Arts DEVOté

ART IS FOR SEEING
Arts DEVOté’s favorite part of the local arts resource Web site CommonPath is the monthly photo journal of Art First Saturday. Not only is it a great record of a wide range of local art, but it’s also an impressive testament to site creator Weston Thompson and company’s devotion to the local art scene. Click on the “commoniqué” tab.

HALLOWEEN?
A.D. is no fan of paying attention to holidays so far ahead of time, but this column is biweekly, so what’s a guy to do? Just two quick treats: Chikoko, that already freaky cabal of fashion and art makers, is giving a little extra for a Freak Phenomenon Fashion Show and Performance on Fri., Oct. 26, 7-10 p.m. at Manzanita Place. Get tix now at the Drive By Gallery. Plus, Chico State’s School of the Arts celebrates the sounds of the season with a Halloween performance by David Rothe on the centennial pipe organ in Harlen Adams Theatre Sun., Oct. 28, 2 p.m.

SAY, HMMM?
A.D. loves that he has no clue what to expect from the 1078 Gallery’s Video Scavenger Hunt fundraiser. The instructions are to bring a camcorder, a three- to five-person team ($10 per team member), plus “creativity” and a “sense of fun.” Team briefings start at 10 a.m. Sat., Oct. 20, followed by the hunt, followed by a party and judging (prizes for creatively completing/recording the hunt). A mystery … cool!

CEL-E-BRATE GOOD TIMES
Celebrations all around: Butte County Watercolor Society is celebrating its founding with an Inaugural Membership Exhibition at the Amber Palmer Counseling Center and Art Gallery (1430 Esplanade, Suite 15). All Fired Up Ceramic Art Center celebrates its one-year anniversary Sat., Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., with a “Make Your Own Mug and Show It Party,” where you put your mug on a mug and glaze and fire it up. And, the ARC of Butte County celebrates its newest store, 3rd Street Gallery Art & Antiques, with an open house Sat., Oct. 20, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

CRUXZINE
The Crux Artist Collective has a zine (what aren’t those kids up to—freakin’ badasses). Issue One has art (duh), poetry, an interview with local artist Justin Maxwell and some nifty doodles. Go to www.cruxzine.com and get some of that tasty.

BI-WEEKLY DEVOTIONS
• The Banjo-ologist: Chico’s resident banjo master and musical historian Gordy Ohliger gives a rare hometown performance, Bidwell’s Little Town: A Humorous Musical History of the North State, 1839-1918. Two shows: Sat., Oct. 20, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Chico Women’s Center.

• Artist Lecture Series: Local art activist/muralist Gregg Payne is Chico Art Center’s speaker this month. Sat., Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.

• Book Theme Lecture: Chico State’s Humanities Center presents former L.A. Times literary editor Steve Wasserman and his lecture, “The Future of the Book in the Digital Age.” Tues., Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m. in Ayres 106 on the Chico State campus.

• Call for artists: Avenue 9 Gallery is now accepting submissions for its Chico Icons 2007 group exhibit. This year’s emphasis is “Chico trees” (with other Chico subjects welcome). Download application at www.avenue9gallery.com, or call 879-1821.