The Palette - April 2024

The Palette

President’s Message

Each month I think about something I want to share with our membership as well as with others who are reading our newsletter. This month, I would like to share the idea of collaboration.

What is collaboration? Google says: The action of working with someone to produce or create something. In our case, that “something” is art and an appreciation for art.

Well, I really want to believe that all our members, as well as artists everywhere, have the common theme of wanting to produce something creative.

Sometimes we can do that alone; we need to do it alone to prove to ourselves or others that we can. But then, as we find confidence in ourselves, we can allow others to help. We learn or realize that together we are bigger and stronger than we were as individuals.

A long time ago I owned a private elementary school. I felt threatened by other schools, and it took a long time before I realized there was room for all of us to be successful. I see the same thing in the art community. We are all coming out of “COVID” and have similar struggles as we bridge the gap between what was and what is. We

Continued on page 2

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.

Want Ads: Positions That Need to be Filled

Membership Chair: This person would sit on the board as a Chair and have a vote at board meetings. They would oversee the work of Orientation lead (Esther Feigenbaum), Spreadsheet lead (Steve Wilkinson), VP and New Member ambassador (Lynn Throckmorton). All are notified of new members. Our Treasurer should give you the names. You will assure new members have a signed release of liability form and that it is filed in alphabetical order in the turquoise folder.

Membership Yearbook/Directory Committee Coordinator: We have the working parts of this committee. Lynn Throckmorton says she will provide the text in Word format, and newsletter lead Sheryl Cooley will take the Word document, lay it into a program she uses, and create a master of the booklet that’s in page order for printing. The job of the Coordinator is to determine what goes in the directory besides member infomation (e.g., our mission statement), sees to it that the two groups are working together and determines the best way to get the handbook printed.

Team Leader, Lifetime, Gold, Silver Member Recognition Committee: This committee will plan an instillation at the gallery to recognize members who have joined beyond the general membership level. (We’ve already started this.) They will also plan an exclusive formal event for these special members as well as any other benefits to be given. They will bring their recommendations to the board for approval. There are several members who would like to participate in this committee. We just need a coordinator.

Other Tasks: If anyone sees a need that is not currently being fulfilled, please let President Alison Wiemen know. Thanks!

President’s Message - con’t.

are all struggling to keep up with the changing technology. Let’s work together to become as strong a support for promoting art as we can be. How can we do this?

Well, I have chosen to join every art association I can in our area. I want to provide, if nothing else, my membership. I also want to find out what they are doing or offering which my HVAA might benefit from. We all have demo artists, workshops, competitions, and other activities members can attend. Sharing information is the start. Let’s support one another. HVAA has our annual Evening of Art coming up on April 13th. I hope members from other art organizations will attend.

We are planning an Open House for Board Members and Officers of other organizations to join us in our gallery to meet and exchange ideas. It is a start. We will have finger food, wine, and coffee. They can see our gallery and studio. I will be sending invitations, but mark your calendar now, please, for May 13th, 6:00– 8:00 pm. I look forward to meeting and working with you in a collaborative way to promote art. We are all on the same team!

What can our members do? We can work to collaborate with one another to make HVAA an organization in the Riverside County art scene to be recognized. First, we can appreciate what we have—a gallery where we can share our art and fellowship with other artists and our community daily, not just once a month at a meeting. We have a place we can teach and take classes and workshops. We provide monthly demos given by professional artists which we offer to members and the community. We provide a venue for student artists to present their work in a “real” gallery and give scholarships each year. We do this by working collaboratively, each doing our own part to make HVAA big.

Alison Wieman

Officers, Board Members, Appointed Positions

OFFICERS

President V. President/ Communications Secretary

Treasurer

Parliamentarian

Alison Wieman alison_wieman@yahoo.com

Lynn Throckmorton throckhemet@earthlink.net

Kathy Schmitt kds5@verizon.net

Anna Ives annaives898@hotmail.com

Stepheny Estes secondglancescustomportraits@gmail.com

BOARD MEMBERS

Patti Greco

Diane Klewenhagen

Art Majerus

Gallery Director

Orientation

paintedlady207@gmail.com dianescritters@icloud.com sawdustman@mac.com

APPOINTED POSITIONS

Art Majerus sawdustman@mac.com

Esther Feigenbaum feigenbaum.esther@yahoo.com

Membership (Gen.) Mtg.

Newsletter

Photographer/Historian Activities

Social

School Liaison/ Scholarships

Web Master

Sitting Calendar

Evening of Art

Grants & Fundraising

Community Relations Facilities

Connie Patton cpdraw@hotmail.com

Sheryl Cooley cooleybates@sbcglobal.net

Julie Jernegan jcustomphotos@gmail.com

Patti Greco (Studio) paintedlady207@gmail.com

Paula King (Demos) pjharp7@aol.com

Sharon Zorn-Katz sharonzornkatz@gmail.com

Alison Wieman (Liaison) alison_wieman@yahoo.com

Jackie Avritt (Scholarships) ajavritt@gmail.com

Rachel Welch rachel@rachelwelch.art

Alison Wieman alison_wieman@yahoo.com

Diane Klewenhagen dianescritters@icloud.com

Beverly Johnson beverlyeoachairhvaa@gmail.com

Alison Wieman (Grants) alison_wieman@yahoo.com

Linda Baranek (Fundraising) linvivb1@gmail.com

Allysun Walton allysunwalton@gmail.com

Bob Straubinger bobstraubinger@msn.com

HVAA members and Exceed Art Facilitator Nancy Espensen (2nd from left) at the Exceed Annual Art Show. Story on page 11.

Annual Evening of Art Ready to Launch!

“Art is a Verb” Arthur Tobias, Master Potter

Art is a verb. And no, Art Tobias is not talking about himself. The master potter is talking about art as a process, not the end result.

At out March monthly meeting, Tobias not only gave a slide presentation where he was clicking through his slides and answering questions, but he was working on a clay sculpture of a squirrel—all at the same time. He

Steven King’s Photo Lands on Cover of Magazine

HVAA member Steven King‘s photo of his glider made the cover of Soaring Magazine, April ‘24!

Steven is a professional photographer and has done a wide variety of shoots over quite a few years. “I have never focused on a particular subject matter; I enjoy the challenge of photographing a variety of subjects and events. When I look at the world around me, I am evaluating the light and composition of the things that I see,” he said.

Steven has spent his entire work career involved with aircraft and aviation and has done a little flying along the way. He started flying gliders at Hemet Ryan a few years ago. “Flying gliders is unique and challenging and the sport is enjoyed by many pilots around the world.”

spoke of some of the basics of becoming a professional, including practicing for continued improvement, educating yourself on other artists and forms, and figuring out how and where to market your work. He gave examples from his own life, work, and travels to illustrate his points.

Officially retired now, Tobias spends a good deal of time writing, lecturing, and doing demos. He is a resident of Idyllwild. His work can be found at Mountain Pottery, a ceramics studio and gallery in Idyllwild, as well as other galleries nationwide.

Far left: Art Tobias and his squirrrel

Immediate left: Nipa Swope, who won one of Tobias’ pieces in our monthly raffle.

Soaring magazine is a membership benefit of the Soaring Society of America. Published monthly, each issue brings the reader the latest developments on safety issues, accounts of individual soaring accomplishments, a sharing of ideas and experiences, tips from the great soaring pilots of the times, and more. The magazine is recognized world-wide as the leading authority on the sport of soaring,

Steven King holding the magazine Soaring with his photo on the front cover.

HVAA Looking for a Few Good Teachers

We have had many people coming into the gallery asking about classes. We are hoping to find members who are willing to share their talent with others. According to our bylaws, a teacher must be a HVAA member. Unless your class is held during working hours, you must also have attended an orientation to be at the gallery alone.

We are looking for someone to teach a beginning/intermediate drawing class, a beginning /intermediate acrylic/ oil class, maybe a pastel class. How about jewelry making or basket weaving? Are you someone who would enjoy sharing their skills with others?

Currently we have Patti Greco and Jose Pacheco teaching children and adult clay, Alison Wieman and Opal Larson teaching children’s painting, Miyoko Whittelsey teaching mixed media, and Betty Pilley and Virginia Melton both teaching watercolor classes.

We have studio availability Monday afternoon, Tuesday anytime, Wednesday afternoon, Thursday afternoons and anytime Fridays. Remember, there is a 20% fee/student charged to use the gallery. The teacher sets the price and makes a flyer we can use to advertise and hand out at the gallery.

We are also wanting to hold more workshops for members and others to attend to sharpen their skills. If you have taken a workshop or class from someone from whom others would benefit, please let us know so we can contact them and see if they are willing to come to HVAA and hold a workshop. Our goal is to be able to provide quality opportunities for artists in our community and the surrounding areas to attend.

Framing Workshop

Thanks to Jenny Gagnon for holding a “floating frame workshop” in the back parking lot and classroom in March. Anna Ives, Denise Pulvino and Kathy Schmitt learned the techniques for building their own frames in the two-hour session. All agreed that the class size was good for the first session. Jenny is a fine example of one of our gallery members sharing her knowledge with fellow artists.

Jenny noted, “I’ve been with the gallery since 2013. For a long time I only worked with gourds, which I still do. Last year I took a beginning paint class at MSJC. Since then I have created several paintings. I wanted floating

May Demonstrator: Karla Leopold

When I was in junior high school, an art teacher told me art wasn’t for me. I have been proving him wrong ever since. As an artist, I work in a variety of mediums including stone, found objects, paint, yarn, and almost anything that can be made into art. In life I also work in a variety of fields, art, psychology and education. There is a theme in all my work which involves an underpinning of psychological significances. I challenge the viewers and participators to look deeper into the art and information I share to find and apply that which resonates for them.

frames for my paintings. I did some internet searches and learned to create my own. Several people at the gallery have asked me about them and how to make one. The idea of a class came from those exchanges. I very much enjoyed my first class and am pleased with the outcome of the first floating frame workshop.”

Student Corner

Hemet Unified School District Holds Second Annual Arts Festival

Friday, March 15, 2024, Hemet Unified School District (HUSD) hosted their second annual Art Palazzo at Tahquitz High School. Building on last year’s success, many community members and arts groups throughout the valley and school district were eager to take part and contribute to the event.

In similar fashion to last year, a main focus of the Art Palazzo was the Empty Bowls charity effort, a partnership with Valley Community Food Pantry. Attendees were able to order soup donated by Milano’s and HUSD’s Nutrition Services. Soup was provided in one of many custom ceramic bowls made by high school students that attendees could keep. The $2,800 raised on Friday from soup bowl orders was donated to Valley Community Pantry.

The Art Palazzo also featured live musical performances from the Tahquitz Marching Band (percussionists), Polynesian Club Dancers, Folklorico Dancers, and other musical groups as well as individual performances. Throughout the event, student organizations such as Tahquitz Construction CTE, Marine Corps JROTC, and West Valley Fine Arts showcased and sold products.

Many activities were also available this year from the Palazzo’s broad group of participants. High school students led children’s art activities in the visual classroom, and pottery painting activities were available in the ceramics classroom. Adults were able to put pottery up on kick wheels to make their own unique projects.

The Arts at HUSD look forward to future Art Palazzo events. HUSD as a whole expressed gratitude to the many organizations and partners involved in the event.

The remaining ceramic bowls from this event will be sold at the District Art Showcase in the boardroom of the HUSD District Office, 1791 W. Acacia, April 26, 2024. Sales will also go towards Valley Community Food Pantry.

HVAA Mans Table at Arts Festival

Hemet Valley Art Association (HVAA), the nonprofit organization that runs the local gallery on Harvard in downtown Hemet, had a booth at the Palazzo Arts Festival. On the table were fine art pieces created by gallery members.

HVAA supports arts in the HUSD schools, displaying student artwork in the gallery and having an annual community gala fundraiser, the proceeds from which top-ranked art students receive scholarships in the areas of fine art, 3D art, and photography. This year’s event, called “An Evening of Art,” will be held upstairs in the library April 13. See page 3 for more information.

At the Gallery

From the Gallery Director

I joined the Association almost exactly a year ago in April. Since that time, I have volunteered as Scribe and keeper of the points. I will continue with those duties for now.

Due to recent family and other issues, Earl McNeese felt he could no longer fulfill his duties as director. After much discussion he agreed to continue managing change of painting and I have taken on the title of director and will be managing panels and most other gallery things. Fortunately, Earl will still be available to help me figure things out. His knowledge of all things gallery will be invaluable going forward, and I am grateful for his help.

So as I struggle along figuring things out, let me know of any issues. Like all of you I only want to continue to grow the gallery.

Art Majerus

Membership Dues

Basic Memberships

Student, 18 or younger

$15/yr

Single adult

$50/yr

Couple in same household

$75/yr

Advanced Memberships

Bronze Member

$100 to $299

Silver Member

$300 to $499

Gold Member

$500 to $999

Platinum Life Member

$1,000 and up

Classes

Beginning Watercolor

Instructor: Virginia Melton Mondays, except for CoP Mondays, 9:30 am-12:30 pm $20.00 per class

Advanced Watercolor Painting

Instructor: Betty Pilley

Class Full—Waiting List at Gallery

Children’s Clay Class: Ages 8-12

Instructors: Patti Greco and Jose Pacheco Saturdays, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

$10 per class

(All supplies provided, including clay)

Adult Clay Class

Instructors: Patti Greco and Jose Pacheco Tuesdays, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

Children’s Painting Class

Instructors: Alison Wieman and Opal Larkin

Third Saturday of the month, 10:00 am-Noon

$10 per class

(All supplies provided)

Platinum life Members

Teddie Oatey

Chuck Schoenknecht

Rose Thomas

James Watters

Kathy Schmitt

Lynn & Bob Throckmorton

Sue & Joseph Jordan

Bronze Members

Jimmy DePasse

Members’ Monthly Contest

Themes

January Reflections

February Architecture

March On Safari

April In My Garden

May Sunrise

June Seascapes

July Desert Life

August Birds

September Still Life

October

Autumn Is Here

November Toys As A Child

December Holiday Season

Workshops

Painting With a Palette Knife: March’s demonstrator, Luz Marie Perez, will offer a workshop in palette knife painting. It is tentative- ly scheduled for Sunday, April 21st, 9:00 am-4 pm. Cost is $135. Open to non-members. A minimum of 10 artists (members and non-members) must sign up for

Cancelled

How to Enhance Your Art: Stay tuned for more information on Christine White’s workshop Sunday, June 23rd, covering tips and tricks for enhancing art in any medium.

HVAA Offers a New Class for Youth

HVAA student member Opal Larkin and HVAA President Alison Wieman held their monthly ”kick off” painting class for fine art March 23rd. Opal is an award-winning student artist volunteering her time and talent with young budding artists. If you know of a young student who is looking for a class in watercolor, acrylics or collage, sign them up in the gallery.

New “Show & Tell” Monthly Offering

The gallery is now offering a monthly event called, “Show & Tell. This hands-on workshop will feature different demonstrators and, media. It will be held Thursday mornings; dates will vary. Cost: $5/session. HVAA members only.

At Left: HVAA members enjoyed the March “Show & Tell,” featuring Nipa Swope demonstrating paint pouring.

April’s Featured Artist:

Teddie Oatey retired in 1992 from working at Unisys as a software engineer. From there she decided to try her hand at painting. She joined HVAA in the early 90s, and in 1994 became Artist of the Year. She repeated it in 1999. In the past, Teddit has performed some duties for HVAA, like editing the monthly newsletter and getting bus rides for members to go to see the annual San Diego Watercolor Society Exhibition.

She also enters her own watercolor paintings in regional, national and international art exhibitions/competitions, which require jury acceptance. In 1997, her art was accepted by the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies for exhibition in Tuscon, Arizona. Other awards include the golden Grumbacher Award trophy and, in 2006, the Award of Excellence trophy at the San Diego County Fair and National Date Festival.

Teddie Oatey

Teddie, a long time member of HVAA, talking to local students whose artwork was being hung on another panel.

FINE ART WINNERS

Special Theme (In My Garden)

1st Esther Feigenbaum, “The Light in My Garden”

2nd Betty Pilley, “Paper Thorn”

3rd Beverly Squire, “My Menifee Garden”

HM Steve Wilkinson, “Backyard Garden Fountain”

Water Media

1st Betty Pilley, “The Road Home”

2nd Vicki Moran, The Girl With a Smile”

3rd Francisco Melgoza, “My Boat in the Sunset”

HM Sylvia Maxwell, “Wild Rose”

Acrylic/Oil

1st Beverly Squire, “Afternoon Serenity”

2nd Kathy Schmitt, “Stormy Day on the Carizzo Plain”

3rd Alison Wieman, “My Friends”

HM Steve Wilkinson, Babbling Brook”

Mixed Media

1st Carla MacPherson, “Poolside Plumeria”

2nd Rachel Welch, “Maggie and Evan”

3rd Miyoko Wittelsey, “Venice #1”

HM Lynn Throckmorton, “Light a Candle for Ukraine”

Modernism

1st James Winters, “Flow”

2nd Carla MacPherson, “Tornado Alley”

3rd Lynn Throckmorton, “Illusions”

HM Esther Feigenbaum, “Exciting Women”

Miniature

1st Betty Pilley, “Radishes”

2nd Sylvia Maxwell, “Mini Sunflower”

3rd James Winters, “Wind, Water and Salt”

4th Sherri Domenigoni, “Blue Heron B & B”

Sculpture/3D

1st Cathy Woolery, “Abra Kadabra”

PHOTOGRAPHY WINNERS

Special Theme (In My Garden)

1st Art Majerus, “Garden Life”

2nd Earl McNeese, “Blooming Flowers”

3rd Jacqueline Avritt, “Double Delight”

HM Sherri Domenigoni, Calla Lily Curl”

Anytime/Anyplace

1st Earl McNeese, “Sunset Over the Bay”

2nd Sherri Domenigoni, “Boot Garden (England)”

3rd Art Majerus “Yosemite Rainbow”

HM Emily Gascon, “Phuket, Thailand”

Living Things

1st Jacqueline Avritt, Anza-Borrego Beauty”

2nd Sherri Domenigoni, “Out of a Hat”

3rd Emily Gascon, “Golden Skies”

HM Sheryl Cooley, “Hybrid Tea Rose”

Digitally Altered

1st Lee Moler, “Body Surfing Dream”

2nd Sherri Domenigoni, “Moon Dog”

3rd Art Majerus, “Redlands Bike Classic”

HM Earl McNeese, “Ready, Set, Go”

Here and There

HVAA Members Attend Exceed Art Show

On April 28th, several members of HVAA attended the Exceed Annual Art Show held on the second floor of the Hemet Public Library. Exceed works to provide adults with disabilities opportunities to live quality lives as productive and active members of their community. Their art—both in variety and talent—was amazing, as were the artists themselves.

Hemet Valley Art GalleryAri

Address:

Phone:

Hours:

Website:

144 N. Harvard St., Hemet, CA 92543

951-652-4592

Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm www.hemetvalleyart.com

Find us on Facebook and Instagram!

Deadline for Submission

For HVAA members, all articles, photographs, flyers, announcements, etc., are due no later than the 15th day of each month (unless the event takes place later in the month, in which case they are due within 2 days of the event). Text for articles should be in Microsoft Word. Photos should be in jpg, png, or tiff file format if at all possible. Please send high resolution images (1 MB or higher). Flyers should be pdfs.

Information about major events from surrounding galleries should follow the same guidelines as above. Please do not submit class lists. We do not accept submissions from individuals who are representing their own art if they are not active members of HVAA.

Apr. 1

Apr. 6

Apr. 9

Apr. 11

Upcoming Events

April

Change of Painting (COP) Day, 9:00 am-Noon

Contest theme: In My Garden

At gallery

General Meeting, 10:00 pm-3:00 pm

Masonic Lodge, 150 Laursen St., Hemet

New Member Orientation, 10:30 am-12:30 pm

At gallery

EoA Meeting, 11:00 am-Noon

At gallery

Open Studio, 10:00 am-4:00 pm* ($5)

At gallery

Apr. 13

Apr. 24

Apr. 25

An Evening of Art, 6:00-9:00 pm

At library

Board Meeting, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

At gallery

Open Studio, 10:00 am-4:00 pm* ($5)

At gallery

May 4

Alf will no longer come to the gallery to collect and drop off framing orders. If you want to continue to work with him, he is available at his shop in Jurupa Valley.

6254 Baker St., Jurupa Valley Call for appointment: 915-640-4657

HEMET CONCERT ASSOCIATION

P.O. BOX 2241

HEMET, CA 92544

WWW.HEMETCONCERTS.ORG 951-927-2449

May 6

May 9

May 11

May 23

May 30

May

Take Down, Noon-4:00 pm

At gallery

General Meeting, 1:00-3:00 pm

Masonic Lodge, 150 Laursen St., Hemet

Change of Painting (COP) Day, 9:00 am-Noon

Contest theme: Sunrise

At gallery

Open Studio, 9:00 am-4:00 pm* ($5)

At Gallery

New Member Orientation, 10:30 am-12:30 pm

At gallery

Open Studio, 9:00 am-Noon* ($5)

At gallery

Board Meeting, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

At gallery

*A Show & Tell workshop may be part of this day.

Copyright © 2024 Hemet Valley Art Association