May 2 Vallejo/Vacaville Art and Entertainment Source: Benicia Art Weekend kicks off May 4

The upcoming Benicia Art Weekend marks the start of a new art celebration for the city, offering art connoisseurs and amateurs alike a citywide immersion into the area’s artistry.

On May 4 and 5, visitors can get a rare glimpse inside the Historic Arsenal Art studios and walk along First Street to peruse 11 participating downtown galleries. The art-filled weekend marks the first year the city has transitioned away from Benicia Art Walk to collaborate with annual Arsenal Open Studios.

“It’s bigger than it’s been in a long time,” said Susan Marcus Sachs, the representative for Benicia Arsenal Artists. “We’ve had more artists participating than we ever had from Arsenal.”

Not only has the number of participants grown, but the mediums have become more unique and diverse. “We have a bigger variation in types of art that we’re showing this year. We’ve got sculptors, ceramists, jewelry,” said Sachs, marveling at her colleague’s unique use of burlap and cement in the studio next to hers.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can glimpse the wide range of art and creative processes inside the Arsenal studios. Depending on the artist, the studio might resemble a gallery exhibit while other spaces might reveal the organic behind-the-scenes of their art.

Attendees can even expect to make their own art with Sachs as she leads a live collage demonstration in the afternoons. Drawing on her love for texture and color, Sachs will have materials available that she herself has used and showcases.

Having once collected every single type of paper she came across during a trip to Japan, Sachs then turned those into a series of collages which will be shown at her studio.

More recently, she enjoys working with wood panels and dyeing tissue paper. “It comes out so beautifully, these layers that are translucent,” Sachs said. “I get lost in that these days.”

Adding to the city’s festive atmosphere, street musicians will be performing at the iconic State Capitol Lawn, Tannery Front and Saint Paul’s Square. The lively music will create a fitting backdrop as visitors explore the artistic offerings.

“The Benicia Art Weekend is a celebration of the incredible talent and creativity that flourishes within our community,” said Vickie Marchand, NY2CA Gallery Owner and Art Weekend Coordinator in a press release. “We invite everyone to join us in this vibrant celebration, where they can immerse themselves in the diverse artistic expressions that make Benicia a cultural gem in the Bay Area.”

The weekend is free and open to the public, with ample free street parking available in the Arsenal Historic District and downtown areas.

For more information about the Benicia Art Weekend and participating galleries, visit: www.visitbenicia.org/benicia-art-weekend.