22nd Annual Art Under the Oaks Celebration
Saturday & Sunday, July 12 & 13, 2008, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Alden Lane Nursery (corner of Holmes and Alden Lane, Livermore)

One of the favorite local art shows, this event takes place in a beautiful nursery setting at Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore, CA. The event combines art, food and live music under the beautiful oak canopy of Alden Lane. Over 40 local artists will display art for sale, offering an array of paintings, prints, pottery, jewelry, baskets, fiber arts and photography.

This year features a special memorial to the nursery's iconic 400 year old oak tree, which was toppled by a strong storm earlier this year. Dozens of artists have taken pieces of its wood and transformed them into a unique collection of artwork, which will be on display. (Pictured at right is a photo of David Goosman's wood turnings from this tree.)

Other activities include fruit tasting and face painting for children. There will be wines from local vineyards, food by Sweet & Savory, and door prizes.

Admission to the show is free. Overflow parking will be available at Sunset Plaza, at the corner of Concannon & Holmes. There is a free shuttle to the nursery. For more information go to www.aldenlane.com or call 925-449-9927.

Art in Carnegie Park
August 2, 2008

LAA artists will be selling their work and demonstrating. Live music! A wonderful family day. This event takes place in Carnegie Park between 3rd and 4th St. in Livermore, CA.

The Running of the Cows Race and Art Display:
Help Decorate a Cow!
Deadline: August 5

Tricia Leonard is looking for paintings or photo-copies of paintings to paste/collage onto a "cow" for The Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society, benefiting the Alviso Adobe Community Park and Museum on Main. The theme for the cow will be the landscapes of the tri-valley area. You will not be getting your art work back, the art work is going to be glued onto the cow, so you can donate some of your 'unresolved' paintings or make some photo copies of your 'winners.' You can contact Tricia at tricialeonard@comcast.net.

The cow that Tricia is decorating is for The Running of the Cows Race and Art Display on September 20, 2008. Decorated plywood cows will be raced downdown St. Mary Street on September 20 during the Pleasanton Downtown Association Art & Heritage Celebration. This event is in conjunction with The Udderly Divine Bovine Event on Saturday, October 4, 2008.

For more information visit the Events page of the Museum on Main's website at www.museumonmain.org/events.html.

Help with Firehouse Funding and
Cut Down on Plastic and Paper Bags

Heavy-weight fabric bags are being sold to benefit the Firehouse Arts Center Project in Pleasanton, CA. These bags are handy and have no logos. They are $4.99 each or 5 for $20.00. All proceeds from sales will go to the Firehouse Arts Center Project. Bags are available at The Berry Patch on W. Angela in Pleasanton. For information call 925-989-4113.  

PAL & LAA General Meeting for September
Potluck Event
Monday, Spetember 15, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
3333 East Ruby Hill Dr., Pleasanton, CA

Heidi Mann has graciously offered her home for this event (to replace Ravenswood). Directions and more information will be included in the September Portfolio. You will be asked to RSVP Angela Johal at angelajohaldesigns@yahoo.com or at 925-371-7777.

The Art Crit & Coffee Group
Friday Mornings, 10:00 AM

The Art Crit & Coffee Group was started by Sally Haig for members of PAL, and has been chugging along since early May 2007. People find it very helpful to get feedback from fellow artists. As one artist put it, when you ask a non-artist to critique a painting, they usually just say, "that looks nice."

The group meets at Tully's Coffee, at 349 Main Street, Pleasanton, CA, Friday mornings at 10:00 AM, and they usually hang out until about 11:30 AM, give or take. Some artists bring a painting that they are 'stuck' on, i.e., they know something isn't working but they aren't sure what. People often bring back the revised painting to show how they improved it.

Notes are exchanged on art shows to go see, opportunities to hang work, marketing work and tips on using our various materials. The artists in the group work in watercolor, acrylic, oil and pastels. They're a friendly bunch and welcome newcomers. There is no fee involved; this is free, though you might want to buy a cup of coffee from Tully's or a bite from the bakery. All levels of skill are welcome.