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By Rebecca Person
January 10, 2024 (Jacumba) -- Kirk Gilliam, an electrician by trade, is one of ten talented artists represented at the new Gateway Gallery in Ocotillo at 1173 Imperial Highway, which celebrates its grand opening on January 14 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The artists hail mostly from southernmost California towns in the border area - El Centro, Bombay Beach (Salton Sea), Anza-Borrego, Jacumba Hot Springs, San Diego, and on the Mexican side, Mexicali. Gateway Gallery is the realized dream of Mark Silva, resident of the desert hamlet of Ocotillo. Silva bought the house which was to become the future gallery last January and embarked on fulfilling his dream with the participation of fellow artists.
Jacumba Hot Springs based fiber artist Leah Blair is the Director of Gateway Gallery.
Photo and art, right, by Kirk Gilliam
For Silva, an architect, creating a gallery in a small desert house on Imperial Highway, where off-roaders and desert worshipers roam, fulfilled a love project he hoped to give the surrounding community by showcasing regional artists.
Silva says his goal has been to “provide a diverse array of art and music, exposing all peoples to beauty in our lives.”
Gateway Gallery is located near the elegant Imperial Valley Desert Museum, of which Mark’s mother Maida Lee Silva was one of the original founders.
Photo, below left, courtesy Gateway Gallery
The Gateway Gallery Grand Opening, scheduled for Jan. 14, will include four live bands, refreshments and exhibits of the ten featured artists:
Delilah Strukel - paintings, San Diego
Fernando Corona - Mexicali painter and art teacher/historian
Helena Westra - sand art, clay and ceramics, San Diego
Jean Silva - landscape/abstract paintings, San Diego
Jerrod Storm - El Centro CA creator paintings/crafts
Kirk Gilliam - recycled chrome art, Jacumba Hot Springs CA
Kevin Key - photography, Bombay Beach CA (Salton Sea)
Melissa Stahlberg - abstract painting, Anza-Borrego CA
Terri Sproul - photographer, YouTube presenter - Mount Palomar CA
Barley Phillips - architectural drawings, North Carolina
The Gallery contains Mark Silva’s studio, which will be open for guests to see his weaving in progress.
Photo, left: art by Helena Westra
Live acts performing on the gallery’s Friendship Patio outdoor stage will be: Fistfights with Wolves progressive rock band, Tabula Rasa funk rock trip hop, jazz trio Rhythm Sexion, and Mat Rakers musician/educator, San Diego.
Four music events are planned for 2024 in the Gallery’s Friendship Patio. Fans can keep informed by visiting https://gatewaygallery.net.
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