Arts Profiles
The Picasso of Positivity
He is the most prolific public artist in Sacramento, with hundreds of works—from large-scale commissioned murals to decidedly uncommissioned guerrilla pieces—beautifying the urban landscape. Now, J.M. Knudsen is expanding his vision for a more creative city. As one of his influences, Pablo Picasso, said: “Action is the foundational key to all success.” But for all Knudsen’s ambitious goals, the core of his message for us all remains deceptively simple: “YOU ARE GREAT.”
Where She Was From
Life for E.A. Hanks, who grew up in the Fabulous Forties as the daughter of Tom Hanks, may have looked like it was coming up roses. Too often, though, the reality was anything but, as the self-described “Sacramento girl” details in her poignant new book, "The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road", which follows a childhood shaped by her mother’s mental illness and a writer’s search for the truth, thorns and all.
The Art of Appropriation
A new museum retrospective spotlights the late Sacramento painter and professor Wayne Thiebaud as a master student of art history. From da Vinci to Picasso, great artists have always studied and copied their predecessors on the way to creating their own singular masterpieces. As this exhibit shows, Thiebaud is still teaching. The lesson: Imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery.
A Mainstage Milestone
Ever since its earliest days as an ambitious theatrical upstart, Capital Stage has leaned into thought-provoking fare to carve out its niche in the Sacramento theater scene. Now, as it prepares for its 20th anniversary season, the resilient midtown troupe is taking steps to ensure that its next act is bigger and bolder than ever.
The Art of Gratitude
When his wife embarked on an arduous cancer journey, Dave Webb—a Davis-based multimedia artist—walked alongside her, processing his emotions through film, images, words and music. A new exhibition at the Pence Gallery, the grateful chair, chronicles the couple’s shared experience of going to the brink and coming back.
A Hunger for Healing
A Roseville cancer survivor reflects on the restorative power of writing and illustrating her debut children’s tale, The Mochi Makers. In this case, a picture book is worth a thousand words.
Q&A with Distance Runner Fiona O’Keeffe
Davis native Fiona O’Keeffe crossed the finish line of her first marathon with a new U.S. Olympic trials record and a spot in the 2024 Paris Games.
Madame Director
Born in the same year that the B Street Theatre was launched, Lyndsay Burch has risen from an intern at the local troupe to succeeding co-founder Buck Busfield as its artistic director. Now she’s crafting an ambitious future that Sacramentans—and, yes, Australians and Scots—are lining up for. Because for B Street, all the world is suddenly a stage.
Going Going Gonzo
He has directed over 400 music videos, is learning seven languages, and started performing stand-up comedy during the pandemic. Oh, and he just landed his first solo show at the Crocker Art Museum, featuring his wildly colorful, surrealistic photography. Meet retrofuturist Raúl Gonzo—the ultimate one-man band of creative expression.
Feats of Clay
From the tables of Michelin-recognized restaurants like Canon to workshops at its new, larger studio, Echeri Ceramics is having a moment. Meet the in-demand duo who put a little Sacramento soul into every cup, bowl and plate they make.
Rock Star
As legendary rock climber Beth Rodden releases her candid new memoir, the Davis native talks about learning the ropes as a kid at the Rocknasium, the perils and pitfalls of fame, and finding grace in the cracks of mountains and life alike.
Putting His Stamp on Maps
Postal worker Michael Calcagno reimagines transportation designs with creative mapmaking mash-ups of Sacramento, San Francisco, New York City and beyond.
On Sale Now!
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