BSLUG Tour of Shepard Fairey Exhibit a Great Time

Ok, so perhaps our elderly docent didn't know much about guerrilla street art--maybe, she learned more from us than we did from her, but the BSLUG visit to the Shepard Fairey exhibit (Feb. 7, 2009) was still a lot of fun. The ICA space was very conducive to having a big group of excited people, sharing their knowledge and experiences. The consensus was that Shepard Fairey's art is very cool and much of it beautiful. Here are some of the comments from our group:

• "We had a fabulous time. It was wonderful to meet everyone and reconnect with a taste of Santa Cruz. "
  
  
• "This was my first outing with the group, and I'm already looking forward to the next one!"
  
  
• "Many of you had insights into how to look at or “see” the art, and it added greatly to the experience. Thank you all for what you brought. I’d love to go see some more art with you in the future."

After the exhibit, eleven of us had lunch together at a nearby restaurant, capping off a great day.

Tour of the Shepard Fairey Exhibit at the ICA, Sat. Feb. 7 at 11 a.m.

Shepard Fairey is a contemporary artist, graphic designer and illustrator who emerged from the skateboarding scene and became known initially for his "André the Giant Has a Posse" sticker campaign. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston calls him one of today's best known and most influential street artists. His now iconic portrait of Obama was featured on the cover of the 2008 Person of the Year issue of Time Magazine.

The ICA will open the first museum survey of Shepard Fairey, featuring over 80 works that trace the artist's career over 20 years. This exhibition will include stenciled stickers from early guerilla art campaigns, screenprints, works on wood and metal, and some of his most recent work. Shepard Fairey: Supply & Demand opens during the first week of February.

Join your fellow UCSC alums and friends for a one hour focus tour of the exhibit. After the tour, we can have lunch together in the Water Cafe by Wolfgang Puck at the Museum.

WHEN: Sat., February 7, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Institute of Contemporary Art (100 Northern Avenue on Boston's waterfront, adjacent to Anthony's Pier 4 restaurant)
COST: $10
(The tour group is limited to 15 people.)

RSVP now to beata_panagopoulos@harvard.edu and send your check for $10 (made payable to Erika Tarlin, Treasurer) to: Erika Tarlin, 7 Bradford Ave., Somerville, MA 02145

2008 BSLUG Holiday Bash A Wonderful Success!

It wasn’t easy to make it to the Suzman’s house last Saturday evening for the annual BSLUG holiday bash: the very steep icy street leading to Leonard Avenue was blockaded with barriers proclaiming “Street Closed.” Slowly, but surely 20 UCSC grads with their friends in tow made it to the hilltop home with a big banana slug gracing the front door. Inside the roaring fire, fragrance of hot spiced wine punch, plates of hot hors d’oeuvres, and the Suzman’s dog, Bramble, welcomed the guests. Most of us were “old-timers” – once you’ve come to one of Mary Jane and Peter Suzman’s BSLUG dinner parties, you’re likely to return! But there were also a good number of new faces who fit right in, as slugs are apt to do given such a warm, fun and interesting environment. Mary Jane and Peter had organized the 3-course dinner with perfection. The tables were set, the kitchen spotless – there was nothing for the guests to do but relax and enjoy the delicious food and great company.

Click here for fun photos of the party taken by Zoe Rath.

The Annual BSLUG Holiday Party is a fund-raiser for the Smith Society Scholarship Fund which provides UCSC mentors, scholarships, and collegiate resources to foster children, homeless and runaway youth, orphans, and wards of the court. We surpassed our fundraising goal of $1000, raising $1030 at the party! Thanks to everyone who generously made a donation. This gift will be matched by Smith Society founder and BSLUG Board Member, Bill Dickinson. If you didn’t get a chance to contribute and would like to help put us over the top, please send me your tax-deductible contribution (suggested donation: $15-25 per person). Checks made payable to: "UC Santa Cruz Foundation" and write in the memo line: Smith Society Scholarship Fund Fl011F. Mail to: Beata Panagopoulos, 28 Maple Ave., Apt. 3, Cambridge, MA 02139-1130. You will receive a receipt directly from UCSC.

The BSLUG Board (Beata, Robin, Paula, Erika, Maria, Jill, Bill, Ian, Zoe, and Carter) wish you happy holidays and hope to see you in the New Year!