Above are works by Bruce and Connie, and below is a quick little spin around the gallery which is so light and bright. On view are outstanding works by Athena Mantle, Bruce Trentham, Bruce Burr, Jackie Stempke, Karen Hansen, Connie Towns Burr, David Friend, Katina Desmond, Linda Ternoir, and Mims Ellis. The gallery is open Tues.-Friday 11am-5pm and Saturday 10am-5pm.

For the first time I've gone out of my way to look for an artwork.  I had a local police officer tell me about a cow on top of a building near Lake and Verdugo, so I went in search of it today. I found it at 156 W. Verdugo Ave. on the business offices of Market City Caffe. 

The cow has been around for quite some time, first on display at the Pasadena restaurant then several years ago mooved to this location. At this time I don't know the name of the artist. 

The design on the cow is ornate and astronomical, and there are scientific math equations on the udder!

A saintly bronze character is found in front of the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at 181 Buena Vista. She is the Blessed Emilie Tavernier Gamelin, the Foundress of the Sisters of Providence. 

Raoul Hunter is the artist whose original cast piece is located in a metro station in Montreal where the shelter she founded once stood. 

This replica and seven others, which are found in Providence institutions around the country, have loaves of bread added to the basket and in her extended hand as seen in the pictures. This represent her tireless efforts to feed and comfort the hungry and misfortunate. 

Blessed Emilie is portrayed with a kind face and as a woman of obvious action. She looks as though she is ready to come right off the pedestal!

When I first approached this artwork at 201 Buena Vista in the medical center plaza, I thought it was one piece that spanned the walkway. However, after closer inspection they are two separate sculptures by the same artist placed near each other to create a grouping. The one closest to the building is entitled, "Surge," and the other is "Course."  There is a definite sense of movement from one to the other and yet Guy Dill has created two large three dimensional sculptures that seem reduced to a thin line when looked at from one end. 

I have driven by this sculpture at 1800 West Magnolia Blvd. so many times, and just yesterday exclaimed, "Hey, that's art!!" 

From the street, the sculpture is somewhat hidden among the trees at the corner of Orchard St. However, It's design describes it so perfectly because I instantly thought to myself, "It looks like a totem pole with pictures of dead presidents" (in other words, money).  "Money Totem" is exactly what artist, Ron Pekar, calls his sculpture built of graphically cut Corten steel and mesh. 

Six portraits of presidents as seen on American money rise up one above the other overlooking the parking lot of the Burbank City Federal Credit Union.

The Animation Guild building at 1105 Hollywood Way can be recognized by this colorful wall sculpture by Brad Howe entitled "Tempest in a Teacup." It has such a kinetic quality that I thought it really did move! I guess it is the play of shadows that makes it seem that way.  It is a wonderful piece to represent The Animation Guild. I noticed the color splash is also found on their website. 

Another wonderful thing I learned is that there is a gallery on the inside! It holds monthly exhibits of artwork by guild members, as individuals or in groups. It is closed for renovations this month, but Gallery 839 will reopen with a new show in May. (839 refers to the local union affiliation)

The Burbank Arts Festival is going on today and tomorrow (April 14 & 15th) from 10am-5pm on San Fernando Blvd. The street between Magnolia and Olive is full of artists, craftsmen, and their work.  My favorite thing about these festivals is getting to talk with the artists about themselves and their work. 

Jay Canterbury, pictured to the right with his photography, is here from Florida. He has been traveling around California setting up in various festivals and locations. 

Jay's work is beautifully abstract, and yet he focuses on common items; a stop sign, a water tower, the side of a boat. His skillful eye  captures fascinating compositions, which I consider quite painterly. Sometimes he has greatly enlarged a small portion of a larger picture to bring attention to its intrinsic splendor. Stop by to see him and take home a piece of his work.

Among the many artists set up with their work available for sale, are the chalk artists creating temporary masterpieces for your pleasure and amazement. Pictured above is Burbank's own Randall Williams, an award winning artist, and quite a personable character.  He is always willing to talk to everyone. It is a wonder that he is able to finish his amazing work!

I attended the festival early on Saturday while Burbank on Parade was taking place elsewhere, so the crowds were small and the eight chalk artists were just getting started as you can see a few in the pics below. Fortunately for everyone the weather is perfect after several days of rain. Beautiful downtown Burbank is the place to be!

The Creative Art Center is wonderfully creative space that is city owned and run. It is located at 1100 West Clark Avenue across from the children's playground in George Izay Park. It has a pottery studio that has three kiln's, a classroom from which various art classes are taught, and a gallery space that is a work of art in itself.

The Gallery hosts about 8 or so exhibits each year for individual artists and groups in addition to the annual member shows for the Burbank Fine Arts Federation and the Burbank Art Association, and the enormously popular Holiday Boutique.

Another yearly event is ongoing right now through April 19th. The Youth Art Expo is coordinated by the City of Burbank's Park, Recreation and Community Services Department and the Fine Arts Federation. It presents artwork by students of the Burbank area schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. There is an enormous amount of talent revealed in this exhibit. I encourage you to stop in to see this show and any other.
The gallery is open Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday 9am-7pm, Saturday 9am-1pm, closed Sunday.

Dale Claude Lamphere is the sculptor of this beautiful and shiny stainless steel work of art found 
at the corner of Olive and Lake. 

The piece is entitled "Water and Light" and the words written on the plaque say 
"This sculpture celebrates the function of Burbank Water and Power 
in the generation and distribution of resources to the community" 
Behind the sculpture in the lower picture you can see part of the water and power plant complex.