The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art in Santa Ana Artist Village provides some of the coolest exhibitions in the Inland O.C. and is a real anchor for the area, helping to transform the once-not-so-great downtown section of Santa Ana into a thriving arts and dining district.

This month artist-owned and operated non-profit venue  presents CARTWHEEL featured artist Matjames Metson as part of “Embrace,” a group show that includes Kim Tucker and Michael Giancristiano. Matjames showed strongly at Coagula during 2012 Miami Projects Art Fair, and will be part of a group show at the UCLA’s Fowler Museum  in 2014. His works fits in beautifully with the theme of “Embrace,” curated by Katherine Huntoon:

In the work of each of these three artists can be found a transformation of the normal and everyday and a loving view of the otherwise discarded, disregarded and rejected. Imperfect and undesirable creatures, abandoned or forgotten everyday objects and the intense interrogation of an otherwise unremarkable material divulges each artists’ tender enfolding and sharing of their vision.

“Embrace shows us how to remember that we all are the imperfect, the hope-filled the commonplace and the haunted.”

Matjames’ careful storytelling assemblage joins the ceramic work of Kim Tucker and Michael Giancristiano’s grain-enhanced wood sculptures through March 16th, with an opening reception on February 2. A second reception will be held March 2.

Santa Ana Art Village dining tip: Chapter One, a gastropub with a lunch, dinner, and late night dining menu, is on Broadway, one block west of OCCCA, and a great spot to grab a bite before or after the opening.

Related Posts:

Inside the Studio with Matjames Metson

Matjames Metson, CARTWHEEL Featured Artist, to Show at Fowler Museum

Matjames Metson “Method Attic” at Coagula Curatorial

Matjames Metson: “Method Attic” Opens at Coagula Curatorial

The Best of 2012 Miami Beach Art Fairs: CARTWHEEL’s List of Trends, Successes and Discoveries

Miami Project Recap: First Year Art Fair With Staying Power