John Benko Benko Art Gallery John Benko is a contemporary artist who lives and works in South Lake Tahoe. His work can be identified by his use of colorful backgrounds overlaid with highly stylized tight line work. John was classically trained in art school at Kent State University in Ohio and then went on to […]
John Benko
Benko Art Gallery
John Benko is a contemporary artist who lives and works in South Lake Tahoe. His work can be identified by his use of colorful backgrounds overlaid with highly stylized tight line work. John was classically trained in art school at Kent State University in Ohio and then went on to start his own graphic design / T-shirt printing business before moving to San Francisco to paint full time. Benko’s style quickly developed along with his reputation as a “Live Painter” in the San Francisco music scene.
Inspired by all things psychedelic, Benko specializes in colorful, stylized, art with a tie to nature. His training in many mediums makes him a versatile artist with the capability of accepting commissions of a wide variety. As the owner of the Benko Art Gallery which opened in 2016, John is on the lookout for up and coming local artists who, “in his eye”, are the new trendsetters of today’s Art World.
The Benko Art Gallery showcases modern/contemporary art with a tie to nature. They showcase mainly local artists and currently feature nearly 50 different artists which lends to great diversity and inspiration of styles and mediums, including ceramics, paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry and much more.
Benko and his gallery team are open to view any artists’ body of work for future art shows and will provide feedback and help with pricing and all other things related to exhibiting art at the gallery.
The Benko Art Gallery often hosts Live Music and Live Art events on weekends. Check them out online at BenkoArtGallery.com and follow them on social media: FB @BenkoArtGallery and IG @benkoartgalleryofficial
Raven Rodriguez
Raven Bird Art
Raven Rodriguez’ journey as an artist began at seven years old. Art provided her a coping mechanism as she made her way through a rough childhood. She never imagined how much it would end up being a part of her life twenty years later.
As a mixed media artist who specializes in custom commissions her art includes portraits, landscapes and conceptual art such as music, media, and movie inspired pieces. Her artistic inspiration comes from real life experiences, deep emotion, transition, and culture: both her own and others. As an Indigenous and Latina woman, Raven cherishes her hardships just as much as the success that comes after.
Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Raven now calls Northern Nevada home. She felt, artistically, it would be a great experience for her to reside in Nevada. Lake Tahoe provides something magical for her soul that keeps her here.
Raven rotates her artwork in various galleries, locally and nationally. She currently has pieces showcasing in Cle’Elum, WA.
Check out her art at ravenbirdart.com and follow her on social media: IG @ravenbirdart and FB @RavenBirdArt
V/T/A
Vincenzo Thomas Amato
Vincenzo Thomas Amato was born in Los Angeles and moved to the Reno/Tahoe area when he was 3. After moving back to Los Angeles for a while to pursue music, he now resides in Reno and loves the active lifestyle of the area. He appreciates the sense of community that Reno and Tahoe has always had.
Musically, Vincenzo tried to touch base with all genres of music including Rock, Reggae, Folk, Punk, and Funk. Growing up in a musical family, he was lucky enough to grow up with music all around him. His father, Tommy Amato managed Wayne Newton for 20 years and he also played bass and trumpet for Wayne. Vincenzo’s grandmother was a piano player and that was the first instrument he learned to play. Growing up in Reno, being a long haired rocker, his sister eventually turned him on to The Grateful Dead & Bob Marley. In 1996, Amato attended the Musicians Institute in Hollywood and founded the
band Super J. Then, in 2003 he branched out to embark on his solo project: V/T/A. He has been blessed to share the stage with prominent bands such as Scott Page of Pink Floyd, Fredo Ortiz of the Beastie Boys, Rashawn Ross of the Dave Matthews Band, and Robby Krieger of The Doors, just to name a few.
Cannabis plays a major part in your Vincenzo’s creativity. He enjoys cannabis every hour on the hour and believes that it helps him focus and be creative.
Check out Vincenzo online at VTA420.com where you can download and stream all his videos and music for free. You can also follow him on IG @VTA420
Dub Drums
Jordan Rosenthal
Jordan Rosenthal is originally from Philadelphia but moved to Las Vegas when he was 11. He is a 4th generation drummer – his dad, grandfather and great grandfather were also drummers.
As a professional drummer, producer and sound engineer, Jordan typically focuses on Reggae, Dub, Psychedelic and Groove music. And, he was the drummer for the well known band Fortunate Youth until a tragedy brought him home. He loves playing anywhere and everywhere and you can see this on his face when he is drumming.
Cannabis does play a part in his creativity and allows him to see things in a different perspective. His favorite strain lately is Garlic Cookies.
The release of Plant a Seed from Dub Drums debuted at #1 on the iTunes Reggae charts. The album is available for download on all digital media outlets.
Checkout Jordan on his Dub Drums YouTube channel. You can also follow Dub Drums on FB @Dub Drums
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