Although I appreciate anything aesthetic, I’m not much of an art enthusiast. I did enjoy the occasional field trips to local art galleries from high school, but I never thought I’d visit one of my own accord. Technically, this trip was mandated too, but I’ve been to the gallery several times ever since.
I got there early to get a sandwich at Pluto’s (google maps told me it was across the street from the gallery so I couldn’t resist), and as I scurried across the road I noticed a giant sculpture. “Yup, that’s probably it” I thought. It looked really cool and inviting unlike most overly posh-looking ones I’d been to back home. There was a cafe at the entrance and really nice people everywhere; I hadn’t even seen any of the art but I already liked this place. Me and a few of my classmates walked through a little room with all these interesting things, as a very confident, enthusiastic man greeted us and we smiled awkwardly in return. As we entered the main hall and met Dr. Andy, he introduced the man as John Natsoulas. I did not see that coming. John was zealous, so very passionate about what he did, and such an interesting take on what his gallery represented, and most of all, super interesting. He told us about his journey and what led him to opening the gallery. He appreciates and nurtures all kinds of art, not just paintings. He told us how he likes to have open mics and poetry reading and musical performances- all in that large, at the time empty room, with beautiful homogenous paintings. He told us to be open, to explore, to have new experiences as we’re too young to know what we want to do with our lives already. It made me very introspective and I spent the next few hours questioning my life goals, but I’ll save that for another post. I haven’t been to any other art galleries in the United States so I could be wrong, but the entire concept was so avant-garde- with the cafe upfront, and seating area upstairs looking into the main hall, the ceramics room— it was so refreshing. My view of an art gallery being an exclusive place that was meant only for interested buyers and serious appreciators changed completely that day. The culture of this particular gallery I feel is emblematic of the culture at a place like Davis. Something as ordinary and mundane (at least to me) is made so interesting and appealing to a much larger audience. The John Natsoulas gallery doesn’t just sell art, it promotes the love of art.
