Geraldine Arata’s favorite subject matter, figurative art, and her portraits shine in her solo exhibit at Milinda Perry Gallery, on display through June 30. The exhibit, titled Retrospective, features a new body of work blending two genres: her traditional figure paintings and decorative art. Arata executes her portraits in oils, but these pieces are also enhanced with mixed media, including molding pastes and foils. Arata’s connection with New Orleans is recognizable in some of her painting’s carnival settings and mystical feel.
Geraldine Arata Athena |
A classically trained and award-winning artist, Geraldine Arata is a San Francisco native with a Master of Fine Arts from the SF Academy of Art. She has also studied alongside such notables as William Maughan, Zhaoming Wu, Kevin Moore and Johnnie Lilliedalh. She and her husband, John Pruett, owned and operated Arata Fine Art Gallery in North Beach before moving to Benicia two years ago.
As a new Benicia resident, she wasted no time getting involved in the local art scene. As a member of Arts Benicia, she recently participated in the Art of a Community exhibit, and was also a selected participant in the Magical Realism exhibit. Her decorative arts can be purchased at The Little Art Shop in the Tannery building on First Street.
Arata’s paintings can also be found in galleries in New Orleans, Truckee and San Francisco as well as Bobo’s Restaurant in SF. The exhibit at Milinda Perry Gallery opens May 1, with an artist reception and refreshments on Friday, May 11, 5-7pm. Milinda Perry Gallery is located at 117 East F Street in Benicia. 707.361.5097.
