To champion art as essential to life and give our community
a creative voice
From the President’s Desk
As board members, we’re always striving to offer plenty of opportunities for you as artists. With your support and participation, we hope to continue providing great events in the future. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcomed.
For those who wish to sign-up for the PAINT OUT and/or QUICK DRAW, you’ll want to register NO LATER THAN MARCH 7, to get yourself into the brochure! Don’t forget, artists may place ads in this brochure at a reasonable rate. Otherwise, you may sign-up, right to the last day. These booklets will go out to local businesses around town before the event. All registered artists will be given a copy in their swag bag.
For members who wish to volunteer during the Morro Bay Plein Air Festival, watch for the signupgenius in your email. Festival volunteers will be allowed to enter the VIP party free of charge and encouraged to attend a short training session before the event.
Our next show, Perspectives is open to all members in the Main Gallery, downstairs. This show take-in may be limited due to space availability. Exchange day is Tuesday, March 31, 10am -2pm. Lately we've had a few artists bringing in gicleé on canvas. Painters, please remember that we accept original artwork only, no gicleé on canvas please. Printed photos are considered original.
Let's get ready for the upcoming show, Beyond the Sea! This show will be throughout the entire gallery. This show can take large and small works, is open to all artists, painters to photographers. We're looking for 2D and 3D pieces made out of plastic trash. This trash eventually finds it's way into our oceans and drinking water! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYrTcRzeIOQ
A special thanks to Bob Rodgers for building a new storage/file cabinet! It has a sleek, contemporary style with gray tones and built-in slots for keeping paperwork and packing materials stored neatly away. Thank you Bob! This functional piece of furniture is just what we needed!
Patricia Newton
Etty Pacifico
Seeing a need for a knowledgeably staffed, community-oriented art supply store in San Luis Obispo, local artist Etty Pacifico opened Art Central in 2011.
Etty is an accomplished painter who secretly loves glittery, shiny things. (She thinks she may have been a magpie in her previous life.) As such, the store has accumulated more diverse products over the years and boasts an impressive array of well-known (and not so well-known) art materials. And, Art Central is happy to order anything for a customer that isn't already in stock.
Art Central strives is to be far more than just an art supply store. Expanding its schedule of workshops and demonstrations by local artists and instructors, it has become a place in the community for those that wish to expand, refine and combine their artistic experiences— realizing Etty’s vision!
Etty is a long time supporter of our Gallery. She often holds fundraisers at her store with all proceeds going towards the scholarships Morro Bay Art Association offers local schools and Etty is one of the largest supporters of the inaugural Morro Bay Plein Air Festival. Thank you Etty! Check out all Art Central has to offer here.
From the Gallery Director
Our Gallery Director is out of the country visiting family. We hope Barbara is enjoying her time with family and friends in Prague!
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
The People’s Choice Award, in conjunction with For the Birds, is a tie vote for, " Bird Watching", by David Martin and "Embellishment" by Barbara Kosanke. Both pieces received the most votes during this popular exhibit.
People’s Choice Award winners are allowed to enter a future show with all entry fees waived. Congratulations David and Barbara!
SQUARE ART SHOP UPDATE Call for artists to participate!
We have launched a new, year round display and selling platform within the gallery. The soft launch proved the idea to be a success. Many of you created pieces for the first display and we sold a few pieces as well. We adjusted prices with feedback from artists, MBAA board and customers. I would like to encourage more artists to participate and create square sizes at the fixed prices. It's a nice way to create quick little works that sell faster. We noticed almost every visitor stops to examine the Square Art wall first upon entering the gallery. I would like to see participants get to the point of creating an ongoing series of artwork in support of “collectors of the square art”.
This project has a strong presence and diversity. It's eye-catching display is aimed toward the increasing international visitors, local tourism and 2020 summer season.
I would also like to encourage more works from photographers and 3D multimedia artists.
Square Art Shop Details:
- The Square Art theme is anything that defines the local vibe and spirit. It's open and free, but should be considered according to size, labor and attractiveness to sell.
- Artworks accepted by the curator will be temporarily stored before the exhibit is changed out, replaced or returned.
- Canvas or wood panels must be unframed and fully covered or painted on all sides. - 3D art can be mounted into the reverse side (box) of the cradled panel.
- Take-in is during Demo days or by appointment.
- Panels are available to purchase in the gallery or upon appointment.
- No take-in fee for MBAA Members!
- Commission: 25% of all sales.
- Display time is 2 months or longer by curator’s decision.
- Up to 3 Square Artworks may be submitted at one time
Project requirements:
- Unframed canvas or cradled wood panel 1.5 inch deep.
- Sizes, 6×6 $45; 8×8 $80; 10×10 $100; 12×12 $145. Prices are size-fixed.
- Artwork wired on the back.
- All media accepted.
- Submitted artwork accompanied with a take in sheet for Square Art.
For an appointment or more information contact the curator, Barbara Sitar, email: bsitar66@gmail.com or phone: (617) 320-2956.
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
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
TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
2020 is here! Your membership dollars keep the gallery doors open, provide for scholarships, children's art classes, free community demos and more.
Click here and renew your membership for 2020 now!
CHILDREN’S ART CLASSES
Elements of Color
March 7
K-2nd Graders 9am-12pm
3rd-6th Graders 1pm – 4pm
COST: $20.00 per session
Morro Bay Art Association is proud to present Elements of Art/Color in an ongoing art series, with elementary school teacher, Mandy Covish.
Mandy 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.
Students will learn about the Primary Colors and the Color Wheel. Students will be using acrylic paints, wax crayons, canvas, and oil pastels in this workshop. Read more ...
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.
Aquarius 2020
Watercolor Society
Dianne Johnston, Aquarius Show Chair, Jerry Smith, President and Mari O’Brien, Marketing.
The Central Coast Watercolor Society is proud to present Aquarius, a Pacific regional water media exhibition hosted by Morro Bay Art Association.
This juried event, is an assembly of some of the finest contemporary artworks of the West Coast.
Sunny Fields!
February 20
Our excursion to Solvang truly lived up to its name of Sunny Fields.
With beautiful weather we made great time to our first destination, the Elverhoj Museum. Our tour director, Kristen, lead us through the traditional home featuring art not only on the walls but in the construction, and fenestration throughout the beautiful Danish Farmhouse. Kristen’s lilting Danish accent added to the delightful experience.
From the Elverhoj Museum of Art and History, we boarded our bus and went into the heart of Solvang to explore, eat lunch and purchase sweets to bring home.
With a simple walk in perfect weather we met at the Wildling Museum of Art & Nature to see the spectacular exhibit on the first floor: Starry Nights: Visions of the Night Sky which will be on display from February 1 – June 15, 2020.
This exhibit encompassed night photography, photography captured by Goleta’s Las Cumbres Observatory telescope, nocturn paintings in all mediums, and digital video of the Aroura Borealis – Northern Lights. On the second floor was an inspiring collection of photography. Two very large pieces, by George Rose, taken at the same location were displayed, one just after the Santa Barbara fires and the other one, the same location, at recovery from the fire… very poignant. Then on to the third floor we trekked, where the art of 7th graders lined the walls. It was exciting to see the incredible talent of these young artists; knowing that their art will be the art of the future.
Finally, we all sat back and enjoyed the ride home on the bus. No driving, just reminiscing with our new friends about the wonderful day we just had.
Deb Piazza, Beate Amler, and John Martin at the Wilding Museum
Our group at the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art
The DANA Cultural Center will be hosting a gallery show in April with the theme “All About Trees”. To expand the show and create an opportunity to exhibit with renowned painters, local artists are invited to submit, 1 tree painting completed in 2019 or 2020, to a juried selection process. There will be 20-25 paintings selected for this show, depending on exhibit space.
Submitted entries must be paintings of trees and may be any painting medium.
Email digital images to DANAsubmissions@danaadobe.org. Format must be JPG, at least 300 dpi but not to exceed 8MB. Each file shall be named with the artist’s Last Name, First name and title of the work. Entry form, digital submission, and fee must be received by 3 pm, Friday, March 20, 2020.
March Demo
Gypsy Junk and Vintage Journals with Colleen Ray
March 9
3:00pm - 5:00pm
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
A junk journal is typically made with craft supplies, recycled paper, junk mail and found materials. A vintage junk journal is made with items from bygone eras, or made to look like they are by applying aging techniques. Vintage journals are often created around a theme and filled with visual and tactile interest as opposed to stark, blank pages. The splashes of color, texture, pockets and tuck spots are filled with ephemera and create an inviting place to journal or draw, or stash things away.
Colleen will demonstrate how to make a simple folio style journal with vintage appeal that participants can easily make at home to use as a travel journal, a gardening journal, an affirmations journal, or art journal.
Join Colleen Ray as she shares these unique and wonderful journals. Each one, a work of art, and as distinctive and one-of-a-kind as its maker.
ONGOING CLASSES
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!
FEBRUARY DEMO
The Healing Power of Art with Anne Gill Kellogg
In February’s demo, Anne Gill Kellogg led us into discovery and healing. Allowing us to reach outward and inward; unblocking the flow of energy through the healing power of art. She started with a slide presentation of pictures made by children and adults facing and overcoming tragedy here and abroad. Whether it was war surrounding them or personal heartbreak; the artwork and journaling process gave way to a means of coping and releasing calamity and fear.
Anne said that “time disappears when you make art.” Our time sure did. Everyone was given the tools to make their own healing journal page and many shared what they had made and how it was helpful to them at the end of the demo. There were a few tears and many hugs as we closed the demo with the raffle of a beautiful painting depicting healing and compassion.
Anne shared a large mural collaboration done by Betty Field Halley and herself during the escalation of the Iraq war shedding light on the suffering it caused. She will leave it up in the activity room for several days.
The winner of the raffle prize was Judilynn Duba.
Our next demo will be on March 9th, where we will learn how to put together a vintage junk journal.
The Inaugural Morro Bay Plein Air Festival welcomes painters and visitors to Morro Bay to capture and explore the town’s charming downtown, Embarcadero, ocean views, bay, harbor scenery, and surrounding mountain vistas.
Artists from around the country will gather for a plein air demonstration, workshop, Paint Out, Quick Draw competition, VIP Party, Live and Silent art auctions, awards, door prizes and special “meet and greet” with international plein air artist, Guido Frick.
Visitors will find painters at several on site locations around the city with the help of a brochure guide to watch, as their paintings take shape. Then, painters and visitors head to the Inn at Morro Bay for a Quick Draw competition, Live and Silent Auctions.
This Festival is made possible by Morro Bay Art Association, Morro Bay Tourism, and Inn at Morro Bay. Along with a host of sponsors who support our community and the Arts. Please visit the sponsors found in our Plein Air Festival Brochure.
The Morro Bay Plein Air Festival is open to emerging to professional artists of all skill levels. We invite the public to watch the art evolve before their eyes, to participate in the evening activities and to purchase beautiful wet paint art pieces in Silent and Live Auction fun.
4-Day Schedule: April 13
3:00pm-5:00pm Free Plein Air Demonstration @ Art Center Morro Bay
April 16
8:00am-2:00pm Paint Out Various Morro Bay Locations listed
April 16
5:00pm-7:00pm Quick Draw @ Inn at Morro Bay
April 16
4:00pm-8:30pm VIP Party, Awards and Auction @Inn at Morro Bay
Participate in one event or all events. The choice is yours!
Click here for detailed information and to register!!
Plein Air Festival
Advertising Opportunity for Artists
The Plein Air Festivalbrochure is a great oppourtunity to get your artwork noticed while supporting this inaugrual event. We are offering a special rate for MBAA members to place an advertisement in the brochure, of which 500 will be produced.
SPECIAL RATE FOR MBAA MEMBERS: 1/4 PAGE $30.00 1/2 PAGE $60.00 FULL PAGE $100.00
Please email your 300 dpi jpeg ads to Janet Hillson: janethillson@hotmail.com
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
Elaine Mason, Los Osos
Susan and Greg Bistline, Morro Bay
Priscilla White, Templeton
Rick Rivadeneyra, Paso Robles
Rebecca McFarland, Los Osos
Judy Stokely, Cambria
Gail Lipton, Morro Bay
Next Board Meeting is March 23, 2020 12:00 - 3:00pm
March 2020 Newsletter
Creativity Day 
Adult Coloring and
