The Palette
The Place Where Art Happens!
President’s Message
When I was a little girl, I read all the Wizard of Oz books, sang “Over the Rainbow” and stared at the stars at night, looking to find the Emerald City. I recently read an article in the Smithsonian magazine about the creator of this fantasy, L. Frank Baum. You know I ponder, and I wonder how and why this article reminds me of that little girl who believed that anything was possible, if we only believes.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
February was historic at the gallery in terms of members volunteering to gallery sit. Thanks to our calendar gal, Diane Klewenhagen, February was filled by Change of Painting, Monday, Febuary 3rd. There’s a group of over 50 members who volunteer to sit a 3- or 6-hour shift, Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am-4:00 pm. When the doors are open, visitors walk through the front door. They are a potential customer, new member or even a patron of the arts.
So many members volunteered during the open house in honor of Betty Pilley, Art Majerus, and Anna Ives. Special thanks to Linda Baranek and Beverly Johnson who pulled together a TEAM to set up and clean up. Julie Jernegan snapped some spectacular photos of guests and members. Jose Pacheco shot video and spent quality time visiting with Abraham Acosta, February’s
Cont’d on next page
A scene from our February Open House. From left to right, HVAA 2024 Fine Artist of the Year
Betty Pilley, Hemet Valley Art Association (HVAA) President Lynn Throckmorton, and City of Hemet Mayor Jackie Peterson.
President’s Message - Cont’d from p. 1
Featured Artist. All these members added to the event and are appreciated.
So many of you have joined me on the yellow brick road adventure at the Hemet Valley Art Center and Gallery. I am grateful. I’m still hoping the red shoes fit me, but who knows? Perhaps one of you already wears them. If we join hands and sing the songs we did as kids, magic happens.
Thanks.
HVAA Rocks!
Stay tuned! Details in the April issue of The Palette!
The mission of the HVAA is to encourage and develop the appreciation, study and practice of the fine arts and to further educate, inspire, and enrich the lives of others through our programs, exhibits and activities.
Officers, Board Members, Appointed Positions
OFFICERS
President/ Communications V. President/Marketing Relations
Secretary
Treasurer
Parliamentarian/ Marketing Comms. Gallery Director
Lynn Throckmorton throckhemet@earthlink.net
Alison Wieman alison_wieman@yahoo.com
Kathy Schmitt kds5@verizon.net
Anna Ives annaives898@hotmail.com
Sheryl Cooley cooleybates@sbcglobal.net
Art Majerus sawdustman@mac.com
BOARD MEMBERS
Jenny Gagnon
Patti Greco
Diane Klewenhagen
jennymonique@verizon.net paintedlady207@gmail.com dianescritters@icloud.com
APPOINTED POSITIONS
Membership/Orientation
General Mtg.
Social Media
Newsletter
Photographer/Historian
Activities
Social/Hospitality
School Liaison/Scholarships
Web Master
Sitting Calendar/ Orientation
Evening of Art
Grants & Fundraising
Facilities
Database
Tracy Anderson tandyart@yahoo.com
Patti Greco paintedlady207@gmail.com
Beverly Johnson beverlyaj1@gmail.com
Jose Pacheco eye.eatclayart@gmail.com
Sheryl Cooley cooleybates@sbcglobal.net
Julie Jernegan jcustomphotos@gmail.com
Alison Wieman alison_wieman@yahoo.com
Beverly Squire beverlysquire@icloud.com
Alison Wieman (Liaison) alison_wieman@yahoo.com
Jenny Gagnon (Scholarships) jennymonique@verizon.net
Art Majerus sawdustman@mac.com
Diane Klewenhagen dianescritters@icloud.com
Alison Wieman alison_wieman@yahoo.com
Alison Wieman (Grants) alison_wieman@yahoo.com
Linda Baranek (Fundraising) linvivb1@gmail.com
Bob Straubinger bobstraubinger@msn.com
Steve Wilkinson slwilkinson.fineart@gmail.com
Lynn
Mar 22
CALENDAR
18th Annual Evening of Art
6:00-9:00 pm
Hemet Public Library, 300 E. Latham, Hemet
Tickets $15
For more information, see flyer on page 5
Mar 26
Apr 5
Apr 5
Board Meeting 1:00-3:00 pm At the art center and gallery
Take down art from grids and panels At the art center and gallery
General Meeting 1:00-3:00 pm
Demonstrator: Valentina Landin, Oil
Masonic Lodge, 150 Laursen St., Hemet
Open to the Public, Free Park in Wells Fargo Parking Lot After 12:30 pm
For more information, see flyer on page 9
Apr 7 Apr 30
Change of Painting (CoP) (contest art drop off)
9:00 am-Noon
Theme: Bridges At the art center and gallery
Board Meeting 1:00-3:00 pm At the art center and gallery
Art Collaboration by HVAA Members and Artists
Sean Spoto and His Daughter Izabelah Spoto
“Evening of Art”
Acrylic
36” x 12”
After months of preparation, the Hemet Valley Art Association’s (HVAA’s) annual Evening of Art is nearly upon us. It is the culmination of a two-pronged effort - to recognize some amazing high school students and their art and to give our community a chance to see the talent of local artists throughout the valley. There will be art everywhere!
It will be an evening filled with food and wine, fun and laughter, wonder and excitement, an evening that offers something for everyone. Student art will dominate the room when you walk in. Paintings, drawings, photographs, 3D pieces, all chosen by their art teachers from Hemet and San Jacinto school districts, will have been put into competition and blind judged prior to our event.
That evening, the winners will be revealed, and cash prizes - known as HVAA’s Student Achievement Awards - will be given out. This year students will compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the categories of fine art, photography, and 3D art. For the first time, fine art will be divided into two sub-categories: painting and anything else (ink, sketching, digital art). First place winners in each category/sub-category will receive $500 each. Second place will get $300 each, and those in third place will receive $200 each. For the students, this is what Evening of Art is all about.
But the evening offers other enticements, as well. In addition to student art, there is art created by HVAA members. This art is for sale. Come and see what we’re all about. There’s also a silent art auction, which was particularly popular last year.
We will have five art demonstrators this time around, including an artist using watercolor/mixed media, one whose specialty is custom painted gourds, a fullfledged basket weaver, a clay modeler, and an artist demonstrating pour painting. Watch their magic. Pick up tips on how to master their style of painting. Ask pointed questions. Understand their mindset and soak up their techniques. Learn from experts.
Just a sampling of student art submitted for judging this year. At the moment, all of the students’ art is on exhibit at the gallery. It will be moved to the library for Evening of Art, then returned to the art center and hung again. It’s a win-win situation. The students can add to their resumes that they have exhibited in a gallery, and you can go and see it up close and personal in a time and space less crowded than it will be the night of Evening of Art. (More examples of their art can be found on page 15.)
Purchase tickets for our raffle drawing, featuring baskets of goodies from art supplies and gardening tools to wine and cheese hampers. We have less space overall this year, so there will be fewer baskets. But they’ll be just as good! The money made here, from the silent auction and from ticket sales will help fund the achievement awards for next year.
Newsworthy Getting Ready For Our 18th Annual Evening of Art
See the flyer on the next page for details, including time and location. By the way, the elevator at the front of the library is back in operation. We hope to see you there!
An Evening of Art: Just Around the Corner!
Presents: The Eighteenth Annual EVENING OF ART
March 22, 2025
6-9 PM
Located at the Hemet Public Library, 300 East Latham, Hemet, CA 92543
Event Highlights
Artist Demonstrations
High School Scholarship Awards
Gourmet Raffle Baskets
Hors d'oeuvres, Desserts, Wine
Live Music
Children's Workshops
Advance Tickets available at the Gallery 144 N Harvard St., Hemet, CA 92543
Also available at the door. $15 donation
For more information contact Alison Wieman (951) 313-6239
Art Majerus Photographer of the Year
Betty Pilley Artist of theYear
Demonstrator Joe Oakes Paints Southwest Sunrises and Sun- sets in All Their Fiery Glory
Saturday, March 1st, HVAA held its monthly general meeting, which is open to the public. This month’s demonstrator was Joe Oakes, known for his vibrant acrylic paintings. Using surprisingly few tubes of paint, he managed to create a coruscating shadow-tinged landscape of rugged mountains flanking a sky whose sun had just set, illuminating the clouds above it.
Joe started with a pre-painted canvas done seemingly in hot pink, the outline of the mountains already sketched out and outlined in indigo paint. Working with seemingly little effort, he walked the audience through his approach to creating depth and perspective with an emphasis on color and value. An engaging speaker, Oakes made his canvas come alive, providing commentary on what he was doing, why he was doing it, what colors he was using/blending and why, and fielding questions as he went.
Oakes provided a smaller painting as a raffle item. A testament to the popularity of his work, after seeing his demonstration, a number of audience members returned to the raffle ticket table to purchase more chances to win it. The winner was Beverly Johnson, who, being ill, had sent along money with a friend to buy tickets. Lucky duck!
RA F F L E
Not many members can attest to owning a collection of art from co-members, as much as we would love to. Our respect for their talent and actually owning a piece of their art is now a thrilling possibility thanks to a new feature of our monthly General Meeting, our Fine Art Raffle. Starting last month with 4 pieces donated, this month there were at least 12 pieces donated by these lovely people…Beverly Squire, Art Majerus, Betty Pilley, Diane Klewenhagen, Vicki Moran and Sean Spoto.
Many people made more than one trip to the ticket table to secure a possible winning ticket. Along with these, there was a marvelous assortment of White Elephants to be taken home by the winners of the day…like paints, brushes, a collection of canvas and panels, jewelry, crystal fan pulls, art books, bisque vases, wine!, clay floral arrangements in teapots...literally 24 feet of tables holding enticing things to bid on!
As always, great snacks made it perfect as we were glued to the eye-opening demo by Joe Oakes, innovative acrylic landscape artist who offered us a glimpse of Orange Art on the wild side. His donated piece of art was also raffled off. Thirty-eight people were on hand to kick off this exciting new feature of our General Meeting…and nearly $400 was put in our money reserves!
Won’t you join us and bring a friend to our next meeting (as is true of all of these meetings, it is open to the public)…and consider looking into your backlog of art pieces to possibly donate one or more to our new feature. Taking home a piece from our favorite co-artist friends is the grand culmination of our First Saturday event every month. Come, be a part of it!
Patti Greco Co-Chair, General Meetings
Left: Oakes with his hot pink canvas. He had started to paint the sky and clouds.
Below: Oakes, nearly finished with his painting.
First you saw him do it, then you learned how he did it. And then you got him to teach you how to do it, too.
Joe Oakes, best known for his vibrant paintings of Southwest landscapes, was the demo artist at HVAA’s March 1st general meeting. (See page 6.) He then held a workshop on the 7th. The class, which ran from 10:00 am-4:00 pm, gave participants a chance to try their hand at creating similar art. Oakes divided his time between showing attendees how to do that, and helping each artist one-on-one achieve that goal. When asked to summarize the three key elements to success, he advised:
• Take risks with color
• Pay attention to composition and value
• Give your painting depth and perspective
Oakes Holds Workshop At Gallery
City Recognizes HVAA Members/ Former Gallery Directors
In recognition of Riverside County’s Arts and Cultural Month, the City of Hemet honored HVAA members/former gallery directors Mike Yaeger and Earl McNeese for their long time dedication to fostering art in the community by presenting them with a proclamation of the month that read in part:
“...the County of Riverside values a dynamic atmosphere that fosters innovation, education, and outreach within the local art community, recognizing these as components for the success, health, and advancement of our county.”
Mike and Earl were HVAA’s gallery directors for about 8 years and were instrumental in setting up the gallery grids and panels. They also shepherded the gallery through the pandemic, helping to ensure we didn’t lose it at a time that we could not be open, no small feat.
Mayor Jackie Peterson made the presentation at the City Council meeting held February 25 at the Hemet Public Library.
Mark Your Calendar!
April’s General Meeting Is Coming Up
Come join us at the next
HVAA General Meeting
On Saturday, April 5, 2025 12:30 pm at the Masonic Lodge
150 Laursen St. in Hemet.
Our Demo Artist is Valentina Landin!! Rafßes! Snacks! All are Welcome!
Ukrainian born artist and teacher Valentina Ratschendko Lamdin, has been producing Þne art for more than forty years. While she is recognized as a gifted impressionist, she works in a wide range of styles from abstract to traditional. Valentina works primarily in oil, yet she is skilled in producing beautiful works in watercolor, pastel and acrylic.
HVAA’sHemetOwnSketchers
This month I will be introducing urban sketcher Michael Olguin. Mike says he joined Hemet Sketchers because he really likes being outside in the elements and having a new place to sketch each week. He especially likes it when the people who come to the meet-ups share their sketches with each other. He said he is really impressed with the teacher in the class (shall I blush now or later). Mike recommends the class to everyone.
This past month we’ve had a lot of fun, and we have gone to some interesting places. We went to Beverly Squire’s house and sketched her museum-like interior, we went to Beverly Johnson’s house and sketched her amazing front yard, we went to Starbucks and we went to the Appliance Showroom museum.
It’s not too late to join us; come check us out at any time. What’s better than sketching with friends? We meet on Tuesdays from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Our locations vary so be sure to contact me to find out where we will be next.
Tracy Anderson
619-890-8126
tandyart@yahoo.com
Find ‘Junk Journal”-Style Cards In the Boutique!
HVAA member and artist Linda Vivian Baranek has crafted a number of short and long stories in her own “junk journal” style of greeting cards.
The short stories look like your traditional greeting cards, but the collage of ephemera, embellishments, and found items make the recipient pause to peruse the art and its message, because collage pieces by definition tell their own stories. When is the last time you did more than glance at the front of a card and think, “That’s pretty”? When did you stop to see the story told there?
Linda has taken the concept a step further. Some of the cards are, in fact, tiny booklets meant to stir the imagination, to help the reader craft their own story. Like a number of concertina-style journals that flow from page to page when laid out flat, these packets encourage the reader to take his or her own journey in story telling.
Hidden gems in the gallery.
HVAA - Part of the Larger Community
HVAA Members Talk Up Art Center at Retired Teachers Luncheon
At HVAA Vice President Alison Wieman’s request (Alison also being a retired teacher), Sherri Domenigoni presented to California Retired Teachers (Cal RTA) the history of HVAA at their February Valentine’s luncheon meeting. Jenny Gagnon joined her, discussing present HVAA activities and promoting Evening of Art. Lillian Dahl joined them in showing lots and lots of their art. The four of them are members of both groups.
Sherri described the gallery’s 60+ years of memories and showed a number of photos of member history from scrapbook photos Julie Jernegan and Sherri collected. Julie put a 7-minute show on a flash drive loop. Sherri displayed art styles from many of their wonderful past teachers. She also donated a plein aire art piece and one of her children’s books as door prizes.
During the luncheon, the teachers were invited to tour the art center and gallery, which they did the following week. Alison and Sherri were there to welcome them. Some teachers were there for their first time and seemed to be impressed. Alison and Sherri received many nice comments on the talent and art within HVAA.
Clockwise from top right: Jenny Gagnon, Lillian Dahl, Sherri Domenigoni
From the Membership Chair
As of the end of February, we have 140 members. I’d like to welcome one new member for the month of February.
A big thank you to Mike Yaeger and Earl McNeese for their recent Platinum Life memberships and to all of our Platinum Life and Bronze members. We appreciate your support!
Orientation is scheduled for the second Tuesday of odd months. Contact Diane Klewenhagen at 951-926-3856 for information regarding orientation.
If you have any questions about membership, feel free to contact me at 619-890-8126 or tandyart@yahoo.com
HVAA Loses Long-Time Members
Eric Giberson passed away February 3rd. Born in New Hampshire in 1937, he moved with his family to California while he was in high school.
Rick was a talented wood carver and enjoyed teaching classes at the art center. Winning many awards in our monthly competitions, including Best of Show, he left a legacy of over 150 pieces of amazing art.
HVAA was one of two organization to which Eric asked that donations go upon his death. He will be missed by those of us who had the privilege to know him.
Gilbert Obmina, an HVAA member and husband of Luz Obmina, passed away January 9th at the age of 89. An attorney, he was born in Sampaloc Quezon, Philippines.
Gilbert was not active in HVAA, having joined, apparently, to support his wife. Luz continues to show her work at the gallery. She often enters our monthly competition and takes home ribbons. She is considered the “oldest” member of the art center, meaning she has been with the gallery longer than any other living member currently on the roster.
Classes
Advanced Watercolor Painting Instructor: Betty Pilley Class Full—Waiting List at Gallery
Mixed Media/Watercolor Instructor: Miyoko Whittelsey 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 10:00 am-12:30 pm $25 per class
Drawing Instructor: Miyoko Whittelsey 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 10:00 am-12:30 pm $20 per class
Hemet Sketchers Instructor: Tracy Anderson Tuesdays, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Locations vary Contact Tracy for details - tandyart@yahoo.com Free
Children’s Clay Class: Ages 8-12 Instructors: Patti Greco and Jose Pacheco Saturdays*, 1:00-3:00 pm $10 per class
(All supplies provided, including clay)
Children’s Draw and Paint Class Instructor: Alison Wieman 3rd & 4th Saturdays of the month, 10:00 am-Noon $10 per class
(All supplies provided)
*No afternoon class the first Saturday of each month, as that’s the day of the general meeting, and the gallery is closed in the afternoon.
In the Gallery
Stetsons Going Fast!
Ramona Pageant Costume Designer Debradawn Squires Shockey came into the art center in February to purchase a Stetson cowboy hat for this year’s pageant and walked out with six of them and a handbag. It’s not just clear if she was buying them all for the play, but she noted that the one designed by our HVA artist Patti Greco would be just perfect for Ramona.
Left: Shockey, who played the title role of Ramona in 2016, models the Stetson designed by Patti Greco.
Designer: Anna Ives
Designer: Opal Larkin
Designer: Kathy Schmitt
Evening of Art - Student Art Take a Look at This!
On this page you will find a few samples of the art students have submitted for competition. They are not necessarily the “best” pieces of art, the best having yet to be determined. These artworks were chosen in part because:
• This is what had arrived at the gallery at the time we shot these photos; not everything had arrived
• Art pieces with glass over them are extremely difficult to photograph due to glare; sometimes, no matter what we tried, we couldn’t get a good shot
• In putting this page together, we were looking for examples of different categories (fine art, 3D art, photography), different media, and different styles, as well as to create a pleasing layout
The intent here was not to intentionally ignore any work of art or hurt any artist’s feelings. If we have done so, we sincerely apologize.
March Member Competition Winners - Fine Art
Best In Show - Fine Art: Kathy Schmitt, “Hiding in the Shadows”
FINE ART WINNERS
Miniatures
Special Theme (Wildlife)
1st Betty Pilley, “An African Mule”
2nd Vicki Moran, “Stripes”
3rd Mike Yaeger, “Flamingo”
HM Susan Baker, “Soaring High” Water Media
1st Mike Yaeger, “Bird Houses”
2nd Betty Pilley, “A Basket Full of Roses”
3rd Diane Klewenhagen, “Sea Escape”
HM Susan Baker, “Where’s the Fruit” Acrylic/Oil
1st Opal Larkin, “Watching the News”
2nd Sharon Blake, “Joy of New Life”
3rd Les Hulsey, “Redemption”
HM Cathy Woolery, “Four Seasons” Mixed Media
1st Opal Larkin, “Beautiful”
2nd Alison Wieman, “Fall”
3rd Cathy Woolery, “Beautiful Day”
1st Alison Wieman, “Fire Starter” 2nd Cathy Woolery, “Octagon” 3rd Beverly Squire, “Sunflowers in a Mason Jar” Modernism
1st Beverly Squire, “Weep No More, Show Me” 2nd Opal Larkin, “Who Am I?”
3rd Lynn Throckmorton, “Gardenia”
HM Steve Wilkinson, “Oranges in Abstract”
Pastel/Drawing
1st Beverly Squire, “Windows of the Soul”
2nd Rachel Welch, “Sunset in Idyllwild”
3rd Sharon Blake, “68 Years of Love”
HM Alison Wieman, “Giraffe” Sculpture/3D
1st Jenny Gagnon, “Cats at Night”
2nd Diane Klewenhagen, “Glass Angel”
3rd Mike Yaeger, “Apple a Day”
Correction: In the January issue of The Palette, Steve Wilkinson was listed as the 2nd place winner in the Special category. It should have been Beverly Squire with her piece, “A California Winter’s Day.” Our apology for the error.
March Member Competition Winners - Photography
Best In Show - Photography: Julie Jernegan, “Blue Bird”
PHOTOGRAPHY WINNERS
Special Theme (Wildlife)
1st Sheryl Cooley, “Birds of Prey”
2nd Lu Majerus, “Solitude”
3rd Earl McNeese, “Pucker Up”
HM Art Majerus, “Those Eyes” Anytime/Anyplace
1st Linda Vivian Baranek, “Lunch”
2nd Earl McNeese, “Hawaiian Beach”
3rd Lu Majerus, “My Quiet Place”
HM Sherri Domenigoni, “What Would They Say?”
Living Things
1st Earl McNeese, “Time for Dinner”
2nd Sherri Domenigoni, “Lambie”
3rd Art Majerus, “Poppe”
HM Evan Stone, “Akasha”
Black & White
1st Earl McNeese, “Irish Castle”
2nd Sherri Domenigoni, “Walk in Shifting Sands”
3rd Sheryl Cooley, “Palm Fronds”
HM Art Majerus, “Hong Kong Castle”
Digitally Altered
1st Art Majerus, “Crazy Car”
2nd Sherri Domenigoni, “They Came From Freedom”
3rd Sheryl Cooley, “Purple Hearts”
HM Earl McNeese, “Far Out Car”
Sunrise/Sunset
Old Structures
Rainy Days
Reflections
Community Partners
HEMET CONCERT ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 2241
HEMET, CA 92544
WWW.HEMETCONCERTS.ORG
951-927-2449
Hemet Valley Art Association
A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Address: Phone:
Hours: Website: 144 N. Harvard St., Hemet, CA 92543 951-652-4592
Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm www.hemetvalleyart.com Find
Please Note
You must be a member to display your art in the gallery, and it must be art that you personally created. The Gallery Director manages the rental of panels/ pedestals/cases. To exhibit your art, you must work through him.
Platinum life Members
Teddie Oatey
Chuck Schoenknecht
Rose Thomas
James Watters
Kathy Schmitt
Lynn & Bob Throckmorton
Sue Jordan & Keith Johnson
Guy Salts
Sheryl Cooley
Earl McNeese
Mike Yaeger
Bronze Members
Jimmy DePasse
Richie Locasso
All people are recognized as unique individuals, and HVAA welcomes the variety of experiences they bring to the Hemet Valley Art Association (HVAA). As such, HVAA requires members and outside instructors and contractors to treat all members, class participants, students, visitors, and others who participate in the life of the organization equally without regard to race, ethnicity, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, native language, religion, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. HVAA strives toward diversity and inclusiveness within and without the organization, recognizing and supporting those who are under-represented in our community and beyond.