Many artists from the San Joaquin Valley joined together at a thrift store in Downtown Fresno called Yoshi Now, the location had been used before for related occasions in terms of promoting local talent.
On May 1, Yoshi Now sponsored it’s first Art Hop Show, displaying art inside of the business and on the store patio. For the evening management turned the store over to the artists, much of the artwork painted on Yoshi Now was done by the individuals, in which the show was arranged for.
In return store owners gave these young aspiring artists a place to display and sell their material free of charge. The event consisted of many beautiful paintings, t- shirts designs, portraits, projection art and live music. Featured artists included Erik Beltran, Christian Vargas, Omar Candena, Samantha Lazcano, Creighton Geigle and many others. Live entertainment included a local band known by the name of Style Like Revelators, band members included Fresno City College students Erik Beltran and Nick Navaro.
There were many attractions, one of the most alluring pieces would have to be the mural painted on the outside of Yoshi Now by Omar Candena, a former FCC student. According to FresnoFamous.com Candena’s mural has been making a big buzz around the Fresno area. Leaving people in question, is this the first of many masterpieces that we will see from this talented young man? So familiar faces from around the valley gained notoriety through their self expressions once painted on scrap book journals, now to be recognized on a bigger plateau and weighed on a grander scale. The hard work is paying off.
This is Candena’s second Art Hop and he feels it will gain him a lot of exposure, “I already got three jobs from displaying my art work here at Yoshi Now, I’m so thankful,” Said Candena excitingly.
Many people who came out to support found out about the event on fresnofamous.com, Olivia Gutierrez a UC Berkley journalism major came all the way from southern California to support all the up and coming talent in Fresno. Gutierrez is currently writing a book that is going to be sold in Los Angeles book stores about the progression of art through the rock and roll & hip hop cultures called “The Seculars versus Satan’s Paintbrush and Stencils.” Gutierrez said “I think it’s really innovative, it’s quality work.” Gutirrez went on to say that she has nothing but the utmost respect for the artists.
Artist and band member Erik Beltran found it very hard to make his way through the crowd to thank everyone who showed up for coming personally, it was such a great turn out. Approximately one hundred and seventy five people were in attendance. Both dedicated and focused on his musical and artistic abilities Beltran finds that outlets like this will only better his skills and techniques as an all around artist. “I feel there is a need for some fresh styles, so that’s what I express through my art,” said Beltran
Creighton Geigle closed with this statement, “The Old Yoshi Now is dead and a new beginning has been awakened, the freedom we had was expressed with all it’s beauty. Thank you Yoshi Now!”
So be on the look for more local art shows coming soon, for more information about the artists and up and coming events make sure to check out Yoshi Now at www.myspace.com/yoshinow for more details.
