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Benny Alba

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  • Comment: We don't use external links in the body of an article Theroadislong (talk) 21:05, 26 June 2017 (UTC)
  • Comment: References are very weak. You need to establish notability by adding references that show there is widespread in depth coverage of her in reliable sources independent of her. Blogs are not reliable sources. Theroadislong (talk) 21:09, 14 June 2017 (UTC)
Benny Alba
© Photograph by Joe Ramos 2017
Born (1949-01-01) January 1, 1949 (age 75)
Columbus, Ohio
NationalityUSA
Known forPainting, Printmaking
Websitebennyalba.com

Benny Alba (born 1949) in Columbus, Ohio, is an artist residing in Oakland, California.

Family Influences

Descended from three maternal generations in the Arts, Alba's great grandmother was an oil painter and her grandmother trained as a concert pianist. Alba's mother, Marjorie, held a Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from Ohio State University, teaching at Ohio State University Academy. Marjorie's salt-glazed ceramic sculpture was exhibited in the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939. Known throughout her life for experimentation and versatility in a variety of mediums, Alba’s mother worked in acrylic painting, mixed mediums, ceramics, weaving, glass on metal enameling, acrylic sculpture, and metal work.[1] Alba's father, an engineer, was an inventor and CEO of Oasis (also known as Ebco), a Fortune 500 company. Although originally interested in violin and seriously pursuing photography, he became a manufacturer when WWII quickly altered the USA's economy, after which he managed the family business. A female ancestor from Alba’s paternal side of the family was a very early graduate of University of Michigan's Medical School.  

Early Influences, Education and Exposure to Art

Alba's art influences and education include early exposure to anthropology through "The London Illustrated Times," a magazine featuring sepia photographs of archeological digs, and National Geographic's articles portraying other cultures. Art was an important topic in the home, largely due to her mother’s art interests and active work as an artist. Both parents were deeply involved with the natural world. Alba's Father assisted the Nature Conservancy's purchase and preservation of Harbor Island, located in Lake Superior. His log book of natural observations are on the Internet. Alba's family lived on a converted farm turned into forest, with a stream where Alba was permitted to roam unrestricted during her early years while summers were spent on a lake in Michigan.

During Alba’s high school years, the artist attended classes at Columbus Cultural Arts Center[2], part of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department, where professional artists Mary Jane Alford, Jon Wahling, James Mason, Bill Aigner and Dora Rosenfeld taught painting, dying and weaving, etching, and glass on metal enameling classes. Alba received continuous mentoring by those artists during her artistic development and early career years. Alba studied at Penland School of Arts and Crafts summer program attending lithography and silk screening classes.

Having graduated high school, she traveled a summer with her Mother to Europe, where they visited museums and architectural sites in Germany and Italy. The young artist was especially impacted by Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, a multi-day visit to Documenta exhibition in Kassel, and works seen in Italy that included an array of architecture, sculpture, icons, murals, and mosaics, including Fra Angelico's gold leaf enhanced murals.

Alba then began her studies at Kent State University, with a focus on English literature. While there she returned to Europe for a summer hitchhiking jaunt, traveling from England to Germany then into Spain to visit museums with particular paintings in mind. Upon returning to the States, Alba witnessed the shootings at Kent State, and soon after left the University and her studies to live in Berkeley, California. Her activities there included an influential class, “Woman as a Serious Artist” by Diane Rusnak and a model drawing group created by feminists.

Six years later Alba enrolled in University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Psychology. During this period she began working in studio on a daily basis, starting as an abstract painter. Alba regularly organized artist groups for figure drawing sessions for years, along with a consciousness raising feminist group. She organized group exhibitions and began entering juried shows.

In 1984 Alba moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area to immerse herself in the rich mixture of cultures.

Exhibition History

Alba's first group show was in Ohio at the Columbus Cultural Arts Center in 1980.[3] Her first solo exhibition was the following year in the Loft Gallery at the same venue. Her first solo in California was in the Canessa Gallery in San Francisco. She has had over 100 solo exhibitions throughout the USA since then and participated in over 300 group shows in the USA.

Selected Solo Exhibitions include:

Adell McMillan Art Gallery, EMU Cultural Forum, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL

Commonwealth Club, San Francisco, CA

Hastings School of Law, San Francisco, CA

Hoyt Institute of Fine Art, NY[4]

ISOMATA, Idyllwild, CA

Jeanne Brewer Gallery, University of California, San Francisco, CA

Jasper Rand Museum, Westfield, MA

Lake Region Heritage Center Museum, Devil's Lake, ND

Las Vegas Art Museum, Las Vegas, NV [5]

Maturango Museum, Ridgecrest, CA[6]

Merced College Art Gallery, Merced, CA

Moser Library Gallery, University of California, Berkeley, CA

Northwest Art Center, Minot State University, Minot, ND

North County Museum of Art, Park Rapids, MN

Oakland City Crafts and Cultural Arts Gallery, Oakland, CA[7]

Saginaw Art Museum, Saginaw, MI

Sedona Art Center, Sedona, AZ[8]

Sun Gallery, Hayward, CA

University of Mary, Welder Library, Bismarck, ND[9]

Valley Art Center, Clarkson, WA[10]

Warren Britt Gallery, University of Alabama, Montgomery, AL

Western Wyoming Community College, Rock Springs, WY[11]

University Club, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA

Alba’s paintings and prints are held in public art collections, beginning with the acquisition of “Lost Blood: Ghost Dance” by the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Other collections include those of the Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, AL; Greenpeace, San Francisco, CA; Portland Art Museum, Gordon Gilkey Collection, Portland, OR; and Tyler Museum of Art, Tyler, TX. “Far Away,” Alba’s oil painting acquired by the Art in Embassies collection, Tashkent, Uzbekistan,[12] is one of the rare Art in Embassies permanent purchases.

Major Painting Series

Alba’s earliest interest was in printmaking – linocuts[10], lithography, and etching. Although she continues to work in this medium, painting as her primary focus started while attending University of Michigan as Psychology Major. Exploring abstraction and color fields her work then moved to symbolism; a trend that continued for decades. Later on the artist shifted to landscapes, with increasing focus on the sky as subject.[13] Her work over these four decades can be categorized into several major bodies of work:

Old and New World (1980s) – A series of paintings and prints that speaks to the intermingling – rather than homogenization – of USA cultures, including an awareness of Native American rights, and the importance of Native American thoughts and beliefs regarding North America as well as feminism[14]

Alaska Journey(2000s) – Landscapes sourced from a drive trip through Canada to Alaska. This series marks the artist’s shift from symbolism to landscape as an exclusive topic. The series includes paintings and prints.[15][16]

Beauty, Thy Name is Night (installation, 2007 – 2010) – Oil paintings depicting night often exhibited in near total darkness. Quotes by notable authors and philosophers describing night above and below were written in white chalk on flat black painted drops installed on walls. Imagery included tree silhouettes and the moon in various stages of its monthly cycle. Viewers were supplied with flashlights to seek out the quotes.[17][18]

American Storms (2010 – current) – These are oil paintings of extreme winter storm weather experienced by the artist while delivering solo shows cross-country. Painted on canvas or paper, a few are large format of 10 to 14 feet wide.[19]

Awards, Commissions and Recognition

Alba’s artwork has garnered awards, recognitions and honors by venues and arts organizations nationwide. From 1994 through 2008, she is listed in the Marquis Who’s Who® publications: Who’s Who in the West, Who’s Who in the World, and Who’s Who in American Women.

Alba has presented as a lecturer, served as guest speaker, and juried multiple exhibits throughout her career.

Alba’s active role serving on boards began in 1984. Following her move to California, she joined the local branch of the Women's Caucus for the Arts. After being juried into the highly respected international organization, The California Society of Printmakers,[20] Alba rose from artist member to board member and finally served as President 2003 - 2006.

In 2010, the Oakland City Crafts and Cultural Arts Gallery held a retrospective of Alba's works. [7]This made visible many of the artistic influences over Alba’s career – including works influenced by abstraction, symbolism, psychology, anthropology, archaeology, surrealism, and feminism.[21] The influence of Burchfield, Klimt, Dove, Avery and others, including American Regionalists O'Keefe and Hartley, was also evident. Alba’s lifelong interest in the ideas and perspectives of first nation cultures, particularly Hopi and other Southwest tribes, shone through the artist’s work as well.

A Commitment to Community

Alba’s strong personal belief in service, community and collaboration influenced her career in several ways. Upon her move to California, she joined Apprentice Alliance, as Master teacher/artist in the San Francisco based organization training apprentices for more than three decades. Alba frequently donated workshops on photographing artworks for art groups. Notably, Alba has sponsored poetry readings and musical events at her art exhibitions in museum and gallery solo shows. A decades long collaboration between poetess Cynthia Harris and Alba included presentations together at the famous Cody's Books in Berkeley, Jack London Square's Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Oakland, CA, as well as Alba's museum solo in Minnesota's North County Museum of Arts. For over 20 years, she hosted over two dozen guest artists as part of PRO ARTS East Bay Open Studios, an annual citywide public art event. 

Current

Alba continues an active career in solo exhibitions, teaching apprentices, public speaking, jurying exhibitions and judging awards, as well as serving as guest speaker. In 2017 she had 4 solos -- a museum, two art centers and a university library.

Alba's works are visible at [1] and [2], among other sites.

Bibliography

2016 "California artist Benny Alba's series American Storms on display at Heritage Center", Devils Lake Journal, Chuck Wickenhofer, Devil's Lake, N.D.

2015 "Benny Alba 1969 - 2013" ISBN:978-0-578-15709-2, Publisher AlbaStudios, Oakland, CA.

2014 Benny Alba, Alana Clearlake and Sarah Gordon Interviews. Hot Silica on Metal: The Art of Enameling. Maturango Museum, Ridgecrest, CA http://www.news-ridgecrest.com/news/story.pl?id=0000003202[22] & http://maturango.org/blog/hot-silica-on-metal-the-art-of-enameling/[23]

2013 San Francisco Peace and Hope, front cover, Spring edition, Elizabeth Hack, Editor, San Francisco, CA.

2010 “Alba Looks Back”, Contra Costa Times edition, San Jose Mercury News, Volume 99, #116, San Jose, CA. “American Vista Points in Sylvia Winslow Gallery”, Daily Independent, Ridgecrest, CA. “Beauty, Thy Name is Night”, TriPCity Voice, volume 9, #21, Hayward, CA. “Benny Alba Art Retrospective on October 21”, Piedmont Post, Jennifer Downey, Piedmont, CA. “lluminated Landscapes, Natural Disposition”, The Daily Californian, Nastia Voyovskaya, Berkeley, CA. “The Wild, Wild West”, TriPCity Voice, Mona Shah, Hayward, CA.

2009 “Art Made Here”, Contra Costa Times, Laura Casey, Hayward, CA. “Painters with Fearless Brushes at Library Gallery”, The Orinda News, Elana O’Loskey, Orinda, CA.

2008 “United States Embassy Dar es Salaam, Tanzania”, exhibition catalogue, Art in Embassies, Washington, D.C.

2008-98 Who’s Who in the World, Marquis, Publisher, New Providence, N.J.

2007 “Native Lands/Vatan Yerlari”, permanent collection catalogue, US Embassy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

2006 “United States y Phnom Penh”, exhibition catalogue, Art in Embassies, Washington, D.C.

2006-94 Who’s Who in American Women, Marquis, Publisher, New Providence, N.J.

2005 “Isabella Corwin”, Glass on Metal, volume 24, #3, authored article, Thompson Enamels, publisher, Bellevue, KY.

2004 "Art in Embassies Program, 40th Anniversary Catalogue”, Department of State, Washington, D.C.[16]

"Timeless Possibilities", Glass on Metal, volume 23, #4. Benny Alba, Bellevue, KY. “Limitless Possibilities”, Glass on Metal, volume 23, #4, Benny Alba, Bellevue, KY.[24] “Tools are Made but Born are Hands”, Glass on Metal, volume 23, #1, Benny Alba, Bellevue, KY. http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/33077515/tools-are-made-but-born-are-hands-wm-blake-three-works-by-ohio-artist[25]

2002 Alice Arts Center Windows Exhibition, Series II, brochure, Alice Arts Center, Oakland, CA. “A Double Latte and ‘Creations’ in Back”, The Montclarion, Monique Beeler, writer, Oakland, CA. Alice Arts Center Windows Exhibitions, Series II brochure, Alice Arts Center, Oakland, CA. Art of Northern California, Tom Palmer, Publisher, Alcove Books, Oakland, CA. “Discover the New Picasso”, Art Now Gallery Guide, West Coast edition, Art Now, publisher, Clinton, N.J. “Full of Light, Full of Potential”, Inksmith, Benny Alba, spring edition Daniel Smith, Publisher, Seattle, WA.[26] “News of a Great Show in California”, Glass on Metal, volume 21, #5, authored article, Thompson Enamels, publisher, Bellevue, KY. “The Benefits of Archival Matting and Framing”, Inksmith, Daniel Smith Inks, Seattle, WA.[27]

2000 “First Friday Proffers Variety of Pieces”, Grants Pass Daily, Grants Pass, OR. “Metallica”, Art Times Newsletter, Sedona, N.M. “Painter Exhibits at Art Center”, Red Rock News, Larry Taylor, Sedona, N.M. “Prints Go on Display at Valley Art Center”, Lewiston Morning Tribune, Lewiston, Jamestown, N.D. “Travels with Benny Alba”, The Arts Center Newsletter, January 2000, issue #22, Jamestown, N.D. “Two Artists Live in a House of Discards”, Red Rock News, Nancy Robb Dunst, Sedona, N.M. “Works by Hodgkins, Alba, Ready for Display”, Minot Daily News, Paula Lindekugel-Willis, Minot, N.D.

1999 “Adobe Gallery Exhibit Bursts Out in Colorful Display”, Castro Valley Forum, Martha Kennelly, Castro Valley, CA. “Alba’s ‘Visions’ Now a Reality at EMU”, Oregon Daily Emerald, Sarah Lieberth, Eugene, OR.

1998 “Annual Art Exhibit Opens Tuesday”, The Chase, Jeremiah Wood, ENMU, Portales, N.M. “Hoyt Shows Highlight Diverse Approaches to Painting, Sculpture”, Sharon Herald, New Castle, PA. “Pair of Artists Shares Exhibits with Hoyt”, New Castle News, New Castle, PA. “Women Artists Take Different Approaches”, The Castro Valley Forum, Martha Kenelly, Hayward, CA.

1998-97 Who’s Who in the West, Marquis, Publisher, New Providence, N.J.

1997 “Artist Creates Escape for Ordinary Folks”, Merced Times, Gateway, Diane Booth, Merced, CA. “Local Art, Benny Alba”, Spunk!, Farzana Kahn, Publisher, San Francisco, CA.

1996 510 Magazine: East Bay Art and Culture, volume 4, issue five, Berkeley, CA. “A Visual Feast”, The Montclarion, Oakland, CA. “Courtyard Joins ‘Blitz’”, Alameda Journal, Alameda, CA. “Local Artwork Will Dress Temescal Shop Windows”, The Montclarion, Oakland, CA.

1994 510 Magazine: East Bay Art and Culture, issue two, Berkeley, CA. “Artist Likes Colors Bright, Bizarre”, Las Vegas Sun, Las Vegas, NV. “Open Studios is Coming!”, ArtNet Gazette, volume 2, issue 3, Oakland, CA. SPIDR, international conference brochure, cover image, N.Y., N.Y. The Best of San Francisco, first edition, Michelle Rockford, Publisher, San Francisco, CA. “Western Wyoming Community College Art Gallery Opens Show”, Rocket Miner, Rock Springs, WY.

1993 360 Degrees, Art and Literary Review, fall issue, volume 2, Oakland, CA. “And Benny Jumped Over the Moon”, Columbus Alive!, Columbus, OH. “Art Can Take You to Another World”, The Oracle, Fatma Khamis, Rock Springs, WY. Kunst Für Begegnungen, brochure, Munich, Germany “Show has Variety and Good Energy”, Davis Enterprise, Laura Weir Hill, Scott Hill, Davis, CA. “Symbolism at Center of Alba’s Works”, Columbus Dispatch, Leslie Constable, Columbus, OH. “Verhalten åndern im Vorübergehen, Süddeutsche Zeitung», Munchner Kultur, Munich, Germany

1992 Art Against Prejudice, poster, Kunst Für Begegnungen project, Munich, Germany Basic Instinct, movie set, act one, scene two, Tristar, Hollywood, CA.

1991 “Contemporary Bay Area Emerging Artists”, Critic’s Choice, San Francisco Chronicle, Harry Roche, San Francisco, CA. “Sophisticated Show Debuts at Ashland”, The Phoenix Gazette, Lynn Pyne, Phoenix, AZ.

1990 “Alba’s Oils at Canessa Gallery”, San Francisco Arts Monthly, San Francisco, CA. “Alba’s Show Blends Art and Poetry”, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, CA. “Mesa Gallery has a Special Show to Celebrate the Earth”, The New Fillmore, San Francisco, CA. West Art, volume 28, #15, Bud Pisareek, Publisher, Auburn, CA.

1989 American Artist, second edition, Krantz, Publisher, N.Y., N.Y. The California Art Review, second edition, Krantz, Publisher, N.Y., N.Y.

References

  1. ^ Hollander, Harry B. (1972). Plastics for Artists and Craftsmen. New York: Watson-Guptill. p. 23. ISBN 0273318012.
  2. ^ von Endt, Laurie (November 23, 1993). "An Instinct for Painting". Visual ARts.
  3. ^ Constable, Leslie (November 21, 1993). "Symbolism at Center of Alba's Works". The Columbus Dispatch.
  4. ^ "Pair of ARtists Shares Exhibits with Hoyt". At Leisure. August 1998.
  5. ^ "Artist Likes Colors Bright, Bizarre". Weeken. December 2, 1994.
  6. ^ Brokke, Harris. "Executive Director" (PDF). Maturango News.
  7. ^ a b Voynovskaya, Nastia (September 30, 2010). "Crafts & Cultural Arts Gallery Hosts Retrospective of Nearly Three Decades of Work by Oakland Painter and Enamellist Benny Alba". The Daily Californian.
  8. ^ "Painter of the Cool". ARTimes. May 2000.
  9. ^ "A Newsletter for Employees and Friends of Minot State University - "In the Galleries" section". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  10. ^ a b "Prints go on Display at Valley Art Center". Lewiston Morning Tribune. March 3, 2000.
  11. ^ "WWCC Art Gallery Opens Show". Rocket Miner. January 18, 1994.
  12. ^ "Artists Directory". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  13. ^ Booth, Diane (May 21–27, 1997). "Artist creates escape for ordinary folks". Merced Times.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  14. ^ Shah, Mona (April 2010). "The Wild Wild West". Tri-City Voice.
  15. ^ Kennelly, Martha (September 16, 1998). "Women Artists Take Different Approaches". Arts & Entertainment.
  16. ^ a b "Painter exhibits at arts center through May 21". Red Rock News. May 3, 2000.
  17. ^ O'Loskey, Elana (July 2009). "Painters With Fearless Brushes at Library Gallery". The Orinda News.
  18. ^ "Beauty, Thy Name is Night". Tri-City Voice. May 25–31, 2010.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  19. ^ "Athenaeum displays artist's depiction of fierce storms". Westfield/Southwick. February 8–14, 2013.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  20. ^ "The Journal of the California Society of Printmakers" (PDF). California Society of Printmakers. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Check date values in: |archive-date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  21. ^ Downey, Jennifer (October 13, 2010). "Benny Alba Art Retrospective on October 21". Piedmont Post.
  22. ^ "The News Review". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  23. ^ "Hot Silica on Metal: The Art of Enameling". Maturango Museum. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  24. ^ "Limitless Possibilities". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  25. ^ ""Tools are Made but Born are Hands" - Wm. Blake Three works by an Ohio Artist". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  26. ^ Alba, Benny. "Full of Light, Full of Potential" (PDF). Daniel Smith Catalogue. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  27. ^ "The Benefits of Archival Matting and Framing". Daniel Smith website. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
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