News
PAL’s Eric Jacobsen Plein Air Workshop
The group’s plein air locations were Pleasanton’s Civic Park and the Adobe.
PAL President, Beth Okurowski, shares two of her oil paintings from our recent PAL workshop with renowned artist, Eric Jacobsen.
PAL Awards to Las Positas College Spring Art Festival
To promote interest in the arts and to support art programs in our own community, the Pleasanton Art League awarded$1,000 to a local student art program in 2019. As part of our long-standing relationship with Las Positas College in Livermore, $1,000 in prizes was awarded to the show winners.
The winners are:
- Cameron Songey, “Kendrick”, Charcoal
- Sholeh Abbaspour, “Rusted Door”, W/C
- Kris Woo, “Big Sky Over Red Light”, Acrylic
- Brianna Sobrero, “Pilots” – Ink
- Kelly Thielen, “Baby Blues”, Graphite
It is our hope that these talented artists will be encouraged to continue their pursuit of an art degree, to keep striving to better their skills, and to eventually help strengthen the arts in their own communities. We wish the artists all the very best in their future endeavors.
A big thank you to David Wagner for steering this event. I am extremely grateful to Beth Okurowski & Lisa Rigge for guiding me through the entire process of this incredibly rewarding experience. I have enjoyed every bit of it, and can’t wait to plan and execute the program for next year!
Meghana Mitragotri,
PAL Scholarship Chairperson
Nirmitee Art School Judging and Demo
PAL/LAA member, Beth Okurowski was invited to judge an annual children’s art show and demo for the students of Nirmitee Art School in Pleasanton, owned by founder Rekha Joshi. Beth stated, “These young artists are passionate about creating art. They had so many good questions about what I was doing on the canvas! We are lucky to live in a community where parents are serious about their kid’s art education.”
Rekha conducts art exhibitions for her students twice a year in the bay area where almost 200 students participate. Rekha is a member of the Pleasanton Art League, Livermore Art Association, and PCAC. She was chairperson for the Pleasanton PTA’s district Reflection Art Program for two years and helped to coordinate that program in Pleasanton schools to promote art and culture. For more information about the Nirmitee Art Achool, to go www.yelp.com/biz/ nirmitee-arts-and-tutoring-center-pleasanton.
Linda Hopwood congratulating Linda Beach on her winning entry.
Alviso Adobe Show 2019
PAL’s Annual Alviso Adobe Art Show was held March 1, 2 and 3 at the Alviso Adobe Community Park in Pleasanton.
Note from Linda Hopwood – PAL Chair for the Alviso Adobe Show
“I wish to thank all the artists and volunteers that contributed to a very successful art show at the Alviso Adobe Community Park in March 2019. There were 90 pieces of art and 43 artists this year versus 74 pieces and 30 artists in the 2018 show.
Without all the generous volunteers, this show is not possible. I wish to give a special “thank you” to:
- The Set up Crew – Ron Rigge, John Trimingham and Bill Potter
- Publicity Team – Lorraine Wells, Marion Huff, Norma Webb, Gene Gracey, and Facebook team of Linda G & Usha Shukla
- Reception Crew – Andrea Myers, Vivi Leon, Lisa Rigge
- This year, for the first time, Scout Venturers from Crew 937 volunteered to assist us during the paintings’ sign-out period and with Gallery tear-down. We were all very lucky to have such an able team and we greatly appreciate their help.
- Our Supporters – Shakeeb Rashidi, of Way Up Art & Frame, who donated $100 worth of prizes
Martha Cerda and Nick Carozza of the Alviso Adobe staff who were so very helpful and generous with their time. - The Pleasanton Parks District, which allows us to hold this event at the beautiful and historic setting of the Alviso Adobe .
- I hope that next year, with your help and participation, we have another good show and cooperative weather.”
Awards for PAL’s Alviso Adobe Art Show
Awards of Excellence ($200)
- Linda Beach – Bodega Coast – Oil
- Karen Barry – Viva Frida – Woodcut
- Christine Bourg -Sea Turtle – Pastel
Honorable Mention ($50)
- Viviana Leon -Hands of Love – Graphite/Color Pencil
- Norma Webb -Morning Fog – Oil
- Amy Leung -Ready to Play – Oil
Recognition ($20 Gift Certificate to Way Up Art & Frame)
- Linda Garbarino – Rachel’s Sister – Pastel
- Desiree Skatvold – Wander with Me – Photography
- Rekha Joshi – Fall Colors – Acrylic
- Meghana Mitragotri – Violas – Watercolor
- Martha Fotopulos – Tip of Tilt – Acryl
Sales
- Linda Hopwood – Little Birds Drinking – Graphite Colored Pencil
10th Annual Members’ Art Show
The Tenth Annual Members’ Art Show was kicked off with an Artist’s Reception in the Firehouse’s Harrington Gallery Thursday evening, November 8 – theme this year “Hues and Textures.” Jean Vodden, artist and instructor in watercolor and oils judged the show.
Show Chair Pat Smith’s report: “Another successful show at the Firehouse Art’s Center–all due to the 83 wonderful pieces of art work and the many artists who helped at receiving, the reception and volunteered to work at the Gallery during the show. I personally will attest to the fact that “many hands make a light load”. Thank you; you are all an amazing group to work with and you make this show. Show ran until December 15.
Our Judge, Jeanne Vodden, was very impressed with the show and made the following remark “Congratulations to all the artists who entered. It was a privilege to judge and view your work. And congratulations to all the award winners”.”
George Garbarino, PAL President, presented awards to the many talented winners.
Charles Sediak provided music. Thanks to Julie Finegan, Visual Arts Coordinator, Harrington Gallery. Thanks to Pat Smith, Show chair, and to Lynda Briggs and Dorothy Maestas who organized refreshments. Thank you Linda Garbarino for the wonderful pictures.
Member’s Show Merit Awards:
- Peggy Magovern, “Carol”
- Marna McEnery, “Speak Out”
- Bill Potter, “Structured White”
- Ron Rigge, “Rust”
- Ranjini Venkatachari, “Hatsukoi – First Love”
Member’s Show Honorable Mentions:
- Marge Barta Atkins, “Hidden Figures”
- Lynda Briggs, “Cricket”
- Alan Yu Fong, “Abstract #1”
- Linda Gardarino, “Heading Home”
- Michelle Hou, “Enchantment”
- Jen Huber, “The Ice Berg”
- Rekha Joshi, “Nature”
- Larry Lagin, “B.K. Ride in S.F.”
- Loreta Landucci, “Side Kicks”
- Jan Loomis, “Untitled”
- Anuradha Rajkumari, “Rocky Land”
- Carolyn Rowe, “Birch Bark”
- Shoba Sivakolundu, “Lisbon: A Street Scene”
- Joanne Spurr, “Magical Moment”
- Norma Webb, “Toward Evening”
PAL’s Paint Pleasanton 2018
The Pleasanton Art League hosted its first competitive Plein-Air Competition the weekend of September 21st – 23rd titled “Paint Pleasanton 2018”, in front of the Museum on Main Street. Artists from Fremont to Benicia were invited to participate. Fifteen artists positioned themselves around town, painting many of our historic old buildings. Favorites were the Museum on Main Street, Kottinger’s Barn, the old gas station on Main Street, Gay Nineties Pizza, the old trees lining the walkway in front of the City Library, the Lighthouse Church, a home on Neal Street, the new Cubby dog park, Pleasanton Jewelers, and the Pleasanton Ridge to name a few.
The quality of the work was impressive.Three works were sold: “Lighthouse Church” by Dennis Baker, “Classical Gas” by Michelle George and“Neal Street” by Nancy Roberts.Mark Mertens (judge) awarded First Place to Maureen Morley for her watercolor “Museum on Main Street”. Second Place went to Beth Okurowski for her oil painting of the Museum on Main Street. Beth, a PAL BOD member, graciously asked that the award be passed on to another painter. Her award was given to Alka Vaidya for “Top of the World”, and Honorable Mention was awarded to Sara Braun for“Dog Park”.
A big thank you goes out to our volunteers: Shoba Sivakilundu, Alka Vaidya, Barbara Blissert , and Hope Garay. They were on site Friday evening and early Saturday morning to help with registration. Thanks also to Russ Hostetter for taking all the event photos. Special thanks go to the Plein-Air team: Lorraine Wells, Beth Okurowski, Linda Hopwood, Pat Smith, Ritu Ahluwalia and George Garbarino who worked quickly and tirelessly to bring this event to fruition. They made it fun and deserve more than a thank you from me. If you were thinking about painting Plein Air this year but couldn’t due to conflicting obligations, join us next year for a repeat performance.
Diana with Mark Martens. Mark judged the Competition.
Diana Hostetter, Vice President, PAL
PCAC’s YEA (Youth Excellence in Arts) Awards
PAL/LAA member, Beth Okurowski was one of two judges who awarded prizes to three high school students at PCAC’s (Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council) YEA awards in music and the visual arts. Visual arts winners received the Phyllis and Bill Wentworth Awards in visual arts: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $300 for 3rd place. The contest chair was PCAC’s co-president, Dave Wright. The students were ages 14-18, and from all three of Pleasanton’s high schools. The contest took place at The Parkview Assisted Living Facility on Sunday, September 30th. Many of the residents of Parkview, as well as parents enjoyed the music in the main lobby as the young musicians played at what seemed to be at a level way above their young ages. The visual art portion was equally impressive. Artists entered three pieces each and had to give a 5-10-minute presentation about their work. Beth was impressed with the skill level of these young artists, and how maturely they presented. Many of the artists had very well-developed concepts and were able to tell us about their inspiration and process. Total prizes for the entire event equaled $3,600.