"The Green Gala" will kick off the 41st Annual Mark Twain Library Art Show on Friday evening, December 6th. As has been the case for four decades, this festive affair is a chance for Library supporters to get the first glimpse of– and first dibs on purchasing – the art. The Art Show will be open to the general public as of 10:00 am the following morning and will hang for one week; the library will stay open late certain evenings to accommodate extended gallery hours. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the Library will be open until 7:00 pm, Thursday evening the Library will be open until 8 pm (over the weekend the Library will close at the regular time, 5:00 pm). The Library's Programming Committee led by Pam Robey has planned a few special events for Art Show Week. The programs -- collectively called Green Gallery Gatherings – include an evening with the show's juror and a jazz concert. The "green" theme of this year's Art Show and surrounding events is in celebration of the Library's new sun-powered status.
On Tuesday, December 10th at 7:00 pm Mr. Charles Ray will speak informally about the job of a juror and the criteria he uses to select what hangs in the Art Show. "I love being around art...I have an insatiable visual appetite, eclectic taste and an open mind." This is what compels the artist and longtime Redding resident to agree to jury Mark Twain Library Art Show year after year. Mr. Ray faces the seemingly arduous task of viewing the works of over 130 artists, and deciding which shall hang in the show – and which will not.
On Saturday, Dec. 14th, at 5:30 in the evening, the library will host a jazz concert featuring The Morgan/Bard Quartet. The quartet will be playing both modern jazz standards and original music. The group features Reddingites David Morgan on piano and Michael Bard on the tenor saxophone. They are joined by Chris Deangelis on bass and Matt Modell on drums. There is a suggested donation of $10 for this event; wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
The Redding Roadhouse is supporting the events surrounding the Mark Twain Library Art Show this year. The Roadhouse has long been considered the unofficial after party location for Art Show Gala guests. Owner Ted Stonebely is working with Art Show chair Angela Matsouka on a variety of ways to tie-in to the Art Show this year, including adjusting his menu to offer a special tie-in meal, and a Green Gala - themed drink for the after party crowd, and providing the fare for some of the Green Gallery Gatherings.
Invitations to The Green Gala have been mailed to all of the current "Friends" of the Library – those who have supported the Library's Annual Appeal this year. If you did not receive an invitation and are interested in attending the Art Show Preview party, contact the Library. For more information on the 41st Annual Art Show, visit the Library's website at www.marktwainlibrary.org. The Mark Twain Library is owned by the Mark Twain Library Association. It was founded in 1908 by Samuel Clemens – Mark Twain himself – one of Redding's most celebrated residents.
Photo: Left to right front: Library Program Committee members Florissa Zinghini, Koren Kirby, Program Chair Pam Robey, Emery Beach and Melissa Wright. Back Row: Art Show Sponsor Matt Robey, Arnold Wright, Road House Owner Mr. Stonebely, Scott Beach and Peter Kirby. Photo Credit: Jen Wastrom