Brianna Campbell / The Collegian

Colorful paintings instantly greet you upon entering Studio 74, as the art gallery prepares for its premiere at tomorrow night’s Art Hop.

“It’s a fun evening to see Fresno art,” said artist and Studio 74 owner Diane L. Joseph-Mendes. “It’s an opportunity for the public to visit art galleries and museums for free.”

Joseph-Mendes said her gallery is primarily a venue for up-and-coming artists, many who will make their public debut this Thursday.

“I decided if I was ever going to have a gallery, I was going to help the emerging artists get their first show,” Joseph-Mendes said.

A promise she has kept in regards to Randy Arnest — a former Art Hop regular turned featured artist.

Extracting designs from the world around him, Arnest uses a mixture of water-based media and collage in combination with acrylic paint and ink.

“I use architecture and cities as well as natural things and organisms as a jumping off point to influence my paintings and drawings,” Arnest said.

Brianna Campbell / The Collegian

In addition well-known local artist Hilda Vandergriff will be showcasing an Asian-inspired collection. Vandergriff applied Chinese calligraphy along with a century old Japanese technique of paper marbling called suminagashi meaning spilled ink.

Vandergriff’s love for nature provided the subject matter for most of her artwork. Her paintings include an array of both plants and animals, from horses to blooming flowers.

People can jumpstart their four-day weekend with a trip to Art Hop.

“If it’s not for fun, if it’s not for culture, do it ‘cause it’s free!”