Artober continues with art workshops, poetry, music, Jazz Beat Festival

Davis Downtown continues its 31 straight days of creativity during the business association’s first-ever monthlong Artober.

Downtown businesses have been joined by other organizations throughout the community and at UC Davis to sponsor daily art events to help commemorate National Arts and Humanities Month.

The Pence Gallery is showcasing an open artist studio setting all month long, the Mondavi Center is dedicating every performance in October to Artober and downtown stores are featuring art or other artistic performances.

This week’s activities include:

* Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m.: Craft a ceramic tea cup or mini teapot at the Davis Art Center, 1919 F St. Finished work may be picked up later, after it has been fired in the kiln. Admission is free; a $5 to $10 donation is suggested for materials.

* Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Reception for Judy and Doug Gerhart, Bay Area artists who create still life and floral oil and acrylic paintings, at Studio K, 229 C St. (behind Coral Bay Dentistry).

* Wednesday, 4:30-8:30 p.m.: The Sharks play 1960s surf music at Picnic in the Park in Central Park, Fourth and C streets.

* Wednesday, 6:30-8 p.m.: Join Rachel Teagle, director of the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis, in visioning the future of the museum, in this forum at the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, 303 Third St.

* Thursday, 12:05 p.m.: Shinkoskey Noon Concert featuring Tanya Tomkins on baroque cello in the Yocha Dehe Grand Lobby at the Mondavi Center. Admission is free.

* Thursday, 8 p.m.: The Poetry Night Reading Series featuring poets Emily Hughes and Traci Gourdine at the John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First St.

* Friday, 4:30 p.m.: “Flourish Davis,” a launch party and silent auction hosted by the Cultural Arts Committee will benefit the Art in Public Spaces project, at the John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First St. Join Davis Mayor Joe Krovoza and several artists in unveiling final contributions to the Davis Transmedia Art Walk.

* Friday, 7 p.m.: Sixth annual Jazz Beat Festival kicks off at the John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First St. The Jack Kerouac Poetry Contest and Reading is at 8 p.m.

* Friday, 7-8:30 p.m.: Artist talk and book-signing featuring Malaquias Montoya and Terezita Romo at the Pence Gallery, 212 D St. Admission is free.

* Friday, 7:30-8:30 p.m.: “The House’s Money” will be presented by author Owen Sullivan at The Avid Reader, 617 Second St.

* Saturday all day: Sixth annual Jazz Beat Festival, hosted by the John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First St. Experience an intimate festival filled with poetry readings and painting improvisation set to the rhythm of live jazz.

* Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: “Illustrated Watercolor Journaling” with Susan Keale at the Pence Gallery, 212 D St. Students will explore using watercolor techniques of color mixing and creating texture, lettering and page layout to create lively illustrated journals. Ages 14 and older are welcome. Call 530-758-3370.

* Saturday, 7:30 p.m.: “An Evening at the Vets” concert series featuring Matt & George and Their Pleasant Valley Boys at the Veterans’ Memorial Theater, 203 E. 14th St. Admission is free.

* Sunday, Oct. 21, 1-3 p.m.: “I’m Here to Help” with author SF Chapman at The Avid Reader, 617 Second St.

* Sunday, Oct. 21, 2-4 p.m.: “Halloween Crazy Cats & Ghosts,” a workshop for families (kids ages 4 and older) with ceramic artist Heidi Bekebrede at the Pence Gallery, 212 D St. Kids will sculpt, paint with underglazes and then come back once the pieces are fired. Cost is $10 per person; RSVP by Oct. 19 to 530-758-3370.