To champion art as essential to life and give our community
a creative voice
From the President’s Desk
While the world continues to grapple with containing Covid-19, the way we typically participate in the arts is changing. Large in-person gatherings are not possible this season, therefore we will be unable to enjoy our much anticipated Board Installation and Holiday Dinner at Windows on the Water. In the meantime, MBAA Board Members are looking into fun alternatives for a holiday celebration that we may be able to participate in, and feel safe.
In the midst of changes, Gail Martin, MBAA Adult Education Director will be passing her baton onto Carla Steinfeld. Please welcome Carla as she jumps right in with helping hands. Gail has brought us stellar workshops, interesting art demonstrations and fun excursions that have been educational and interesting. Everyone who attended these events have enjoyed Gail's attention to every detail and making them feel comfortable. Gail cooked and served a full dinner with dessert as part of her excursion to Field of Light at Sensorio! She brought snacks and beverages and arranged for luncheons during her other excursions to 2 Museums in Solvang and the Chumash Painted Caves. She helped paint accent walls and pedestals gray for a more updated look in the gallery. She can be found during most art exchanges to help artists sign out and has helped generate donations for holiday dinners. More recently, Gail has designed ads, like the new one seen in the upcoming Visitors Guide this Fall. Gail has brought a great perspective and insight to the MBAA Board of Directors and we will miss her. We look forward to working with Gail on future projects like the Morro Bay Plein Air Festival. Gail has created a wonderful website for the event and has worked very hard to help organize this special event. In the meantime, we hope she finds more time to spend with her family, home projects and photography! Thank you Gail for all you do!
The benefit of having art in our lives doesn't have to disappear this season, it just looks different. We can continue to engage culturally and artistically while we weather important mask wearing, social distancing and other measures to prevent the spread of this virus. The current exhibits, Perspectivesand Out on a Whim, offer a combination of mildly seductive and thought provoking sculptures to intriguing and edgy two dimensional art. It’s another great exhibit and visitors are loving it. These exhibits offer lots of great gift ideas for those who would like to get a head start on holiday shopping too!
Art exchange and installation of the current show went smoothly. We owe our thanks to the volunteers who helped make that happen! Thank you: Phillip Lopez, Nancy Sands, Jan French, Carla Steinfeld, Marie Ramey, Debra Lord, Nola Barnick, Bob Rodger, Paula Landis, Carolyn Chambers and Anne Grannis.
Marketing MBAA exhibits and other art events is no small task either! Thank you, Marty Azevedo, Mari O’Brien, Chuck Stup, Carole Truesdale, Flyod Snyder and Michael Costa. We owe a special thank-you to Ronda Le Brane for her tireless efforts marketing the currents exhibits.
Memberships have begun renewing for 2021. Colleen Ray works all year long to ensure that MBAA membership information is entered onto a database and available for office use. This time of year we are especially grateful for her time and efforts. Colleen also helps track volunteer hours. She does an amazing job and we are all grateful!
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.
Patricia Newton
The wellbeing and prosperity of a non-profit organization depends chiefly upon those who organize and manage it. At the very heart of this organization are its managers. Dynamic people such as, MBAA Board Secretary, Janet Hillson!
Although Janet tries to say she’s not an artist, she is very involved with the arts! Janet earned a BA in Art History from Arizona State University, takes art related classes to stay current and dabbled in photography.
Janet has worked at numerous museums including the Jewish Museum in New York, the Phoenix Art Museum where she was the secretary for the curators, later becoming Assistant Registrar, Registrar at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Anna where she organized an exhibition of objects from the forbidden city in China and she was also Registrar for the Permanent Collection at the LA County Museum of Art.
While in China, Janet worked with a translator in the Forbidden City. It was cold and difficult work. The snowy conditions dictated fingerless gloves just to work and write. Janet has said “It was a wonderful and challenging assignment. Beijing is totally different today than now. At that time, there were no cars, just bikes.” At one interesting lunch she attended with administrators of the Chinese Arts, a karaoke machine was brought to the table and they sang songs before returning to work. Janet returned to the U.S. with 350 objects for the exhibition!
Janet also worked in India and Alaska. After settling on the Central Coast, she worked for “Friends of Hearst Castle” where she got to swim in the Neptune pool! She’s been the operations Manager for the Festival Mosaic aka Mozart Festival and for the Santa Maria Philharmonic.
Currently, Janet is Morro Bay Art Association’s Board Secretary. As a trusted Board Officer, her responsibilities are far more than taking the obvious board minutes with great skill and precision! Janet’s varied duties include handling legal documents, corporate records and obtaining special permits and ABC licensing.
Janet can be found sitting the docent desk, painting walls and helping to organizing events such as hosting the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce and local business owners to the Plein Air Festival. She is also the MBAA newsletter editor! No doubt surprised to see this article showing up about herself unexpectedly. Janet’s tireless contributions are many. Whether up front or behind the scenes, she is one of the reasons Art Center Morro Bay hums along smoothly! Thank you Janet for your immeasurable dedication and beautiful spirit!
Gallery Director's Report
Don't miss Larry Le Brane’s exhibit "Out on a Whim," with imaginative sculpture and functional fine craft, September 17-November 2, 2020.
Larry’s collection will include whimsical and unique artwork including his exaggerated stiletto footwear, Day-of-the-Dead sculpture, a car, a fish, glasscapes & popular functional fine craft. His eclectic designs blend a love for manipulating unusual materials, found objects-such as musical instruments, fused glass, drawing, painting, and detailed craftsmanship with a street-wise and academic background.
People ask Larry, why shoes? “My current stiletto creations are suggestive, provocative, curvy forms combined with themes that fulfill flights of footwear fantasies. It’s so fun to watch guests circle around the high heels, trying to figure out “what IS that and WHAT was he thinking of!” One of my favorite reactions was a young kid who pointed at my shoe sculpture and asked, “Hey Mom, is that art?”
Art Center Morro Bay is a board run, membership supported, non-profit organization. This unique gallery and its programs are generally managed by its own membership.
You may be looking to gain knowledge, advance career goals, network with other artists, make new friends or in truth, make the world a better place!
Board members don’t always come along with special skills and are not expected to be donors of money, just time. How much or how little is up to you.
Board members network with other artists within the community. Programs include (youth and adult art education, scholarships and events).
As a board member, you’ll gain a better understanding and deeper appreciation of your organization. Positions include, President, VP, Docent Director, Treasurer, Secretary, Gallery Director, Co-Gallery Director, Adult Education Director, Marketing Director, Membership Director, Hospitality Director and
Community Outreach Director.
In the event you are interested in one of these prestigious positions, you are welcomed and encouraged to submit your name in the upcoming email election nominations.
CALL FOR ARTISTS
The City of San Luis Obispo invites local artists and community members residing in San Luis Obispo County to apply for the following 2020 Public Art Projects:
1) Neighborhood Greenway Public Art
2) Pismo Pedestrian Mural
2020 Public Art is a streetscape showcase for talented local artists and community members to transform pavement into new public artworks, adding to the vibrancy of our cityscape while creating a sense of place and identity. The 2020 Public Art is a great opportunity for “SLOcals” to add their personal touches to the city’s public art collection. Click here for more information ...
Welcome!
Carla Steinfeld Adult Education Director
Hello, my name is Carla Steinfeld and I am a new member of the MBAA. I lived in Los Angeles prior to moving up to Cambria in Nov. 2019. I am a painter using acrylic mediums for many different types of subjects. I currently have two paintings in the "Perspectives" show at the gallery. I began painting when I was 12 years old and I completed 3 semesters of junior college with a fine arts major. I also love Ancient Egyptian culture and I am an expert painter of Egyptian tomb paintings."
Upcoming Workshop
Architecture of Light
with Thomas Schaller
March 19 - 21 9:00 - 4:00
“As an artist, it is light, that is the constant narrative in my work. So when I’m deciding on what it is I wish to paint, I concentrate less on specific objects – places or things – and more on the strength of a strong abstract value composition of darks and lights. A common phrase we often hear is: “Mother Nature is the best teacher” While I agree that real world observation is a crucial skill for the artist, no less so are the lessons to be learned from memory, dreams, and pure invention.” ~ Thomas W. Schaller, AWS, NWS, TWSA.
Mr. Schaller has authored art books, instructional video’s, DVD’s and has been featured in several publications. He is one of the few watercolor artists to be featured in The American Masters Exhibition 2015 at the famed Salmagundi Club in NYC. He received a Graham Foundation Grant and was a two-time recipient of the Hugh Ferris Memorial Prize. In 2017 he was a finalist for the Lynx Prize for Contemporary Art; Trieste. In 2019 he was awarded the Abu Rawash Master Award.
Mr. Schaller is a signature member of many organizations including: American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Northwest Watercolor Society, San Diego Watercolor Society, California Watercolor Association, California Art Club, American Society of Architectural Perspectivists and New York Society of Renderers. He is president emeritus of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators and founding member of the group, North American Watercolor Artists. His work has been included in major exhibitions and collections worldwide.
Hear Tom, in his own voice, talk about how he has evolved as an artist, from his roots growing up on a farm in Ohio, to working as an architectural artist and watercolorist. He also reveals his inspirations, why bridges show up in so many of his works, and how every painting tells a story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I8R_ur9r6M&feature=youtu.be
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Rena's art work from the 2020 Arts Obispo Online Tour will be shared with 3 local arts organizations, including Art Center Morro Bay.
Contributions to the MBAA - Rena Doud Art Scholarship Fund, may also be made directly to Art Center Morro Bay through the donation portal online: MBAA Online Donations or by check made out to MBAA, mailed to:
Art Center Morro Bay
835 Main Street
Morro Bay, CA 93442
When donating online, please include Rena Doud's name in the information box at the top as you checkout. If mailing a check, include Rena's name on the memo portion on your check. You may follow up with Patricia Newton to ensure your gift has been directed to the correct fund.
Patricia's email: artbypatricianewton@gmail.com
Gifted students will be chosen for art scholarships approximately May 1, 2021 and granted by June 1, 2021.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Rena Doud
FACE
Acrylic / Canvas
24" x 24”
Watercolor • Acrylic
As part of the Board's efforts to continue to upgrade and improve our already wonderful gallery, a long-overdue project is about to get underway, with your assistance. The plan is to create a written and photographic History of Art Center Morro Bay. We are hoping that, you, our members, may have vintage photos to share for consideration. Please send any images you may find to artbypatricianewton@gmail.com. Thank you!
ONLINE CLASSES
Jason Mayr
Head Painting Fundamentals
Starts September 14th
New Upcoming Classes - Head Painting Fundamentals with Jason Mayr
Once again we will focus on the structure of the head. Starting with the large simple masses and working our way down to the features. This class is a must for anyone wanting to paint more convincing heads, animals or humans.
Working with a limited palette will allow us to put most of our attention into the structure ie. “drawing”. If you are new to head painting or ready to sharpen your head painting skills this is the class for you.
Major Topics that will be covered:
Form, Edges, Edge Sequences, Focus, Paint Quality, Foreground/Background, Simplification, Major Masses of the Head, Introduction to facial features - Nose, Eyes, Mouth and Ears
Each session of classes meet 6 times via Zoom
(2 Mondays and 4 Fridays) all at 9am.
The cost is $60 a session or $180 for 3 sessions.
To sign up you can comment below, message us or go directly to Jason's Website and video
The Patron Program
The Patron Program is designed to deepen your awareness, sensitivity and enjoyment of Fine Art. A video once a month is sent out taking a look at the masters paintings for insight. Cost is $10 a month https://www.jasonmayr.com/workshop/23391/patron-program
Sea Glass Hammered Metal Jewelry Saturday October 3 & October 18 November 14 and November 28 10:00am - 11:00pm (KIT PICK-UP TIME)
*Please note, this is an at home class: Craft at your own pace from the comfort and safety of your own home using supplies and a video provided by Creative Me Time.
Learn how to drill holes in sea glass, how to harden, strengthen and texturize metal and basic jewelry skills to create a gorgeous jewelry set.
No experience necessary. Everything is provided for the project including drilled local sea glass, 3 jewelry tools, metal, steel bench block, jewelry hammer and jewelry findings.
COST: $50.00 - $80.00 (Kit and how-to video)
Resin Workshop – Choose Your Project
Saturday, October 3 and November 14
10:00 – 11:00 (Kit Pick-up)
*Please note, this is an at home class: Craft at your own pace from the comfort and safety of your own home using supplies and a video provided by Creative Me Time.
Choose from a beach scene in an 11" x 14" frame, two resin necklaces, a memory box, beach inspired cutting or cheese board. Photos of projects and pricing are at www.CreativeMeTime.com
Cost:Various
Everything is provided to complete the project. Preregistration is required at www.CreativeMeTime.com or by calling 805-286-5993.
Succulents - Choose Your Projects Sunday, October 4
10:00am - 11:00am
*PLEASE NOTE: This is an at home class - everything is included to complete the project of your choice (except the succulent pumpkins) and a how-to video is provided so you can create at your leisure in the comfort and safety of your home.
Choose from two sizes of round wreaths, heart wreath, square wreath or a succulent pumpkin.
COST: Various
Kits are to be picked up at Art Center Morro Bay
835 Main Street, Morro Bay
Classes & Workshops
The Architecture of Light with Thomas Schaller
March 2021
Known for his “Architecture of Light” and with over one million followers, he has long been considered one of the foremost architectural artists in the world. In the field, he has won every major award for his artwork - including being a two-time recipient of the Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize.
In several days of demonstrations and discussion, along with a 3-day workshop, we will explore both the genesis and the completion of paintings in watercolor that are strong, clear, communicative, and that speak with your own authentic artistic voice. Skill Level Required: Intermediate to Advanced. Cost: $425 members/$450 non members
October 2020 Newsletter
