Jim Healey interviewed Sally Dennison from the Artworks Cooperative Gallery on Monday morning in the Tiki Room about the Thursday evening opening reception for new artists at the gallery on First Avenue. Joining Sally were participating artists Liliana Barbieri (pastels) and Charles Gause (painter) who discussed their work, methods, and the preparations for the upcoming show..
The Jesse Colin Young Band is featured in performance at the Fur Peace Station concert hall at the ranch recorded August 25, 2012
Host Jorma Kaukonen introduces each program’s featured artist in a series of concerts recorded at the Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp. An eclectic blend of performances including blues, folk, Americana, rock, bluegrass, and jazz.
It was not much at the outset. The hills and trees were pretty and serene, but it took a lively imagination to envision what might be created there, what might be taught and learned, and how hearts could open along with guitar cases.
But in 1989, Jorma and Vanessa Kaukonen looked at a piece of land in Meigs and conceived what Jorma calls “a ranch that grows guitar players.” Not a fantasy camp, but this would be a place where both budding and seasoned musicians could immerse themselves for several days, and emerge with renewed inspiration and tangible progress in their music.
Fur Peace Ranch did not spring from the ground full-grown. It evolved gradually into an idyllic landscape of neatly arrayed cabins, workshop space, library, store, dining hall, plus a theater that hosts concerts performed by world-class musicians — many of whom also serve as instructors.
A guest arriving at Fur Peace Ranch travels on a private country road that opens onto a bright, rolling field. First catching the eye is the Beatrice Love Kitchen, masquerading as single structure but encompassing two log cabins, more than 150 years old, lovingly fashioned into a modern commercial kitchen and a pleasant, woodsy dining room, with a big covered porch for al fresco dining. Here, an experienced chef prepares lush meals that have evoked frequent comment that Fur Peace Ranch is actually a five-star restaurant where music is also served..