World-Class Sculptures on Show at Village Theatre

If you've walked by the Village Theatre lately, you may have noticed a couple of  large metal figures and a hippopotamus gracing the entrance. 

The sculptures aren't permanent, but will be on display through September 4 as part of an invitational show of thirteen artists that opened at the gallery Thursday night.

Step into the show and you'll feel the high caliber of the artists and their work, even before you look at the price tags, many of them in the thousands.

"We just did enough without making it look like it's over done," said Tricia Grame, the show's curator, a Danville resident, who also has two works in the show.

The artists Grame selected are similar in that they work in sculpture, yet you will find they vary greatly otherwise. The media and subject matters range from metal to wire to organic materials, depicting the human form, animals, abstractions and surrealist landscapes.

Grame writes about the unique quality of each piece in the show's description.

"A sculpture is quite different from a painting—it exits in space like a human being or a tree, it needs to be explored to be fully appreciated," she said.

Visitors can take-in the work of James Moore, whose studio is in San Rafael, even when the gallery is closed. His geometric figurative works frame the entrance to the gallery and theatre.

Moore says his work is in the style of "minimalism with a soul."

It is a style in mixed media on metal that he has followed for 18 of his 35 years working as a sculptor.

"I enjoy the permanence of metal," said Moore, adding that the durability of metal means that it will not deteriorate. "I want my work to be around long after I'm gone. To leave my mark on the world."

Duddley Diaz, who is from the Philippines but spent the last 25 years studying and working in Florence, Italy, also thinks about his sculptures in a wider context.

After earning his bachelor's degree in the Philippines, Diaz was awarded a scholarship to study at the Accademia di Belle Arti—an art academy in Florence founded in the 16th century for working artists, including Michelangelo.

Diaz moved to Pleasanton three months ago where he lives with his wife and young child, as well as his sister and her family. He works on his art in a covered studio space in the backyard. 

"I like talking about life and hope in my work," said Diaz, speaking of his work of a Madonna-like figure surrounded by five owls. "This world is full of violence and war so I want to show something positive through my art."

Artists in the show include:

Marsha Balian
Jane Burton
Pamela Merory Dernham
Duddley Diaz
Laura Van Duren
Rebecca Fox
Phillip Glashoff
Ken Kalman
James Moore
Nola Proli Pardi
Michael Rizza
Clayton Thiel

Curator and artist: Tricia Grame

The Village Theatre gallery is located at 233 Front St.

Hours are Monday to Wednesday by appointment. Thursday and Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.