Reception for Oh What a Relief It is: Artists Maureen & Peter Langenbach and Hayward Poet Laureate Bruce Roberts

Join us to celebrate the artists behind "Oh What a Relief It Is, which features the work of Maureen and Peter Langenbach, and the poetry of Hayward Poet Laureate Bruce Roberts. Oh What a Relief It Is, on display at the Hayward Downtown Library from August 8-September 17, 2022, is a delightful collection of 3D sculptures incorporating recycled materials. Table-top sculptures featuring poems by Bruce Roberts are on display in the Second Floor Art Gallery and also on the 3rd Floor. 

Peter Langenbach Artist Statement:
My Art is about humor.  I use the visual pun to take cheap shots at the folly, foibles and pretensions of the human condition.  It suits my light-hearted nature that a laugh, a chuckle, a wry smile or even a raised eyebrow from the viewer becomes my personal satisfaction.  Well, that, and knowing that I really zinged someone.

What I really do take seriously is that all of the materials used in my work is recycled landfill.  It is important for the environment that we do a better job at preserving our natural resources and make a more concerted effort to recycle while we still can.  It bothers me that people have become too lazy to find a source to recycle anything other than cans, and newspapers.  Even worse than that, the corporate world finds it more cost effective to simply throw usable materials away rather than contacting a school or community program that might use these resources to truly inspire a child’s imagination or creativity.

Maureen Langenbach Biography:
In 1967 I received my AA degree from Napa Jr. College where I was first introduced to the watercolor medium and in 1969 graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education. After starting a family and moving to Fremont I continued taking painting classes at Ohlone College under the direction of Dave McLaughlin and Dennis Collins and I have painted with watercolor exclusively for over 30 years.

Since retirement I have had more time to experiment with other mediums including assemblages, colored pencil, jewelry, oil pastel, and fiber arts.

My work has been exhibited at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek, Firehouse Gallery in Pleasanton, Olive Hyde Art Gallery & Fremont Art Association in Fremont, Sun Gallery & John O’Lague Gallery in Hayward; California State Fair, Alameda, Marin & Napa County Fairs.  My husband Peter Langenbach and I have collaborated on the show “Two Sides of the Story” at The Gallery at 48 Natoma, Folsom, CA; also Day of the Dead Installations at the Oakland Museum, SOMA in San Francisco, Meeks Mansion & Sun Gallery in Hayward, and Niles, Fremont.

Bruce Roberts -- Who Is this Guy?
Bruce Roberts is a true local yokel, a native of Hayward, now serving his sixth term as Hayward’s first Poet Laureate. In that time, he has written and read several poems at official functions, besides reading his poetry as entertainment at many community locations and events—and now, of course, on ZOOM.   After 35 years reading to the middle school students in his classroom, he still loves to read aloud and urges everyone to do so with his poetry.

Married for 52 years to his wife Kathleen, proud possessors of three married sons and daughters-in-law and five terrific granddaughters,  he loves to read, sing, travel, hike, work outside, putter, and—of course—write and read poetry!

Remember, read these poems aloud in your best Academy Award-Winning Voice!  That’s the only way!