Marin Light: Open Space Visions / Baywood Artists Save Oaks

The Plein Air Scene

by Sarah Beserra

Marin Light: Open Space Visions / Baywood Artists Save Oaks

The preservation of a grove of ancient oak trees and native wildlife is one step closer thanks to the efforts of a group of Marin County plein air painters. The Bay Wood Artists in collaboration with the non-profit Golden Gate National Parks Association raised over $50,000 in the sale of paintings over the October 22, 1999 weekend for the Oak Valley Restoration Project in Marin. The artists donated fifty percent of their proceeds to save these historic oaks from encroachment of non-native species. The entire amount will be used for restoration of the grove. (left: Announcement card for Marin Light: Open Space Visions exhibition)

Entitled Marin Light: Open Space Visions, the show was held at the imposing old General's House

at the San Francisco Presidio. The private Golden Gate National Parks Association provides volunteers and raises money to supplement government funding of properties within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area which includes the Headlands, Muir Woods, Fort Mason, the Presidio and Fort Funston.

The General's house, a large brick structure on a hill overlooking the woodlands of the now nearly vacant Presidio, was the perfect setting for the some 150 paintings of mostly Marin landscapes. Over 400 art lovers showed up on Saturday when the exhibit was opened to the public. An invitation only preview for art patrons was held on Friday evening. Scenes of the Bolinas Ridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, Port Reyes and Tomales Bay brightened up the walls of the now vacant old mansion, its polished wooden floors a reminder of its former glory.

Artists included: Joshua Adam, Christin Coy, Joe Draegert, Daniel McCormick, Carolyn Meyer, Sherrill Miller, Zenaida Mott, Lissa Nicolaus, Randall Sexton, Thomas Soltesz, Paul Stempen and Patricia Wallis.

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Sarah Beserra is Editor and Publisher of The Plein Air Scene - a monthly newsletter on plein air painting in Northern California. You may contact Sarah at sbeserra@castles.com or (707) 645-7361

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