by-Sofia Letterman
Ray at Night, a gallery walk held the second Saturday of every month in North Park, is the largest monthly art event in San Diego, drawing over 1,500 people every month. From 6 to 10 p.m., you’ll find a wide variety of artwork on display including fine furniture, metal sculpting, paintings, ceramics, blown glass, organic art and jewelry.
The center of the arts, culture, and entertainment activity is Ray Street, a narrow one-way side street off of University Avenue, just east of 30th Street. On the second Saturday of each month, the galleries, studios, and businesses on and around Ray Street welcome artists, art lovers and the simply curious to explore the neighborhood's arts offerings during Ray at Night. Nearing it's third and a half year mark, I spoke to planet rooth studios.
When artisan Gustaf Rooth walked Ray Street, he was immediately drawn in. He had moved to San Diego from Sweden and opened a furniture design shop in National City. But it didn't work out, so he headed to North Park, where he found the perfect spot on Ray Street. He started planet rooth studios and then founded Ray at Night with neighbor Ken Callaway of North Park Studios. Since then, new galleries have opened around his and other artisans have moved in, giving the area the energy of an artists' community. Now, he's surrounded by creative people, which he said makes his life fun and interesting. "I also have new help from my gallery manager, Eric Koester," he told me in an intimate interview recently, "we are in the process of launching rayatnight.com, and have big plans for making this event historic and even more international." Take the March event for example. Eric and Gustaf are working with fine gallerist Tomas Hakansson in Stockholm, Sweden. He will be bringing the talent of three well known artisans from Sweden. Tomas is well known for his shows and collections at the Nordic Sea as well as the Nordic Light hotels in Stockholm. Eclectic hotels with ice bars! Tomas adds, "Gustaf brought to my attention a need for new and fresh art in California. Los Angeles has been targeted, but the mystery of San Diego and the allure of what it means to Swedes is too tempting not to give a try. With the enthusiasm Gustaf brought to Stockholm in the summer of last year, he has inspired us Swedes to head west, way west!" The March 12 show is sure to be a hit!
In their studio/gallery, Gustaf and Eric remind me of the needed support of San Diego. "The art business is a huge risk. That is why we supplement ourselves with top of the line furniture design and making in our studio," remarks Eric. "Gustaf has an incredible talent for fine furniture as well as a good eye for art. I try to help him so he can concentrate on the details of his initial business, which is fine furniture and sculpting. We work together as a team and support each other. Being artisans is not the most lucrative business, but we love what we do. Giving is better than receiving at times. We believe in the long run we will prosper and be remembered for our hard earned efforts in what we are doing and what we have already accomplished."
It's hard not to be inspired listening to these two. I look forward to the upcoming shows and will sure to be the one to note that in the future, I know those guys!
Artisan Future January 2005
Sofia Letterman
sophia@artisanfuture.com