Siskiyoutopia

I completely missed Liberty Arts last show, ‘Horse Power’, but did have the chance to stop in and see the ‘Outsiders Show’ that is on display now. It is very cool! Outsiders are a group of developmentally disabled people who have been learning about art. The show is different mediums - painting, photography, sculpture. One of my favorite pieces is this self portrait by Dan Crocker.

I think it is a fantastic likeness and it expresses Dan’s thoughts as well - very insightful!

One other stand out for me was by Jack Reyes. His placard reads:

Jack Reyes has been painting for less than one year. He had the idea to start painting and doodling on paper one day with some of his niece’s crayons. He thought, “If I could do this with paint it could be really cool.” Then jack saw Van Gogh’s painting, Starry Starry Night and liked how his style was so different. He noticed that Van Gogh’s paintings were not perfect but still looked good. He figured that he could paint something and it didn’t have to look real but could still look good like Van Gogh’s paintings.

“When I paint a good picture I feel good. I feel like I accomplished something,” says Jack. For Jack, painting is very soothing. It relaxes his brain and makes him feel calm. He believes that color is very important. “Color is everywhere and there is something about painting with colors that is very soothing.”

Jack believes that a painting can have different meanings for different people. Most importantly, a painting can have a special meaning for yourself, like a secret code that only you know the meaning and everyone else has their own interpretations. “That is what I like about painting. That is what is going to keep me painting,” says Jack.

There are many pieces that seem to reveal the inner psyche of the artists that likely would not be expressed as well in any other way other than art.

This has all been made possible by a cooperative effort of the Siskiyou Arts Council and the Far Northern Regional Center. It’s is a great example of how people can be involved in our community and truly make a difference in not only the artists lives but all of us who have the chance to see their work. It offers a chance to get to know these special folks in a unique way. I think it’s just really cool and I think you should check it out before it’s gone - you only have a few days!!

The next show at Liberty Arts is Inside Out: Paintings and Sculptures by artists William Wareham and Finley Fryer. It will run September 10 - October 4. Artists reception is scheduled for September 12th 5:30pm - 8:00.