by Linda Castillo
The World of Frida exhibit opened to an enthusiastic crowd and line to get in that wrapped around the Bedford Gallery building.
At the opening festivities, attendees were greeted with an impressive collection of unique art pieces from artists from all around the country. Artwork included in the juried and invitational exhibitions feature Frida Kahlo as the subject as well as artworks inspired by her life and art, including themes of Frida’s garden, Mexican culture and fashion, vibrant colors, surrealism, and more. The juried exhibition includes nearly 150 artworks selected. There were several of the featured artists in attendance.
The exhibit also includes the national, traveling photography exhibit titled Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray that makes a stop in Walnut Creek after traveling across North America. Hungarian-born Muray—who met Kahlo in a chance encounter in Mexico in 1931 and became her lover and friend—shot some of the most iconic color and black and white images of the artist that exist. This exhibition is organized by the Nickolas Muray Photo Archives and is circulated through Guest Curator Traveling Exhibitions.
The exhibit opening was filled with so much excitement as guests enjoyed a Mariachi San Francisco’s performance, Frida Lookalike Contest and a Frida Fashion Show featuring local designers.
I loved browsing all of the unique pieces from local artisans and merchants ranging from tees, jewelry, children’s books and so much more.
I loved each and every piece in the exhibit and I wish I would have had more time to look at them; definitely a reason for me to go back again! Here are few of the pieces from the exhibit to give you an idea of the range of creations featured.
Artist Juan Solis
Tijuana Rick, San Jose, CA, Frida Santisima, 2018, $500
Juli Bignami, Walnut Creek, CA, Frida, 2018, NFS
Elspeth McLean, Pender Island, BC, Canada, Hummingbird Spirit Mandala, 2018, $650
Jeni Jenkins, Cincinnatti, OH, Little by Little, 2018, $550
Julia Crane, Saint Helena, CA, Frida’s Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 2018, $2,200
Debra Grall, Baraboo, WI, Pies, para que quiero si tengo ala para volar, 2018, $3,200
Son of the Moon, Atlanta, GA, Monarch of Butterfly Frida, 2013, NFS
Staci Sterenberg, Chicago, IL, Frida, 2007-2008, NFS
Carlos Villez, San Jose CA Parakata Poderosa, 2016 $950
Cherine Mendoza, Whittier, CA, Frida Kahlo Viva, 2018, $2,000
Mich Kuechenhoff and Grant Rosen AKA ARTNWORDZ, Long Beach, CA, Frida Rose Gallery Book, NFS
Karen Barry, Moraga, CA, Viva Frida, 2018, $265
Kaethe Bealer, Emeryville, CA, El Espirituatuanimal, 2018, $600
Karen Provost, Townsend, MA, My Frida, 2017, $3,000
Simone Guimaraes, San Francisco, CA, Feet what do I need them for if I have wings to fly, 2018, $600
Yhoshyua Gutierrez, Stockton, CA Frida del Rey, 2018, NFS
ArtSite Space Installation: Frida’s Sewing Room by Alethea Ballard and Margaret Linderman with Nicole de Leon · Alethea Gard’ner · Janus Stob
Also, there were many opportunities to connect with your inner Frida by way of photo ops, crafting, children’s activity guide and more! My girls loved creating their own inspired by Frida creations.
Thank you to Bedford Gallery for providing these Frida coloring pages for our Modern Latina readers. Click images for printable PDF.
The World of Frida Exhibit
- July 8 – September 16, 2018
- Location: Bedford Gallery, 1601 Civic Dr. Walnut Creek, CA 94596
- Website: http://www.bedfordgallery.org
Upcoming public events: Tequila Tasting & Paint a Frida, Thursday, August 23, 6:00-9:30 pm. More info click here.
Linda Castillo is the Founder and Executive Editor of www.ModernLatina.com. She writes on topics that empower and inspire Latinas including art, motherhood, green living, culture, travel, and issues transforming the Latino community. Linda has earned a B.S. in Business and a M.S. in Mass Communications from San Jose State University.
