ARTbeat showcases local, regional artists

Main Street was crowded with artists of all types Saturday during ARTbeat 3, one of the last outdoor daytime events to be held this season before the onslaught of the summer heat.

Artists who specialize in sculpture, painting, jewelry, graphic design, glass, ceramics and photography, lined both sides of the street to display their original works. In addition to the artists, musicians took turns performing live sets under the April sun.

"ARTbeat is a yearly celebration of local Yuma artists," said Rex Ijams, city of Yuma arts and culture manager. "We gather downtown to act as a forum to bring local folks down here to meet local artists, to mingle, to talk about art and have a good time."

Ijams said ARTbeat brings artists and members of the community together.

"It's really important for us to get out here and do this. It is not only good for bringing people together, it allows them to think about something else besides their economic problems. Also art is an economic generator. Look at these people down here. They are coming down, eating in restaurants, going to other stores downtown and it is good for Main Street. It brings folks down here and they have a great time just hanging out."

Adry del  Rocio, a painter from Guadalajara, Mexico, was sitting on the cobblestones on Main Street to draw a mural of a beautiful Hispanic woman, whose face was hidden by bright pink flowers. Rocio, who is an art teacher in Mexico, came to the U.S. to interact with the audience.

"The people can see the way I work and I can talk to them," she said. "I think it is fantastic because the public can see art in the street and can talk with many artists at the same time."

According to Ijams, many of the other artists were local.

"We do have a few regional artists here today, and I think that is the result of this event," he said. "We are growing and people are starting to realize ARTbeat is here, and the reach of the event is going statewide."

Chris Smith, an oil painter, was set up at the event to show off and sell some of his paintings.

"These are all oils, kind of impressionistic, my own style I guess," he said. "I decided to devote all the time to my paintings about five years ago, this is my love."

Smith, who had never set up at ARTbeat before, was highly impressed.

"I think ARTbeat is really neat," he said. "I’ve gotten to meet a lot of really nice people and I've decided I’m not an introvert anymore. They enjoy seeing my work and smile when they see it. That makes me feel good. I enjoy looking at other peoples' work and talking to them. We all have something in common and that is what is really neat."

There were more than 60 artists at the event and Ijams was pleased with the turn out.

"The crowd we have here today is bigger than last year," he said. "I think it is an indication that people are understanding that ARTbeat is in April, is downtown and is a great, wonderful happening. I am looking at the size of the crowd today and I think we are quite a bit over from last year. That's pretty good."

Three awards in separate categories were given out during the event. Francisco Barajas won the Shining Star award for best painting, Ty Cook won Best of Show for photography and Viva Mexico, a group of four artists, won the award for Best Booth Presentation.

Anjelica Villasenior is one of the artists with Viva Mexico.

"We have different stuff here," she said. "Mostly it is Mexican Paintings. The colors are very representative and very bright. We all have different styles and different ideas but come together to create something in common."

Viva Mexico has been involved in the show during all three years, and has won the same award once before. Villasenior said the show gives her a reason to be productive with her art.

"It is wonderful. It's like I feel motivated to do more things."

Paul Jones, a painter who is well known in the big circuits for his famous cowboy paintings, said he enjoyed the people at the event.

"We are thrilled with the reception and the vitality of the collectors who have come through today. I have done shows in the highest markets in Colorado and Arizona, and we have seen every bit as good a collector here today... and we are thrilled with it."

Ijams said the city of Yuma respects local art.

"I think the city’s commitment to the Art Center and the local artists themselves is pretty evident, and it is fantastic to see. I think since the Art Center has been here, the arts have continued to grow and expand in Yuma, and will continue to do so as long as people are there to push it and make sure events like ARTbeat happen."

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Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.