The show features artists Calle has dubbed the Golden Ghosts; he sees them as a "dream team." The lineup includes James Templeton's inspired clay sculptures; Rene Cruz's five-foot-tall, papier-mâché woolly mammoth; Adam Cruces's skeleton paintings; Calle's animal- and dinosaur-themed mixed-media collages; and photography by Bryan Schutmaat, Scott Windes and, of course, Ruell. Ruell's "Hotel Roberts" series, which seems straight out of a Napoleon set, features ugly green couches and old mattresses.
"I'm a big fan of everybody's and knew them all personally except Aaron," says Calle. "I was just messin' around on the Internet one day and found Aaron's site. I was blown away by his photography and e-mailed him and said, 'Hey, I'm doing an art show and I'd love for you to be part of it.' He e-mailed me back really quick and said, 'Sure.' I think my friends were more shocked than I was."
Calle is especially pleased with Ruell's offerings -- not to mention the publicity he brings. Ruell says he's cool with being the draw -- even if fans want to see Kip, not Aaron. "Jacob extended a nice invitation, and I accepted. I never really thought of the fan side of it," he says. "Sometimes the recognition does get old, but I'm proud of that little movie and what it's done. And I have to play the 'I'm Kip' card to get me anywhere."