People In Pleasanton: Claudia W. Hess

Life for Claudia Hess is all about memorable moments through art. It's reflected on the pieces hanging over her living room mantle, on the jewelry she wears around her neck and what she listens to on the radio.

Pleasanton Patch speaks with Hess, a Pleasanton native and art historian, art advisor and art appraiser.

How long have you been in Pleasanton? What changes have you seen in the downtown over the years?

I have been here for 14 years now. Main Street Pleasanton had two thrift shops, some basic clothing stores and barbershops years ago. In the past ten years, more and more banks and salons showed up on the Main Street.

What motivated you to be an art advisor?

After pursuing a lot of other things I wanted to open my own art gallery, so I chose the talent that I grew up with. I had a Worthington Gallery on Main Street for five years on Main Street. My mother also owns an art gallery in Chicago by the same name. She is an expert on German Expressionism art.

Which year and which month did you start your gallery in downtown?

We started back in 2004 and ended in March 2009. I wanted to bring a breath of fresh air and more progressive thinking to our town and offer high-quality original art by supporting the local art scenes. So I had quite a few exhibits incorporating those and a lot more international art as well. I also organized beautiful textile shows in the gallery, classes, shows for men, bringing different experiences to downtown and to make art very accessible. Due to recession we had less and less visitors coming ... the street traffic was way down and I didn't have the resources to keep the gallery going.

Ever since the gallery closed, did you have any art shows?

I was busy getting my degree through New York University, becoming an appraisal professional. I do travel quite a bit to New York and work with my mother on high-end art shows.

Which are the projects you are currently working on?

I'm currently working on Eugene O' Neill Festival Art Exhibition starting September 10 to 25 at Village Theatre Art Gallery in Danville. They are performing one of the Expressionist plays and I have been commissioned to curate an expressionist art show as well as give a lecture on Expressionism on September 11. Pleasanton residents are welcome to attend.

What are your plans now?

I judge quite a few art shows everything from student to adult art shows. I sit on the Board of Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council (PCAC). We are a citizen group that is devoted to promoting the arts in Pleasanton and making the art accessible to all. The new landmark for downtown, one of our biggest accomplishment, the new Firehouse Arts Center is all set to open on September 17. We also give out prizes to students for their artwork, we sponsor artwork in their schools which is something always targeted in budget cuts.

The next group that I belong to is the city-based group called the Civic Arts Commission.

I'm an Arts Commissioner appointed by the Mayor and we are responsible for placing and receiving public art in Pleasanton, for instance, we were responsible for bringing those sculptures downtown.

I also tour to art museums frequently. I'll tour to the De Young Museum to the fabulous Impressionist Show on Sunday, October 3 to benefit Healing Therapies Foundation, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients during their chemotherapy. People can sign-up till September 20 online at www.healingtherapiesfoundation.org

What would you like to say to Pleasanton residents?

Art fosters creativity, which is absolutely necessary for us to continue on a successful path. I'd urge people to make sure it is taught in schools and to help out wherever they can.