PAL Receives 501(c)3 Status!

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.”