Members of American River College’s art club painted and sketched under jury-rigged lighting at the Oak Park Brewing Company on Tuesday night as part of a live art show featuring local musical talent.
The event was the first of its kind and served as a prototype for future live exhibitions for the club.
For many of the artists, such as minimalist artist Aerial Sudds, it was also their first time painting in front of a live audience.
At the end of the night, Sudds claimed that she felt nothing but “good vibes” and that she would definitely like to do an event like this again.
Paige Logsdon, an artist who had an experience with live events, felt that the art show served as a tool for reworking older pieces.
Logsdon, who used to present her art at various Second Saturday locations, said that the musical accompaniment was “influencing the rhythm of the painting” and that she felt her work taking on a “surreal” feeling as one of the musical acts began playing their self-named “Spirit Set,” which involved a flute, bongo drums, and a didgeridoo.
Brianna Hulce, another participating painter, said the whole event reminded her of “being in a giant drum circle at a music festival,” and that the music put her in the right mood to create her abstract portrait.
Featured bands included a blues rock band, singer-songwriters who performed covers of Elton John songs and the aforementioned Spirit Set band, who were especially popular among the artists.
Art club secretary Erika Gonzalez said that she would try to set up events like it more often.
“It’s a good way for our artists to get themselves out there,” said Gonzalez, adding that “The live aspect of the show gets me out of my bubble, makes me more social and helps me out of my artist’s block.”
Miguel Paz, who served as a percussionist for one of the bands, claimed the event was “great for the students and for Oak Park” and said that the area needed “more events.”
