Fresno Famous

January's ArtHop offers a chance to start the year off right. No more staying at home with basic cable, it's time to get out and explore your city. This month marks the addition of two brand-new ArtHop stops downtown, and great options for musical interludes.

Lamenting the Christmas chunk hanging around your torso? Dust off your bicycle and join a group of active Fresnans at Bike Hop. Cyclists of all levels meet in the Tower District and ride around to galleries together. Go all night or only for an hour- it's up to you. Check your tires and meet at Re-Cycle bike shop by 6pm.

One new Arthop stop is an old time favorite: Potter's Studio. Best known for its ceramics classes and garden/patio items, Potter's Studio will feature the work of David Pirl. Pirl will be exhibiting his sculptured ceramic heads and hands depicting taking, giving, touching and feeling. Also on view are his large wheel thrown plates with sgraffito drawings depicting events. Sgraffito is a technique used in pottery in which one layer is scratched away to reveal another- usually of a different color or pattern.

On the other side of the tracks from Potter's Studio is the second new ArtHop stop- Neonman Studio/Gallery. Fresno's "Neonman" George Rotalo has been meeting the city's neon needs for years, and will open up his studio to the public at long last. You may have caught some of his work at his Club Jinnaka exhibit last September. His neon creations are filled with whimsy and retro fun. Rotalo is also a singer-songwriter, and you can pick up a copy of his new CD at his studio.

From Neonman make your way to the Mono gallery hub. Gallery 25 will feature the work of Donnalee Dunne and Armando Torres in two separate shows. Dunne's painted fabrics rise to the ceiling in waves of blues and pinks, accompanied by wall-mounted works. Torres' show, Hamlet Lung: The Proletariat Collection, explores how we're able to make and participate in art and culture like never before.

Down the street stop by Fig Tree Gallery featuring Artists Eleanor Edwards and Eva Abou-Ghorra. Both members died in 2005. The memorial exhibition will showcase their acrylics, drawings, prints, watercolors, and photography.

No ArtHop is complete without a stop at Broadway Studios. This month the Dumont Printing 2006 calendar gets a warm reception. Come check out the 12 artists who have contributed work to make your 2006 a little brighter. Dozens of other studios will also be open for the evening, displaying some of Fresno's more cutting-edge, urban works.

If you're interested in art of the audible sort, swing by Full Circle Brewing. Barb and Salo will be performing their unique blend of Native American flute, harp, country, and gospel. Music that goes great with beer.

There are more pub tunes to be had at Fagan's Irish Pub, where the Fresneaux Ramblers will be playing their signature "musical gumbo" of Cajun, Celtic, and country string band.

There's more music and art at Studio Itz, where Julia Dawn, Jessica Taylor, and Jason Delgado, will perform original works with acoustic guitars and accomplished vocals. With art on exhibit by Kurt Watson and Julia Dawn Kleiber.

Finish up your ArtHop night at Tokyo Garden, the go-to spot for post-ArtHop parties. Energized ArtHoppers pack the tiny Japanese bar and warm up with a hot sake or a tall Japanese beer. This month indie rockers Rademacher continue their residency, and are joined by locals The Nancys, Visalia's Bolex Rex and Los Angeles' Austin James.

For location information, see the ArtHop Map.