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Victor Maccharoli- Art From Scrap artistic director Holly Mackay looks at the 8th Annual Assemblage Art Show and Auction at the AFS Gallery. The pieces are available for viewing and bidding through July 25th when there will be a reception and auction. This year's theme is circles and is a fundraiser for Art From Scrap.

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Art From Scrap names show winners

By ERIC LINDBERG — July 2, 2009

After a record number of entries to Art From Scrap’s eight annual juried Assemblage Art Show — with nearly twice as many competitors than previous years — the winners have been announced.

Bari Ramoy, a longtime sculptor, took first place and $200 for her piece, titled “Fire Story.” The artist put together the design partly from materials collected while sifting through the ashes of her friend’s home, lost during the Jesusita Fire.

“I went with her to sift in her kitchen and everywhere,” Ramoy said. “I came out with a lot of those pieces from her house.”

The resulting assemblage features a figure with upraised arms made from scorched forks. In its mouth and behind its glass-bead eyes, Ramoy painted red and orange flames.

She is one of the original founders of Art From Scrap, having helped to launch the organization years ago in the garage of a friend, but this is the first time she entered the assemblage show.

“I’ve always been into using recycled bits and pieces,” Ramoy said.

The winning artwork, along with entries from more than 80 local artists, is on view at the Art From Scrap gallery through July 25. Bidding has already started for the various works of art, with proceeds to benefit the assemblage art organization.

Other top finishers in the competition included second-place winner Ron Robertson for his “Music of the Spheres.” Robertson was also named Assemblage Muse, having worked in the local art scene for 40 years.

A retired educator at UC Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College, he continues to lead an in-studio program for high school students. Robertson’s work often plays off an underwater theme, a characteristic he said is linked to his experience as a commercial abalone diver and a 10-year stint in Japan.

“The creative process is, for me, a way of expressing a sense of mystery and my need to invent an explanation as well as a question,” he said in a prepared statement.

Third place in the assemblage show went to Mitsuko Conner Newland for her work, “Mine.”

The gallery, located at 302 E. Cota St., is open to visitors on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The show will culminate with a free party on July 25 from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring refreshments and entertainment.

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Art from Cap is great : 7/2/2009

But please don't call it recycling because all it does is delay the junk from eventually being thrown away into a landfill.

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