Arena Cove Retrospective

The Dolphin Gallery is set to host a new exhibit titled “Arena Cove Retrospective” by Dustin Gaersmith, opening on Saturday, December 7 from 1-3 pm. This exhibit promises to offer a visual journey through Gaersmith’s memories of Arena Cove, with a focus on the intricate details that capture the essence of the location. Gaersmith’s work is known for its vivid storytelling through art, often incorporating elements of local history and personal recollections. Visitors can expect to see a creative depictions of fisherman, surfers, local politicians, gamblers and alongside representations of the local landscape, representing detailed stories of the life and times of Arena Cove. This retrospective is not just an art exhibition but a homage to the rich tapestry of life and history that Arena Cove embodies. The exhibit will be available for viewing until December 29, offering a rare glimpse into the artist’s intimate connection with this beloved coastal site.

Dustin Gaer-Smith is a lifelong artist – the son of a ballerina and a professional jazz musician.

Santa Cruz was his childhood hometown, so it was natural for him to learn to surf in his youth at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River alongside the Santa Cruz surf legends of the 1960s.

In 1969 Dustin and many young people left urban areas for what was a “new frontier” for them. He and a number of others who arrived then have made their home here on the south Mendocino Coast for over a half century.

Making art, surfing and tree climbing ( maintenance and cosmetic trimming) became a custom lifestyle for Dustin. And those are all 3-dimensional, tactile activities that have contributed to his affection for Arena Cove and its culture of water men and women. “The Wharf”, as Arena Cove was known then, was more than a traditional salmon fishery. It was distinctly an “independent territory “ for aspiring free fishermen and surfers alike!

For Dustin, nearly 55 years of making art on the North Coast has included sculptural decor of carved wood and forged metal, drawings, paintings, constructions, comics, and surf photography. It’s included custom sculptural commercial signage, faux painted floors, forged gates, and even a custom painted travel trailer covered with images of Arena Cove, forever a favorite subject.

His current works are an intimate exploration of “Arena Cove, 1970” – the last days of the old Point Arena Wharf, before times changed…again! The large redwood table in this exhibit is the very same old redwood table that was in the back room of the cove cafe and bar. It’s been in storage since the demolition of the old building in the 1980s. It’s been refinished with dimensional carving by Dustin, depicting the old cove, fondly remembered