Presidents Statement -August 2026
If you do not already know, the Guild Board of Directors is taking the month of August off. So many great things have been going on with the Art of Now, upcoming exhibits with the International Online exhibit, upcoming small image show at Shift Gallery, an exhibit in Escondido soon, figure drawing classes, on site painting groups, publication of One Hundred Artists, One Hundred Years, Guild Gallery Incubator, signing and resigning new artist members, and the emerging work by the Atelier, One Day in the Life of Newport Ave, Ocean Beach as well as a discussion group on conceptual art and the concept of “Myths”.
Plus, we have established a working group to redesign the web site. We have polled the board about what changes they would like. If you have suggestions, please let us know?
One of the most interesting and popular activities of the Guild is the monthly artist showcase. This is the extraordinary gift of Angelika Villagrana who invites all artists to submit their work, catalogues it, prepares it for display during the zoom meeting, referees the discussion and keeps a close eye on the clock for 40-50 Guild artists. The art and the dialogue and sharing of materials, techniques, history, resources, exhibitions, is like ... well I can’t explain it. You just need to be there. What gives it comradery is that in addition to doing this for the Guild members, she is the Membership Chair and every artist entering the Guild and they are monthly, goes through Angelika. So, she knows all the details. She presents each new applicants art to the full board every month. Plus, she prepares and distributes all the certificates of appreciation. If she invites you to lunch …. go!
A major act of the board at its last meeting was to unanimously approve a resounding Certificate of Appreciation for resigning board member Leslie Pierce. Leslie, for almost the last two years has been immersed in creating the Union Hall exhibit "The Art of Now” - Challenging Boundaries” exhibition. It was a work of art all its own. Open to all California Artists, 249 artists responded with 90 works of art accepted with at least half Guild members. Paintings, video, sculpture, installations, prints, and an amazing opening event. People kept saying they felt like they were at a New York opening. Artist panels were held throughout the exhibit with lively and informative presentations and discussions. Then to top it off, the SD Writers Ink held a poetry slam. Stay tuned for a repeat event next year. Best wishes to Leslie and thanks for the job well done. Be sure to visit her studio at Liberty Station. We will be recruiting a new board member to fill the vacancy left by Leslie.
Newly juried in artists Ana Maria Hrerrara who is a cross border multidisciplinary artist has proposed an idea for expanded cross border artists collaboration. If you would like to read her proposal or participate, please contact her - Ana Herrera - Herrerana2@gmail.com. This could be the start of something BIG.
