The Fresno Arts Council sponsors ArtHop, an event which educates the community about the local arts. In this column, junior Dana King chronicles her twice-a-month visits to ArtHop.

After attending the downtown ArtHop in November, I explored the North Fresno ArtHop, which takes place every third Thursday of the month. This was a more convenient function to visit, since I am more familiar with this area of town.

For this event, galleries were clustered at the crossroads of Champlain and Perrin, making it easier to go to several in one night.

The two locations I went to were Scribbles and The Diamond Gallery, two stores that open their doors as stations for ArtHop artists.

Local artist Curtis Q. Thornton, who has been painting for most of his life, showcased his abstract oil paintings and greeting cards for the first time, at the Scribbles location. He says he plans to continuing featuring his work at future ArtHops because it is the best way to become an actively selling artist.

The Diamond Gallery featured Sister Veronica Brutosky, who specializes in acrylic and water paintings. After teaching in Catholic schools and at California State University, Fresno, she made it her goal to expose the importance of learning about art to fellow nuns. In addition, she encourages other sisters to create art of their own.

Sister Brutosky became a nun at a young age, and claims to have loved art as a young girl. When she first joined her coven, she did not have time to paint because of her commitments. However, as time passed, her responsibilities lessened, and she was able to paint again.

The ArtHop provides opportunities to learn not just about art but about the artists’ themselves. Each artist comes from a different background, creed and culture.

My advice to ArtHop attendees is to talk to the artists. They have lots of information to share and enjoy speaking to inquiring people.

Whether north or downtown, each ArtHop has its own enlightening experiences to offer.

Up next is the downtown ArtHop on Dec. 2. Check back soon for a report on that event.

For more information on ArtHop, read the Nov. 29 column, Clay Mix features ‘intimate’ ceramics.

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