In The Hood: February

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The Art of Drawing A Crowd

by K.L. Minors

Eying Del Paso Boulevard, longtime gallery owner Joyce Doiron sees a butterfly ready to shed its cocoon; its dormant condition replaced by the creative energy found in Greenwich Village or Sausalito. She’s confident the transformation will draw appreciative shoppers to businesses on the street, including the Doiron Gallery.
    “I don’t have the street traffic (of downtown), but the ratio of sales for the number of people walking in is solid,” Doiron says. “Downtown you have a lot of tourists, but they’re not buying. Here, rarely do people walk out without purchasing something.” 
    The quality of art in the gallery can hold its own with any major city’s. Opened since 1997, Doiron showcases 50 artists — local, regional, national and international — working in all media. “Up for Air,” a three-piece lightweight metal installation by local artist Adrianne Morauske, catches the light near the front window. A large fish sculpted from amber alabaster by local artist Jess Hernandez is perched on a granite base, its color and form inviting touch. Walk down the corridor and a series of small galleries feature an artist each month as well as resident painter Mel Gorre. “Route 66,” a three-piece series by Utah artist Robert Grimes, hangs at the very back of the gallery. An automobile buff and restorer of cars, Grimes creates his works in oil on canvas, metal and board, and mixed media.
    In a small area dedicated to textiles and wearable art, Oakland-based Jewelry designer Jeannine Boskovich’s fused-glass dichroic pendants and earrings, and sterling silver earrings and pins by Marysville designer Jo Stafinbil are some of the gallery’s best-sellers. Silk purses from Reign Vermont and hand-painted silk scarves by Joan McMurray of Fair Oaks are also popular. A glass artist whose work is in three other galleries, Doiron’s bowls, plates and signature lamps can usually be found somewhere in the space as well. 
    She points out that art is typically a luxury item for young, cash-strapped buyers of new homes. “The wonderful thing about my gallery is the price range,” she says. “Here you can purchase an original work for the same price you’d sometimes be paying for a poster elsewhere.” A selection of creative pieces dedicated to those still collecting an allowance is stocked, priced and managed by 10-year-old Jennifer Blaine, Doiron’s granddaughter and assistant manager.
Continued...

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