To champion art as essential to life and give our community a creative voice
From the President’s Desk
2017 has been a busy year! The first annual Winterfest and Santa Crawl was a great success, bringing over 450 people through the gallery doors! Staging for this event began on the gallery deck, and HammerSky, a Paso Robles winery, provided wine tasting. Participants wore Santa costumes that were fun and down right amusing! Customers enjoyed making ornaments with alcohol inks, while savoring cookies and hot spiced cider.
The annual Installation and Holiday Dinner at Windows on the Water, began with Morro Bay High School Choir singing carols. It was a beautiful and festive way to get into the holiday spirit, and a wonderful way to begin the evening’s celebration of achievements for 2017.
In retrospect, updates to the building include a fabulous new mural by artist, Manuel Cruz. The docent program is growing, and we enjoyed great exhibits, special events, and adult and children’s art programs. Looking to the future, Morro Bay will celebrate the annual Winter Bird Festival. MBAA will open its,For the Birds exhibit, and present a photography workshop, “Birding Photography - From Camera to Computer” with Brady Cabe.
As this year ends, we bid a sad farewell to Joan Fee as Docent Director. Joan has done an amazing job, and we appreciate her time and efforts. We are happy to announce that Joan will continue teaching her wonderful craft classes at Art Center Morro Bay.
We are always looking for stars like you! If you would like to make a difference, become a volunteer or a 2018 board member. For more information, contact me or any board member to learn about these opportunities.
To everyone, I wish you a Happy New Year!
2nd Monday Demo
Wildlife Photography
with Brady Cabe
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
Sunday, January 7*, 2018
3:00 - 5:00pm
Brady is a seasoned photographer who enjoys the outdoors. Beginning with a photo slideshow featuring local birds, Brady will discuss locations and tips for getting that close-up shot. He will cover use of camera settings, lenses and strategies with an emphasis on the ethical treatment of wildlife.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn tricks and fundamentals that could change the way you shoot!
Bring your camera for an after-event mingle with other aspiring and experienced photographers.
* Please note January 7, 2018 is a Sunday; not our usual demo Monday.
Morro Bay Santa Crawl
December 8, 2017
More than 450 people came through the gallery on Friday night, December 8th, during the first annual Santa Crawl in Morro Bay! Lynn Douglass brought cookies and made hot spiced cider. Scott Douglass, Travis and Pat Newton, Gary and Nancy Johnson, Bob and Marty Azevdo, Joan Fee and Liz Moore were there to help support the event. HammerSky Winery poured their delicious Paso Robles produced wines and everyone had a great time. Lot's of people saw the gallery for the first time!
Santa Crawl Participants Nancy Johnson and Marty Azevedo
Garry Johnson and Bob Azevedo Passport check in
Joan Fee and Lynn Douglass
From the Gallery Dianne Ravin, Gallery Director
Looking back over the year in the Art Center gallery, I hope you’ve been as impressed as I have been by the ever-rising quality of work submitted and the enthusiastic response to them all! We’ve hosted two beautiful invitationals: “AQUARIUS 2017” and “ON & OFF THE WALL”. We had a stunning retrospective in “The Works of DAVID JONAS”, a first-ever abstract show, “PUSHING BOUNDARIES”, and a provocative “SOCIAL JUSTICE” exhibit. In addition, we’ve had a wide variety of themed shows: “STRIKING OIL”, “SENSE OF IDENTITY”, “HOMAGE TO THE RANCHES”, “LET’S ROCK”, and closed the year with our festive “WINTER FAIRE and JURIED CRAFTS SHOW”.
Did you have a favorite? One you’d like to have us to do again? Or something new you’d like to see? Send us your thoughts via artcenter.morrobay@gmail.com, subject: “Show Favorites”. We’d love to hear from you!
Congratulations to Tiffanie Reitz, the lucky winner of the beautiful quilted holiday table runner, created by Hallie Weiser, who donated all proceeds to MBAA. Thank you for your generous donation, Hallie!
Pictured is Tiffanie’s brother, Brent Percy, who picked up the runner just in time to decorate the family’s Christmas table.
Next Exchange Day is January 9, 2018, 10 am – 2 pm, accepting submissions for an all-media “For the Birds”, a local favorite, scheduled in coordination with our annual Morro Bay Bird Festival. Let’s give our bird-loving guests some artistic treasures to take home with them!
Thanks to all you artists, who made this an exciting year in the art community of Morro Bay! & Happy Holidays to you all!
Annual Holiday and Installation Dinner
December 11, 2017
More than 65 MBAA members gathered together at Windows on the Water restaurant to celebrate another successful year, honoring our mission of giving the community a creative voice, the holiday season and introduce the 2018 Board of Directors.
Board members include: Patricia Newton as President, Lynn Douglass as Vice-President, Robert Azevdo as Treasurer, Janet Hillson as Secretary, Dianne Ravin as Gallery Director and Liz Moore as Children's Education Director.
There was much good cheer and merriment, as guests were regaled by the beautiful singing of the Morro Bay High School Choir, followed by a delicious meal prepared by Chef Paul. A fabulous dessert of apple cake with cream cheese frosting was provided by Buttercup Bakery. Due to the generosity of several local businesses, many lucky attendees left with gifts received during our prize drawing. A festive time was had by all!
Morro Bay High School ChoirPat Newton, Paul Merkle and Lynn Douglass Mike & Denise Shandroff
Joe & Nancy Schum, Karen Rosen & Bev Brown
Brandy McKay, Kate Stulberg, Mari O'Brien and Marilyn Von Carol Timson Ball and husband Dennis
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Birding Photography - From Camera to Computer
with Brady Cabe
January 13, 2018
6:45 - 9:30am field/ 10:00-11:30am classroom
Join local photographer, Brady Cabe on a Central Coast birding walk! This workshop begins with a photographic journey in the field, where Brady will share photo tips, local birding knowledge, and wildlife photography ethics information along the way. After the field session, sit down with Brady in the classroom, to learn methods of editing wildlife images, exposure techniques and getting the most out of each shot. Learn more here.
Pastel Magic
with Greg Trombly
February 8, 15, & 22, 2018
1:00 - 4:00pm
Emphasis will be placed on composition, color and value. Greg will begin each workshop with a short demonstration, followed by independent work from personal reference photos and instructor guidance. Students are encouraged to bring a reference photo of a sunset and shoreline for these classes. Learn more here
Exploration of Abstract Painting
with Krista Harris
March 7, 8 and 9, 2018 9:30am - 4:00pm
SOLD OUT!
A waiting list has been established
Mixed Media Collage
with Page Graeber
March 22, 2018 9:00am - 12:30pm
During Page’s workshop, students will learn several techniques to create a stunning collage. Students will start with a firm foundation, add layers of paint, mixed media, and embellishments to set a mood, then complete the piece with a unique finish. Students do not need prior experience, and supplies will be provided. Learn more here.
Joy of Plein Air Landscape Painting
with
Debra Joy Groesser June, 12, 13 & 14, 2018 times varied Nebraska artist Debra Joy Groesser received her BFA degree in art in 1978. Her landscape paintings have garnered national recognition and awards. Being outdoors, whether in her perennial garden, in the mountains or by the sea, provides endless inspiration for her work. Debra’s ability to capture mood, emotion, atmosphere and a sense of place in her work attracts collectors, both private and corporate, worldwide. Prior to the workshop, Debra will give a demonstration, free and open to the public on Monday, June 11, 2018, 3-5pm. This workshop will begin with an indoor class encompassing preparation, use of value and tools. The following 2 days will be held out of doors, on location. Designed for all skill levels. Learn more here.
Portraits in Pastel
with Cuong Nguyen
August 2, 3 & 4, 2018 2:00 - 5:00pm
Learn about drawing, values, edges and composition, in a workshop designed to create in a relaxed, informative yet focused environment, for all skill levels. Students will concentrate on drawing the human head and creating life-like skin tone colors using the green foundation technique, while developing new skills in soft pastel and pastel pencil. This workshop will feature live models. Learn more here.
ONGOING CLASSES
Old World Drawing and Painting
with Jason Mayr Mondays, 9:00am - 1:00p Beginning February 5, 2018
This bi-monthly oil painting class is a 10 month course, beginning with drawing techniques and progressing through black and white, limited palette to full palette. All levels of ability and experience are welcome. U-Tube video
COST: $35.00 MBAA members or $40.00 for non-members
For a 2018 Course Description visit www.artcentermorrobay.org
Register by contacting Jason Mayr at 805-234-6941 or email: jkmayr@aol.com
Creativity Day
Wednesdays, 10:30am - 3:00pm
Join fellow artists in a safe environment to create, to be inspired and to critique each other's work, plus, it's FREE!
Adult Coloring and
Zen Doodle Group
Fridays, 10:00 - 12:00pm
Relax and unwind in the adult coloring group! Anyone can do it, no experience necessary! Bring your own coloring books or get started with a page from ours. It's FREE!
Classes & Workshops
Next Class with Joan Fee
Mosaic Play Day
Saturday, January 6th
1:30-4:30 p.m.
All projects are super simple and perfect for a beginner. Everything is provided to complete a mosaic project including use of tools, the base piece, broken china pieces, baubles, glue, grout and instruction. Class fee ranges $40-$85.
Alcohol Inks Play Time II
Sunday, January 21st
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Learn even more alcohol ink techniques! This class is perfect for beginners or those who have taken Joan's previous alcohol ink play time class. In this class you'll use stencils to create five unique, one-of-a-kind cards (includes envelopes), a gorgeous drip technique vase and you'll make five gorgeous heart-shaped ornaments to admire all year.
Succulent Sunday
Choose Your Project Sunday, January 28th 1:00-3:00pm
Choose from different sizes and shapes of wreaths or paint a custom made birdhouse then plant with succulents. Everything is included – use of tools, beautiful, locally grown succulents, wreath forms, birdhouse planter – so all you do is sign-up, create and enjoy! Class fee ranges $70-90
Creativity Day 
Adult Coloring and
