is telling his story of concern for our Earth's environment. His youthful energies welcomed exchange with this person of many years, and yet our common concerns about our planet's future made us immediate allies in the fight for using our art to tell a story.


This night of celebration with hundreds in attendance was what I would describe as an ArtQuake. For this kind of bridge building of exchange of art from New York to Oceanside is without president. I have had this vision and hope for many years, and now, it seems to be happening. A new Story is emerging, one that has opportunity for regional artists to access the sensibilities of the East Coast Art and can interact with our West Coast vibe. Our Oceanside Champagne Air is indeed intoxicating...

       View from the artist's loft studio