Thinking
Inside The
Box
Gallery Route One is a
happening place
By Ed Schwartz
Betty’s Bread Box
by LaRonda Buchiarelli
O
nce a year, at a West
Marin art gallery, some
very creative artists think
inside the box. But they also
think outside the box, over the
box, under the box, and around
the box. Not surprisingly, it’s
called the Box Show – and it is a
trip!
All this clever creativity happens
at Gallery Route One in Pt. Reyes
Station. GRO is a small and
charming space, but underneath
its rural skin is an active,
sophisticated, creative, jazzy and
inspirational establishment. And
did I mention fun?
GRO is much more than just an
art gallery in a small community
and its box show. First of all, it’s
run by about 25 local artists to
benefit the larger community.
It has about 20 traditional art
exhibits annually and includes
artists from all over the Bay Area.
Each year, the gallery awards two
coveted fellowships to young
artists for one person shows.
Another innovative program
is called “Artists in Schools.” It
benefits almost 400 students
in West Marin public schools,
combining art-making and
creative writing. Add to
that, GRO sponsors a Latino
Photography Project for Latino
adults, with their work exhibited
at the gallery from time to time.
“After the Card Game” Susan
West (homage to Cezanne)
With all that, the Box Show
grabs the headlines and annually
draws 7000 boxing fans. The
show began 19 years ago by the
late Betty Woolfolk, a founding
member of GRO and her artist
husband, Nick Corcoran. Betty
LaRonda Buchiarelli, Box Artist
was a very creative artist. The
Pt. Reyes Light noted, “She was
known for her playful, madcap
installations that were often
infused with humor and mystery,
sometimes with the help of a
beaded curtain entrance or,
for a Halloween installation, a
mysterious liquid that attendees
would dip their hands into.”
Here’s the inside scoop on the
show. Each year, GRO distributes
150 wooden boxes. Each of the
artists is selected by lottery, then
creates his or her boxy variation;
the boxes are on display for
seven weeks. “Silent” bidding
is followed by a very active live
auction at the end of the exhibit.
It is just amazing to see the
wonderful variations the artists
produce.
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Marin Arts & Culture