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The Middle Ridge Winery Tasting Gallery and the Art Alliance of Idyllwild team to host a reception and exhibition for 17 carefully selected AAI member artists in the gallery’s second rotating show.

The 17 featured artists in “The Idyllwild Collection: Method and Madness” are united by their innovative approaches and methods in creating art. Fiber artist Martha Lumia says she is inspired by the color, the wave and the crimp of fibers. “It is pretty crazy to think that soap and water, a pool noodle, a blue bubble spa covering and a bamboo sushi mat are some of the tools of the trade,” said Lumia. “Add to that the rolling, squishing, kneading and sometimes throwing, and you have a pretty mad method for creating something special.”

The open-to-the-public reception that kicks off the show runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30. Said gallery co-owner Melody Johnston, “We were so intrigued by how the artists approach their work that we wanted to pull back the curtains and allow them to showcase their style and reveal their obsessions, and yes, even their madness. Each of their stories is unique and compelling.”

Featured in Method and Madness are: Patrick Barry, African bead jewelry; Don Dietz, fused glassware; Lissa Evans, abstract photography; Darcy Gerdes, impressionistic acrylic paintings; Antoinette Hanson, silk paintings; Charlotte Horton, copper sculptures; Roger Johnston, algorithmic fractals; Michelle Kondos, plein air paintings; Martha Lumia, nuno felted scarves and vessels; Tracy Meier, assemblage pieces; Erin O’Neill, nature photography; Barbara Price, pastel pencil paintings; Shanna Robb, glass mosaics; Lynn Ryan, pastel portraits; Jacque Swerdfeger, palette knife oil paintings; Cher Townsend, clay sculptures; and Brenda Underwood, watercolor paintings.

Middle Ridge Winery Tasting Gallery is Idyllwild’s newest gallery and tasting room for its only boutique winery. The 4,000-square-foot space features rotating art exhibits, live music and wine tasting. AAI is an art ambassador helping to grow Idyllwild’s reputation as one of the top 100 arts communities in the nation and as the “Best Mountain Getaway,” as recognized by LA Weekly.

The Method and Madness reception is free to the public. Light appetizers and a no host bar featuring Middle Ridge wines are part of the evening’s attractions. Smooth jazz artist Joe Baldino provides tuneful sonic background.

For more about AAI, see www.artinidyllwild.org. For more about Middle Ridge see www.middleridge.com.