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Artist Statement
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About me
I was born in New York City at the close of W.W. II . My ancestry was of both Sicilian Catholic and Russian Jewish decent . My father was an inventor of scale model toys and trains as well as a hobby store owner in Manhattan . As a child , I was fascinated by the images and objects I grew up with . This early influence of model making and the use of my hands to build sparked the desire to create . Drawing and sculpture seemed like the obvious progression and I completed my education at California Institute of the Arts , California State University , Longbeach and California State University , Fresno ending with a Masters Degree in Sculpture . My current studio is in Santa Rosa , California.
My work embodies whimsy, fantasy, and surreal symbols . I feel equally satisfied by working in a range of materials : bronze , wood or ceramics . I chooses to create functional and non-functional sculpture with some works embracing a certain seriousness, and others containing humor. As a Vietnam Veteran , I was strongly effected by war and it’s disturbing effect on humanity and the consequences to the planet. After the war I embarked on a series of sculptures relating to this topic. On the humorous side I have produced a well-received series entitled “ The Petaluma Peckers” . I am represented by a number of galleries both in California , Oregon .
Education
1979 Post Graduate Studies, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
1977 M.A. Sculpture, California State University Fresno, Fresno, CA
1974 B.A. Sculpture (Cum Laude), California State University,
Longbeach, CA
1968-1969 California Institute of the Arts, Los Angeles, CA
1979 Post Graduate Studies, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
1977 M.A. Sculpture, California State University Fresno, Fresno, CA
1974 B.A. Sculpture (Cum Laude), California State University,
Longbeach, CA
1968-1969 California Institute of the Arts, Los Angeles, CA
Galllery Affiliations
Hanson Howard gallery, ashland, oregon
2016 “Cast, Forged and Welded”, Petaluma Art Center, Petaluma CA.
“Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA.
“The Box Show” Northwest Woodworkers Gallery, Seattle WA.
2015 “Jessel Gallery Group Show” Jessel Gallery, Napa CA
“Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa CA.
2014 “Whimsey” Querica Gallery, Duncans Mill, CA
“Begin Aqain” Cloverdale Art Aliance, Cloverdale CA.
“Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum,Santa Rosa, CA Award
“The Box Show” ,Northwest Woodworkers Gallery, Seattle WA.
2013 “Small Works Show” Graton Gallery, Graton, Calif. Award
“It’s for the Birds” Hanson Howard Gallery, Ashland Oregon
“Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA Award
“SLAM” San Luis Obispo Museum, San Luis Obispo, CA. Award
2012 “The Box Show” Northwest Woodworkers Gallery, Seattle, Wa.
“Artistry in Wood” Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, Ca
“Face Me “ , Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, Ca. Award
“Artists for Annadel”, Gallery 300, Santa Rosa, CA. Award
2011 “Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA
“The Box Show”, Northwest Woodworkers’ Gallery, Seattle, WA
“Annual Juried Show”, Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA
2010 “Members’ Show”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
“Funeria Show”, The Funeria Art Gallery, Graton, CA
“The Box Show”, Northwest Woodworkers’ Gallery, Seattle, WA.
“Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA.
2009 “Out of a Box”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
“Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA. Award
“Dualities”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA. Solo Exhibit
2008 “Art & Impermanence”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
“Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA. Award
“Form & Function”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
2006 “Bakers Dozen”, The Quicksilver Mine Co., Forestville, CA
2005 “Born of Fire”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA. Award
“Small Works”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
2004 “Artists as Activist”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
2003 “Fortunes”, Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, CA
1998 “The Library Show”, Sebastopol Community Library, Sebastopol, CA
“Contained: The Box Show”, Santa Rosa City Council Chamber, Santa Rosa, CA
1992 “Small Works”, California Museum of Art, Santa Rosa, CA
“The Container Show”, Santa Rosa City Council Chamber, Santa Rosa, CA
“Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA. Award
“Dualities”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA. Solo Exhibit
2008 “Art & Impermanence”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
“Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA. Award
“Form & Function”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
2006 “Bakers Dozen”, The Quicksilver Mine Co., Forestville, CA
2005 “Born of Fire”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA. Award
“Small Works”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
2004 “Artists as Activist”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
2003 “Fortunes”, Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, CA
1998 “The Library Show”, Sebastopol Community Library, Sebastopol, CA
“Contained: The Box Show”, Santa Rosa City Council Chamber, Santa Rosa, CA
1992 “Small Works”, California Museum of Art, Santa Rosa, CA
“The Container Show”, Santa Rosa City Council Chamber, Santa Rosa, CA
1984 “Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County Group Exhibit”, Petaluma Mill,
Petaluma, CA
1982 “Group Show”, John Bolles Gallery, Santa Rosa, CA
1981 “Don Ajello – Sculpture”, Art Gallery,
Los Medanos Junior College, Pittsburg, CA
1979 “Drawing & Small Sculpture”, Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, TX
1978 “The Sculpture of Don Ajello”, Union Gallery,
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
“Group Show”, Los Medanos Art Gallery,
Los Medanos Junior College, Pittsburg, CA
“From the Real to the Surreal”, Palo Alto Cultural Center, Palo Alto, CA
“California State Fair Fine Arts”, Sacramento, CA. Award
“C.E.T.A. Group Art Exhibition”, San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, CA
1977 “Group”, Union Gallery, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
“Container”, Mill Valley Arts Guild, Mill Valley, CA
“California Crafts X”, E.B. Crocker Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA. Award
1976 “Don Ajello: Art Revelations”, Art Revelations Gallery, Fresno, CA
“Group Exhibit”, Art Gallery, Fresno State University, Fresno, CA. Award
“Design West”, Museum of Science & Industry, Los Angeles, CA
1984 “Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County Group Exhibit”, Petaluma Mill,
Petaluma, CA
1982 “Group Show”, John Bolles Gallery, Santa Rosa, CA
1981 “Don Ajello – Sculpture”, Art Gallery,
Los Medanos Junior College, Pittsburg, CA
1979 “Drawing & Small Sculpture”, Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, TX
1978 “The Sculpture of Don Ajello”, Union Gallery,
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
“Group Show”, Los Medanos Art Gallery,
Los Medanos Junior College, Pittsburg, CA
“From the Real to the Surreal”, Palo Alto Cultural Center, Palo Alto, CA
“California State Fair Fine Arts”, Sacramento, CA. Award
“C.E.T.A. Group Art Exhibition”, San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, CA
1977 “Group”, Union Gallery, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
“Container”, Mill Valley Arts Guild, Mill Valley, CA
“California Crafts X”, E.B. Crocker Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA. Award
1976 “Don Ajello: Art Revelations”, Art Revelations Gallery, Fresno, CA
“Group Exhibit”, Art Gallery, Fresno State University, Fresno, CA. Award
“Design West”, Museum of Science & Industry, Los Angeles, CA
2014 Honorable Mention, “Artistry in Wood “, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa CA
2013 Best of Show, “Small Works Show”, Graton Gallery, Graton, CA
3rd Place “SLAM” San Luis Obispo Museum, San Luis Obispo, CA
2012 Best of Show, “Artists for Annadel”, Gallery 300 , Santa Rosa, CA
Most Creative, “Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA
2009 Most Creative, “Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA
2008 Most Creative, “Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA
2005 Best of Show, “Born of Fire”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
1980 C.E.T.A. Federal Grant
1978 Honorable Mention, “California State Fair Fine Arts”, Sacramento, CA
1977 Merit Award, “California Crafts X”, E.B. Crocker Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2014 Honorable Mention, “Artistry in Wood “, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa CA
2013 Best of Show, “Small Works Show”, Graton Gallery, Graton, CA
3rd Place “SLAM” San Luis Obispo Museum, San Luis Obispo, CA
2012 Best of Show, “Artists for Annadel”, Gallery 300 , Santa Rosa, CA
Most Creative, “Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA
2009 Most Creative, “Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA
2008 Most Creative, “Artistry in Wood”, Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA
2005 Best of Show, “Born of Fire”, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
1980 C.E.T.A. Federal Grant
1978 Honorable Mention, “California State Fair Fine Arts”, Sacramento, CA
1977 Merit Award, “California Crafts X”, E.B. Crocker Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Woodworkers West, Sonoma’s Artistry in Wood” , November-December 2012
Woodworker West, “NW Fine Woodworking Box Show”, March-April 2011, pg.19
Woodworker West, “Sonoma’s Artistry in Wood”, January-February 2010, pg.17
Sebastopol Center News, “Born of Fire”, 2005
CATALOG: “29th Annual Exhibition: Sculpture”, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA. 1982
South Bay Cultural News, “From the Real to the Surreal”, November 1980
ARTweek, “Don Ajello: Universal Egg Conceiving Wisdom”, September 18, 1978, pg.9
California Arts Council, “California State Fair Fine Arts, 1978
Craft Horizon, “Art Notes”, August 1977, pg. 152
CATALOG: “California Crafts X”, Creative Arts League of Sacramento, 1977, pg.41
ART IN PUBLIC SPACE
1980 C.E.T.A. Grant, Untitled Sculpture, Overfelt Gardens, San Jose, CA
Woodworkers West, Sonoma’s Artistry in Wood” , November-December 2012
Woodworker West, “NW Fine Woodworking Box Show”, March-April 2011, pg.19
Woodworker West, “Sonoma’s Artistry in Wood”, January-February 2010, pg.17
Sebastopol Center News, “Born of Fire”, 2005
CATALOG: “29th Annual Exhibition: Sculpture”, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA. 1982
South Bay Cultural News, “From the Real to the Surreal”, November 1980
ARTweek, “Don Ajello: Universal Egg Conceiving Wisdom”, September 18, 1978, pg.9
California Arts Council, “California State Fair Fine Arts, 1978
Craft Horizon, “Art Notes”, August 1977, pg. 152
CATALOG: “California Crafts X”, Creative Arts League of Sacramento, 1977, pg.41
ART IN PUBLIC SPACE
1980 C.E.T.A. Grant, Untitled Sculpture, Overfelt Gardens, San Jose, CA
2006-2017 “Art From the Heart”, Art Gallery, Sonoma State University,
Rohnert Park, CA
2006-2016 Calabash, Food for Thought AIDS Food Bank, Forestville, CA
2010-2016 Annual Fundraiser, Laguna Foundation, Santa Rosa, CA
2010-2017 "Empty BOwls" Redwood Food Bank Fundraiser
2012-2017 "Art for Life" Face to Face Fundraiser
2010-2017 Sonoma County Museum FundRaiser
