Arts Clash brings together artisans of every ilk

OCEANSIDE — Mash writers with musicians, poets and painters and the result is the Arts Clash event held at A Word With You Press publishers on Oct. 8. Spectators listened to passages read by local authors, took in artwork and snapped to improvisational jazz.
“We’re taping a vain of artists and writers in North County,” Thornton Sully, editor in chief, said. “I feel I’m in the right place at the right time.”
The event celebrated the one-year anniversary of A Word With You Press publishers and helped raise funds for the company’s Kids Expression writing workshops it offers to children free of charge.
Dozens of artists and authors shared and discussed their work. Writer and artist Ed Coonce had multimedia art on display that featured the adventures of The Calabasa, a superhero vegetable that conquers human dilemmas.
Also on display were 11 paintings and sketches by artist Taylor Gallegos. He explained that he selectively chooses his materials and style to underscore his intentions in each piece.
“When I know what I want to say everything else falls in place,” Gallegos said.
Among the authors who read their works were Sally Magana and Quetz Magana who read from their co-written adventure novel “Lost Hope,” which follows the trail of a diamond from mining operations to ownership obsession.
The band Blue Chunks performed improvisational jazz. The band writes many of its own tunes and rearranges familiar jazz classics.
“Some we write, some we play,” composer and guitar player Dan Cassina said.
The day was about sharing art.
Sharing happens often at A Word With You Press. The Kids Expression program is an eight-week sessions that explore the writing basics of story plot and character development. Local artists sit in as guest teachers show them how to storyboard their ideas or illustrate kids’ stories.
In the Wednesday writers’ meet up group, published and aspiring novel, flash fiction, screenplay and short story writers meet, read and give each other feedback on work in progress. Advice ranges from encouragement to direct tips on how to improve writing.
A Word With You Press has published five original works in its first year.
The publishing company is located at 802 S. Tremont Street in South Oceanside.
The art community is known for Tony Avila skateboard designs and Steven Tustison chainsaw tiki carvings.
For more information on A Word With You Press, visit awordwithyoupress.com.