The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: creativity

  • Film students dive head-first ‘Into The Deep’

    Film students dive head-first ‘Into The Deep’

    by Carlina Grillo

    Into The Deep, a student film-makers showcase, was put on by the Cal Poly Humboldt Art + Film department on Sept. 15 at the John Van Duzer theater. The showcase included a diverse collection of 19 creative short films. 

    Since the fall of 2022, film students have been preparing to make the dive head-first ‘Into The Deep’ with their films for this showcase. Each student film-maker took an exclusive journey of self-discovery to create these one of a kind films, and that was made apparent by the depth in each and every film.

    “‘Into the Deep’ is more than just a theme,” read the program handed out at the showcase. “It’s a guiding principle. It encourages us to venture beyond the surface and embrace the uncharted territories of storytelling,” 

    With a total screen time of around 80 minutes, viewers were taken on a voyage down a deep, and at times dark, college-core rabbit hole. Bouncing between experimental films like ‘Momento Mori,” directed by Wren Kosinski, narratives like “Shrimp Film,” directed by Solomon Winter, and documentaries like “Camino,” directed by Nat Cruz, each piece was completely different from the one before. 

    Film production professors Dr. Michelle Cartier and Dave Jannetta attended the event and expressed the joy they felt during the showcase. 

    “This was the most solid showcase I’ve seen in a minute,” Cartier said. 

    He recalled how big the event used to be pre-pandemic, and how good it felt to see a room full of people celebrating student film-makers. 

    “We’re incredibly proud of the work they’re doing as artists,” Jannetta said. “I want students to make work they’re proud of.” 

    Whether viewers were giggling at Humboldt public bathroom reviews, learning about fisheries and sustainable fishing practices, deep in thought from spoken word and interpretive movement, or questioning their sanity as the films became increasingly unhinged, this showcase proved that Cal Poly Humboldt students are filled to the brim with imagination and creativity.

    John Farley, a film major in his fourth year, directed the three and a half minute film “Circus Peanuts.” This was a memorable satire mafia film that played at the beginning of the show. The film involved local mobster clowns pushing circus peanuts, and a mafia boss dealing with a snitch in their peanut ring. 

    “It was quite a rush to see something I worked on displayed on the big screen,” Farley said. “Sitting next to my crew who helped with the making of this, we were probably laughing the hardest.”

    Farley ran into a bit of trouble behind the scenes. After a whole day of filming, the original footage for the film was deleted. What viewers saw at the showcase, was actually the second attempt.

    “I felt so defeated, but luckily we were able to rally the troops to get another crack at it,” Farley said. “We got together the following week and shot the entire film in one day. It was fast paced, but an absolute blast getting what we needed to get between scenes and locations. When the actors can’t keep a straight face during a scene and end up breaking character, it is a reassuring feeling that what I’m making will turn out funny.”

    At one point in the latter half of the night, it seemed like films began bleeding into one another and causing a sense of chaos that made viewers question their sense of time. This chaos was apparent as viewers would begin to give an applause just to realize the film wasn’t over. 

    Eventually, realization struck the audience that these pieces were all a part of the larger puzzle: “Teen High School Movie: The Show: The Broadcast,” directed by Mara Lifquist. This film could be described as “Black Mirror” esque, and that is a compliment not to take lightly. This narrative film was around 14 minutes and contained satire commercials, frequent call backs and impressive horror effects. Between laughter and fear was a dissociation from reality that prompted a yearning to watch the film again.

    At the end of the night, viewers left the John Van Duzer theater feeling inspired, touched and possibly disoriented.

  • Paint the Town

    Paint the Town

    An early reflection of the second annual Eureka Street Art Festival

    Artists from around the world swarmed Eureka with colorful supplies on hand ready to paint vibrant and diverse murals.

    The Second Annual Eureka Street Art Festival kicked off July 27 and ended August 3. Artists were sponsored by local businesses and the Headwaters Reserve Fund. Last year, organizers brought several artists to paint murals on many of Eureka’s downtown buildings with the intent to beautify the area.

    • Eureka local and artist Lucas Thornton specs out his mural on the side of the Redwood Art Association Gallery. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Shipping container design by Bay Area artist Benjamin Goulart (the Mural-Man) across from Humboldt Bay Fire in Eureka. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Sponsored by the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, Miami-based artist Eric Karbeling’s mural sits in the parking lot on the corner of 6th and G in Eureka. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Mural sponsored by the Local Cider Bar on the Picky Picky Picky Store 6th Street wall. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Mural by Seattle-based artist Genevieve St. Charles-Monet (@goldsuit) at 6th and E Neighborhood Eatery. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Southern California artists Dave Van Patten and James Carey collaborated on this piece at 6th and F Streets in Eureka. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Humboldt resident Sonny Wong’s mural sits on the corner of 6th and G Streets in Eureka. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Mural for Humboldt Bay Fire by Miami-based artist Eric Karbeling. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Argentinian artist Mabel Vicentef’s mural in the parking lot of Picky Picky Picky Store. The mural was originally planned for the second-level 6th Street wall of the Eureka Theatre. | Photo by Deija Zavala

    The murals painted were put up to benefit the community. It’s been less than a month since the street festival and the official unveiling of these pieces, but an early reflection was in order to highlight the impact of the pieces.

    “I think it’s great and it’s not costing the taxpayers anything,” said Margaret Gibson, a Eureka local when asked about her thoughts on the benefit of having these murals.

    Nathan Mathers, who has resided in different parts of Humboldt County for the last 20 years, wishes that the funds that pay the artists for these projects would be used in helping other parts of the community.

    “There’s no reason these businesses can’t donate to help the homeless or fix the roads instead of paying people to paint the buildings,” Mathers said.

    While the majority of the projects have focused on areas closer to Eureka Old Town, Humboldt natives like Jessica Warren hopes that in years to come they’ll see murals throughout the entirety of Eureka.

    “Why stop at Old Town? If we want these murals to benefit the community they need to be seen everywhere,” Warren said.

    Another local by the name of Sheri Jacobs said that she believes these murals will have several positive effects on the community.

    “Some people might drive through Eureka and think it’s rundown, but how can they say that with all these vibrant murals hanging around,” Jacobs said. “It might make people want to stop and do their business here but if not, at least we all have something pretty to look at.”

  • A drinking place with a crafting problem

    A drinking place with a crafting problem

    New beer, wine and craft bar Arts and Drafts opens their doors in Old Town Eureka on Feb. 17.

    An improv acoustic guitar solo and noises of lively voices filled the rooms of the E. Janssen Building in Old Town Eureka on Feb. 17.

    The once hardware store became home to Arts and Drafts, a “drinking place with a crafting problem.”

    The venue is divided into two spacious sections. Couches and large wooden tables geared with puzzles, sketchbooks and watercolor pencils surround the bar. Guests are encouraged to leave an art piece in the sketchbook, similar to a visual guest book.

    A bright mural of purple, psychedelic cats and a four-foot wine glass filled with colorful yarn make up the Kitty Corner of the room. The ambiance of the space is relaxed, open and gives the impression of a cozy living room.

    Through the bar, in a separate room, is an art workshop space filled with supplies and art-lined walls. Here, patrons can purchase pre-made DIY art projects, from paintable stone coasters to string art or bring in their own supplies to craft up while hanging out.

    Owner of Arts and Drafts, Tracy Dorgan, said she wanted her dream to come true in Old Town Eureka. After extensive searching for the best possible venue, Dorgan said she fell in love with this one.

    “When I walked into this building,” Dorgan said, “my entire vision changed and expanded.”

    The space is much bigger than her original plan, which ended up doubling Dorgan’s budget.

    The grand opening of the new bar brought a steady flow of people throughout the day.

    Greggory Allbright, Humboldt State University alumnus, high school teacher and artist, says he often enjoys drinking a cold beer while creating.

    “Sitting down and doing art is a lot harder than sitting and drinking,” Allbright said.

    Allbright is setting up for a surrealist art show at the Wine Stop and sketched at Arts and Drafts on the day of the grand opening.

    Brooks Heaslet from Maple Creek, a bartender at Arts and Drafts, said the crowd was a mixture of locals and tourists.

    For Heaslet, the art and beer bar combined two of his passions. Heaslet said he not only works the bar, but also helped build it with his father at Maple Creek Woodworks.

    “Woodwork and beer are definitely my mediums.” Heaslet said.

    The bar offers 12 different taps, including local beers, ciders, kombucha and nitro coffee, as well as an extensive wine list.

    “The only shot glasses we have are the ones you can paint,” Dorgan said.

    The small kitchen offers diverse snacks, such as cheesy jalapeno bread and local vegetarian Sushi Agogo.

    Dorgan said she worked to make the space welcoming to students.

    “You can come hang out, drink a beer and do a mini project for under $10.”

    In the back of the bar, Mark Talbert and wife Laurie of Eureka, sipped ales while weaving a burgundy string through nails in the shape of a wine glass.

    “She convinced me into it!” Talbert said. “I’m generally anti-social, but I feel totally comfortable walking and nailing nails onto a board.”

    Not only are the employees of Arts and Drafts brew buffs, they are craft connoisseurs as well.

    Amanda Anderson painted a wooden wine caddy in a deep, nut brown to demonstrate one of the crafts available for purchase at the venue.

    Anderson, a wildlife conservation major at Humboldt State University, scored a job at Arts and Drafts thanks to her experience with crafting and teaching. As a statistics tutor at HSU, she felt confident in her ability to guide creatively.

    “The goal here is to spread creativity,” Anderson said. “People are going to love this. It’s Arcata, people love their art.”

    Dorgan said that in the future, she plans to extend the working hours and the kitchen, as well as work on an option to divide the space in order to accommodate kids.

    Arts and Drafts is located on 422 1st Street in Old Town Eureka.