Alba Benny

Known for having guests as a gift to the community, for teaching and for an accomplished art career, this artist rejects Michelle L’s review. Those who refuse to follow contractual, signed agreements might find the experience disagreeable. Let’s see, that’s two artists out of 25 yrs of inviting a half dozen guests per event to show during open studios. It’s not a gallery, it’s a community for two weekends… with everyone sharing the expenses and cleaning up afterwards. You ALWAYS learn MORE/​About the speaker/​than the art. That goes for guests as well.

Those who refuse to follow agreed upon, signed guidelines might tend to be unhappy. Few would find this community gift an imposition. Others are grateful. Posting such as this might end up being self defeating as perhaps it shows lack of character, in my opinion.
For around 20 years, I’ve shared my studio area for open studios as a community service first with friends and then later, upon acquiring a larger studio, additional artists who often become friends. It costs all of $ 100. which pays for a 1000 mailing list that includes curators from museums, a paid email blast service, unlimited free large format, custom postcards featuring all participants’ art in color on the front, high level publicity, tables, chairs, lights… among other perks. We share expenses with me contributing the most in money, time and energy. We have been featured in The Contra Costa Times, The Oakland Tribune, been on the Pro Arts Art Patron bus tour, etc. This year our participants are featured in the Pro Arts Gallery video too. There’s a lot of labor involved to bring about such great results. Everyone pitches in to make a go of it.
Plenty of other artists return year after year but act professionally, cheerily doing agreed upon tasks such as cleaning up after themselves, showing art in the style and media that was agreed upon during the in person interview, a modest community task for the group, etc. It is rare that we need a replacement nowadays… with a great repeating group of pleasant artists with high quality art returning year after year. Come see us… It is the first two weekends in June. Meet Bandit the dog.
This person was NOT invited to return due to inappropriate behaviors though I kindly did not keep the deposit. Riding herd on her was constant on every level and a botheration. Think what you wish, but read carefully when looking over this odd, sour grapes post. It is most revealing of her attitude, demonstrating why she was not invited to return. She’ll not have to worry about working with us… nor we with her. Phew!

I don’t understand why my review from years ago was never published, but I don’t think it’s right that only my good reviews get published so I’m trying again.
I did business with Benny as an artist and she bullied me and the other artists who paid to exhbit in her gallery space. I don’t tolerate bullies and will never work with her again.