To champion art as essential to life and give our community a creative voice
From the President’s Desk
February begins with a second new window in the Russell Gallery upstairs! There is more light streaming through, and the airflow provided during receptions and warm weather will be welcomed. We've added a new easel in the front window and updated the chairs in the Main Gallery, making for a space that is modern and inviting.
MBAA will open the exhibit, Windows to Other Worlds, featuring artwork representing an international flair. Past President, Flo Bartel, and a group of fellow international travelers will be featured as they exhibit paintings, photography and 3D art from the groups' recent trip to India. This exhibit is open to all artists who wish to enter 2D artwork depicting the people or landscape of other countries. Take-in for this show is Tuesday, February 20, 10am – 2pm.
Sandra Rude will give a demonstration, “A Weaver’s Tools”, February 12, from 3-5pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to see how fabric for scarves, tapestries and other projects are dyed and woven!
Workshops and classes this month include Watercolor Wet and Wild, Greg Tromly’s Pastel Magic, and Jason Mayr’s oil painting class, “Old World Drawing and Painting”. You may register for these events at the gallery or online.
We bid a sad farewell to Dianne Ravin as a board member. We are deeply grateful for the two years she has provided this organization as Gallery Director and volunteer. We hope Dianne will have more time to travel and spend with her family.
Please welcome, Anne Riswold, who will be training to become the Docent Director and Sue Palmer who will be learning the position of Community Outreach Director.
You can make a huge difference! Art Center Morro Bay is completely managed and operated by volunteers! If you have a skill to offer, interested in a specialized position or able to volunteer for a small task, please contact myself, a docent, or board member. The possibilities are endless.
Morro Bay Art Association is proud to present a demonstration of fabric weaving by award winning artist, Sandra Rude.
Sandra Rude’s pursuit of artistic knowledge took her to Handweaver’s Studio in London, England, where she learned to weave. Sandra is a professional weaver who enjoys complex design, richly layered and unusua fabrics, utilizing natural fibers. Read more ...
If you have dreamed of pursuing skills as a weaver or just want to see how these fabrics and stunning tapestries, scarves and other items are made, don’t miss a demonstration by this prestigious weaver.
From the Gallery Dianne Ravin, Gallery Director
Stepping down, but not away…
It’s been a privilege to serve as Gallery Director of the Morro Bay Art Association for the past two years - working alongside our dedicated volunteers, who have so generously contributed their time and talents. I’ve watched the organization grow in extraordinary ways since I first joined the Association, and my time in this position has been a very rewarding experience!
The saying that “life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans” serves as a fitting description of my current circumstances, as family health concerns impact my availability to attend to the position’s responsibilities.
I hope to continue to participate in whatever way is needed and as time and circumstances allow.
Thank you all for your support!
Dianne
For the Birds
January 11 - February 19
For twenty-five years, The Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival has promoted appreciation of birds and an awareness of environmental and conservation issues of the Central Coast, while contributing to the well-being of the Morro Bay community. Each year, the event is sponsored by the Morro Coast Audubon Society in collaboration with California State Parks, the Central Coast State Parks Association and the City of Morro Bay. Art Center Morro Bay honors the Festival each year by presenting “For the Birds” an art exhibit all about birds.
According to the Festival website, the 2018 Winter Bird Festival featured over 130 events including field trips, workshops, and presentations about a variety of habitats, including “deep water pelagic, oak woodland and riparian, wetland and estuary, and the unique grassland habitat of the Carrizo Plain.” Some events were geared toward birding photographers.
The current show, For the Birds, at Art Center Morro Bay, gives the viewer an opportunity to savor and appreciate the birds that live and visit here. The Central Coast is one of the most important flyways in the world, especially in winter.
Birds have attracted the featured artists’ imagination, firing up their creative juices. Upstairs in the Russel Gallery, the colors flow around the space, punctuated by sculptural pieces with a Brancusi vibe. Birds are depicted in flight, at rest, foraging in the marshlands, diving for fish and wheeling in the sky. Downstairs in the Main Gallery, I admired a whole family of owls made as pendants and earrings in the jewelry case. This is a show that really sings!
Article by Sue Nash
Sue Nash is a new member of the Morro Bay Art Association who has lived in Cambria for eighteen years. She taught Art Appreciation at Cuesta College, co- owned a gallery on Maui and written a manuscriptabout Hawaiian petroglyphs. Her work is represented by Hana Coast gallery of Hana, Maui.
For the Birds Reception
Our jovial wine stewards, Travis Newton and Scott Douglass
A good time was had by all at the opening reception
Wildlife Photography Demo
with Brady Cabe Slideshow of SLO county bird varieties
Slideshow of SLO county birds
A full house for Brady's demo
Lucky drawing winner of McCabe 2018 calendar!
January’s demo on Wildlife Photography was a great way to kick off the annual Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival! Multi-faceted photographer, Brady Cabe, specializes in capturing nature at its finest. During the demo, attendees were treated to a slide show which included wonderful photographs of various bird species located on the Central Coast. Brady, a self-professed “bird nerd”, also shared a map which featured locations of prime birding areas within our county. Everyone enjoyed learning about some of the amusing traits and nesting habits of various birds. Tips on lighting, camera settings, and ways to approach wildlife photography, were also shared. The room was packed, setting a record for the number of demo attendees. Every seat in the house was taken! One lucky winner went home with a calendar, each month featuring a photograph by Brady. Photographers and birders alike, thoroughly enjoyed this first demo of the new year!
MBAA Business Art Program
Please welcome Sue Palmer, who will be taking over management of the MBAA Business Art Program! Sue is a new member and an oil painter. She has recently retired from "B Anthony Jeweler's" located in SLO and lives in the Los Osos area. We look forward to working with her and I know you will all give her a warm welcome!
If you are interested in exhibiting and selling your artwork through local businesses or wish to recommend the participation of a local business, please contact Sue Palmer, 805-441-5722 slosuepalmer@gmail.com
Please welcome Anne Riswold who is currently training to become the Docent Director. Anne is a former community college counselor from Los Angeles. She lives in Los Osos, likes to paint with acrylic and enjoys portraiture. Anne will soon be sending out the signupgenious invite for docents to schedule workdays at the gallery. Please give her a warm welcome!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Pastel Magic
with Greg Trombly
February 8, 15, & 22, 2018
1:00 - 4:00pm
Emphasis will be placed on composition, color and value. Greg will begin each workshop with a short demonstration, followed by independent work from personal reference photos and instructor guidance. Students are encouraged to bring a reference photo of a sunset and shoreline for these classes. Learn more here
Exploration of Abstract Painting
with Krista Harris
March 7, 8 and 9, 2018 9:30am - 4:00pm
SOLD OUT!
A waiting list has been established
Mixed Media Collage
with Page Graeber
March 22, 2018 9:00am - 12:30pm
During Page’s workshop, students will learn several techniques to create a stunning collage. Students will start with a firm foundation, add layers of paint, mixed media, and embellishments to set a mood, then complete the piece with a unique finish. Students do not need prior experience, and supplies will be provided. Learn more here.
Joy of Plein Air Landscape Painting
with
Debra Joy Groesser June, 12, 13 & 14, 2018 times varied Nebraska artist Debra Joy Groesser received her BFA degree in art in 1978. Her landscape paintings have garnered national recognition and awards. Being outdoors, whether in her perennial garden, in the mountains or by the sea, provides endless inspiration for her work. Debra’s ability to capture mood, emotion, atmosphere and a sense of place in her work attracts collectors, both private and corporate, worldwide. Prior to the workshop, Debra will give a demonstration, free and open to the public on Monday, June 11, 2018, 3-5pm. This workshop will begin with an indoor class encompassing preparation, use of value and tools. The following 2 days will be held out of doors, on location. Designed for all skill levels. Learn more here.
Portraits in Pastel
with Cuong Nguyen
August 2, 3 & 4, 2018 2:00 - 5:00pm
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. Learn more here.
ONGOING CLASSES
Old World Drawing and Painting
with Jason Mayr
Mondays, 9:00am - 1:00p Beginning February 5, 2018
This bi-monthly oil painting class is a 10 month course, beginning with drawing techniques and progressing through black and white, limited palette to full palette. All levels of ability and experience are welcome. U-Tube video
COST: $35.00 MBAA members or $40.00 for non-members
For a 2018 Course Description visit www.artcentermorrobay.org
Register by contacting Jason Mayr at 805-234-6941 or email: jkmayr@aol.com
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!
Adult Coloring and
Zen Doodle Group
Fridays, 10:00 - 12:00pm
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!
NEW CLASS!!!
Watercolor – Wet and Wild February 8, 15 and 22
9:00am-12:00pm
Art Center Morro Bay is happy to present a new watercolor class, designed for beginner to advanced. Classes will feature various instructors. Shirley Horacek will be the initial presenter,
Shirley will present a project with a wet-on-wet background, enriched with the use of stencils and color sanding. She recommends flowers or plants as a subject matter, however, any subject could be done over a colorful background. You may choose to paint your own current work, or give Shirley's ideas and techniques a try. Bring watercolor paints, watercolor pencils, paper and brushes. Shirley will have some colored pencils and stencils for you to use. This will be an ongoing watercolor class with varied presenters and subject matter. View upcoming class information on our website, www.artcentermorrobay.org
Next Class with Joan Fee Beginner Mosaic Class
Sunday, February 11
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Choose from hearts, planters, rocks, mirrors, necklaces, frames, etc. All projects are super simple and perfect for a beginner. Everything is provided to complete the project. Class fee ranges from $40-$95
Resin Beach Art
Saturday, February 17
10:00am - 12:00pm
Joan Fee provides an assortment of shells, colored glass, an 11” x 14” frame and resin to complete a beautiful custom beach scene. Class fee is $80
Sea Glass Wire Wrap Jewelry
February 17
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Create an amazing necklace and pierced earrings using genuine, local sea glass. All materials are provided including use of tools. No experience necessary. Class fee is $60.
Alcohol Inks PlayTime 11
February 18
1:00pm - 3:00pm
This class is perfect for beginners or those who have taken Joan's previous alcohol ink play time class. In this class you'll use stencils to create five unique, one-of-a-kind cards (includes envelopes), a gorgeous drip technique vase and you'll make five gorgeous heart-shaped ornaments to admire all year
Pre-registration required for all Joan Fee classes http://www.creativemetime.com/
or call Joan at 805-286-5993 To register for any of Joan Fee's classes,click here.
Next Board Meeting is February 13, 2018, 1:30 - 4:30pm
Creativity Day 
Adult Coloring and
