CHICO -- "The Spare Parts: Reclaimed Art Show 2010," opening Saturday at The Artistry, shows that one person's trash and recycling is another's art.

This unique show, which runs through May 8, opens with a public reception at 5-8 p.m. Saturday at the gallery, 830 Broadway St., with refreshments and live entertainment by The Railflowers, a local a capella and acoustic trio of sisters.

Twenty-two local artists are represented in "Spare Parts" through more than 50 pieces that range from monumental sculptures to wall hangings to jewelry. "Spare Parts" explores both personal and political themes in a variety of recycled media. Each work of art is comprised of at least 50 percent reclaimed materials. Using everything from recycled wood and fabric, to re-purposed objects such as animal skulls and broken typewriter keys, these works consider the inherent potential for reuse, the unique resonance, and the unappreciated beauty of found materials.

"These artists represent a cross-section of our local community, and they share a common interest in incorporating found or reclaimed objects in their artwork," said Darah Votaw, Artistry owner and director. "We've gotten a great deal of interest in this show, not just in terms of the number of artists who have entered their work but also in the number of people in general who are talking about it."

Among the many artists whose work is included in the show is well-known local artist Dave Lawton. "Dave has deep roots in the Chico community going back 30 years. He's been on the board of directors for the Chico Art Center and spearheaded the annual Open Studios tour," Votaw said. "We have five of his sculptures in the show that are created from recycled wood, metal, glass, natural stone and fabric dipped in concrete. They are amazing."

Wall mosaics made from candle holders, tiles and typewriter keys shaped into human faces by Cooie Grey-Lavin hang side by side with wall pieces created from recycled clay, glass, bicycle gears and building siding by Janice Hofmann.
Large 2-feet by 3-feet wall collages, composed of old magazine pieces combined with thick layers of acrylic paints and high gloss finishes, by young up-and-coming local artist Bree Schmidt, show extraordinary depth and movement.

"We are a fairly new gallery searching for our niche, our footing in the Chico art community. We want to show new as well as more established artists and we want to show art that is not typically shown in other local galleries but is relevant to the community," Votaw said. "A lot of the ideas for our show come from the community, reflect the community. A lot of the community is very concerned with caring for the environment and recycling so this show of reclaimed art is another genre that reflects the community and it fits in with the scope of what we are trying to do at The Artistry."

The background of the artists in the show is as diverse as the works themselves.
Kaye Wilson, whose steampunk and industrial art jewelry and working table and wall clocks, are created primarily from old non-working time pieces and findings from thrift stores, is a retired special education teacher.

Cole Kort, a 7-year-old elementary student, submitted a collage he created from bits of debris he found in the Chico Wal-Mart parking lot.

"It's very thrilling for us to have the work of such a young mind. Cole created a great piece of art with a very strong statement," Votaw said. "We are very happy to have so many different artists represented in this show."

The Artistry's hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

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