MID-NOVEMBER 2023 ANNOUNCEMENTS

CO-PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Hello fellow artists!

It’s fun when everyone returns to Green Valley and the studio is humming again. Is that what the Color of Energy looks like?

Remember voting for the show ends on November 30th.  Our reception and winner announcements will be on Thursday, December 7, from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Come and join in on the fun.

The first "ART 101 CLASS" was a great success. Thank you, Darilyn Ronn, for instructing the class. The 13 students learned about acrylic painting and went home with a lovely landscape painting. Indeed, a picture is worth a thousand words.  

New amazing Art 101 class opportunities will be announced on the 20th of each month, via a special eblast message to you. Signup will again be done on the website.  For December, an acrylic abstract class and a design class are being offered.

Jeani and Arlene are proud to continue as co- presidents for the 2024 year. We appreciate all the individuals who also volunteer so generously their time and skills throughout the year. 

Together, we all make Santa Rita Art League a wonderful organization.   

"Happy Thanksgiving!"  

Jeani and Arlene

19th ANNUAL EVA BRIGGS ABSTRACT ART COMPETITION

Thursday, February 1 – Thursday, February 29, 2024

Co-Chairs: Hugh Beykirch and Arlene Szypulski

Entry forms and checks due January 20, 2024

Entry forms & criteria (prospectus) available at the studio or

by downloading here.

      It is time to prepare for the

2024 Masters Show!

Recreating a Master painting is a time-honored tradition for developing artistic skills. It is a good way to try out a new technique, improve on your own style, and have some fun!  

For 2024 there will be a special section featuring Women Artists. I have posted a list of names on the bulletin board as a suggestion, or you can pick another woman. Of course, this is not a requirement, and you may choose any artist that you consider to be a Master, male or female. We have a good library for ideas.

     ++++Now for the Rules!!!++++

Due to United States copyright law, the artist must be deceased for AT LEAST 70 YEARS. So any artist who died in 1954 or before is allowed. ANY ARTIST DECEASED FROM 1955 AND ON WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE SHOW. Please check your artist info.

Two entries are allowed and there is no entry fee. Five ribbons will be awarded, judged by the artists who are entered into the show. Judging should be based on how close to the original artwork you have come. No size limit. You do not have to paint in the original medium, as most were oil.  Watercolor, pastel, etc, is fine. 

The 2024 show will be held at the East Center for the months of March and April. Delivery date for artwork will be announced in the future.

NEW PERMANENT EXHIBIT AT DESERT HILLS

Mark your calendar— the current Desert Hills Exhibit will be taken down on December 19th, from 1-3. 

Jan Harnish

JanH@SantaRitaArt.org

New Website Update

Most of the new website is online. This is just a friendly reminder that several other pages such as Mini Workshops will be added when the mini workshops have been scheduled.

FRAN SUTHERLAND WILL BE OUR DECEMBER DEMO ARTIST

DECEMBER 14TH FROM 1:00 - 3:00 PM

"Reflecting and Reflections"

Fran uses Eastern influences and meditation in her art. Her mixed media paintings use the surface, as well as the medium to express reflection and reflecting. In her presentation she will discuss the intrinsic qualities of mixing media and demonstrate how to use oil sticks and acrylic paints to create a resist and stain the canvas. She will talk about using acrylic paints on different surfaces, mixed media, and how media has changed over the years.  

Fran is excited to help artists explore their creative process, while referencing her own artistic journey.  We look forward to having one of our own members share their creativity and wisdom!

Fran Sutherland, a native New Yorker, is a classical trained painter and educator who developed an art curriculum that coordinated with global students. She has taught watercolor, acrylic, oils, mixed media, in addition to photography, silk screening, and encaustics. Fran’s creative paintings synthesize both Eastern and Western formats in multi-media works. Her teaching objective is to show how the chosen media and techniques express personal ideas.

An award-winning artist and teacher, Fran Sutherland earned her BS and MS degrees at the State University of New York at New Paltz, NY. She is a member of the Arts Society of Kingston (ASK) Kingston, NY, Woodstock Art Association and Museum (WAAM), Woodstock, NY, Tubac Center of the Arts, and the Santa Rita Art League (SRAL), Green Valley, AZ. View works by Fran at http://www.fransutherland.com/.

Please Bring a Treat to Share with Members!

SRAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

for 2024 began on October 1^st  

Still only $35 for the 2024 year

BENEFITS:

• Monthly live artist demonstrations
• Free learning workshops
• Over 8 different Special Interest Groups to work with
• Participation in membership exhibits throughout GVR Centers
• Participation in juried and judged shows
• Use of our art studio and wonderful library
• Camaraderie and developing great friendships.

APPLICATIONS:

• You can now go onto the SRAL website to:
• Fill out an application and pay online.
• Print out an application and pay by cash or check.  
• Pick up an application in the studio from the file folder located by the entrance.
• Pick up an application at the General Meeting and pay there.

NOTE: PLEASE read the renewal form carefully as it gives you information you need to renew and make your dues payment.  

LOCKER AND SLOT FOR RENT

Locker and slot renewals for 2024 are now due. Fees can be paid at the Dec. 14 meeting, with cash or check. Alternatively, one can fill out a rental application (available in the studio) to include with your payment, both of which should be left with the studio monitor.

There are lockers available to rent in the SRAL studio ($20 per year).

There are currently no slots available- if you would like to rent a slot ($15 per year), your name will be put on a waiting list for the next available. 

For more information, or if you no longer want your locker or slot this year, PLEASE contact Valerie St.Marie by clicking here.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT

TUBAC SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS

The Tubac School of Fine Art is offering workshops from a variety of artists. Please check out the flyers below. For information:

Phone: 520-398-2589

Email: workshops@tubacschooloffineart.org

Painting Abstract Landscapes in Acrylic

Instructor: Lawrence Lee

Additional Workshops at Tubac School of Fine Arts

Bethany Robert: Find Your Voice in Creating Abstract Art (Click here)

Leslie Miller: Explorations in Oil and Cold Wax (Click here)

Lisa Larrabee: Realism Within the Abstract (Click here)

UPCOMING CPAC ART COMPETITION

Icons of the West



Featuring Works by Arizona Artists

Location: Harry & Ann Paxton Gallery and Theater Lobby

January 2 - February 1, 2024

Reception: Wednesday, January 10, 5:30 - 7:00pm

Click Here for More Information About This Exhibit

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT CPAC

WORKSHOP

Expand Your Drawing Skills

Instructor: Michaelin Otis

November 27, 28, and 29, 2023

Good drawing leads to better paintings! Beginner to advanced, we will study different ways of drawing, from pencil, to charcoal and beyond.   

Great drawing skills will lead to better artwork. You will learn to measure (to achieve great likenesses), perspective, shading, atmosphere, and how to create great compositions. The different properties of graphite, charcoal and inks will be discussed! Flyers are available in SRAL's studio or Click here for more information.

ON-GOING CLASS

Studio Sessions

Instructor: Fran Sutherland



"Developing individual objectives and participants sharing experiences. Format will be Discuss. Identify. Critique."

Every Wednesday, November 8 - December 13, 2023

and February 7 - April 24, 2024

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

MEMBER'S NEWS

Congratulations to Maureen Kirk-Detberner, a SRAL member, who won third prize at CPAC's Vision photography exhibit for her photo, Ghost Dancers!

Hugh Beykirch, a SRAL member, will be one of the authors at the Holiday Book Fair. Please stop by and chat with him about his new book.

Click here to send any news you have about an exhibit or an award that you would like to share with SRAL.

ABSTRACT BRIGGade

The SRAL Abstract BRIGGade Group celebrates the unique field of all abstract arts. The group meets the second Monday of every month from September through May at 10 AM in the Studio. The Abstract Group has been an active part of SRAL for over a decade and many of the 40 or so regular members are professional artists and they happily share their experience.

A special abstract art exhibit happens every February. It’s called the “Eva Briggs Abstract Art Competition” and this event is the responsibility of this group to organize. The next exhibit is scheduled for February 2024. The co-chairs and the show judge have already been selected. This has always been a BIG event.

There are no special skills required to join in with this friendly group. Meeting attendees always find artist support, often with live demos, workshops, and critiques. Come and see what it’s all about.

Next meeting Monday, December 11 in the studio at 10:00. 

COLLAGE/MIXED MEDIA and ACRYLIC

Our SIG has an exhibit at the West Center lobby November 12 to December 31 thanks to Nan Lux and John McGraw. Please come by and see our wonderful exhibit.



This group meets from 1 to 3 on the first and third Wednesday of the month. We share finished and in progress work with helpful suggestions. We often have demos such as, Gelli print making and mark making. We have shared our sketch books and textured painting techniques. With this group the techniques and ideas are unlimited. There is often a monthly challenge with unique results.

FIGURE DRAWING

The first Figure Drawing session of the season will be held on Saturday, November 4th, 9AM to noon. The model fee is $5.00 per participant. All sessions are on the first Saturday of the month from November to May. Contact Lisa Schmidt if you would like to be added to the group mailing list. 

OIL/PASTEL

We meet every Monday afternoon from 12 to 3 pm. You can choose to come every week, every other week, or whatever schedule works best for you! Bring your oil paints or pastels. We welcome both interests and all levels of experience. 

We offer a friendly and supportive environment for both. We're an informal group where you can work individually, participate in a group critique, or paint a shared still life. We look forward to having you join us! 

PLEIN AIR PAINT OUTINGS

Resuming In November!

A schedule will be sent out by email during the last week of October as to the destination and meet places. There will also be a schedule posted at the studio each month. We will meet on Thursday mornings and try to form carpools. Our destinations are special places around So. Arizona. Meet times will vary depending on the weather. If anyone is interested, contact Nanci at nanciwshep2468@gmail.com or text or call 541-519-3780.

Plein Air Schedule for November

• November 23: no paint out... It is Thanksgiving.

• November 30: Tubac: Meet at the upper lot behind The Springs recreation Center off Heroe at 8 a.m. High 65/36 low.

Dress accordingly. These are the current weather forecasts

and not necessarily correct. 

Hope to see you for our beginning Plein Air Year. 

PRINT GUILD

Printmaking meetings occur on the 4th Wednesday of each month except for possible changes around holidays and an annual June-August break. 

Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 22, at 9:30 AM in the Art Studio Room A, when John McGraw will lead a session using Gelli plates. Bring water-soluble or acrylic paint (Open Acrylic works best).

Print Show: The Printmakers Guild will have a show in the Dessert Hills Lobby during the month of December. Please contact Karen Keim or John McGraw if you would like to participate.

WATERCOLOR

The Watercolor Group meets year-round in the SRAL studio on Fridays from 9-noon. 

We are an informal, social group working on our own watercolor projects, while sharing ideas and support. All levels are welcome from beginners to those who have painted for years. The SRAL library also has many books on watercolors for your reference. Bring your paints and come join us!

Click here for the list of SIG chairpersons and their e-mail addresses.

Mark Mahaffy (our May Demo artist) and his wife, Rae will be exhibiting and demonstrating at the LITTLE GALLERY at the DeGrazia Foundation December 3 - 15, 2023

The Opening is December 3rd, 12 - 4pm

The hours for the rest of the days will be 10 - 4.

DeGrazia Gallery in Sun at the DeGrazia Foundation is at

6300 North Swan Rd. in Tucson

Mark and Rae will be showing ceramics, prints and paintings.