By Bonny Zanardi

June is here, the time for graduations, weddings and the fair. Of course there are gallery shows, outdoor festivals and a variety of activities to keep you amused and enthused.

Fair time

The San Mateo County Fair opens June 9 and will run through June 17. The many exhibits and activities include opportunities to enjoy both visual and literary arts.

In addition to the new Bay Area Masters exhibit sponsored by the Peninsula Museum of Art, there are workshops, readings and celebrations .

There will be a two-day workshop for photographers, Walkabout Journey with Richard Dischler Workshops, on June 9 and 10. The pre-walk orientation will be held June 9 from 11:00 to 11:30 in the Fine Arts Gallery in the Expo Hall. The cost is $69.99.  Contact the workshop leader by e-mailing Richard@richarddischler.com. Visit www.sanmateocountyfair.com/fine-arts-galleria for more information.

On closing day, Sunday, June 17, A Dia de Los Muertos will be held beginning at 2 p.m. There will be art, models, dancers and a sugar skull workshop.

Visual arts events are headed by Boris Koodrin.

For literary arts activities, the offerings begin with a Carry the Light celebration of prose and poetry from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 9, in the Expo Hall.

On June 10 the Annual Writers Mini-Conference will be held from 1 to 6 p.m.

The fair’s Poetry Fest and Author Day will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. June 16.

The literary activities are overseen by Bardi Rosman Koodrin.

The fairgrounds are at 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo. Visit www.sanmateocountyfair.com for hours and ticket prices.

Bubble installation

Nebulate is an installation by students of Stanford’s Architectural Design program. It’s only on view through June 3.

The structure is made of plastic bubbles which form a cloud-like mass. In creating the work, the students had the opportunity to explore how surface deformation, through processing of dimpling and curvature, increased the strength of the panel.

Gold nanoparticle-based structural color was applied to the panels to create a fluid layer on the surface.

The Responsive Structures course was taught by architect Beverly Choe from Stanford Architecture, along with Structural Engineer Jun Sato of the University of Tokyo.

See Nebulate at the Anderson Collection at Stanford University, 314 Lomita Drive, Stanford.

At San Mateo Public

Oil paintings by EricA Art are presented in San Mateo Public Library’s first floor gallery through June 28. The artist, who was born in Budapest, Hungary, says she primarily works figuratively due to her “fondness for the human face and demeanor.”

In the second floor display case you can see glass sculpture by Reiko F. Nojima, an elected member of the Guild of Glass Engravers, U.K. The exhibit will continue through June 29.

The library is at 55 West Third Avenue, San Mateo. Call 650-522-7802.

Perceiving reality

A solo show of work by Noa Mendelevitch is presented in Observer Mechanics at The Main Gallery through June 17. An opening reception will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 3.

The artworks were inspired by studies of quantitative psychologist Donald Hoffman as well as by the artist’s search for meaning in her own personal life.

Later in the month The Main Gallery will presents its annual group show. It opens June 20. A reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. June 23. The exhibit will continue through July 29.

The Main Gallery is at 1018 Main Street, Redwood City. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Call 650-701-1018 or visit www.themaingallery.org.

Better and better

Aegis Gallery presents views of Yosemite and the Grand Canyon in watercolor by Karen Olsen in the exhibit From Grand to Sublime. A “meet the artist wine-and-goodies reception” will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 2.

The exhibition will be on view through June 26. The gallery is at 14531 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Visit www.aegisgallery.com.

Remembering

Home and Away opens June 1 at the Portola Art Gallery. The show of work by Jared Sines is a celebration of memorable places and objects of art. A reception will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. June 16.

Among the works are scenes of rural and urban California, reflections in the canals of Vanice and still life paintings.

Sines currently teaches oil painting at the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto.

The exhibit will continue through June 30. The Portola Art Gallery is at the Allied Arts Guild, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Call 650-321-0220 or visit www.portolaartgallery.com.

On and off

A show of 3D art is featured in On and Off the Wall, which is presented at Gallery House through June 23. An opening reception will be held at 7 p.m. June 1.

Work by Barbara Brown, Celma Kirkwood, Heny Alikashani, Kiyoco Michot, Rose Hagan and Theresa Robinson is featured.

Gallery House is at 320 South California Avenue, Palo Alto. (Enter through Printer’s Café.) Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. Visit www.GalleryHouse2.com.

On the Square

The first ART on the Square in Redwood City will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 15.

Event founder and producer Beth Mostovoy says, “We showcase emerging artists alongside the exceptional and talented local artists who have shared this journey with us over the past 12 years. Plus, at each show we highlight art groups and nonprofits who use the power of art and creativity to make a difference in our communities.”

The summer shows are presented in conjunction with Redwood City’s Music on the Square and the Police Activities League Music Festival. It’s held at Courthouse Square, on Hamilton Avenue in downtown Redwood City. Contact Jode Ziff Paley at 650-868-9027.

I hope you find time to enjoy a variety of offerings this month.