Father and son exhibit works to inspire hope and healing

Alameda Times-Star, CA
Oct 14 2004

Father and son exhibit works to inspire hope and healing

ADISPLAY of mosaic works by Galust “Nick” Orduyan and paintings by
his son, Greg, at the San Mateo Medical Center is meant to make
people feel better, both physically and spiritually. The artists
offer their talents as an act of gratitude to the medical team there
who saved the life of Greg’s mother when she developed a serious
illness. Hospital CEO Nancy Steiger believes the Orduyans’ art “will
help bring hope and healing” to patients. Patients, staff and
visitors can see “Hope Through Art” on the walls of the long-term
care corridor of the main hospital through Nov. 19. Both father and
son espouse a “family tradition” to bring such positive things to the
community through art. When Galust Orduyan, a noted artist, poet and
wine master, returned home to his destroyed Armenian village after
being badly wounded in World War II, he “took a shovel, baby fruit
trees and grape cutters and he began to plant a public garden,” his
son recalls. “His words were, ‘This is my art today.'” Greg and
Galust Orduyan were granted permanent residency in the United States
based on their contributions in the field of fine arts. Today, Galust
Orduyan is a newly sworn American citizen. Greg Orduyan would like
the show at the hospital to inspire more art for the community, “and
not only the wealthiest.” He emphasizes that being an artist “is not
about selling as much of your work as possible for as much money as
possible,” but rather it is “about inspiring change for the better by
delivering a message from the divine.” You can meet the artists at a
reception from 5 to 7 tonight on the first floor of the San Mateo
Medical Center, 222 W. 39th Ave., San Mateo. “Hope Through Art” is
supported by the San Mateo County Arts Commission and a grant from
the Peninsula Community Foundation. For more information, call (650)
573-2796. Oaxacan woodcarving Renowned woodcarver Jacobo Angeles of
San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca, Mexico will be in Half Moon Bay to
offer demonstrations of his craft at Nuestra Tierra Gallery from 11
a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and again Oct. 22-24.

The gallery is at 421 Main St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays
through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more
information, call (650) 712-9135.

Gouache demonstration

At today’s 7:30 p.m. meeting of the Menlo Art League, Napa artist
Gianna Marino will present a gouache demonstration. The public is
welcome to attend. The meeting is at the Menlo Park Recreation
Center, 700 Alma St. For more information, call Diana Beuttler at
(650) 323-5716.

California Poetry

Kevin Hearle is one of five poets reading from the new anthology
“California Poetry: From the Gold Rush to the Present” Sunday at the
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in San Jose. Hearle, who lives in
San Mateo, is joined by Lucille Lang Day, Juan Felipe Herrera, Sam
Maio and Al Young. A book signing follows the reading.

The free event is co-sponsored by the Poetry Center San Jose and
California Center for the Book as well as the King Library. It will
take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at 150 E. San Fernando St., rooms 225 and
229. For more information, call (408) 292-3254 or (408) 808-2397.

Information on visual and literary arts can be sent to Bonny Zanardi,
San Mateo County Times, 1080 S. Amphlett Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94402,
faxed to (650) 348-4446 or