LAKE COUNTY — Lake County Wine Studio is hosting an artist and wine tasting event on Friday, July 3. Rolf Kriken, bronze sculpture artist, will be holding an open talk/discussion period from 4 to 5 p.m. in advance of the wine and appetizer reception, which will be held from 5 to 8 p.m.
Kriken is intensely familiar with battles of a sobering kind, having served our country in the U.S. Army from 1962-1965. Resuming his education in 1965 and from 1973 actively working as an artist, sculptor and foundryman at the same time, Kriken graduated with his M.A. in Fine Arts in 1975.
Following a position as an instructor at the Richmond Art Center, Kriken became the director at the Berkeley Art Foundry. A career including more than 40 exhibitions, numerous private, state, city and federal commissions and lectures continues. In 1979, Kriken established Nordhammer Foundry in Kelseyville. Kriken worked with Robert Graham on the statues of the atheletes that greeted visitors to the Olympic Stadium in Los Angeles in 1984, designed and created the three-dimensional, life-size sculptures and did the bronze fabrication and art work for the California Vietnam Memorial in Sacramento, which was dedicated in 1988.
Three of Kriken”s large-as-life statues were shown during the Moving Wall display at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
Kriken”s intention through his memorial work is to raise consciousness, honor those who have served our country, promote discussion and education to prevent and bring an end to a devastating form of conflict resolution. Kriken”s works will be on display at the Lake County Wine Studio through the month of August.
The featured wines for the July 3 reception are from Lake County”s own Fore Family Vineyards, located on Cobb Mountain. Lake County Wine Studio will be pouring a $10 vertical sampler of its delicious Cabernets as well as its Pinot Noir paired with gourmet cheeses, appetizers, chocolate and a special treat prepared by Mark Linback, chef at the Blue Wing Saloon. Musical guest will be the talented Lake County writer and performer, Michael Barrish.
Lake County Wine Studio is located on the corner of First and Main streets in historic Upper Lake, across from the famous Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon & Caf?. To RSVP, or for more information, call Susan Feiler at 275-8030 or 293-8752.
