National Festival of Life in the Cracks Day celebrates spring’s renewal
The San Bernardino County Museum and Arts Connection, the Arts Council of San Bernardino County, announce a month of celebration of spring renewal, opening with the Life in the Cracks exhibit of contemporary art. The exhibit opens Saturday, March 3, and runs through April 1. On Saturday, March 10, the Museum joins the national Festival of Life in the Cracks Day with participatory art experiences led by the Fallen Fruit art collective from noon to 4 p.m.
The Life in the Cracks exhibit expresses the poignancy and meaning in the small slivers of life that flourish in unexpected places and features sculpture, painting, and photography by artists from throughout the Inland Empire and Mojave Desert: Cathy Allen, Christy Roberts Berkowitz, Mary Bierle, Doug Blanc, Mariah Connor, Frederick Fulmer, Barbara Gothard, Sant Khalsa, Thomas McGovern, Paul Morehead, Andrew K. Thompson, and Danielle Giudici Wallis. An artist reception takes place on Saturday, March 3 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Fallen Fruit is an art collaborative that began in Los Angeles in 2004 by making maps of “public fruit” – fruit that grows on or over public property. Since this time their projects have expanded to include diverse site-specific artworks that embrace public participation, temporary art installations, and social media focused public participatory actions. Fallen Fruit’s art works encourage the public to experience their city as a fruitful, generous place, inviting people to engage in sharing and collectively explore the meaning of community and collaboration.
“In spring, weeds and sprigs of grass sprout through cracks in asphalt and other interstitial spaces where life may be typically unnoticed or disregarded,” said Museum Director Melissa Russo. “The San Bernardino County Museum, in collaboration with regional artists, Arts Connection Network, and Fallen Fruit invite guests to experience the profound metaphor in these unexpected and tenacious signs of life. Art is an illuminating way to appreciate nature that is all around us.”
“Life in the Cracks” and the San Bernardino County Museum’s other exciting exhibits and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.
The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). The March 3 artist reception and March 10 Festival are included in general admission. Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.