In the Gallery

2023-24 EXHIBITION SEASON:

Artists by Artists is a conversation about connections – connections to our history, to art, and to each other. Curator Tiffanie Heben brings together works by twenty artists who represent a range of artistic practice in our community through time. By pairing new works by contemporary local artists with works created by artists from our past, she invites the audience into a dialogue about how relationships are formed and community is strengthened. Artists by Artists is supported by a grant from the City of Tracy/Tracy Arts Commission – 2023 Re-Granting Program.

Featured artists’ pairings at the Grand, Past & Present:
  Hector Gonzalez Alvarez  –  Casey Goodall
•  Richard Caldron  –  Mark Knize
  Louise Clever  –  Gayle Knize
•  Miguel Guerrero  –  Clay Musa
  Alvin “Vic” Harris  –  Zaria Henderson / Mark Knize
•  Timothy Rose  –  Mike Hodges
  Patricia Sanchez  –  Susan Richardson
•  Maggie Wah-nom’kot Icho  –  Madiha Khan
•  Leona Darr Willis  –  Roger Casillas
•  Richard Yip  –  José Luis Piña Moralez

Artists by Artists is presented across two venues in downtown Tracy. A concurrent exhibition featuring additional works by twelve artists will be on display at the Tracy Historical Museum from March 23 through May 4, 2024. An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, March 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A Gallery Talk with Phillip Merlo, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Historical Society and Museum, and featured artists will be held on Saturday, April 6 at 1:00 p.m. The exhibition, Opening Reception, and Gallery Talk are free and open to the public.

Tiffanie Heben (Tracy, CA) is a photographer, imagemaker and gallerist. Ms. Heben holds a B.A. in Sociology and a Women’s Studies Certificate from Northwestern University, and J.D and M.P.A. from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. She began her photography and design education in 2011 and has been exhibiting professionally across the region since 2015. Her first solo exhibition, What I Want to Say, was presented at the Grand in 2022.

“I’m examining the relevance of artists to our understanding of community and our sense of belonging. The project, which asked contemporary local artists to respond to the lives and work of artists from the past, is a conversation about connections – connections to our history, to art, and to each other. The families of artists from our past are excited to share their loved ones’ work with a new audience, while the current artists have grown through building relationships with their contemporaries. By valuing these connections, we become stronger as a community.”

Tiffanie Heben

From Trash to Treasure presents a body of work by peer artists Greg Adams and Dave Matthews. Using scavenged and found objects, discarded materials are re-purposed into unique vignette, curiosities, icons and relics. Their compelling visions bring new context to our throw-away society, from the surreal, cinematic and introspective, to the utilitarian, playful and abstract.

Greg Adams is a native San Franciscan influenced by his father, an avid recycler, Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant comic strip and Gordon Grant’s maritime book, Sail Ho. He creates detailed, dreamlike and wonderfully chaotic assemblages based on personal experience.

Upon discharge from the Navy in 1975, Mr. Adams obtained a Merchant Mariner’s Document (MMD) and returned to sea briefly, then used the veteran’s G.I. Bill to study at the San Francisco Academy of Art (1977-82). In 1988, he was hired as a “wire rope cable splicer” at the San Francisco Cable Car Barn where he made several rope work display boards, receiving mention in Herb Caen’s newspaper column. While attending classes at the Fort Mason Art Center, Greg took up assemblage utilizing found materials and began to exhibit professionally across the region. He is currently still present on the waterfront, working as a volunteer aboard the historic vessel Jeremiah O’Brien at Pier 35 in San Francisco.

“Assemblage uses all the fundamentals of art; drawing, composition, color theory and design. More is less and less can be a lot more. The main object in any piece is to achieve a harmony of parts. This requires the artist to detach from the objects used in order to see where they need to be placed. Favorite objects may end up discarded to notice a new avenue of construction.”

Greg Adams

Dave Matthews (Pleasant Hill, CA) is a self-taught abstract and assemblage artist who grew up in Oklahoma in an old house filled with antique furniture and junkyard curiosities. As a sculptor he works in a variety of media including wood, stone and assemblage, with influence from anatomy, gender dynamics, daily observations and, most recently, his permanent disability. In 2020, Mr. Matthews became permanently disabled (losing both legs) following a hit and run incident involving a drunk driver. For nearly two years, Dave was unable to access his assemblage supplies housed in his attic studio. As a result, his recent work is deeply introspective and based upon the struggles and observations related to living in a disabled body.

Mr. Matthews moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1994 for a work assignment and never left. His art career began after retiring from a large corporation in 2014, and he has been exhibiting professionally across the region since 2016. Dave is a member of the Marin Society of Artists (MSA) in San Rafael and Art Co-Opted in the South Gallery at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts.

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure is a proverb that can be used to describe assemblage. I use this ‘trash’ in the form of discarded or previously used materials to create freestanding, wall-mounted or hanging sculptural work that can be playful, deeply personal or purely abstract. In creating I often feel a connection to my childhood, as my mother collected junk and restored antique furniture and often took me along on her collecting excursions. Through such efforts so-called trash can be transformed into art.”

– Dave Matthews

An invitational exhibition of works by celebrated, local-area artists featured in Art Co-Opted – a curated cooperative in the South Gallery – is presented.  Dozens of artists and makers offer a diverse selection of hundreds of functional, decorative and fine quality works at very reasonable prices.  Many of these handmade, one-of-kind items are only available for a limited time during this show.  Consider unique gifts for your friends and family, or build your own collection this holiday season!

The Holiday Open House is a family-friendly, special event featuring holiday-themed activities and attractions.  The Tracy Community Band will perform at 5:00 p.m. in the EK Theatre.

This event is part of the annual Holiday Open House at the Grand, held in conjunction with Tracy City Center Association’s Downtown Tracy Holiday Ornament Stroll.  The exhibition, Opening Reception and Open House are free and open to the public.  The Ornament Stroll is a ticketed event.

Through My Viewfinder presents a survey of photojournalism by Glenn Moore, serving as the Photography Editor of the Tracy Press from 1997 to the present. Glenn has captured our community through events, sports, news and human-interest stories within the tens of thousands of pictures he’s taken on assignment. This unique exhibit includes both images featured in the newspaper, as well as others that never reached print. In documenting momentous and heartbreaking moments, as well as everyday life, Glenn’s images share and preserve the story of Tracy.

Glenn Moore is a Tracy native and an award winning, celebrated photographer working in the Central Valley for over 36 years working in film and digital media. Moore holds a BA in Journalism – Photocommunications from California State University, Fresno. He served as a Staff Photographer for the Turlock Journal from 1988 to 1997. He joined Tracy Press in 1997 as a Staff Photographer, and advanced to his current position where he manages photography operations. In addition to the diverse photography assignments that have made him a recognizable community member, Glenn also produces social media content, writes news and covers breaking stories.

“I have been privileged to be able to tell the stories of my hometown, the triumphs and tragedies, the ordinary and the unique events that make up our lives in Tracy. From the Cantu Murder case to the Royster Tire Fire, to our City’s solidarity and courage in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks, it has been an honor to look within and capture history through the lens and with the community.” 

Glenn Moore

Art Co-Opted in the South Gallery

Special, curated exhibits of original artwork, limited editions, and artist-designed products from dozens of local, regional and national artists are featured in the South Gallery.  These exclusive artworks and products are available at low price points ($500 and under) for a limited time in this unique venue.  Over 2,500 items have been sold since 2009!

Rotating displays in the Co-Op run concurrent with feature exhibitions.  Artists, designers, collectors & gallerists interested in participating in the Co-Op can find more information about on-going exhibition opportunities here.