1st Saturday, May 5th, "Cinco de Mayo"

FOOD, FUN and fabulous art. Every 1st SATURDAY, the artists, restaurants and merchants of Three Rivers, California, open their doors and invite you to join in a town-wide celebration from 11 to 5 o’clock. You can pick up a map and schedule at Nadi's Art Gallery – the flier shows all participating venues, art to see, locations and times for special events. Anne Lang's Emporium serves a great breakfast sandwich, so you might grab a bite first, or try Antoinette’s Coffee and Goodies to start your day. Later on taste the amazing fare at Sierra Subs and Salads. They all offer discounts for 1st Saturday.

THERE ARE several galleries to see. Nadi Spencer has a colorful studio and gallery – showing watercolor and acrylic original paintings, along with prints, cards and gift items. And she serves one of her “Recipe Greeting Cards" each month just for you to try. The Art Co-op features 12 artists, and offers jewelry, masks, print-making, pottery, paintings, and more. Colors Art Gallery highlights whimsical furniture and oil paintings by owner Wendy McKellar, along with weaving, jewelry, quilts, pottery and metal art from 20 local artists.

A DIFFERENT theme each month flavors the paintings, decorations and edible treats. This month we are celebrating Cinco de Mayo! We are also hosting the annual bike and trike decorating contest this month since May is National Bike Month. Any age can enter!

IN ADDITION to shops and galleries, some artists open their studios for the day, a rare chance to see how the creative mind works and lives. This month Shirley Keller explains her “Ink Quilts” and rusty art.  

EVERY MONTH is different – the best way to keep informed is to visit the website. It is up-dated monthly. If you are an artist and would like to show your work at the event, the cost is only $7 to participate and the deadline to enter is always the Friday 2 weeks before 1st Saturday.

Anne Lang's Emporium

ANNE LANG grew up in Exeter, and while in high school, fell madly in love with Dick Lang, a builder from Three Rivers. She married him the day after she graduated, and began a 42-year adventure with him. In 1979, in the smallest of the Newman building spaces on Sierra Drive, Anne opened up a bakery called "The Staff of Life", where she taught women to bake bread. She also carried 200 herbs, spices and teas. While shopping for display baskets at a gift show, Dick liked the greeting card idea, and that's how the store became a gift shop.

ANNE'S SUCCESS is partly due to her genuine desire to help. "When people ask for something, I try to find it for them," says Anne. "One day, a bride-to-be came in and asked if I could make a bouquet. I thought, 'I can make a bouquet', and that's how the store became an FTD flower shop. Then one cold day, a man came in wishing for a hot bowl of soup and I thought, 'I know how to make soup.' Next, a man came in hungry for a sandwich and I thought, 'I know how to make sandwiches.' And that's how the store became a deli."

THE STORE grew and Anne moved into both of the other spaces in her building, needing a bigger space each time. In 1984, it moved to its final destination – the house on the corner of North Fork and Sierra Drives. With Dick's remodeling talents and Anne's marketing skills, "Anne Lang's Emporium" has become just that – a place to find all your needs, a space of familiarity and a hub for our little community.

Spirit Hill Studio

SHIRLEY KELLER explores nature through photography, art, ceramics and writing. Multi-media collages, drawings, and "stitching" with ink, make up what Keller calls Ink Quilts. Many of the Ink Quilts are illustrations of chapters of a memoir that is a work in progress.
FACES attract Keller so when she began to play with clay, ceramic masks became her focus. She was introduced to Clay Mono Prints at a workshop in Petaluma and, since then, set up a workshop with three of her friends, where they gather to learn more about this medium. Shirley is also secretary/treasurer for 1st Saturday, working each month with Nadi to make this event successful.
THROWN AWAY OBJECTS made into art is a recent exploration. Keller takes rusty items, such as tools and machine parts, and transforms them with paint.
SPIRIT HILL STUDIO is tucked up against a hill, filled with food for the eyes and a delight to visit. Shirley opens her door every 1st Saturday, offering you a glimpse into her world. 43641 Skyline Drive.