To champion art as essential to life and give our community
a creative voice
From the President’s Desk
Art has the ability to communicate the complexities of socioeconomic, political and environmental issues in a way that is loud and unyielding in its resolve.
In celebration of Earth Day, Art Center Morro Bay offers another extraordinary exhibit opportunity, Broken Nature! This exhibit addresses consequences and the urgent need to live sustainably within the earth’s finite resources. Here’s your opportunity to make a statement about the environment with striking artwork or a little more on the subtle side if that’s your nature. This exhibit is open to all art media. Jennifer Durling’s colorful pottery with Mid Century Modern designs will also be on exhibit in the Virginia Russel Gallery (Upstairs). Take-in date: April 8, 10am – 2pm.
As you probably know, SLO County has moved into the “red tier” on the California Blueprint to a Safer Economy. This update has allowed restaurants to open limited indoor dining while all businesses continue to practice Covid safety protocols. Art Center Morro Bay will return to being open, 7 days per week, beginning April 1st. Take-in will continue to take place on the patio with facial coverings and social distancing.
A recent phone call to the READY SLO assistance center, has provided more in depth information about our ability to resume classes and workshops. Art Center Morro Bay was given permission to resume limited, in-person classes and workshops with continued mask wearing and social distancing. In addition, the MBAA Board of Directors has approved the first in-person adult workshop to reopen: Mark Making, Developing Your Signature Style (abstract painting) June 18 & 19, 2021. This workshop registration is already over half full, so if you are interested, don’t wait! Covid vaccine cards are not required for acceptance into this workshop, however, future changes could occur. Hold onto those cards!
If you’re on social media, you may have noticed our online presence has gotten substantially better! Sue Allemand has joined the MBAA Board of Directors in charge of marketing. Sue has learned how to navigate Facebook and Instagram, produced vectorized graphics and worked with graphic designers. Since taking the helm of Marketing Director, many positive changes are already occurring! Stay tuned!
Jody Lee has also begun to made changes to the membership database by reformatting some of the information we collect and enter for future use. Jody and Dianne Ravin have worked together in an effort to help make the collection of information a little more seamless.
We are awaiting a final approval from SLO County's Public Heath Officer, Dr. Penny Borenstein, with regard to the May, Art in the Park. We should have a clearer picture in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned!
We appreciate the many volunteers who make Art Center Morro Bay a vibrant gallery for selling our artwork, making new friends and learning about art techniques.
Thank you!
NANCY AND GARRY JOHNSON
Nancy and Garry Johnson joined the Morro Bay Art Association shortly after moving to Morro Bay about twenty-three years ago. It was their new friends Floretta and Chuck Meissner who encouraged them to join when Floretta saw Garry’s
photos and suggested he hang them.
Before attending the Art Center School of Design, Garry won several student awards which encouraged him to continue his education in the field of photography. After studying photography at Art Center School of Design, he graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Material Science. He has many awards for his work both in scientific research and commercial photos. While a member of the art association, he has sold several pieces of his work and moved from local scenes to some outstanding abstract work.
Nancy graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Sociology and a teaching credential. After teaching several years she opened her own business. Opening three early childhood learning centers drove her into politics, studying and working as an Early Childcare advocate both on the state and national level. She went on to become the Child Care Coordinator for the City of Sunnyvale, located in the bay area.
Both Garry and Nancy have long enjoyed working in their garden growing a variety of flowers which led Nancy to become a Master Gardener. While living in Morro Bay she took a series of floral design classes as well as formal Ikebana training.
She served on the City Planning Commission and as a member of the Morro Bay City Council.
Both Nancy and Garry have enjoyed participating in the Morro Bay Art Association. Nancy once served on the MBAA Board of Directors as vice chair of Business Hangings and most recently she has been responsible for artists receptions with her friend Sharon Westray. Both Garry and Nancy have served as docents at the front desk. Referring to the pandemic, Nancy states, “We have enjoyed the many lasting friendships we have made as members of the Art Association and sorely miss getting together with our friends last year.”
Gallery Director's Report
CALL TO MORRO BAY ART ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
Information entry deadline May 1, 2021
MBAA Salon 2021 -
Celebrating 70 Years of MBAA
Exposition au Salon de 1787, etching by P.A.Martini
This special exhibit will feature MBAA Member Artists and their own choice of artwork that best represent their personal artistic journey. Artwork will be accompanied by the artist’s photo and brief biogrraphy. All art media and artistic approaches are welcomed.
The Salon Wall concept, large groupings of art hung at different heights, allows us to honor great tradition and display a lot of pieces in the celebration of the rich creative genius of our art community. The exhibit will be installed in the traditional French Salon format, in alphabetical order.
Artwork must be submitted during exchange day May 25, 10am – 2pm. All standard fees apply, you may enter up to 3 pieces. In an effort to ensure the very best quality of your artwork, we will allow for one of your chosen pieces to be NFS (not for sale), so that you may exhibit your very best.
In order for you to participate in the MBAA SALON 2021 we need your best quality color phone-selfie or photo portrait, with plain wall background, head and chest only and maximum half-page with your biography (include year of birth; website, phone, email-optional), your current location and maximum of 30 words of a statement you wish to say about yourself.
Please send the required photo and information all together before May 1, 2021, to Barbara Sitar, Gallery Director, at bsitar66@gmail.com, using your full name and MBAA SALON 2021 in the email title. Please no photos of your art or any additional info.
This information and photo will be displayed on a large tag accompanying your artwork. MBAA will edit your information to fit the tag template, except your personal statement, that will be printed as received. Artist photo portrait and information will be converted and used in black and white. This information will be also used to create a new Catalogue of MBAA artists for promotional use at the Gallery. Exhibited artwork will be photographed and used in color together with your black and white portrait and information to promote your art within this Catalogue, open to all gallery visitors in printed and digital tablet form.
The main focus of this exhibit is to provide significant promotion to the Morro Bay Art Association, established in 1951, and YOU, today’s MBAA Members! MBAA Members are strongly encouraged to participate in this extraordinary event celebrating 70 years! The new “History Wall” display of MBAA will be revealed as part of this celebration.
An opening Vernissage with live music will be held on the Art Center Patio on Saturday, May 29, 2021, 2pm – 5pm.
Artists participating in the MBAA Salon, will be judged by public votes throughout the exhibit, for Best Artist. The best 3 artists will be granted a free one-year MBAA membership for 2022 and featured within one of the upcoming shows.
This exhibit is open to MBAA Members only.
To become an MBAA Member, please visit our website: www.ArtCenterMorroBay.org
ART CENTRAL WANTS TO HELP THE HUNGRY AND LESS FORTUNATE IN OUR COMMUNITY!
We believe no one should go without food or the opportunity to express their creativity!
Art Central has come up with a way to both raise funds for our local food pantries and get art supplies into the hands of children from disadvantaged families. We are asking our community for help.
Click the donate today button to donate $10. 100% of these donations will go to fill our local community food pop-up pantries. Art Central will match each $10 donation with a gift bag of art supplies to be donated to students at Pacheco Elementary School. Our goal is to raise $1000 for the food pantries & 100 gift bags for these students in need.
Jody Lee is a native Californian who recently returned to her home state after many years in New York working as an illustrator in book publishing. Working in oils or acrylics, she continues to do commissioned art for book covers and create works in imaginative realism/fantasy art.
As a glass artist, Jody makes flame-work glass beads for jewelry and murrini for fusing. This means shaping glass rods in a propane and oxygen flame of 1200 degrees into any shapes of her choosing, from tiny birds to ocean inspired hearts. She also sculpts charming little glass animals to go atop trinket boxes, and tiny seascapes reminiscent of local tide pools.
Jody fuses glass plates, ornaments and soap dishes, with American made Bullseye Glass, in ocean inspired colors and a Mid-century Modern look. Jody lives and works in Morro Bay, and she is especially happy to finally live up to the name of her craft business, "a Studio by the Sea."
Jody and her husband are members of the Morro Bay Yacht Club and she has been an MBAA member during the last two years. Jody has very recently stepped into the very important position of managing the MBAA membership database. This is a volunteer position that many of us never think about, yet is extremely important to the daily management of the gallery!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Mixed Media Basics | 5-Week Class with Lisa Agaran
Wednesdays April 21 - May 19
LIVE Online
2:00 - 3:30pm (PDT)
Mixed Media Art is the ideal medium to explore your creative side without the pressure of having to be artistic or create a perfect piece of art. In this live Zoom workshop you will combine acrylic painting, collaging, texturizing and, adhering found objects. You will also learn the basics such as working with acrylic paints & medium, basic color mixing and composition. You will end up with 2 final mixed media pieces by the end of the class. Have fun blending a variety of mediums and techniques to create art that is rich, dimensional & unique. The magic happens when we welcome accidents and mistakes to happen. In this class you are free to discover what organically unfolds. This class is ideal for anyone with little or no prior art experience and is the perfect introduction to mixed media. $95 Non-member $85 Members
Mark Making Workshop -
Developing Your Signature Style with Diane Williams & Chuck Potter
at Art Center Morro Bay
June 18 and 19 10:00am - 4:00pm
Mark making is as distinctive as your fingerprint, adding a personal touch to your painting. Marks can energize a painting, or highlight movement, texture or direction. In this 2-day workshop you will practice abstract acrylic painting techniques that are enhanced by your personal mark making. Feeling stuck or that something personal or dynamic is missing in your painting? This class is designed to help you develop your signature style by identifying your personal and unique marks. We will be exploring a variety of techniques using water soluble pencils, Sumi ink, charcoal, sticks, scrapers, and other mark making tools. We will also use stencils, stamping, special patinas and other applications to create multi-dimensional layering effects adding depth and visual interest. The results are alive, authentic and exhilarating. Unveil the mysteries of abstraction by practicing techniques in form, rhythm and motion. Each student will receive individual instruction and group critique. Learn more here... COST: $225.00 MBAA Members or $235.00 Non Members
Silk Scarf Dying with Sharon Gellerman
at Art Center Morro Bay August 21 10:00am - 1:00pm
During this workshop every student will dye their own unique scarf. Sharon will guide you through the process and techniques used to obtain beautiful patterns and colors within the silk scarf. All materials, tools, and supplies are provided for you. $45.00 MBAA Members $55.00 Non Members All materials are provided and included in the workshop registration fee. Learn more here ...
ONGOING:
* Sketch Club is still happening Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday evenings at 7pm on our Mayr Studio Facebook page. Those are totally free and fun to join in: https://www.facebook.com/MayrStudio
Come join us as Sundays we start with 4 images and sketch for 5 minutes. Then on Tuesday & Thursday we take 2 images each night and work on them for 10 minutes each. Great exercises and getting in the sketching time with friends!
* Monday & Wednesday evenings at 7pm Jason has a show called Master Works on our YouTube channel. This is a great time to sit back, relax and watch as Jason goes through some Master Works to describe how Master painters tackled challenges and handled things through their master works. https://www.youtube.com/user/mayrstudio
* Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings at 8am on our YouTube channel Jason has a free show called Morning Jump Start. Jason works on students work to offer suggestions on how to move forward through their exercises, sketches, paintings etc. It's a great time to learn!: https://www.youtube.com/user/mayrstudio
May 15 10:00am - 11:00am
Create in the comfort and safety of your home guided by a comprehensive how-to instruction sheet. Date and time listed are for curbside kit pickup.
This kit begins with a chat with Joan to select your colors, your theme, baubles and personal photos you'd like to include. Then, she will go through her extensive supplies, send you photos of the supply suggestions and a suggested layout for your approval. Tempered Glass Mosaic Kits $75
Great for beginners!
Succulent Wreaths
May 15 11:00am - 12:00pm
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CREATE AT HOME PROJECT COMPLETE WITH KIT AND HOW-TO INSTRUCTION SHEET AND VIDEO TO GUIDE YOU TO CREATIVE SUCCESS.
Learn how easy it is to create with succulents. Choose from two sizes of round moss wreaths or heart wreaths. Care instructions are provided so your succulent projects thrive for a very long time.
Everything's provided (except garden shears) including beautiful, locally grown succulents, wreath forms and specialty pins, so all you do is sign-up, create and enjoy! Kits $55-65
Sea Glass Wire Wrap Jewelry
May 16, 10:00am - 11:00am
Create in the comfort and safety of your home with this kit featuring local sea glass, a step-by-step instructions sheet and video to guide you to a successful, fun project.
Learn basic wire wrapping to create a lovely necklace and two pierced earrings. All materials are provided including local sea glass, jewelry findings, and jewelry wire except for basic jewelry tools (wire cutters, round nose pliers and flat nose pliers) available for purchase here.
Choose from brown, green or white genuine local sea glass (Joan will contact you about your color selection after purchase.) Kit with Video $35
Sea Glass Coiled Jewelry
May 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Create in the comfort and safety of your home with this kit featuring local sea glass and a step-by-step instructions sheet to guide you to a successful, fun project.
Learn basic wire wrapping techniques plus you'll learn how to add a coil to create a lovely necklace and two pierced earrings. All materials are provided including local sea glass, jewelry findings, and jewelry wire except for basic jewelry tools (wire cutters, round nose pliers and flat nose pliers) available for purchase here.
Choose from brown, green or white genuine local sea glass (Joan will contact you about your color selection after purchase.) Kit with Video $35
Linda Abbott Trapp, Arroyo Grande
Michael Ackerman, San Luis Obispo
Donna Anderson, Morro Bay
Shalu Attri, Mountain View
Louise Baker-Griffiths, Canada
Margaret Bertrand, Los Osos
Pauline Conrad, Morro Bay
Laura Carla Bongiovanni, Italy
Chuck Croster, San Luis Obispo
Lisa Dean, La Verne
Sandra Dower, Minneapolis
Jacque Egger, Los Osos
Kelly Ferguson, Los Osos
Monica Fernandez, Morro Bay
Anne Gresock, Virginia Beach
Abigail Jewell, Atascadero
Denise Johnson, Crescent City
James McDonald, Arroyo Grande
Linda Nystrom, Sunnyvale
Judy Pederson, Scotts Valley
Beryl Reichenberg, San Luis Obispo
Ami Ustry, Oceano
Janet von Freymann, Nipomo
Toni Weber, Morro Bay
Kay Wharton, Morro Bay
Kirsten Wothe, Morro Bay
Debra Zednik, Agua Dulce
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Next Board Meeting is April 20, 2021 12:00 - 3:00pm
