Student work on display downtown
An art show at the Blak Sage Gallery of Fine Art, a display
space on San Benito Street, is offering high school students a
taste of what it is like to be a working artist. Jim Wood, who owns
the gallery, offered the space to high school art teacher John
Robrock for a student art show.
Student work on display downtown
An art show at the Blak Sage Gallery of Fine Art, a display space on San Benito Street, is offering high school students a taste of what it is like to be a working artist. Jim Wood, who owns the gallery, offered the space to high school art teacher John Robrock for a student art show.
“It gives an opportunity to show parents and the community what we do,” Robrock said, in the gallery on Jan. 16, the day the three-week show opened. “A lot of work gets done and no one sees it.”
Robrock spent Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the gallery, as students, family and friends wandered by. He also manned the gallery on Jan. 17 from noon to 5 p.m.
The show will be open today, Jan. 23 and 30 from 4 to 8 p.m., and Jan. 24 and 31 from noon to 5 p.m. A special artist reception will be held Saturday, Jan. 24 from 4 to 8 p.m.
The gallery is a narrow rectangular space with white walls that is nestled along the block with AJ Sushi and Drapoel’s. The small space is easy to miss, with just “Blak Sage” printed on the window in block letters, and no sign above the storefront. But it has been noticeable since the 141 works of art went up on the walls in preparation of the “Art 101” show opening
Robrock said the students submitted pieces to him as possibilities for the show, and he made the final call on what would hang in the gallery. The students had to sign a contract to be part of the show, and even came up with pricing for their pieces. Five students helped Robrock hang the pieces, including Brittani Diehl, Christina Gonzalez-Elias, Brooke Hardin, Connor Pratt and Valentina Roveri.
“Most were pretty eager to share their work and show it off to the community,” Robrock said.
While the students do have other opportunities to show their work around town, space is limited at other events, such as the San Benito County Fair and a high school show that features works from all the classes on campus.
Natalie Ocampo, a senior in advanced placement art, submitted several pieces for the art show, including a drawing of a toucan, one of an African native and one of a cheetah.
She said she picked “my best drawings and the ones I like, too.”
She has shown pieces at the county fair, but she said there people just wander in to see the drawings because they are there for other events. At the gallery, people will be coming specifically to see the student work.
“It’s my last year and I want to participate as much as I can,” she said.
Ocampo had already sold two of her pieces, she said.
Visitors to the gallery can pick up a price list to review as they look at the pieces, and they can purchase the pieces from the students. Many of the pieces are listed for prices up to $200.
Sienna Robrock, a junior and Robrock’s daughter, selected several pieces to be in the show.
“I don’t really have that many [pieces],” Sienna said. “A lot are just doodles so I picked out all my charcoals.”
She said she showed work when she was younger and lived in Italy, but it was always as part of her father’s art shows.
“I’ve improved over what I showed then,” she said.
Sienna said the art show is a chance to share her work with friends.
“Sometimes when I remember, I might take a picture with my cell phone to show a friend, but I haven’t done that in a long time,” she said.
Robrock also has several of his own pieces on display at the gallery, including some award-winning pieces from past students who have graduated. One piece, an action shot of the Baler football team, was done by Chase Wood, son of the gallery owner.
The artists’ reception on Jan. 24 offers the perfect opportunity for the students to share their work since many of the students will be on hand to meet with the public. The reception will offer good food as well, Robrock said. They will have offerings from AJ Sushi and Cafe Ella for those who stop by between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Art 101
Blak Sage Gallery of Fine Art, 727 San Benito St.
The show will be open Friday, Jan. 23 and 30 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, Jan. 24 and 31 from noon to 5 p.m. An artists’ reception will be held Saturday, Jan. 24 from 4-8 p.m., with a chance to meet with the artists and snack on hor d’oeuvres.
