To champion art as essential to life and give our community
a creative voice
From the President’s Desk
Last month, many of us were busy planning the inaugural Morro Bay Plein Air Festival, among other great classes, demos and workshops.
Little did we know how Covid-19, would change our lives and impact daily operations at the gallery so dramatically, and at such a fast pace!
For the safety of our artists, docents and customers, the MBAA Board of Directors worked quickly to suspend art programs and close the gallery. At this time, provisions have been made to ensure that necessary bills are paid, nonessential services and advertising suspended and student art scholarship applications addressed. While the gallery has been closed, roof maintenance has also been completed.
THERE WILL NOT BE AN ART EXCHANGE THIS TUESDAY, MARCH 31st. As of this writing, it's looking like we may be asked to shelter in place for another 30 days.
Before the gallery reopens, the 2020 exhibit calendar will be modified. An eblast will be sent out, allowing plenty of preparation time for the next art exchange, with a show description. Some of you are wondering about the May, Art in the Park. Only time will tell. Please bare with us as we adjust to the situation! Updated scheduling will be reflected on the website as soon as possible.
This is an extraordinary time. Hope you're all working on art and other fun projects! Please stay healthy and safe.
Patricia Newton
GAIL MARTIN
Gail is so much more than her elected board position of Adult Education Director. Dedicated, thorough, caring and creative are just a few of the adjectives one could use to describe Gail. She organizes and arranges all of the Gallery’s excursions such as the fun trip to the Carrizo Plains, a bus ride to Paso Robles to see the incredible Field of Light installation and the most recent day trip to Solvang and Lompoc. Gail serves not only as the event coordinator for these trips, but she acts as hostess, baking muffins, making sandwiches, bringing beverages for everyone and even catering the dinner prior to the Field of Light trip. Gail coordinates all of the yearly workshops, bringing in nationally and internationally renowned artists to our small community and she organizes each of the monthly Monday afternoon demonstrations. She maintains the activity room calendar, updates gallery forms and tracks workshop participants. She videotapes the gallery exhibitions and posts them to the Gallery’s Yotube channel. Did you know we had a Youtube Channel? Gail executes all of her duties with professionalism and much enthusiasm! Chances are if you stop in the gallery any day, Gail will be there to follow up on a workshop question, or to set-up tables and chairs for an event, or just to chat with the docent on duty, or to submit her own artwork for exhibition.
Gail is a past President of the Tehachapi Valley Art Association, and she ran her own art gallery for a time.
Thank you Gail for ALL you do!
Armchair Museum-going
Do you miss stopping in at Art Center Morro Bay to check out the latest Square Art pieces, or to engage with other artists at receptions, or just have a friendly chat with one of our awesome docents? Well, we miss all of those social interactions as well. If you find yourself with some time at home right now, here is a link which will virtually take you to view the collections of some of the world's greatest museums. Perhaps you will be inspired to create your own masterpieces. Enjoy! Hope to see you soon.
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
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We're trying to break down volunteer positions into jobs that take less time per person.
We have an immediate need for the following positions:
Treasury Volunteers:
Bank deposits: Up to 6 hours per week.
Treasury Data Entry: Up to 6 hours per week
Financial Reports/Board position: 12 - 20 hours per week
Marketing Volunteers:
Volunteer from home!
Input information to websites
send out monthly email
organize local newspaper releases
Wish to volunteer but limited on time? MBAA needs volunteers to work from home! We need volunteers to help market MBAA events. Work at your own pace, during the time of day or evening that works best for you. Training is provided.
If you're interested in taking one or more of these volunteer positions, please contact Patricia Newton at artbypatricianewton@gmail.com or 805-423-1100
CHILDREN’S ART CLASSES
POSTPONED
Elements of Art - Lines April 4
K-2nd Graders 9am-12pm
3rd-6th Graders 1pm – 4pm
COST: $20.00 per session
Morro Bay Art Association is proud to present Meet Jackson Pollackin an ongoing art series, Meet the Masters, with elementary school teacher, Mandy Covish. This series of art classes is designed to introduce youngsters to famous artists and their technics. Students will learn about the Element of LINE in Art. They will create Line Self Portraits, Abstract Line Sculptures, and Line Monsters! Register here.
Alas, the art community has lost a dear member.
Rena has been a huge part of the art community as well as Art Center Morro Bay for a number of years. She will be deeply missed!
The family has asked us to share that there will be no funeral services, but rather a charitable art event will be held in her honor sometime later this year.
Please visit the website www.renadoud.com for further information.
Call for Artist - Pier Plaza Restroom Tile Mural
Attached please find the Call for Artists for the Pier Plaza Tile Art Mural Project, Pismo Beach. The mural is to be installed on the end-facing wall of the new Pier Plaza restroom yet to be constructed.
You will find details of the Call to Artist included in the attachment as well as architectural drawings of the site plan and the restroom building elevations.
feel free to share this call for artists with any interested parties.
submit as many designs in the first round as you wish for consideration.
On behalf of the Pismo Beach Parks, Recreation and Beautification Commission, I hope you decide to participate in our call for a tile/mosaic art mural that will become an iconic emblem of Pismo Beach.
Thank you,
Sandra Gore Nielsen
PRBC, Pismo Beach Attached please find the Call for Artists for the Shell Beach School Utility Box Project, Pismo Beach.
The San Luis Obispo County Arts Council
1123 Mill Street
SLO CA 93401
April Demo
Folding Oragami Animals
with Gail Martin
Charge up your computer, your IPad or your phone, grab some sheets of paper, and follow along as Gail Martin teaches us how to create oragami animals.
Click here to socially distance from Gail and learn a fun new craft.
ONGOING CLASSES
POSTPONED
Oil Painting Classes
with Jason Mayr
Mondays, 9:00am - 1:00p
All levels welcome to this twice a month Oil Painting class with Jason Mayr.
Reference material will be provided if needed. We will focus on growing our awareness, understanding & sensitivity which naturally improves our skill & proficiency. Classes meet on the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month from 9am - 1pm.
Classes are $40 each which includes access to a video library and lesson.
Supply lists are available online.
WHAT: Oil Painting Classes with Jason Mayr
WHERE: Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main Street, Morro Bay, CA
WHEN: 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month, 9am - 1pm
COST: $40. each
REGISTER: https://jasonmayr.com/workshop/23392/apprentice-program or call Cindy Mayr at (805) 234-6940.
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!
March Demo
Gypsy Junk and Vintage Journals with Colleen Ray
Beautiful vintage papers, lace, ribbons, ephemera from long ago, pockets, trinkets, and velum were just a few of the wonderful things that went into Colleen Ray’s Gypsy and Vintage Junk Journals.
In this demo, Colleen not only demonstrated how to make a journal, she had beautiful examples of other works as well. Colleen presented to a packed activities room and everyone was thrilled to see the many variations and styles found in these journal treasures. She explained that some of the first journals were carpet bagger journals, bohemian journals, and journals made from oriental carpets. She explained different bindings; glued to the spine, away from the spine and corset bindings as well as ways in which to utilize old books for bindings.
Colleen’s journal was bound away from the spine with a front and back pocket, ribbon, and lace cover. Everyone in attendance received instructions to make their own.
Nancy Shum was the lucky winner of the door prize where she was able to choose the journal of her choice.
Plein Air Still Life and Landscape April 14 - 15
9:00am - 5:00pm
with Guido Frick
During this workshop, Guido will teach you how to interpret and translate what you are seeing to a canvas and develop your own artistic language. He will discuss the use of colors, values, mood, drama and atmosphere while painting outdoors. Read more ...
COST: $385.00 MBAA Members / $405.00 Non-Members
Join Guido Frick for a free demonstration, Monday, April 13 3:00 pm-5:00pm
Mark Making-Developing Your Signature Style in Abstract Painting June 19 - 20
10:00am - 4:00pm
with Diane Williams & Chuck Potter
Venture with us into the realm of self-expression by identifying your own unique style. 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. Learn more ...
COST: $225. 00 MBAA Members / $235.00 Non-Members
Portraits in Pastel July 17 - 19
10:00am - 5:00pm
with Cuong Nguyen
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. Read more ...
COST: $400. 00 MBAA Members / $425. 00 Non-Members
Katy Smith, Santa Maria
Heather Vowell, Atascadero
Linda Cordes, Los Osos
Rachel Lee, Orcutt
William Kenyon, Los Osos
Richard William Newton, Atherton
Virginia, LaSalle, Grover Beach
Wilie Guillermo< Los Osos
Gail Plater, Indianapolis, IN
Marilyn Grizell, San Luis Obispo
Karen Surbeck, Los Osos
Randy Peterson, Grover Beach
Jim Trask, Arroyo Grande
Nancy Chromy, San Luis Obispo
Melodie Jordon, Atascadero
Bill Weiner, San Luis Obispo
Terry Green, San Luis Obispo
Chuck Uebele, Pismo Beach
Riad Kaoud, Atascadero
Nancy Kashanski, Simi Valley
Peter Gullerud, Taft
Susan & Greg Bistline, Morro Bay
Priscilla White, Templeton
Janet Cunningham, Los Osos
April 2020 Newsletter
Creativity Day 
Adult Coloring and
