News
Tenth 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 7 – theme this year “Hometown.” Beth Okurowski, PAL President, presented awards to the many talented winners at the Reception. Show runs until December 14.
Thanks to Alena Sauzade, Visual Arts Coordinator, Harrington Gallery. Thanks to Pat Smith, Show chair, and to Lynda Briggs who organized refreshments. Thank you Linda Garbarino for the wonderful pictures.
Comments from Mel Prest, the Judge of the PAL Members’ Show:
“I hope the PAL opening went well and was super fun. I’m sorry to have missed it. As I mentioned, PAL is well known as a group of talented artists who work hard and support one another, and I’m honored to have been invited to jury the PAL show. I was excited to see the formal and thematic diversity of the works; how things connected and the visual “conversations” between the artworks. I admired the vast range of paintings and sculpture techniques, yet all professionally presented.
I found it very difficult to choose a “theme” work, as so many deserved the award. The painting I chose felt absolutely like California: light, shadow, nature, mountains and home. This painting felt like something I’d seen or a place I’d been, and the fading end-of-day light almost made me hold my breath.
I was happy to have been able to acknowledge strong works by additional artists also who were not in competition for the theme award. The focused touch of the watercolor with sun-dappled cushions, or to the intensely hued oil and acrylic works, and the paused narrative of a black and white photograph: I can still recall each of these pieces in my mind’s eye. I also want to acknowledge the Firehouse Arts Center and curators and installers of the exhibition whose sensitivity to the latent harmonies among the artwork made the exhibition, and each individual work, sing.” – Mel Prest www.melprest.com.
Firehouse Report from From Pat Smith, Firehouse Chairperson:
“I cannot begin to thank you all enough for all you have done to make this another beautiful show. As I have said in the past “many hands make a light load” So many of you stepped up to help from receiving, the reception, the orientation, navigating the new “better impact” sign up system, receiving entries and printing show programs. Also, the artists who presented their amazing work. I am privileged to work with all of you.”
Theme Award: “Home Town”
Robin Leimer
Merit Awards
- Lynda Briggs
- Linda Garbarino
- Pam Horn-Ross
- Pat Smith
- Chandana Srinath
Honorable Mentions
- Wei Ting Chuang
- Margaret Frank
- Amy Greenberg
- Loreta Landucci
- Annett Mack
- Meghana Mitragotri
- Sandra Myers
- Judy Rice
- Lisa Rigge
- Diane Rodriguez
- Lisa Scarborough
- Usha Shukla
- Winifred Thompson
- John Trimingham
- Lorraine Wells
PAL’s First Small Works Show was held during PAL Members Show Reception on Thursday, November 7, 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Firehouse Arts Center Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton.
Below are representative images from PAL’s Small Works Show held in the Firehouse Lobby during the Reception for the PAL Members Show at the Firehouse on Thursday November 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
3rd Annual Ignite Art and Innovation Festival
PAL hosted this event on Saturday, October 5 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. PAL’s booth was hopping with activity as visitors were encouraged to paint their own tote bag. Bags displayed the highly recognizable Pleasanton sign on one side and visitor created original art on the other. In all, 29 bags were sold and decorated. Thanks go to Jen Huber, Lorraine Wells and Diana Hostetter for volunteering. A few pictures of budding young artists…..
PAL’s Paint Pleasanton 2019
Judge Samantha McNally congratulates David Sevellano on his Award.
Thanks to the many artists who competed this year and to Samantha McNally for the great job she did judging the competition. Also to the many volunteers (Dorothy Maestas, June Ferreri, Shoba Sivkolundu, Hope Garay and Alka Vaidya) who made sure that all activities ran smoothly.
Awards were presented on Sunday, September 22nd with Best of Show going to Maureen Morley; Merit Awards to Nancy Roberts and David Savellano; and Honorable Mentions to Wei-Ting Chuang and Meghana Mitragoti. Leta Eydelberg sold an acrylic painting of one of the many beautiful and historic buildings in Pleasanton. Diana Hostetter and Lorraine Wells chaired the event and wish to encourage all of you to come out for next year’s Paint Pleasanton competition.
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
