Animalia Musicale: A Chorus of Critters. A New Exhibit at Gualala Arts

This exhibit in the Elaine Jacob Foyer at Gualala Arts opens Saturday, March 6, 2021 from 11 am 7 pm. Members Preview Friday, March 5, 2021, 11 am to 4 pm. Exhibit remains up through March 28, 2021.

ANIMALIA MUSICALE: A CHORUS OF CRITTERS features images of both wild and domestic animals – from fish to fox, bees to bunnies, dogs to cats, giraffes to frogs, seals to skunks, cheetahs and frogs and bears (and so much more)…oh my!

What makes the images of unique interest is that most are painted on musical score sheets. With the artist’s love for animals of all kinds, the images are meant to tickle the senses and to engage the viewer with a sense of play, joy, humor and a touch of whimsy (sans the kitsch).

Art is and has been Leslie’s passion ever since she was a little girl.  Her earliest memories of creating “art” was her favorite playtime activity by placing pennies in various formation on the floor. Raised in an artistic Bohemian household in Greenwich Village, NYC, Leslie attended the Greenwich House School of Pottery and Painting (Jones Street), as well as the Greenwich House School of Music (Barrow Street). In 1967, Leslie’s family relocated to Paris, France where she schooled at the Lycee International in St. Germain-en-Laye, before returning to the States. Upon returning to the States, Leslie graduated from Watertown H.S. (Watertown, CT) and attended the University of Connecticut.

Currently a resident of Mill Valley, CA, Leslie is best described by many as a true “Renaissance woman” and entrepreneur. Aside from a diversified business background, Leslie is a professional artist, art curator, established writer, former singer/songwriter/performer for children; massage therapist for the past 30 years+. Leslie enjoys being vitally active in community affairs and various fund-raising events.

In March 2015, Leslie founded a Marin County 501(c) 3 Non-Profit Project called P.A.T.H. (Prison Arts Touching Hearts) which acts as a platform to acknowledge and support incarcerated artists from all over the country.  Consequently, Leslie collaborated with Mendocino artist/art curator and installer, Wendy Bailey for what turned out to be a very well received exhibit (“Unchained Artists: Portraits and Dreams”) in the Burnett Gallery January 2019.

Leslie’s style of award-winning artwork (which has been sold in the U.S. and abroad, and exhibited in various galleries within the Eastern Tri-State area, as well as Marin County, CA, including the Redwood Foyer within the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium of the Marin Center, San Rafael, Ca. ) is at once lively, witty, whimsical, quirky, gestural, free and fluid in nature. Her work combines her love of anything nostalgic (i.e., antique sheet music, vintage fashion ads, etc.), nature, animals, music, dance and poetry themes. Her wish is that it makes you smile.

Members Preview March 5, 11 am to 4 pm.

Public opening Saturday, March 6, 2021, 11 am to 7 pm.

Exhibit continues through March 28, 2021.

Admission free.

NOTE: • “Safety First” is the common theme to keeping the Arts Center open! The staff at Gualala Arts has created a safe environment to stroll the halls with each room having: fresh Pacific breezes running though open doors, ceiling fans spinning above, air purifiers, sanitizer at entrance, central heat with dedicated furnace, ventilation filters, masks required from front gates of property, one person allowed in restroom at a time, requested 6 feet apart outside and 12 feet inside. The Arts Center requests just one family pod per room at a time for extra caution.