To champion art as essential to life and give our community
a creative voice
From the President’s Desk
Today I write to you from Cachuma Lake where I’m enjoying a much needed “glamping” vacation with family and friends! Finding time to add peace and quiet, is so healthy for the soul. I’m not sure how peaceful it’s been, getting my behind beat during a friendly game of Skip-Bo, however, a little more fishing and star studded evenings and I’m sure to return regenerated and ready to go back to work!
The current exhibit with its edgy sculpture by Guyla Amyx, surrealism of Pat Watson, bold and intriguing artwork overall, make this a show, unforgettable. Thank you Barbara Sitar, for helping us rearrange furniture and install this amazing exhibit.
While checking out the latest show, you’ll notice a few more updates to the gallery. They say while the cats away, mice will play! Thank you Janet Hillson and Gail Martin for painting accent walls! While I’ve been away, I hear they’ve continued to paint pedestals too! These exciting updates will help keep the gallery fresh and current with a touch of elegance. We’re also planning to announce a new program for members to sell more artwork before the holidays! Stay tuned!
While you may be able to see some of the more notable changes to the building inside and out, your MBAA Board of Directors have done much work behind the scenes to ensure bylaws are up to date, elements of the 501(3)c status remain current, the many procedures that help the gallery run smoothly have been overhauled, the website continues to meet our needs and all financial decisions are prudent. Please be sure to tell these hard working and dedicated volunteers “thank you” too! They are all amazing people and we are fortunate to have them as part of our gallery family.
Steve Powers, Art in the Park Mgmt, Cynthia Bunting, Youth Education Director, Sharon Westray, MBAA member and I, attended the latest Morro Bay City Council meeting. Elements of the proposed fee schedule were discussed and the entire process should be completed and adopted very soon. The RTA bus stop should be on an upcoming MB city council agenda in October as well.
Exchange day for Winterfaire will be Tuesday, Oct 29, 2019, 10am – 2pm. This show is open to all media. “Fine Art Crafts” are juried at the time of take-in. For more information and rules of entry, please refer to the gallery hanging procedure found online.
Anyone wishing to help during the citywide, downtown “trick or treat” on October 31st, from 3:30 to 5:30pm, please call me: 805-423-1100.
It’s time to nominate your 2020 MBAA Board of Directors! If you’re considering one of these positions, please let any board member know. Board of Director openings include: Co-Gallery Directors, Vice President, Treasury and Marketing. We are also looking for a volunteer to work with Sue Palmer and help manage” Art in Business” rotations. This position is not a board position and may be accomplished from home in about 2 hours, once per month. Excel experience is helpful, however no required. Let’s continue to provide added assistance to those who give so much!
Please welcome new marketing volunteers, Sharon West (workshop marketing) and Robin Bradley, (children's class marketing).
It’s also time to look forward to the Fall season, the MBAA Board Installation and Holiday dinner party at Windows of the Water Restaurant is fun and a great way to meet fellow artists! You may make your reservations online!
Patricia Newton
OCTOBER DEMO
Exit Through the Gift Shop
October 14, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
An amusing, engrossing look at underground art. This British documentary film, is about and directed by Bansky, an infamous and shadowy graffiti, street artist. It tells the story of Thierry Guetta, a French immigrant in Los Angeles, who runs a vintage clothing shop, and his obsession with street art, and Guetta's eventual fame as a street artist himself, dubbed Mr. Brainwash. Read more ...
Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post-hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. He fiercely guards his anonymity to avoid prosecution. He rose to prominence for his provocative stenciled pieces in the late 1990s.
Balloon Girl, the image of a young girl letting go of her balloon suggests that innocence can easily be lost. Banksy is known to mock society and he implies through his artwork that society makes children grow old too fast. The stencil is originally accompanied by the sentence “There is always hope”, a positive message which suggests that no matter what happens there is always a hope for better days. Learn more ...
Enjoy popcorn and a movie with us!
MBAA Annual Juried Exhibit - 2019
This 3rd annual juried event is a collective of exceptional paintings spanning the United States. Many of the artists are internationally acclaimed. In addition, MBAA will feature the three dimensional art of local artist Guyla Amyx.
We are fortunate to have award winning artist, Dennis Curry, as the judge for this celebrated event. Read more about Dennis' fascinating life here
Best of Show: Jason Mayr
First Place: Park Merrill
Second Place: Nico Vandenheuvel
Third Place: Rachael Wahl
Honorable Mention: Pat Watson
Honorable Mention: Harwood Benton
Honorable Mention: Suzie Stach
Coming Soon!!
Needled Felt and Fiber Landscape Painting
with Debbie Gedayloo
October 25, 26, 27 9:00am - 4:00pm
During this three-day workshop, Debbie will demonstrate a new twist on felting and fiber-painting. Students will be creating individual landscapes using wool, yarn, string, beads, shells and more. Landscapes as a topic, will allow for endless expression for each participant.
Whether you are an experienced artist or a first-time creator, this workshop will open your eyes to a new medium, using felting and fiber as art. All skill levels are welcome. Learn more ...
Stop by the Art Center to pick up your copy of the October 2019 Open Studios Art catalog. One per person while they last!
PRAA Member Alice Ronke
1937-2019
We were saddened by the news of the passing of PRAA Member Alice Ronke.Alice was born on November 6, 1937 and passed away on August 29, 2019. She was a member of the Paso Robles Art Association for many years and will be greatly missed.
Alice was featured in the New Times SLO article in January and in it, she describes her art perspective.
Excerpt from the New Times SLO article:
While watercolor artist Alice Ronke lives in North County, she regularly takes trips just a bit south or north to spots like Cayucos, Morro Bay, and Moonstone Beach to be where the sand meets the water for inspiration.
"I love the ocean," Ronke said. "I go there to paint frequently. I sit on the beach and am inspired by the ocean and the people who come along."
Both waves and people are always moving. That very synergistic relationship led Ronke to paint pieces like Paddleboarding while hanging out at Cayucos beach. In her painting, a lone paddleboarder calmly navigates choppy waves while an orange sun beams brightly in the background. It could be either sunset or sunrise, but both man and waves move forward.
"The waves are in constant motion," Ronke said. "The paddleboarder can take advantage of that to propel himself forward."
When people look at Ronke's watercolor pieces, she hopes they see more than just pretty pictures. She wants them to experience the local area the way that she does.
"I try to capture the feeling that I have when I see beauty," Ronke said. "And I'll tell you, SLO County has a lot of beauty."
BY RYAH COOLEY
To volunteer your time and talent!! As much or as little as you can spare - we are grateful for any amount of time you can dedicate. As a member driven, all volunteer organization, it takes YOU, our members, to keep the doors to the gallery open to locals and visitors.
If you have some accounting experience, we need a Treasuerer; our Business Art Program could use a computer-literate organized assistant; and we are always in need of friendly docents to maintain the front desk. Please contact Docent Director Michael Costa at mjcosta67@aol.com or call the gallery at 805-772-2504.
SOUTH COUNTY REGIONAL CENTER
PUBLIC ART PROJECT
Deadline is October 1
The South County Regional Center Public Art Project Committee (the “Committee”) is an ad hoc committee with representatives from Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, the South County Chambers of Commerce, San Luis Obispo County, and the County Regional Library. In conjunction with the Arroyo Grande Public Art Program (part of Arroyo Grande in Bloom, a 501c3 public benefit corporation), the Committee is seeking proposals from qualified professional artists to create a public artwork for the South County Regional Center (the “Project”).
The artwork will be located at the front entrance to the Visitor/Event Center to the right of the Regional Library at the South County Regional Center at 800 W. Branch Street in the City of Arroyo Grande. The envisioned artwork will be located within a butterfly garden consisting of plants known to attract butterflies, such as plants from the milkweed family. Funding will include the cost of site preparation and landscaping, as well as the fee for the selected artist and supplies.
A significant piece of art depicting a common symbol which connects visitors andresidents of the South County: the colorful Monarch Butterfly. Subject to the artist’s vision, the artwork should:
Incorporate colorful Monarch Butterflies or otherwise reflect the importance of Monarch Butterflies.
Be of sufficient size and height (i.e. 5’ to 6’ feet tall or more) so that it is visible from the parking lot and adjacent frontage road.
Be colorful and possibly kinetic.
Incorporate appropriate lighting.
Securely installed on a base and made of durable high quality material that is also low maintenance.
To the extent appropriate with the design, it should incorporate recognition of the South County within the artwork.
Individuals or firms desiring additional information, including questions regarding costs and budgets, may contact Kathie La Martina at 703-963-7722
WEEKLY LIFE DRAWING CLASSES
every Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm
at the Morro Bay Recreation Center
1001 Kennedy Way
Tom Dale Dakota Pitts
No registration or sign-up is necessary! Just come and bring your own materials. We provide a live model tables, coffee, lighting and music. It is open to all skill levels, and (almost) any media. The cost is $10.00 per session.
Len Boyle Ardella Swanberg
For further info Call Bob Rodger at 805-528-4248
Art Classes for Kids!!
COST: $20.00 per session
Morro Bay Art Association is proud to present Mandy Covish, Elementary School Teacher for ongoing art classes designed to reach children between Kindergarten and 6th grades.
Mandy has taught primarily 2nd and 3rd grade levels in the Merced City School District and Clovis Unified School district. With her recent relocation to the Central Coast she is eager to begin teaching on the Central Coast. Mandy taught GATE students (Gifted and Talented Education) for seven years, emphasizing on the arts as a vehicle to promote higher thought processes. She worked as the Reading Intervention Teacher and successfully implemented a fluency and comprehension program through Read Naturally, Soar to Success, Seeing Stars utilizing appropriate leveled books for grades K-6.
In the Meet the Masters classes, a new and emerging children’s art program, each session will focus on one of the great art masters. (Dates of featured artist below). Mandy will engage students with short videos and hands on learning.
October 12th: Andy Warhol
October 13th: Yayoi Kusama
November 2nd: Vincent van Gogh
November 10th: Paul Klee
We had a full room with 20 people who all took up a pen, pencil and tortillion; the 3 tools needed for the session. Special paper was also provided for each participant. Through guided systematic patters, each person learned how to trust their creativity, increase awareness, respond confidently to the unexpected, and discover the fun and healing in creative expression.
Jason Mayr’s oil painting class meets twice a month, usually the 1st and 3rd Mondays 9am - 1pm, and runs in a cyclical cycle so that it is easy to jump in and out of class as needed. Each class is accompanied by 3 videos e-mailed out over the two week period. The three videos are a Lesson, Friday Feedback and Monday Morning Inspiration. A topic will be covered in the Lesson. For Friday Feedback I will look at and digitally work on a student’s work showing ways to incorporate the lesson into the work. Monday Morning Inspiration we take a look at some works by the masters and see how they employed our topic of conversation. In class we paint and I guide each student according to their needs and desires. If you simply want to show up and paint 2 Mondays a month that is fine. Or if you would really like to learn and practice the craft of painting, or take your work to the next level either way you are in the right place.
Cost $35 per class (includes the 3 videos) www.JasonMayr.com
805-234-6941
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!
Watercolor - Wet and Wild
Thursdays, 9:00am - 12:00pm
A new watercolor class designed for beginner to advanced students. Classes will be ongoing and feature various instructors.
Adult Coloring and
Zen Doodle Group
Fridays, 10:00 - 11:30am
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
Quick Studies in Clay
with Anne Grannis
November 1, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
1/2 day workshop
Anne will be teaching techniques to sculpt a whole figure, a torso, or a bas relief using water-based clay. This intense session will guide the beginning or advanced sculptor in the essence of figure sculpting, giving the student a spontaneous, emotional arena to work in; without the finishing details of a refined piece. We will be working from a live model.
Clay and tools will be provided. Please bring a 12” to 14” square board to work on and an apron. Bring your favorite tools or supplies if you have them. Firing of the art is the responsibility of the student, and/or you may work with the instructor outside of the workshop for firing.
COST: $120. MBAA Members $125. Non Members Pre-registration is required:
CONTACT: Art Center Morro Bay (805) 772-2504, www.artcentermorrobay.org
Register Online: artcentermorrobay.org/index.php/shop/
Watercolor Wet & Wild
with Virginia Mack
November 7, 14, 21 9:00am - 12:00pm
Join us for these watercolor classes designed for artists from beginner to advanced. Classes will be ongoing throughout the year, featuring a variety of guest instructors.
Each class is offered as a 3-day or 4-day (block style) course, spanning three to four weeks, held on Thursday mornings from 9am to 12pm.
Virginia Mack is a native Californian. She has been exploring and savoring the wild lands of the state throughout her life. She has been living on the Central Coast for 10 years. She is a part-time instructor at both Allan Hancock College and Cuesta College in the fine arts departments.
COST: Members – $90. 3-day workshop
Non-Members: $105. 3-day workshop.
This bi-weekly oil painting class is a 10 month course through November, beginning with drawing techniques and progressing through black and white, limited palette to full palette. Read more ... For a 2019 course description visit www.artcentermorrobay.org
All levels of ability and experience are welcome.
COST: $35.00 MBAA members or $40.00 for non-members
Register by contacting Jason Mayr at (805) 234-6941 or email: jasonmayrfineart@gmail.com
**Pre-registration required for all Joan Fee classes
Learn how to drill holes in sea glass, how to harden, strengthen and texturize wire to create a gorgeous jewelry set.
No experience necessary. Everything is provided for the project including local sea glass, use of tools in the class, wire and jewelry findings. Joan will demonstrate how to drill holes then you choose from sea glass she has pre-drilled to create your jewelry. COST: $45
Resin Workshop
November 30, 9:00am - 11:00am
Your choice - create a scene in an 11" x 14" frame or make two resin necklaces or coasters.
Joan will bring a huge assortment of shells, colored beach glass and glitter to design your scene. Choose a white frame or two metal necklace bezels for your base. After your scene is complete, you will encase it in glistening resin. COST: Various
**Pre-registration required for all Joan Fee classes
Brenda Shepard, Pismo Beach
Jane Morgan, Morro Bay
Linda Reynolds, Nipomo
John Klippenstein, Morro Bay
David Pope, Atascadero
Fritz Crose Nunez, Morro Bay
Mario Gomez, Montclair
Roston Johnson, Atascadero
Next Board Meeting is October 28, 2019 12:00 - 3:00pm
October 2019 Newsletter
Creativity Day 
Adult Coloring and
