Gilbert Visual Art League is bringing local art to the forefront once again. Its 13th annual juried fine art show runs through March 26 at the Gilbert Historical Museum’s gallery space.
About 70 pieces of art in mediums such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, photography, sculpture and glass are on display.
Exhibiting artists compete to win the Best of Show and People’s Choice awards, the latter of which is announced at the closing reception.
The art league was founded in 2003 to promote visual art in the community and give artists a venue to show their work and be recognized for their talents. Membership is nearing 60 and is drawn from not just Gilbert, but Mesa, Queen Creek and San Tan Valley.
“It’s doing really well; we continue to grow in size,” said Jean Smith, copresident.
Smith said that about eight years
ON STAGE
“Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding,” Tuesday, March 8, CCA. As two colorful and madcap ItalianAmerican families come together as one, everyone in attendance joins in the fun as guests of the bride and groom.
Loreena McKennitt, Wednesday, March 9, MAC. A well-known composer and singer whose Celtic music has received critical acclaim worldwide, and gold, platinum and multi-platinum sales awards in 15 countries across four continents.
Juilliard String Quartet, Thursday, March 10, MAC. Widely known as the quintessential American string quartet, founded in 1946 and the first ensemble in the United States to play all six Bartok quartets.
Crystal Trio, Saturday, March 12, HCPA. Professional musicians Igor Sklyarov, Vladimir Popras and Vladimir Perminov play special instruments made from glass—glass harp, verrophone and glass panflute bass.
Spice of Life Senior Variety Show, Wednesday, March 16, CCA. More than 30 acts, ranging from dancers and singers to musicians and comedians, perform in this 24th annual show.
ago, the group was “lucky to have five or six people” attend the meetings. Nowadays, they draw dozens. She attributes the success of the group partly to its enhanced meetings, which, while being social get-togethers, are also informational.
Each meeting features a constructive critique and a professional artist who demonstrates a particular art and imparts information on its concept.
Members participate in two annual shows and also have their work displayed in different venues in Gilbert. In the fall, they raise funds by selling small, unframed paintings on canvas.
The nonprofit group gives back to the community with a fine art award of at least $250 to a student.
“Our main mission is to try to develop an interest in art in our community,” Smith said. “Schools have done away with art programs to a large degree. We’re trying to have art shows to expose the town to art.”
Thomas, won the ‘Best of Show’ at Gilbert Visual Art League’s juried fine art show last year. Submitted photo
During the show, members are planning to paint a translucent fiberglass bench from a defunct public art project in the Town. The bench will be painted with depictions of local landmarks, such as the water tower, and installed in the Heritage District.
The Gilbert Historical Museum is located at 10 S. Gilbert Rd. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors 60 and older and $3 children ages 5 to 12. Admission applies for entrance to the art show.
Paul Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey, Thursday, March 17, MAC. The legendary folk singers of Peter, Paul and Mary are known for such classics as “If I Had a Hammer,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” “Puff, The Magic Dragon,” “Leaving on a Jet Plane” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.”
Rita Rudner, Friday, March 18, CCA. One of the country’s top comediennes and a New York times best-selling author, Rita Rudner is a notable TV personality, screenwriter, playwright, Broadway dancer and actress.
Chandler Symphony Classical Series, Sunday, March 20, CCA. The Chandler Symphony Orchestra provides quality symphonic and orchestral music performed by a wide range of volunteer musicians.
Igudesman and Joo: And Now Mozart, Tuesday, March 22, MAC. Two classical musicians with 40 million YouTube hits, numerous TV appearances and performances for crowds of 18,000.
Il Volo, Thursday, March 24, MAC. Composed of members Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble, Il Volo recently won the “Big Artist” Award at the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival in Italy.
Vince Gill, Friday, March 25, MAC. A modern country musician, famous for his 1990 hit “When I Call Your Name,” which won the Country Music Association’s Single and Song of the Year award as well as a Grammy.
Flamenco Kings Starring Los Vivancos, Friday, March 25, CCA. With their roots in dance, music and martial arts, Elias, Judah, Josua, Cristo, Israel, Aaron and Josue came together in 2007 to create Los Vivancos.
Frankie Ballard, Saturday, March 26, HACC. The Michigan country star is known for his hit songs “Helluva Life,” “Sunshine & Whiskey” and “Young & Crazy.”
Chris Botti with the Phoenix Symphony, Saturday, March 26, MAC. A Grammy awardwinning trumpet player makes his Phoenix Symphony debut for an evening of jazz classics.
The von Trapps, Friday, April 1, CCA. Their performances make room for melodicas and ukuleles, lyrics that can unspool in 10 languages with twinges of Appalachia and Portlandia, some shout-outs to the Mamas and Papas, all filtered through the DNA of the most beloved musical, “The Sound of Music.”
2CELLOS, Saturday, April 9, MAC. Their version of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” went viral in 2011, and the Croatian cellists continue to win fans with dynamic music videos and covers.
VENUES
CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts
250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: (480) 782-2680, www. chandlercenter.org
HCPA—Higley Center for the Performing Arts 4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert Tickets: (480) 279-7194, www. higleycenter.org
MAC—Mesa Arts Center One E. Main St., Mesa Tickets: (480) 644-6500, www. mesaartscenter.com
Tom Thomas, “Three Stories Up,” an oil painting by Tom
Sharon Hess’s “Boot & Spur” is a watercolor painting in this year’s show. Submitted photo
John Priddy’s “Mercury, Messenger for Ford” is an acrylic painting in this year’s show. Submitted photo
Local dancer, choreographer adds a personal touch to shows
BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON
For the first part of her career, Gilbertbased dancer and choreographer Bridgette Borzillo always felt a little behind.
After all, unlike most professional dancers, she didn’t “get serious” about the art, she said, until college, when she majored in dance choreography at both San Diego State and Arizona State universities, where she graduated from in 2007.
“I dabbled in dance here and there my whole life but was more of a ‘girly jock’ who did a variety of sports, including soccer, softball, hockey and basketball,” Borzillo said. “I was even a cheerleader my senior year [of high school].
“Being a college dance major without years’ worth of experience was stressful because there was a lot of technical background I didn’t have.”
After college graduation, Borzillo taught ballroom dance lessons then took her career in another direction—massage therapy. She still owns her own private massage therapy practice.
Nevertheless, she continued to dance with 32 Flavors Dance Company, Scorpius Dance Theatre, and Dulce Dance Company.
“My time with all of the dance companies, especially Scorpius, ignited the choreography bug again,” she said. “Finally, one of my close friends asked me ‘When are you going to do your own thing?’”
Borzillo’s dream has always been to own her own dance company and studio, and eventually perform and travel. With this in mind, she formed CaZo Dance Company, which will be performing her own show titled “Remember When...An Old-Fashioned Love Story.”
Honoring her late grandparents, “Remember When…” tells the tale of their one-of-a-kind love story.
“My grandma died unexpectedly in October 2013 and we knew that my grandpa, who had died decades before, was there to greet her at her passing,” she said. “Dance helped me heal after her death and I knew I wanted to do a show about my grandparents.”
The production is fully produced and choreographed by Borzillo with handpicked dancers from across the Valley.
“CaZo is the first dance company that I’ve ever worked with where everyone actually encourages and learns from each
other. There is no drama or negativity amongst the dancers. We all work hard all while having a good time,” said Julia Goraj, who plays Paula Schmidt, the lead female role in the show. “Bridgette created not only a company but a family. She gave us all a chance to do what we love with people we love in an environment that has no judgment. And to me, it can’t get better
than that.”
“It [the show] is a story you don’t see anymore,” Borzillo explained. “It’s something you would normally only see in old movies but here it really happened.”
Borzillo said the creative process for “Remember When…” has been a healing journey. Each piece of music, she said, see DANCER page 50
Dancers Julia Goraj and Haydehn Tuipulotu perform “Said I Do” in CaZo Dance’s “Remember When..An Old-Fashioned Love Story.” GSN photo by Michael Simon | www. FourSimon.com.
In Flux art driven to connect communities across the Valley
BY SRIANTHI PERERA
Those driving past the Gilbert Historical Museum at 10 S. Gilbert Rd. may have wondered about the two framed structures built on its grounds.
The “Three-Pee” and the “Cosmo Arch” art installations, built on space frame structures by a group called Digital Permaculture, comprise Gilbert’s participation in the collaborative art project, In Flux Cycle 6.
They are meant to spur conversation and be a destination point.
The In Flux initiative brings together six Valley municipalities—Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix—plus Valley Metro that contract with area artists to create temporary art installations to provide a positive impact on local communities and artists.
“We wanted to do an outdoor piece that could attract people from the road,” said Kevin Vaughan-Brubaker of Scottsdale Public Art, adding that Digital Permaculture, led by artists Brad Korsedal and Shane Miller, was chosen for its environmentally friendly projects using recycled metal and LED lighting.
In Flux was begun by Scottsdale Public Art in 2010, to call attention to the vacant storefronts that were a result of the recession, and to inspire property owners to rent them for art displays.
“Since then, it’s expanded to other cities and organizations and seen other venues for temporary art and what can be activated through temporary art, whether it’s a vacant lot or a space in a library,” Vaughan-Brubaker said. “It’s really grown beyond just the storefront project.”
In its sixth year, the focus is to build bridges across the Valley with communities using temporary art.
“It’s a great way for new artists to
enter the field,” he said. “Since it’s temporary, they can get exposed to doing a project and thinking about what it means to be an artist in the public realm.”
In Three Pee, three prongs representing the past, present and future converge “to remind us to hold on to our childlike sense of wonder, to be present in each and every moment, and to be active in providing the best possible future for ourselves and future generations,” states the collective’s message printed on a placard near the artwork.
“Our long-term vision is to infuse this innovative construction technology with effective permaculture methods to create fully sustainable communities all over the world,” it further states.
Jean Smith, co-president of Gilbert Visual Art League, said that the role of public art is “to get people to think, wonder, and come up with their own interpretation.
“Abstract art is really new for Gilbert, and I wonder what people are thinking about it,” she added.
Last year, for Influx Cycle 5, Tempe artist Bobby Zokaites created the colorful “Boone’s Flugelhorn” using seatbelt material, steel and a drainage culvert on the grounds of Bergies Coffee Roast House in downtown Gilbert. Coffee shop owner Brian Bergeson said the installation received a lot of attention.
Last year, In Flux also organized a bus tour to take guests to all the project sites in the Valley. Organizers plan to hold either another bus tour or a different event in May this year.
Gilbert’s installation will be available until at least November.
“Connecting communities through art adds interest and authenticity,” VaughanBrubaker said.
Mayor John Lewis and Shane Miller, artist from Digital Permaculture, at the opening of the In Flux Cycle 6 art installation on the grounds of the Gilbert Historical Museum. Submitted photo
seemed to have fit just right, and each dance number is created specifically for her dancers. For this show, Borzillo is strictly behind the scenes directing and choreographing, she added.
“It’s been a trek but it’s been worth it,” she said.
While creating a show from scratch is one feat, making an emerging dance company a viable venture is an accomplishment within itself.
Borzillo is a resident of [nueBOX], a nonprofit residency program for emerging performance and installation artists, which is based at Phoenix Center for the Arts. This is where CaZo Dance has set this show, she said.
In addition to the Phoenix Center for the Arts, CaZo’s dancers practice at Ballet Fusion Fitness and Dancers Domain.
“Some of the hardest things about being a start up dance company are space to practice, scheduling and financing. We’re open to grants, donations, and volunteers in a variety of capacities.”
“I’m involved [in the dance company and show] because I believe in Bridgette’s vision and passion,” said Haydehn Tuipulotu, who plays William Schmidt, the male lead. “This is a beautiful story that I love being able to portray and express.”
“Remember When…” takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, at the
Dancers Julia Goraj and Samantha Brown perform “Nearly Mourning” in “Remember When...An Old Fashioned Love Story.” GSN photo by Michael Simon | www.FourSimon.c
[nueBOX] space at Phoenix Center for the Arts; tickets are $15 for that performance.
The following weekend, shows take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2, in the Third Street Theater at Phoenix Center for the Arts.
Tickets are $20 for those shows or $15 each for groups of 10. To purchase tickets, or learn more about the show, visit www. cazodance.com.
