Scott Shields - Kondos at the Crocker

Scott Shields, chief curator and associate director of the Crocker delighted Rotarians in attendance with images and anecdotes of Gregory Kondos whose work is currently featured in a 70 painting retrospective at the Crocker Art Museum.  The take home message from the delightfully illustrated presentation was that Kondos has given Sacramentans a reason to be proud of their region.  His work has brought attention to our rivers, vineyards, and adjacent rural landscapes.  He has shown us a way at looking at the local land and water.  Through a lifetimes work on canvas, color has illustrated emotion as well as the brilliance of vegetation local to the area.  Kondos has drawn attention to local scenes, simplifying shapes and colors that connect folks with our local geography.  Yosemite with its powerful rock formations and Tahoe with its vivid colors also captures our attention.  At age 90, the Kondos work continues, both as a teacher and mentor to fellow artists.  Shields, in his 14 years of work at the Crocker has established a solid friendship with Kondos, and writes with firsthand knowledge in the comprehensive catalogue, A Touch of Blue.  Several Rotarians have lent paintings to the exhibit, as well as to the collection published in the book.  What started as the dream of Kondos to have a comprehensive book illustrate his lifetime’s work evolved into this major exhibit.  Work began on this project 3 years ago, and the timing has really been perfect to have the hard bound book and the show in connection with Kondos 90^th birthday, April 2^nd. The exhibit continues at the Crocker though May 19^th.  Shields summed up Kondos achievements sharing that Kondos has helped us to see our region in a different way.  We are indebted to Shields for his success in editing such an important catalogue, and for coordinating this major exhibit which is near and dear to those of us residing here.  Some of the work was inspired by visits to other regions, but reality is that most of the painting was completed locally in the Sacramento area, a noteworthy accomplishment bringing worldwide recognition both to the painter and to our regional landscapes.