Presidents Statement-November - 2026
October went too fast to write a statement. So here we are in November. We here at the Guild have been very busy with the upcoming member only exhibition at the avant garde Shift Gallery. The opening is Nov. 5 from 5-8 or during the week from 9-6. The entry through the Shift wonderland is just the beginning of the visual stimulation.
This exhibit is the brainchild of Mark Elliot Lugo, the irreplaceable board member of the Guild. From finding the gallery and the curator, the artists, the theme, the funds for each, the press release, the reception of the work, the writing of labels, the nails in the wall (or in Marks case the special hangers), hanging the work, the reception details. sales oversight, red dots, measuring each work for compliance, visits to media outlets, prompting social media coverage, sitting the gallery periodically during the show, monitoring the receipt of work sent to Angelikas house from out of area artists, helping unload her car with refreshments, balloons, and artwork, hanging balloons at the entryway along with the sidewalk banner……you get the point. Here in his carefully crafted words…
“Presented at SHIFT Gallery in Ocean Beach, 16 and Under/ Takeover offers a diverse collection of artwork by members of the Artists Guild. With no prescribed theme, the exhibition showcases an engaging range of subjects, styles, and materials, reflecting the depth and breadth of artistic talent within the Guild community. From finely crafted traditional works to bold contemporary explorations, each piece demonstrates the ability of small-scale art to create meaningful connections and lasting impressions.”
This is how the Guild works. Leslie Pierce did it for the “Art of Now” exhibition previously, Kevin Inman and Juie Weaverling are prepping for the upcoming exhibition at the Escondido Arts Partnership and on and on. It’s been this way for 111 years and hopefully for 111 more. Artists working with and for each other with periodic ego tantrums and espionage.
There are other things brewing too. Arlette Stella PhD, has developed a new format, and curriculum of “classes” via zoom for Guild members. Watch for it. Jennifer Byrne and Julie Weaverling are working on a possible survey of members about artists’ wants and needs for the Guild going forward. Two new members were recently juried in, Mieko Auekawa and Ferris Martiniz and have volunteered to assist with our sprawling social media system.
And then, of course there is the “Atelier”. The purpose of the Atelier is to experiment with art and concept. Our first venture was “One Day in the Life of Imperial Ave” over six months of walking, looking, smelling, eating, touching things on Imperial between 19th- 30th in partnership with Barrio Arts Partnership. Then creating an explosive body of work, exhibition and catalogue. Now Guild Atelier artists are trolling “One Day in the Life of Newport Ave” in Ocean Beach, a legendary environment known by all SD venturers. This is not a closed group. It is open to all. In addition, Atelier artists with Julie Weaverling have been having zoom sessions exploring conceptual artists and dialoging about “Myths” as a concept from which to create new work and exhibit it. The dialogue here is quite amazing.
We have added a new board member as well, actually, two new board members, Lisa Alton Anderson and a while back, Jennifer Byrne. Both bring much needed enthusiasm, knowledge and energy to the board along with great art. BTW we still have a few vacancies so if you are interested, please let me know
Check out our website (www.sdmaag.org) for all the interesting opportunities (i.e. Life Drawing at the Museum and Paint Outs around town) and see what Guild artists are doing these days as well.
See you at the Shift!
Jim Bliesner
President
