aRt Cottage is the newest gallery/studio in Concord, CA where artists can enjoy 3D as well as 2D art by local Bay Area artists. Exhibits change on a monthly basis. There is no entry fee and the public is always invited to free art receptions where refreshments are served. The future for aRt Cottage is bright. It will include classes for adults and children in several mediums. aRt Cottage is also a meeting place where local artists have the opportunity to critique each others work.
The owner of aRt Cottage is FROgard Butler, who was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States in
the 1950′s. She learned from her hard working parents that this is the
land of opportunity. Her grandfather and great grandfather were both artists. Her parents
were mechanical draftsmen. Becoming an artist was not a decision for
her – it just was.
She studied as an art major at San Francisco State and holds a degree
from California State College of the East Bay (formerly Hayward State).
FROgard studied art in Florence, Italy with the American Institute for
Foreign Study. She is consistently enrolled in workshops and full
time college courses learning new techniques while painting, drawing,
and working the clay. aRt Cottage is a place where she is willing to share what she has learned and also wanting to learn from others by viewing their art as well as learning from them.
Her love for life and nature is expressed in her paintings
and ceramics. It is easy to see that she is connected with the elements. The aRt Cottage gardens are completely tended to and loved by FROgard. Seeds and plants have been donated by wonderful neighbors and friends.
Because she has always liked mud
and finger-paint, texture is important. In the near future aRt Cottage will have a space for a kiln and potter's wheel where all can play and create in the "mud".
aRt Cottage is called aRt Cottage because the emphasis is on the "R" making it R Cottage. Everyone has a stake in making this a fun and creative place to learn, produce, and share. aRt Cottage is pet friendly.
