Oliver Ranch, home of one of the most ambitious private collections of site-specific sculpture in the United States, will be open in April to friends of WriterCoach Connection for a rare visit that will benefit the WCC program.
Steven Oliver and his wife Nancy began commissioning large works of art on their Sonoma County ranch in the mid-1980's and found an innovative approach to supporting artists, becoming partners in the creative process as artists planned and developed projects inspired by the landscape. The Olivers generously donate tours as fundraisers for nonprofit organizations.
A quarter-mile long staircase by Bruce Nauman, massive steel blocks in a Richard Serra series, sound sculptures by Bill Fontana, and Roger Berry's steel arcs may, as Steve Oliver asserts, "lead you to learn about yourself and the world." Works include the visions of Judith Shea, Ellen Driscoll, Jim Melchert, Martin Puryear, Jim Jennings, Ursula Von Rydingsvard, Ann Hamilton, and more.
The Oliver Ranch Art Tour to benefit WriterCoach Connection is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, 9:00-1:00 pm.Tickets for this memorable experience are $75 per person. Guests drive to Healdsburg to meet a chartered bus that will take us to the Ranch for the 2-3 hour tour led by owner Steve Oliver. The bus will return guests to their cars at the end of the tour. Limit: 50 persons.
To reserve a space, mail a check (Memo: "Art tour") payable to Community Alliance for Learning (or "CAFL") to:
CAFL
PO Box 6098
Albany, CA 94706.
With your check, please include the name, email address, and phone number of your party's contact person.
For more details, call CAFL board member Loretta Kane at (510) 558-3377.
Checks are a donation to the WriterCoach Connection program; no refunds. Directions to the point of embarkation and additional instructions will follow. Be prepared to walk on unpaved paths in moderately hilly terrain. No seating or restroom facilities are available during the tour.
CAFL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. PO Box 6098, Albany, CA 94706; 510-528-5066.
Here are some views of our last Oliver Ranch tour, in 2009. It was a glorious day.
Not your everyday walk in the country.
How did sculptor Richard Serra manage to get these massive blocks to the Ranch? Steve Oliver will tell you.
Steve Oliver has a lot of 'splainin' to do about this piece!
Heading down Bruce Nauman's long staircase, an experience that will surprise you.
We hope to see you for lots of art and lots of fun on April 16!
Bob Menzimer