You get “Six,” the Tony Award-winning pop-rock musical playing at Saroyan Theatre in downtown Fresno through Sunday.

The premise of the one-act, one-scene production is the former wives — divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived reviewing their fate — try to convince the audience, in sort of fourth-wall breaking way, that they have the saddest sob story.

Using song, the all-female cast — the six wives, and a four-member live rock band on stage — plead their case.

The wives also undercut each other with humor, insults, and trying to outdo each other in the sob-off. No actor playing King Henry VIII is needed.

How popular are those songs? The Broadway album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, and surpassed 100 million streams, the show said.

And the show? Opening night on Tuesday drew a nearly-full house.

The set is reminiscent of a rock show with LEDs that can transform into almost anything. The costumes are a testament to the shiny as well.

Three cast members are from California.

Danielle Mendoza plays Anna of Cleves, the fourth wife, divorced by King Henry VIII. She lives in Cupertino, and attended Cal Poly.

Alize Cruz — fifth wife Katherine Howard (beheaded) — is from Marina. Kelly Denice Taylor — third wife Jane Seymour, who died in childbirth after delivering an heir, the future King Edward VI — is from Los Angeles.

How to Get Tickets

The Fresno production is one of several “Six” shows on tour around the world. The show is playing among other places at the Lena Horne Theatre on Broadway, in London, and starting next month in China.

Seven shows remain for the rest of the week at the Saroyan: nightly at 7:30 p.m. through Sunday (the Sunday show starts at 6:30 p.m.), and Saturday and Sunday matinees. Plus, “Six” stages a special performance for school students later this week.

Tickets are available here.

The post The ‘Six’ Wives of King Henry VIII Sing Their Hearts Out in Fresno appeared first on GV Wire.

Fresno’s beloved film festival, Swede Fest, is back in town after a brief break and making its anticipated return this May.

The one-of-a-kind festival encourages filmmakers of all ages and abilities to craft homemade recreations of well-known movies by Monday, April 21.

Swede Fest entries can be a summary of full films, specific scenes, or even trailers.

“It’s a way to put yourself into your favorite movie and interpret it however you like,” Swede Fest co-founder, Bryan Harley, said, “Its a fun creative exercise that anybody in the community can get involved in.”

The only requirements: Submissions must be family-friendly and no longer than 4 minutes.

The festival will show every submission, as long as it follows guidelines.

Learn more about how to submit your film here.

Swede Fest will screen submitted films on May 2, from 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. at Royce Hall on the Fresno High School campus.

The festival, a Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC) project, is free and open to the public.

Swede Fest Junior

This year, organizers, in collaboration with Fresno Unified School District, have introduced a new category: Swede Fest Junior.

The competition allows entries from K-12 students, shinning a spotlight on young filmmakers.

The festival hopes this will inspire the next generation of festival participants.

Harley encourages young participates and newcomers to think outside the box, sharing an example rethinking Pulp Fiction, a rated R film, with food as guns in order to meet guidelines.

“That’s what makes Swede Fest special, the sort of humorous nature of it and the fact that its ‘do it yourself’,’ ” Harley tells GV Wire, “Its very inclusive. We try to underscore that you don’t need to have experience as a filmmaker or making videos.”

History of Swede Fest

Swede Fest is a Fresno tradition dating to 2008 that’s intended to celebrate the joy of filmmaking and power of community storytelling — no Hollywood budget required.

The festival was halted in 2023. It is now back in action thanks to Fresno Unified videography and photography teachers.

The FUSD educators fought for the festival’s return, which had become a learning tool in the classroom and loved by students.

This petitioning drove coordinators to create Swede Fest Junior.

“Be Kind Rewind,” a 2008 movie directed by Michel Gondry and starring Jack Black, inspired the festival.

The film dubs the term “swede,” referring to low-budget movie parodies that utilize homemade props, costumes, and sets. The oftentimes hilarious films promote creativity — intentionally low-tech and always entertaining.

The post Swede Fest is Back in Town and Calling Filmmakers Young and Old appeared first on GV Wire.

A Fairytale-Like Stay in Castles

Across Europe, historic castles have been transformed into luxurious accommodations, providing an enchanting alternative to traditional hotels. Ashford Castle in Ireland, once a 13th-century fortress, now welcomes guests to lavish interiors, fine dining and unforgettable activities like falconry. In France, Château de Bagnols will reopen in May 2025; it’s located in the heart of the Beaujolais wine region and allows guests to stay in an authentic medieval castle complete with a moat, towers and Renaissance paintings.

Staying in a castle is not only about luxury; it’s also an opportunity to immerse yourself in history. Many locations provide guided tours, medieval feasts and stories about their former inhabitants. For instance, Hever Castle in the United Kingdom was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, who became Queen of England in the 1500s. The Book of Hours Room is renowned as one of the most beautiful rooms in the castle and is rumored to be where King Henry VIII courted Boleyn. These regal retreats invite travelers into a fairy tale while enjoying world-class hospitality and a rich historical experience in Europe.

Related Story: Royal Caribbean to Launch First-Ever San Diego Cruises in 2026

Remote Stays in Extreme Locations

For those looking to disconnect in remote locations, unique accommodations provide the perfect experience. From ice hotels to desert lodges, these stays immerse guests in exceptional scenery that few have had the chance to see.

Located 124 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Sweden’s ICEHOTEL offers an unforgettable stay. Guests sleep in sculpted ice rooms, equipped with thermal sleeping bags and reindeer hides, all while experiencing temperatures ranging from 19 to 23 F. This destination allows you to fully embrace the northern experience by sleeping in ice blocks, going dogsledding and witnessing the breathtaking Northern Lights.

On the other hand, Peru’s Skylodge Adventure Suites presents a different kind of adventure. Here, you can sleep in glass pods suspended 1,300 feet above the Sacred Valley, accessible only by climbing or zip lining. In your transparent bedroom, you can fully appreciate the stunning views of the Peruvian landscape. These remote accommodations offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience that surpasses traditional hotels, perfect for those looking for thrilling adventures.

Caves Turned Into Cozy Retreats

Sleeping in a cave might sound primitive, but today’s cave hotels offer a surprisingly luxurious experience. The Museum Hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey, features rooms that have undergone meticulous restoration, showcasing caves that are thousands of years old. Each suite is decorated with historical artifacts, providing a unique view of the region’s famous hot air balloons.

In Matera, Italy, a village known for having dwellings, churches and palaces carved into the volcanic hillside, you’ll find Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita. This boutique cave hotel comprises 18 rooms and an ancient church, maintaining its historic atmosphere while offering modern amenities. For travelers, a night in a cave hotel not only promises comfort but also provides a chance to experience a piece of history.

Floating Over Water

If you want to be lulled to sleep by the gentle sway of the ocean, like in Maldives, floating accommodations are what you need. Options like houseboats, overwater bungalows and floating villas allow guests to wake up to stunning sunrises and the soothing sounds of the water.

In Kerala, India, you can hop on a “kettuvallam,” a traditional wooden houseboat held together by knots. Once used for transporting rice, Indian spices and other goods, these boats have now been transformed into comfortable accommodations that let guests enjoy the tranquil canals. This isn’t an experience you can find with a normal hotel – gliding through the waters while catching breathtaking views of the green rice fields.

Sleeping Up in the Air

People who fear heights will probably run in the opposite direction when they hear about aerial stays. From industrial cranes to tree houses, adventurous travelers get to sleep in unique, sky-high rooms.

The Harlingen Harbour Crane Hotel lets guests stay in a fully refurbished harbor crane built in 1967. You must take two lifts to reach your room, which was once an engine room. Inside, you’ll find a double rain shower and all the essential amenities you need for a comfortable stay, maybe even some beverages and pretzels. This luxurious accommodation allows you to choose your view – you can rotate the crane 360 degrees yourself using the original joystick. Unconventional arrangements like the Harlingen are redefining what it means to get a room with a view, and the run-of-the-mill hotels can’t compete.

Unconventional Accommodations Are the Future of Travel

Where you stay during your vacation is more than finding a place to sleep. Today’s travelers look for lodgings that transform a simple stay into an adventure. Generic hotels are being replaced by unique options such as castles, caves and even glass pods. As predicted by Presedence Research, there is a growing trend towards unique and meaningful experiences, with alternative accommodations redefining how people travel.

Zuzana Paar, creator of Amazing Travel Life, is a seasoned traveler and writer who has explored 62 countries and lived in St. Lucia, Dubai, Vienna, Doha and Slovakia. Her work has been featured in Fox News, NY Daily News, MSN and more; she has also appeared live on the Chicago WGN Bob Sirott Radio Show. When she’s not discovering new destinations, she shares travel tips and insider insights to help others experience the world in a unique and unforgettable way.

The post Hotels Are So Last Year – Why Everyone’s Sleeping in Castles, Caves and Cranes appeared first on GV Wire.

Sotheby’s auction house said Tuesday that “Crude Oil (Vettriano)” is being sold in London next month from the collection of Mark Hoppus, bassist with California skate-punk band Blink-182, who sees Banksy as a kindred spirit.

Punk Rock Meets Street Art

Hoppus said he was drawn to the subversion, humor and intelligence of Banksy’s work and the similarities between “skateboarding, punk rock and art.”

“I feel like street art and punk rock have the same core,” Hoppus said. “The left-out and overlooked making their own reality. … Just go make art. It’s the same spirit. And I’ve loved art and especially street art ever since realizing that.”

Environmental Commentary Through Art

“Crude Oil (Vettriano)” is part of a 2005 series of works in which Banksy put a satirical spin on famous paintings — withering Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” and smashing the diner window in Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.” The artist said his aim was to show that “the real damage done to our environment is not done by graffiti writers and drunken teenagers, but by big business.”

The work going under the hammer is based on “The Singing Butler,” a painting by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano showing a couple in evening dress dancing on a beach as servants proffer sheltering umbrellas. Banksy has added a sinking oil liner and two figures lugging a barrel of toxic waste.

“We loved this painting since the moment we saw it,” said Hoppus, who bought the artwork with his wife, Skye Everly, in 2011. He said the painting – “unmistakably Banksy, but different” – has hung in the family’s homes in London and Los Angeles.

Related Story: Banksy Posts Video Saying Incomplete Shredding a Malfunction

Charitable Impact of the Sale

Hoppus said he would use the proceeds of the sale to buy work by upcoming artists. Some will go to the California Fire Foundation, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Cedars Sinai Hematology Oncology Research.

Banksy, who has never confirmed his full identity, began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world’s best-known artists. His mischievous and often satirical images include two male police officers kissing, armed riot police with yellow smiley faces and a chimpanzee with a sign bearing the words, “Laugh now, but one day I’ll be in charge.”

Several of his works have sold for multiple millions at auction. The record is almost 18.6 million pounds ($25.4 million at the time) paid at Sotheby’s in October 2021 for “Love is in the Bin” – an image of a girl with a balloon that partially self-destructed during an auction three years earlier thanks to a shredder hidden in the frame.

“Crude Oil (Vettriano)” is on display at Sotheby’s in New York until Thursday and in London Feb. 26-March 4.

The post Blink-182 Bassist’s $6M Banksy Painting Heads to Auction for Charity appeared first on GV Wire.

“We had this idea a year and a half ago. People come to Chukchansi for an event for sports and music, so it took a few phone calls and connections to find out if we can do this and it was a quick yes. There was no hesitation,” executive director of CASA Wilma Tom Hashimoto told GV Wire.

“We’re very proud to be able to be the home of this beautiful piece of artwork and for all that it stands for,” said Grizzlies President Derek Franks.

Related Story: Save Mart Center Is Among Top 100 Venues in the World

Empowering Foster Youth Through Advocacy

The nonprofit organization trains over 200 volunteers as Court-Appointed Special Advocates to be a guiding voice by empowering youth (300 annually) in foster care to reach their full potential. The mural’s purpose is to inspire people to get involved with advocacy work.

“As a board member watching, seeing, and participating in this, it’s amazing what this group of people can accomplish. It’s amazing that we can represent what is happening out there in our communities with events and artwork like this,” said Richard Wendt, chief operations officer of Noble Credit Union.

The Fresno Arts Council provided $20,000 for the mural through the Measure P sales tax. The grant also provided art classes to the youth, which allowed them to be involved in the mural project.

“This mural is important because we know the impact that the arts have on society. The arts provide a message sometimes that people don’t see or hear otherwise,” said Lilia Gonzales-Chavez, executive director of the arts council.

Related Story: Publicly Funded Cen Cal Cinema Kicks Off Free Movie Events

Community Support and Recognition

In attendance were the CEO of Downtown Fresno Partnership, Elliot Balch, and Joshua Babcock, representative of Nathan Magsig from Board of Supervisors District 5. They also praised the artwork, its meaning, and how it can impact the city.

Artist Steven Camacho Nunez was commissioned to take on the project. Nunez used to work for the Grizzlies so for him the project was extra special.

The idea took 10 to 15 minutes to sketch out with people’s feedback and seven days to complete. Spray paint and acrylics were used to make the piece, he said.

He received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Jim Costa, District 21, for his efforts.

Related Story: Get Your Tickets Now. Big Acts Coming to Fresno in First Half of 2025.

A Vibrant Representation of CASA and Fresno

The image displays “CASA” in the middle with the downtown backdrop of buildings, a fig, and the old bank sign with the “G” on it. Included in the corners are the logos of CASA, the Grizzlies, and the FAC.

Will Chukchansi Park serve as a canvas for other murals?

“I think this is just the beginning of something really cool. CASA has not only done something really special here in this partnership, but they’ve opened up a lot of eyes to the possibilities to do more so we’re looking forward to that,” said Franks.

The post CASA Unveils Mural of Hope at Chukchansi Park to Empower Foster Youth appeared first on GV Wire.

The air was still chilly Tuesday morning as several hundred people, eager to see the inside spaces of the new center, gathered on the plaza outside and were serenaded by the college’s brass quintet.

Reedley College’s $30 million McClarty Center for Fine and Performing Arts will be a facility not just for the college’s students but for the entire community and region, officials said.

Fantastic Acoustics

For performing musicians, the center’s auditorium will give them the opportunity to showcase their work in a space where acoustics can be fine-tuned to the most-precise degree, State Center Community College District Chancellor Carole Goldsmith told the audience.

The Meyer Constellation Acoustic System can be adjusted to produce the best possible listening experience, Goldsmith said. That, and the rest of the center, would not have been possible without the support of voters who approved Measure C in 2016 as well as donors like Harold McClarty and his family.

“And for those of you in the community, I want to extend our deepest, most sincere thanks for your support in making this vision a reality, because it is truly a gorgeous building,” she said. “And it’s gorgeous because we listened to what you wanted. So thank you for voicing your thoughts and for voicing your dreams.”

HMC Farms owner Harold McClarty, whose family foundation contributed $1 million to the center and is its namesake, joked that he would be able to brag that he was the stage’s first performer. McClarty read four poems with Valley and agriculture themes, including one written by his 10-year-old granddaughter, Lyla Ketelsen.

“What we do next will determine if this was truly a success,” he said. “We need to fill the center with poets, authors, musicians, and artists. This will be the place where for generations we get to be educated, enlightened, and entertained. This is something for our children and grandchildren and more. This is our thank you to all deserving artists, patrons and working people who call this area our home.”

Bringing the Arts to Rural Communities

State Center board president Magdelana Gomez, whose area includes Reedley, said she got emotional trying to express her thanks and sharing a stage with McClarty, a farmer. Gomez, the daughter and granddaughter of farmworkers, said having such a world-class facility means a lot to people in rural communities in the Valley.

“This is a great moment for all of the rural communities because this will be the heart piece. It’s our Disney Hall. It glows in the dark. It’s the mother ship, you name it,” she said. “This is just the heart and soul of what is to become.”

The post Reedley College Celebrates Opening of Gleaming New Performing Arts Center appeared first on GV Wire.

The Schoelkopf Gallery wanted to confirm the plaques done by sculptor Jacques Schnier came from the elevators of the downtown Fresno building, according to Kevin Enns-Rempel, administrator for HistoricFresno.org. Enns-Rempel formerly sat on Fresno’s Historic Preservation Commission.

But a call to the Helm Building’s ownership shows Schnier appears to have made more than one set, and that the pieces can still be seen there.

“People had become upset thinking that the panels had been taken from the elevator,” Enns-Rempel said. “It’s an interesting story and, thankfully, it doesn’t represent any sort of bad behavior on anyone’s part.”

No Need to Fear, Downtown Fresno Lovers. Artwork Still in Place.

After learning about the potential sale of the bronze panels, Enns-Rempel took to the For the Love of Downtown Fresno group page, seeking information on the pieces. The post garnered a lot of interest.

Many Facebook users said they wanted the panels brought back to Fresno if they were no longer there. But pictures from 2015 from downtown Fresno booster Christopher Rocha showed the panels still in place. With the gallery able to establish provenance back to 1986, Enns-Rempel had full confidence the Helm Building plaques were still in place.

A call by GV Wire to the Pacific Southwest Building management — which shares the same ownership as the Helm Building — confirmed the panels were still in place. The images appear to be the same, according to the manager.

People had asked if the panels were from the upper floors, but Enns-Rempel doubted builders would undertake that kind of expense.

“You spend all the money on the lobby, where it makes the biggest impact,” Enns-Rempel said.

A request for comment from Schoelkopf Gallery was not returned in time for publication.

Related Story: Fresno’s Vibrant Mural Scene: A Canvas of Culture and Creativity

Schnier’s Pieces Only a Part of Major 1936 Transformation for Helm

Made in 1936, the six panels from Schnier came at a time the Helm Building undertook a significant transformation. That year, owners spent $100,000 to modernize the 10-story building at Fulton and Mariposa streets, according to a Fresno Bee article.

“Completion of the major part of one of the largest modernization programs ever undertaken in a Fresno business structure was announced to-day by the management of the Helm Building at the northwest corner of Fulton and Mariposa Streets where about $100,000 is being expended for various improvements,” the article stated.

That $100,000 was no small investment back then, especially considering the building would sell in 1953 for $1 million, according to a Bee article from that year.

One of the major improvements for the Helm? Air conditioning and new drinking fountains with a “constant flow of ice water throughout the warmer seasons.”

The article mentioned the bronze doors on the elevators, which were also upgraded for a faster and smoother operation.

Also in 1936, the edifice took on the “Helm” moniker, changing its name from the Griffith-McKenzie Building, the Bee reported.

Once again, the Helm Building is undergoing significant changes. After years of disrepair, developer Sevak Khatchadourian purchased the building, revitalizing it for mixed-use purposes. He has converted the bottom floor to retail and has several spaces leased out, with construction continuing there. Housing there would be coming online soon.

Khatchadourian also brought the nearby Pacific Southwest Building back to life, achieving near-full occupancy on what is the tallest building in the Central Valley.

Schnier Not World-Renowned, but a ‘Significant, Serious Artist’: Enns-Rempel

Schnier had sculpted images of grape pressing, oil drilling, cotton baling, grape harvesting, pigs, and sheep, which would have been common sights in the Central Valley, then and now.

Born in Romania, Schnier taught sculpting at UC Berkeley from 1936 to 1966, establishing the department at the university, according to Wikipedia.

The U.S. Mint commissioned the busy Schnier that year to design the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge half dollar to commemorate the bridge’s opening.

Schnier’s works have also been featured in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Oakland Museum of California, and other art spaces.

“He’s not world-renowned, but he is a significant, serious artist,” Enns-Rempel said.

The post NY Art Gallery Puts Bronze Panels Up for Sale. What Does It Have to Do With Fresno? appeared first on GV Wire.

A slow-burning international literary star who has won multiple awards in South Korea and Europe, Han is the first Asian woman and the first South Korean writer to win the Nobel literature prize. She was awarded for books, including “The Vegetarian” and “Human Acts,” that explore the pain of being human and the scars of Korea’s turbulent history.

Nobel literature committee member Anna-Karin Palm said Han writes about “trauma, pain and loss,” whether individual or collective, “with the same compassion and care.”

“And this, I think, is something that is quite remarkable,” Palm said.

Nobel committee chairman Anders Olsson praised Han’s “empathy for the vulnerable, often female lives” of her characters.

“She has a unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead,” Olsson said.

Related Story: Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to 3 Scientists for Work on Proteins, Building ...

Second South Korean Nobel Laureate

Han is the second South Korean national to win a Nobel Prize. Late former President Kim Dae-jung won the peace prize in 2000 for his efforts to restore democracy in South Korea during the country’s previous military rule and improve relations with war-divided rival North Korea.

Speaking to the Swedish Academy by phone, Han said she had just finished having dinner with her son at home in Seoul when she got a call with the news.

She said she was both “honored” and surprised to become South Korea’s first Nobel literature laureate.

“I grew up with Korean literature, which I feel very close (to),” said Han, whose father and brother are both novelists. “So I hope this news is nice for Korean literature readers and my friends, writers.”

As for celebrating the win, she said: “I’m going to have tea with my son and I’ll celebrate it quietly tonight.”

Related Story: Pioneers in Artificial Intelligence Win the Nobel Prize in Physics

South Korean Cultural Influence

Han wins the Nobel at a time of growing global influence of South Korean culture, which in recent years has included the success of films like director Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning “Parasite,” the Netflix survival drama “Squid Game” and the worldwide fame of K-pop groups like BTS and BLACKPINK.

Han, 53, won the International Booker Prize for fiction translated into English in 2016 for “The Vegetarian,” an unsettling novel in which a woman’s decision to stop eating meat has devastating consequences.

Accepting that award, Han said writing novels “is a way of questioning for me.”

“I just try to complete my questions through the process of my writing and I try to stay in the questions, sometimes painful, sometimes — well — sometimes demanding,” she said.

Related Story: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Goes on Hunger Strike in Iranian Prison

Han’s Literary Career

Han made her publishing debut as a poet in 1993; her first short story collection was published in 1995 and her first novel, “Black Deer,” in 1998.

Works translated into English include “Greek Lessons” — about the relationship between a woman who can no longer speak and a teacher who is losing his sight — “Human Acts” and “The White Book,” a poetic novel that draws on the death of Han’s older sister shortly after birth. “The White Book” was an International Booker Prize finalist in 2018.

“Human Acts” — which Olsson, the Nobel committee chair, called a work of “witness literature” — is based on the real-life killing of pro-democracy protesters in Han’s home city of Gwangju in 1980. The book won Italy’s Malaparte Prize in 2017.

Her most recent novel, “We Do Not Part,” is due to be published in English next year. It also confronts a chapter in South Korea’s 20th-century history, which saw the country endure war, the division of the Korean peninsula and dictatorship. The novel deals with a 1948-1949 uprising on Jeju, an island south of the Korean mainland in which thousands of people were killed.

Anders Karlsson, a lecturer at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies who has translated Han into Swedish, said he was “overjoyed” at the Nobel accolade.

He said Han’s “poignant, condensed” prose is able to describe “difficult and dark passages in South Korean history … in quite open and inviting language that engages and does not deter the reader.”

Nobel Prize Diversity

The literature prize has long faced criticism that it is too focused on European and North American writers of style-heavy, story-light prose. It has also been male-dominated — Han is only the 18th woman among its 120 laureates.

Six days of Nobel announcements opened Monday with Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun winning the medicine prize. Two founding fathers of machine learning — John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton — won the physics prize. On Wednesday, three scientists who discovered powerful techniques to decode and even design novel proteins were awarded the chemistry prize.

The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday and the economics award on Monday.

The prize carries a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million) from a bequest left by the award’s creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. The laureates are invited to receive their awards at ceremonies on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.

The post Han Kang Wins the Nobel Prize for Literature. She’s the First South Korean to Do So appeared first on GV Wire.

The Fresno artist and teacher submitted an acrylic portrait of Vice President Kamala Harris for the annual Big Fresno Fair art contest. By mistake — the fair admitted — it was disqualified from the annual competition and taken off display in the Fine Arts building.

On Tuesday, Big Fresno Fair interim CEO Christina Estrada met with Ly, apologizing. The Harris portrait was returned to the fairgrounds, where it will be displayed for the rest of the fair.

“I’m pleased to have met Christina to clear this misunderstanding. And now we have to move on. I’d be glad to advise about the future of this show and what can be done to improve this exhibition,” Ly said.

Estrada told Ly that fair employees made a “bad judgment call,” to disqualify the art. Ly said he was told the portrait broke the rules for using a copyrighted photograph.

Ly explained that he hadn’t copied a photo and questioned whether the disqualification occurred because of the political subject. Harris is the Democratic presidential nominee running against Republican former President Donald Trump.

Related Story: Big Fresno Fair Rejected Kamala Harris Portrait in Art Contest: Artist

Art Matters

Ly said displaying art at the Big Fresno Fair matters because of the size of the venue.

“You’re not going to find a big room anywhere in Fresno. That’s what I encourage artists to do once a year. Your work will be seen by hundreds of people. So exposure and potential clients. And that’s the best way to network and get your name out there,” Ly said.

Although the art is restored to the exhibit, it is too late for Ly to win the $150 top prize for his category. Judging took place before the fair even started. But not all is lost. Ricardo Solis, the winner for advanced artist in the acrylic category, is a Ly student.

The post Controversial Kamala Harris Portrait Returns to Big Fresno Fair Art Exhibit appeared first on GV Wire.

“It’s not about me. It’s about the art community, respecting the artist,” Ma Ly told GV Wire.

Related Story: Controversial Kamala Harris Portrait Returns to Big Fresno Fair Art Exhibit

Ly said judges rejected his portrait of the Democratic presidential nominee, believing it did not qualify because it used a copyrighted photograph. The Big Fresno Fair’s art handbook said entries must be original work, saying copies will not be accepted.

He said that was not true.

“It’s the combination of different pictures, with my interpretation,” Ly — pronounced “lee” — said. He said the Big Fresno Fair never told him what picture he allegedly copied.

“Because that portrait doesn’t exist,” Ly said.

Ly posited an alternate theory.

“I can only think that they made a political statement, you don’t want any, in this case, a Democratic figure in the Fair,” Ly said. “I personally believe she would be a good president and I wanted to try to display that through a portrait.”

Ly only learned his painting was missing when others told him it was not on display. He said the fair did not successfully contact him.

The Big Fresno Fair’s Response

After publication of the story, the Big Fresno Fair responded.

Christina Estrada, Interim CEO, sent this response to GV Wire. Estrada said, “after careful review, it has been determined that the Fine Arts volunteer committee misinterpreted entry guidelines for his submission and the Fair is taking steps to correct this for the future. The Fair sincerely apologizes for this oversight. We have reached out to Mr. Ly to invite him to display his artwork for the remainder of the Fair, effective today, but have not yet connected directly with him. We value the many volunteers who annually help to ensure the success of our Fair and equally value all those who choose to enter our competitive exhibits each year. Mr. Ly’s longstanding involvement in our Fine Arts competitive exhibits is greatly appreciated, as is his understanding in this matter.”

Ly’s Work Seen Around Town

Among Ly’s works around town, he painted a portrait of President Barack Obama — commissioned by the Fresno County Office of Education — and a Fresno State-commissioned portrait of former university president Joseph Castro. His work has also been displayed at Fresno City Hall.

Ly teaches art at his Fresno studio. He has won the Big Fresno Fair art competition before. He usually works in landscapes.

Referring to the Handbook

Art contests are divided between advanced and beginner artists. Each group has 17 sub-categories. Ly entered his Harris painting in the acrylic paint category.

The Big Fresno Fair Fine Arts handbook details rules about submissions, such as size and displays. Entries cost $12 each, with prizes up to $150 for first place.

The handbook also discusses disqualifications.

“The Big Fresno Fair reserves the right to exclude any entry that is deemed not to be in the best interest of the Fair for exhibition,” the handbook said. It does not detail what the best interest is.

If a work is disqualified, the handbook states, there will be no refunds of entry fees, and awards may be subject to forfeiture.

“No exceptions,” the handbook says in all caps.

The handbook does not provide for an appeal process.

“I don’t think it’s fair … it’s a vague excuse because (the handbook said) we reserve the right to exclude any entry that is not deemed to be in the best interest of the fair, but there’s very broad,” Ly said.

Ly said that if political figures are not allowed, that should be stated in the handbook.

Next year, he plans to submit a portrait of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The post Big Fresno Fair Rejected Kamala Harris Portrait in Art Contest: Artist appeared first on GV Wire.