By Sue Fagalde Lick
It's the outdoor art show of the year, say participants in the annual Saratoga Rotary Art Show, which takes place May 5 from 9 a.m. to
5 p.m. at West Valley College.
The 175 professional artists who will show their works have been chosen by jury from more than twice that number who applied. Those who return to the show every year praise the Rotary for the quality of the art, the well-oiled organization and a prime opportunity to sell their work.
"For a one-day show, it's phenomenal," reports Laurie Coles, creator of the Annie Parker line of oils and lotions. She is so busy all day she doesn't have time to sit down.
"It is my best show," says potter Donna Marie Padrick, a 15-year veteran of the Rotary art show. She makes lots of sales and meets friends and customers who come to her booth every year.
Watercolorist Margaret Blackwell says the Rotary event is the only outdoor show she still takes part in, now that most of her work is sold through galleries.
In addition to the art by adults, works by students from 35 Santa Clara County schools will be shown. These creations are not for sale, but will be judged for first-, second- and third-place ribbons and up to 15 honorable mentions. Young artists will also be honored in the West Valley College Theater at 2 p.m. that afternoon during award ceremonies for the Olympiad of the Arts.
Local entertainers will also perform on the main stage and at other locations during the show. Among those scheduled are Sidesaddle and Co., Talk of da Town, the Harmonics Steel Band Quartet, Flamenco instrumentalists Gypsy Tribe, the New Originals a cappella group, Saratoga Sister City Taiko, the Hurdy-Gurdy Man, Peninsulaires barbershop quartet, the Clown Club House and the Saratoga High School jazz band and choir.
The Rotarians will sell a variety of food and drinks at the show. Saratoga Music Boosters will serve a $4 pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Redwood Middle School, across Fruitvale Avenue from the college campus.
Admission to the Rotary art show is free, and parking is available in the West Valley College lots.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, May 1, 1996.
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