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Fall 2014 • No.33

The Gallery: A review of our 45 years

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eviewing our 45 year history is a daunting

task, and condensing it to these pages is almost

impossible. Where should I begin? I guess we

have to go back to that moment in 1970 when

my friend asked me to help her mount a show in her

gallery, which was located at the rear of her Berkeley

craft shop, the Artifactory. One show led to another,

and in the blink of an eye, it was my gallery. A quick

change of name to accommodate those artists that

found Artifactory too cute, and The Ames Gallery

was born.

In our relatively short stay in that space, we managed

to create some noteworthy exhibitions: blackening our

walls to set off Rich Moquin’s lustrous ceramics and

offering (from Kathan Brown’s Crown Point Press) the

first photo etching show on the West Coast — beating

out the much touted exhibit at the San Francisco

Museum of Modern Art. Alfred Frankenstein, the

then art critic for the San Francisco Chronicle

refused to consider coverage of our “small” East Bay

gallery; and to this date, the San Francisco press has

never provided coverage of any of our exhibits. (The

Ames Gallery is better known nationally and even

internationally than it is in the SF Bay Area).

It was also in that first year and a half that I got

involved with the KQED Auction, the San Francisco

public TV station's annual fundraiser. I thought that

participation as an “art solicitor” or offering the gallery

as a collection site might bring us some attention. In

the midst of my quest for “recognition” for the gallery,

I had a conflict with the new owner of the Artifactory

and moved, rather suddenly, to our home. It was to be

temporary, a “place marker” while I went in search of

a better space. That “better space” was never found,

and as a result, after these many years, we continue to

operate out of our residence.

Before long, I became director of the art portion of the

auction and the annual event became a major part of

our lives. The friends we made there starting in the

early ’70s remain friends now, more than 40 years

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Alex Maldonado, Museum Bonnie Grossman, 1980, oil on canvas, 16 x 20"

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Continued from page 1

later. During those KQED years I co-produced a

number of TV shows and “station breaks” about Bay

Area artists, including Joan Brown, Stan Washburn,

Raymond Saunders, Wayne Thiebaud and our own

Alex Maldonado. And I continued to co-produce and

on occasion consult with both KQED and HGTV.

We’ve always had a deep interest in artists’ rights.

During our first few years, we worked with Jerry

Carlin and others to found Bay Area Lawyers for

the Arts (now California Lawyers for the Arts). In

past newsletters, I published advice on artist-gallery

relationships and counseled young emerging artists.

In the beginning, the gallery’s focus was on academi-

cally trained artists: printmakers, painters, weavers,

glass-blowers and ceramists. Many of the unusual

exhibits that we mounted were more provocative and

informative than commercial. One such show was

Plate, Stone, Block and Board, which featured etching

plates, lithography stones, linoleum and wood blocks

alongside the finished prints they produced.

And our somewhat modest food image and edible

art exhibit Eat Your Art Out spawned an enormously

popular fundraiser that, along with Dorcas Moulton,

we organized for the University’s Berkeley Art

Museum. (I’m sure that was the only occasion when

“pie throwing” was allowed within BAM’s walls...

or inside any museum.)

The gallery’s logo, originally calligraphed by

Georgianna Greenwald in 1970, was changed, and in

early ’87 we became The Ames Gallery of American

Folk Art. A new logo was created by our son Michael,

a highly respected magazine designer in New York.

In those early years, our frequent buying trips to

the South, East and Mid-West were always exciting.

Finding treasures, enjoying local foods (finding the

best local “joints”), “dumpster diving” to get cartons

for packing and shipping home our many finds, and

of course, meeting and spending time with the many

artists — Howard Finster, William Dawson, James

Harold Jennings, Georgia Blizzard, Mary T. Smith,

Elija Pierce, and Raymond Coins among them, were

great adventures.

Truth be told, we’ve always been collectors. For us, it

started with “kitchenalia,” such as choppers, beaters,

“pot whollopers” and other so-called primitives. We

mounted exhibits of these implements as art.

Over the years we have maintained a balance between

early utilitarian folk art (quilts, tramp art, hooked

rugs and carved walking sticks) and the work of

contemporary self taught visionary and memory

painters and other naives. But it was with the

discovery and acquisition of the works of A.G. Rizzoli

in 1990 that we embarked on the journey into the

world of “outsider art.” Twenty-five years later, the

debate over the use of the term continues, and we find

it applied inappropriately to an array of good and bad

art. (see “Breaking the Cardinal Rule” and “Baby, It’s

Gold Outside,” past newsletter articles which can be

found on our website) Looking at our array of art, we

decided that “folk art” was too limiting in the name

of the gallery, and more than 20 years ago (1993) we

changed back to The Ames Gallery.

Tin Type exhibit, Main Gallery, 2011 Mends exhibit,2013

or this major exhibition, we will utilize

every available space at the Gallery.

We’re delighted to bring you a widely

varied selection of items representing the

circuitous path that has led us to this day.

In our main space, we’ll display an array of

works that will range from the detailed, fine-

line etchings and engravings of Stan Washburn,

to the very loose enigmatic “scribbles” of J.B.

Murry; drawings with text that run the gamut

from the compulsive intricacy of Rizzoli to the

undecipherable writing of Dwight Mackintosh,

and Weyman Lew’s exuberant figures in

contrast to Esther Hamerman’s crowds of

tiny people.

Also on view, you’ll find a gallimaufry of items

that recall the gallery’s exhibition history. Boxes,

bottles, baskets, carvings, quilts, frames and

photos... all will have a place in our display.

For the run of our Recollections show, and in celebration of this landmark anniversary, we will offer discounts from 10–45% on select items. We look forward to sharing this wide array of items that go to make up The Ames Gallery’s varied history.

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In The Gallery: New Exhibition

Recollections: Art from The Ames Gallery

Collection of religious bottle whimseysGallery corner

FDwight Mackintosh, Untitled, 1981, mixed media on paper, 19 x 25"

Gallery entry

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Calendar of Events

At the Gallery: Shows

A Look Back: Paintings of Esther Hamerman Through November 8, 2014

Whimsical Wonders: The Illuminated Creatures of Jim BauerThrough November 8, 2014

Recollections; Art from The Ames Gallery, a 45 year reviewDecember 1, 2014 – March 31, 2015

2661 Cedar Street (at La Loma)Berkeley, CA 94708amesgallery.com

The Gallery is open by appointment or chance. Our small staff is present most weekdays from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. Evening or weekend appointments are also possible. A call ahead is always advised: 510-845-4949

Follow us:

At the Gallery: Events

Reception and Book Signing with Roderick Kiracofe Sunday, December 7, 2014, 5–8 pm Roderick Kiracofe, author of new book Unconventional and Unexpected, American Quilts Below the Radar 1950–2000

Recollections Reception: Celebrate 45 yearsThursday, February 19, 2015, 5–8 pmReception with Artists and Friends from The Ames Gallery’s 45 year history.

Quilt Cupboard

Inez Nathaniel Walker, Untitled, 1976, 22 x 28"

JANuARy, 2015 Outsider Art FairJanuary 29 –

February 1, 2015

Opening Night:

Thursday, January 29

Chelsea’s DIA Center

for the Arts Center

548 West 22nd Street

New York City

outsiderartfair.com

Out and About: Look for us!

OCTOBER, 2014 San Francisco Fall Antiques ShowOctober 23 – 26, 2014Fort Mason Preview Party Benefit Gala, October 22th. Music by Sy Grossman’s Pacific Chamber Jazz. For the 33rd year, Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion will be home to the San Francisco Fall Antiques Show. As in the past, the event will bring together an international roster of dealers in a show of art, antiques and design. sffas.org

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JANuARy, 2015 Metro ShowJanuary 22 – 26, 2015Opening Night: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 Metropolitan Pavilion 125 West 18th Street New York City metroshownyc.com

Of Interest:

FEBRuARy, 2015 San Francisco Textile and Tribal Arts ShowFebruary 6 – 8, 2015Fort Mason Center Preview Party Benefit Gala, Thursday February 5th. Music by Sy Grossman’s Pacific Chamber Jazz caskeylees.com/SF_Tribal/SF_Tribal.html

Memory Pot with tin type, c1910, mixed media

Howard Finster, I Am a Gourd, 1982, mixed media, 12" tall x 7" diam.

Jon Serl, Counting Sheep, ND, oil on wood, 30.25 x 23"

Rizzoli book

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has been pleased to exhibitover our 45 years include:

Marilyn AbelPaul AcostaDavid AdamsDavid AdlerMaria AlquilarSuzanne AndersonSusan Coleman AnsonRobert ArmsteadEddie ArningAnn ArnoldRuth AsawaPeter BakkeJerrold Ballaine

Em-Marie BartelmeUrsula BarnesDeborah BarrettJerry Ross BarrishLeonard BaskinKim BassJim BauerDennis BeallHilary BeauchampAlbert BeauparlantRobert BechtleEleanore BenderAnn BernauerMari BiancaDorothy BingerGeorgia BlizzardDiana BohnLynn BostickMichael BradleyPat BransteadHelen BregerLubov BrommaKathan BrownJW BrungartElizabeth BushKaren BybelJerry CarlinVicky CarlsonPaolo Carosone

Bob CarterJan CavanaughWesley ChamberlinSidsel Ramson ChathamRussell ChildersMichael CohnRaymond CoinsDick ComptonGordon CookLaura CornettLeslie CorrellAttilio CrescentiAbe Lincoln CrissCandace CrockettRoger DahlkePaul Dalwigk Kenneth DarlingBeatrice DarwinMichael DavisThommy DavisWilliam DawsonKate DelosElinor DistlerMartha DouglasMildred EadesAlberto EidelmanElin ElisofonMinnie EvansDuane EwingJerry FarrellBella FeldmanDennis FillingHoward FinsterBeverly Finster-BrownWilliam FisherJack FitchDiane FlyerJudith FoosanerPatricia Tobacco ForresterBarbara FosterKevin FrankGustl FrenchRobert FriedPolly FrizzellJeanne Gantz

Julio GarciaAlbert GarveyAudrey GarwoodSyblil GibsonDavid GihoolyRobert GilkersonKate GodfreyLaurie GoldmanRussell GordonTed GordonRichard GrafCharles GreenHomer GreenGeorgiana GreenwoodJay GreyWilbert GriffithBonnie GrossmanMichael GrossmanSy GrossmanDan GundersonWilliam HaddadEsther HamermanCele HanzelValerie HardyWillie HarrisJacqueline HarrisonLela HastyAnne HawkinsDavid HawkinsFernando HernandezChester HewellGrace HewellMatthew HewellNathaniel HewellTyler HoareLeo Hobaica, Jr.George HoehnSol HolzmanWilliam HolzmanRev. Johnnie HunterJohn IlheRobert JacksonJan JaneiroJames Harold JenningsJan Johnson

Wilbert Griffith, Woman Sitting, 2002, oil on canvas, 16 x 20" Ted Gordon, Semi-Simian Savant, 2008, mixed media, 11.75 x 9.25"

Gloria Speller, Woman with Blue Beads, crayon on paper, 14 x 17"

Selection of past exhibition announcements

Susan JokelsonM.C. “5 cent” JonesTanya JoyceCarole JulianSusan Juve-HuKarl KastenElizabeth KavalerDavid KelsoLeon KennedyHarold KuettnerIkurou KuwaharaDennis KyteShari LamanetCarol LawBarbara Leventhal-SternNancy LevetonHoward LevineWeyman LewSol LeWittCayatora LeyvaHarry LiebermanRoberta LoachJudy LopezBruce LowneyMarilyn MacKenzieDwight MackintoshAlex MaldonadoSam MannoHoward MargolisDavid MarshallMarilyn MasseySusan McDonaldGail McDowallMary McEwenCarl McKenzieA.G. MeadersAnita MeadersCleater and Billie MeadersDavid MeadersLanier MeadersTom MeisenheimerRA MillerRick MoquinIke Morgan

Sister Gertrude MorganAki MoriCrescentia MoroyaquiEugeinio MoroyaquiInez MoroyaquiVictor MoscoscoDorcas MoultonJB MurryFred MynhimerKenjilo NanaoWaldemar NaujoksRM NettleBennet NewsomDaria NieblingRichard O’HanlonIsidro L. OpanoHoward OrtmanVida PavesichElija PierceWarren PierceChristopher Dalton PowellHarriet PowersStephanie PringElizabeth QuandtLaura RaboffMel RamosSonya RapoportEleanor RappeJohn Ratto

Alan RiceA.G. RizzoliThomas RoseMartin SaldanaA.J. SalvatoreTheodore SantoroJon SerlJanet ShankmanElizabeth SherDavid SibbittAnne SiberellBarry SimonsHerbert SingletonJoe SluskyC.E. SmallIssac SmithMary T. SmithMiles SmithFrieda SolomanHenry SpellerGeorgia SpellerGloria SpellerGwen StoneJimmie Lee SudduthSeymour SurnowLeonard SussmanMargaret SwanMary SwopePete Tansill

Sarah Mary TaylorRuenell TempsAndre Singer ThompsonMose TolliverJames TorlaksonJean ThornburgMario ValenzuelaBeth Van HoesenAudrey WallaceBruce WalkerDonald WalkerInez Nathaniel WalkerRobert WardStan WashburnJim WayneShane WeareStephanie WeberSharon WheatMary B. WhiteMichael WidenerAllan WidenhoferTom Wilburn“Chief” WileyDale WilhiteOmer WilsonMarika WolfeNed YoungMalkah Zeldis

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Barry Simons, I work in the mines..., ink/paint/collage, 15 x 22" Julio Garcia, Female Bust, 1995, wood, 13 x 10 x 5"

Dale Wilhite,1981, Island, mixed media, 5 x 6"

Stan Washburn, Eagle,1982 etching, 7 x 6"Lanier Meaders, Face Jug, c1960s, clay, 9.25" tall

n this newsletter, we hope to cover a lot of ground as we touch on some of the highlights of The Ames Gallery’s 45 year history. Reviewing our schedule of over 150 exhibits and 250 featured artists has left

us somewhat breathless. We hope that you will enjoy the trip down memory lane these pages provide.

More news we would like to share is the recent acquisition by the University of California’s Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive of A.G. Rizzoli’s Mrs. Geo Powleson, the Mother Tower of Jewels. And the Smithsonian American Art Museum will be adding three major Rizzoli drawings to their prestigious collection: Mother Symbolically Represented/The Kathredal 1935, Mother Angels Proemshaying 1939,

and The YTTE Plot Plan, Fifth Preliminary Study 1941.

Also, watch for the appearance on the market of two jigsaw puzzles each featuring one of Rizzoli’s “Kathredals.” And for 2016 there will be an A.G. Rizzoli calendar. All these are to be published by Pomegranate Press.

We’ve managed to acquire a collection of the out-of-print publication, A.G. Rizzoli, Architect of Magnificent Visions by Jo Farb Hernandez, John Beardsley and Roger Cardinal. The paperback book, as well as the DVD of the film by Pat Ferraro, Yield to Total Elation: The Life and Art of Achilles Rizzoli, are each available at The Ames Gallery for $45.

We hope that you’ll make time to visit or revisit us. As you may know, our hours are quite flexible and include evenings and weekends. It is best to call ahead to confirm that the gallery will be open. And we hope to see you at Rod Kiracofe’s book signing in December and/or the artist’s reception in February.

We have scheduled two receptions at the Gallery. We hope that you will join us at one or both of these events. Please check our calendar and/or our website for dates and details.

Sy joins me in welcoming you.

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The Ames Gallery2661 Cedar StreetBerkeley, CA 94708

No.33C O N T e N T S

Ames News

The Gallery: A Review

Calendar of events

The Artists

Bonnie GrossmanDirector

Tel: 510-845-4949Email: info@amesgallery.com

amesgallery.com

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