Some visitors might view the art at the C Gallery in Los Alamos as odd, as avant-garde, as fanciful. And some might not.
Whatever guests think of the contemporary art gallery’s offerings, it’s okay with owners Connie Rohde-Stanchfield and Nina Rohde Brown—as long as the guests are actually thinking about them. That’s exactly what the mother-and-daughter team thinks good art should make viewers do: think.
The gallery is the new kid on the block. Located on Bell Street in downtown Los Alamos, it features both experienced and emerging artists from the Central Coast, as well as all over the country. Rohde-Stanchfield, a former art teacher from the Santa Ynez Valley, even has work from some of her former students.
Now retired, she decided that opening a gallery would be a natural progression for her.
“We ran through all these ideas, and when we came to this one, she said, ‘This one I like’,” Rohde-Stanchfield said of her daughter.
“She specifically chose Los Alamos to be a maverick and do something that isn’t already done and in some place that was a tourist trap,” Brown said.
Rohde-Stanchfield said that she chose contemporary art in part because it isn’t commonly seen around in this area, but also because it suits her.
“I’m an introspective person. Contemporary art, on the one hand, it goes to the avant-garde, and on the other side it is analytical and contemplative,” she said.
Rohde-Stanchfield said she likes that contemporary art allows the viewer to come up with an individual interpretation.
“If a piece is too literal, it prescribes its meaning to you,” she explained. “I don’t want to hear that I’m too old. Let me find the meaning.”
And in the gallery, Rohde-Stanchfield finds plenty of meaning—and plenty to talk about.
“When you look at art, it’s like a dialogue. I think it speaks to you. And I talk back to it,” she said.
“This is her world,” Brown noted.
That world includes art as whimsical as a dress made out of tea bags, as well as contemplative pieces, like Albert McCurdy’s tunnel made from wild radish root. There’s also meditative works by Dara Mark.
The art at the gallery is as different as Rohde-Stanchfield is from her daughter. The mother’s face has soft features. Her hair is pepper sprinkled with a little salt. Her billowy skirt and comfortable sweater make her look every bit the experienced artist she is. Her daughter, Brown, sports a sharp contrast in a black sundress, minimal makeup, and upswept hair. Yet the two complement each other perfectly.
“It seemed like a perfect match to continue to focus on the business stuff I already know how to do and let her focus on the creative stuff,” Brown said of their partnership in the gallery.
It was also convenient from a business aspect because Brown was able use some systems that were already in place from her current L.A. business, Pronto Productions.
Rohde-Stanchfield contributes her experience as a teacher, an artist, and founder of the Santa Ynez Valley Arts Outreach, and enjoys the partnership beyond skill sets and experience.
“Lately, I’ve just felt really honored that Nina wanted to do this project with me,” she said. “I thought, ‘She wants to partner with her mom? How cool is that?’”
Rohde-Stanchfield plans on teaching adult women’s art classes in the studio in the back, set to begin in September. She also hopes to host a recital series called “Sing To Me,” featuring acoustic vocalists. Because of the gallery’s exceptional acoustic construction and intimate setting, Rohde-Stanchfield believes it will be the perfect place for an evening of wine, dinner, and song.
The first evening of “Sing To Me” will be Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m., featuring recording artist Linni Gilfrey, accompanied by Franci de Franco.
The gallery will also feature a common object art show in October with the theme of “pop.” Artists are invited to submit works related to the theme, which is widely interpretive. No surprise there.
INFOBOX: C for yourself
C Gallery is set to open at 466 Bell St. in Los Alamos on Aug. 2, with a reception to be held from 1 to 4 p.m.
The gallery will feature a wide range of artists at its opening: Dara Mark, Karina Puente, Ed Harvey, Timothy Kadish, Hannah Jewett, Ariane Aumont, Lily Nathan, Alissa Massey, Barbra Minar, Luis Ramirez, and Connie Rohde (drawing and painting); Albert McCurdy, Jessica Hust, and Nancy Thompson (sculpture and pottery); and Sharron Luft, Sierra Dale, Lauren Oaks, Dave Seymour, and Albert McCurdy (woodworking and furniture accessories).
The C Gallery is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Hours for classes will be arranged after enrollment. For more information, contact connie@thecgallery.com or call 344-3807.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone talks back to art. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 7, 2008.