Bea Acosta, Clay & Bo Svensson, Photography Opening Reception: Saturday, September 3, 2011, 5:00 p.m. Exhibit remains through September 28 Dolphin Gallery

The Dolphin Gallery will be showing the clay works of Beatrice Acosta and the photography of Bo Svensson from the opening Saturday, September 3 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. through September 28, 2011.

Beatrice Acosta

Searching much of her adult life for a creative medium, Beatrice found her heart's passion at Brandybuck Ranch Pottery Studio in Point Arena. Under the tutelage of art instructor Kaye Like, combined with classes from the Mendocino Art Center, Beatrice, also known locally as Bea, has been creating, experimenting and building with clay since 2000.

"I think my ethnic background, my Native American and Mexican roots, have emerged in my pottery work. The joy I feel as my hands work with the clay must have some connection to my ancestors."

Her work is organic and flowing, allowing the viewer to continually discover something new in each piece. She is a hand builder, using the coil and slab method. Beginning with the earth element (the clay), ending with the fire element, the piece is complete with connections to the universe.

"I am enamored with the piece as it unfolds in my hands. I rarely know what I want it to look like. It evolves as the clay and I create together."

Smolder pit fire is one of her favorite methods. The use of the fire element creates smoke clouds, which then create their own unique design in the artwork. The pottery is then polished to a fine sheen. Beatrice uses Navajo Wheel low fire clay for her pit-fired pieces.

Beatrice also has a strong affinity for the raku process. She has created numerous large scalloped bowls, vessels, and masks, using raku glazes on porcelin and stoneware clay.

"I love surprises and the smolder fire and the raku process certainly provide that element."

She is now exploring the use of horsehair on her creations. After the piece is bisqued, it is heated to 1000 degrees and horsehair is placed on the piece thus embedding itself into the work. The low fire white clay is then polished, the effect is somewhat marble-like. This showing will feature masks, vessels and artistic creations with horsehair.

Beatrice has participated in many art events on the Mendocino Coast, including in The Sea Ranch, Gualala, and Point Arena. She was awarded First Place and The Judge's Award at the 2005 Art in the Redwoods and Second Place in 2007. She has had two highly successful shows entitled "Surprises" (2004) and "Spirit" (2007) at the Dolphin Gallery in Gualala. Beatrice participated in a group showing at the Sea Ranch Lodge in 2009 and again in 2010. In the summer of 2010 she had a private showing at Cypress Village with Bruce Jones.

Beatrice is employed through the Santa Rosa Junior College teaching English classes to non-native speakers (ESL) in Gualala and Point Arena. She also is the home study teacher for Arena Elementary, teaches yoga and is an Acupressure practitioner and a holistic massage therapist.

Bo Svensson

As a photographer, Bo has chosen to capture some of the world's most beautiful images, at the most perfect moment. These images reflect his great love and respect for nature and man's proper place in it -that of observer, partner and preserver.

It is his wish that the joy he experiences as a chronicler of nature will enhance your home and touch your heart, so that what he has captured in photography today will continue to exist and flourish for the enjoyment of the coming generations.

The Dolphin Gallery is located at 39225 Highway One in downtown Gualala, CA
(behind the post office on the south side). Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-3896 for more information.