Wednesday, June 25, 2008

ZNE ConvenZioNE!

A few weeks ago, I was randomly following a train of links, going from blog to blog, when my eyes fell across a reference to attending the ZNE Convenzione this August in Pleasanton , California. That stopped me in my tracks. What’s this? Something artsy going on in the Bay Area? So I followed that link to discover that, yes, an art retreat similar to Art & Soul or Artfest was finally appearing in my backyard. Finally!

So I registered for the event on the same day I first heard about it. Talk about your impulse purchase.

In order to register for Covenzione (anyone else feeling the urge to talk in a fake Italian accent?), I first had to sign up with ZNE, an organization for mixed media artists. This is the first year ZNE is hosting Covenzione, so it’s a smaller affair (and less expensive). Here’s the itinerary:


Friday, August 22

  • Reception/lunch with live music and a showing of Claudine Hellmuth’s new work

  • Gallery and boutique walk through downtown Pleasanton (with gift certificates and book signings)

  • Evening show that includes a screening of the documentary “1,000 Journals.” (I was there when 1,000 Journals came to the Journaling Night at Artfest 2006. Who knows, maybe I’m in it.)

Saturday, August 23

  • Workshops! The choice was either one full-day or two half-day workshops. I’ve found that I do better in classes that focus on technique, rather than trying to complete a project within a six-hour period. (There are some who can. Bitches.) I chose “Baby Got Back(grounds).” I was won over by the instructor’s enthusiasm (she created a website for the class!) and I really like that I’ll be able to bind all the pages I’ve painted at the end of the day.

  • Group dinner

Sunday, August 24

  • Vendor Fair! A whole day of shopping and Convenzione attendees get in an hour earlier than the public (and get a discount). Vendor Night was one of my favorite things about Artfest and it only lasts a few hours. I better start saving my pennies…

Next year, Convenzione is going to be a five-day event, including four days of workshops, a two-day Vendor Fair (oh rapturous bliss), and still located in Pleasanton. Yes!


UPDATE: I just found out that Michele Beschen will be hosting some of the ZNE Convenzione events. How exciting - I'll get to meet her!


Monday, June 23, 2008

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Hello, internet. It's me.

I haven’t blogged since 2003. My brother had started a blog, so I wanted one, too. It lasted for three or four months before fizzling out. I was too busy publishing my zine to blog about other things and it didn’t occur to me then to let blog and art collide. Now I know better.

It’s good to be back. I hope to stick around longer this time.