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| "Sticky Business: Art of the Honey Bee" is the theme of the Pence Gallery art show Nov. 23-Dec. 23. Click to enlarge. |
DAVIS--Several artists affiliated with the UC Davis Department of Entomology will be among those showing their work at the Pence Gallery show, “Sticky Business: Art of the Honey Bee.”
The show runs Tuesday, Nov. 23 through Thursday, Dec. 23 at the Pence Gallery, 212 D St., Davis. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Showing their work are noted artists Marilyn Judson of Davis (husband, Charles Judson, is an emeritus professor of the department); Donna Billick, co-director and co-founder of the UC Davis Art/Science Fusion Program; and Kathy Keatley Garvey, communications specialist with the department.
Judson will be showing her paper sculpture of honey bees; she manipulates paper into a three-dimensional piece of art. She specializes in paper sculpture, calligraphy and watercolors. Judson has shown her work throughout the area and worked on in partnership with Davis artist Donna Billick in creating area murals.
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| Paper sculpture artist Marilyn Judson with some of her work. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) |
Billick, a self-described “rock artist,” will be showing ceramic honey bees. She recently completed a six-foot-long bee sculpture for the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility. Billick designed, fabricated and constructed “Miss Bee Haven” using rebar, chicken wire, sand, cement, tile, bronze, steel, grout, fiberglass and handmade ceramic pieces.
Billick maintains a Davis studio, Billick Rock Art. She co-founded and co-directs the UC Davis Art/Science and Fusion Program with Diane Ullman, professor and former chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and now associate dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The Art/Science Fusion Program includes design faculty, science faculty, museum educators, professional artists and UC Davis students.
Garvey, a longtime journalist and photographer, specializes in insect images, especially honey bees. Beekeeping runs in the family and dates back in the Keatley family to “at least the late 1800s,” and probably earlier, she said. Her work has been published worldwide.
An artists’ reception, free and open to the public, is set for 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10. Members can view the show starting at 6.
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| Artist Donna Billick will show some of her ceramic art at the "Sticky Business" art showt. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) |
Other artists showing their work are Melissa Wood, Adele Shaw, Roma Devanbu and Jeanette Copley, all of Davis; T. S. Linzey of Sacramento; Wesley Wright of San Jose, Russell Bauer of Michigan; Paula Wenzl Bellacera of West Sacramento.
“This is a group exhibition incorporating themes of environmental conservation with beautiful and thought provoking fine art on the subject of the honey bee,” said curator Christopher Beer.
“The honey bee has provided sweetness to life that has benefited culture since the dawn of civilization. Now, scientists and farmers are eager to identify causes of the current decline of the honey bee population due to colony collapse disorder.”
Beer worked with regional artists and researchers from UC Davis “to investigate this unique insect’s relationship to the Valley and our way of life.”
The art includes paintings, monoprints, sculpture and photographs “that will set the stage as visitors learn about of the current plight of the honey bee,” Beer said.
“A multimedia station combined with informational panels will feature current initiatives and options for the public to help preserve this integral player to our modern world.”
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Eric Mussen |
The Pence Gallery also will feature a KidsCreate Program on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. It will include a honey bee presentation from 1 to 2 p.m. by Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen, member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology faculty. Attendees can see a bee observation hive and learn how to paint different parts of the bee using watercolors with illustrator Jed Alexander. The fee is $5 per person (members $4).
Another activity planned is a honey tea, set for 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 3. The tea will include tours of Sticky Business: Art of the Honey Bee and Birds of a Feather. Fresh fruit, rolls, and juices will be served, and guests may also sample honey products. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Dec. 1 to (530) 758-3370. The fee is $13 per person or $11 for Pence Gallery members.
The exhibition and programs are sponsored in memoriam of Harry Whitcombe, Davs Bee Keeper and Charles and Marilyn Judson. More information is available from the Pence Gallery at (530) 758-3370 or www.pencegallery.org
--Kathy Keatley Garvey
Communications specialist
UC Davis Department of Entomology
(530) 754-6894
