Photo by Andrew Grupe

Six artists with a diverse set of creative interests will exhibit their works at the Orinda Library Art Gallery throughout the month of January. The Gallery exhibits, which rotate each month, are sponsored by the Orinda Arts Council and feature the works of Bay Area artists including many who reside in Lamorinda. The Gallery extends along the hallway outside the Library entrance and through the corridor to the Library auditorium.
"I consider myself a dedicated amateur photographer," says Andrew Grupe, an Orinda resident whose photographs are part of the January exhibit. "One place I really like to go to photograph is the Mount Diablo foothills," states Grupe. "Every time I walk through I see something different." Grupe's interest in photography started when he was teen. He worked summer jobs to save money for camera equipment and taught himself to develop his own film. A few years ago he made the switch to digital, which he used for the photos in this exhibit, and he has not looked back.
Long-time resident of Orinda Lucia Bennhoff will also be part of the January exhibit. "When my youngest daughter went away to college I enrolled in the Wood Technology Department at Laney College. At first I was very intimidated by the machines, but I enjoyed the design and problem solving aspects and overcame the intimidation," says Bennhoff. She went on to set up a workshop in the basement room of her home and has been making furniture for the past 12 years. Bennhoff works with hard woods using the natural color of the woods and no stain.
Also in the exhibit are photographer Dan Cavalier, utilitarian artist Roger Yee, jewelry designer Monica Borenstein, and artist Terrie Chan who creates beautiful beaded eggs. The artists will host a reception at the Gallery on January 9th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.