"All About Birds"

Coming in February at the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center space, "All About Birds," avian-related works of art created by our Club Artists.  Bird fanciers will love this show which will be on display in our Rosalee Hume Gallery from february 1st through the 28th. 

Drop into the Art Center any Tuesday or Thursday and some Saturdays between the hours of 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, and view the many other lovely and exciting works created by our own SRAC artists.  Stroll through our studio area and watch artists at work.  Try your hand at learning something new in one of our art classes: Watercolor by Judy McNamara (President of the Club 321-724-9857), Tuesdays, or Judy Burgarella (772-581-8281) who teaches other mediums including acrylic, traditional oils, water-soluble on Thursdays bi-weekly, 11-2:00 (changing soon to 10-1:00).

We've just celebrated our 75th Anniversary, creating-enjoying-and promoting art in the City of Sebastian and parts beyond, and we welcome the public to take advantage of our efforts and join us in our continued celebration of Arts in Sebastian.

Judy Burgarella
Vice-President, and
Blogger for the Sebastian River Art Club

WOW! We're 75 Years Old!

Yup, the Sebastian River Art Club is celebrating its 75th year with a Reception Thursday, January 17th, 4-7 pm.  This event is free and open to the public, and there will be refreshments and a free raffle for our guests.  Please do come and celebrate with us.  We have a lovely quilt show on display in our gallery space, compliments of the Stepping Stone Quilters, and many artworks by our wonderful artist members.  Drop in and take a look and have a nibbly!

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POST-NOTE - This event was a smashing success, and over 20 people went home with lovely original works of art created and donated by our own wonderful artists.  Presidents were honored, our most renowed member, the late Rosalee Hume was honored with a wonderful display of her works, and our beloved Henry Pitt was honored for his tireless and long-time devotion to art and painting. Thanks to the family of Rosalee Hume who brought many works of hers for us to enjoy, and many many thanks to all the volunteers who made it come together so smoothly.  But especially I would like to thank all those before us who worked throughout the years to bring the Club to the point it is now ... still here, still thriving, and still being the vehicle for people to enjoy and grow art in Sebastian.

Delicious celebratory cake!

Richard Gillmor (President 2011-2012) proudly
displays his "Certificate of Appreciation"

Our beloved Henry Pitt, honored with a special
tribute for his dedication to the arts

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While you're there, step into the Rosalie Hume Gallery space and see our guest artist show, the Stepping Stone Quilters' "Quilt Challenge - Life in Sebastian, Celebrating 25 Years."  This stunning mix of art and fabric will dazzle you.  "Wow!  How in the world do they do it--and how many hours and days does it take?"  Those are the words that are echoed in the Hume Gallery whenever people come in to view this lovely show.  See it before it's taken down the end of January.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Sebastian River Art Club

Christmas and Quilts!

Christmas & Quilts!

Stopped by the Art Center today, Saturday, and Ann Emery was sitting for the day and happily chatted about our visitors.  The Art Center is open some Saturdays, depending on availability of volunteers.  My stopover was to take a picture of one of the quilts of the Stepping Stone Quilters, who will be showing in the Hume Gallery for January.  Boy!  Was I pleasantly surprised!  Be-e-e-u-t-i-ful!  Ann was about to close so I quickly took 2 pics and beat it out of there.  So here they are, and I only got the name of one of the quilters.


"Stained Glass" quilt by Janet Schiefer



The Stepping Stone Quilters chose not to have an opening reception, so come see these beautiful fabric works-of-art any Tuesday or Thursday (and select Saturdays) 11-3:00.  Amazing what they can do with a needle and thread and a little cloth.

Since it's December, I thought I'd post these lovely watercolors that are displayed right now by our new Secretary (taking my spot!), Lois Woodrum.  A wonderful watercolorist, an really sweet gal.  Smart too!  You should see them before they're rotated out after Christmas.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Sebastian River Art Club

A collaborative effort

Today in the Art Center some regulars were absent, probably due to the Christmas rush. 
Kathleen Richter finished a painting that had been started by Peni Baker, who broke her shoulder and couldn't finish it.  And an excellent job she did, capturing the essence of a fellow artist's relative quite nicely.  Kathleen has learned to master acrylics in a very short time.  What will she do next?  Stay tuned.

I did a quick little acrylic demo for the folks, and it's a good start, but needs 3-4 more hours work to be usable.  This will be one of my contributions to the free raffle at the Club's 75th Aniversary Reception on January 17th.

On Tuesday Roy Woodall demonstrated how to make artistically good use of the projector left behind when the Council vacated the building years ago.  The Bulb still worked and Roy's demo was very informative and helpful.  He suggested we get a cart to wheel it around for easy use.  Just so happens I saw one at a thrift store yesterday for $5 so now we have a wonderful tool to use as transferring art onto canvas.  Kudo's to Roy from the Club.

Several other people had some good paintings going, which I didn't get to photograph. 

This will probably be my last post on this blog till after Christmas, so wishing you all a great Christmas, and all you artists out there I wish you a New Years full of colorful new painitngs!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the
Sebastian River Art Club
Art Center

"The Night Before Christmas"

"The Night Before Christmas"

Once again the Sebastian River Art Club has graced the display case of the Sebastian Library with the fruits of our members' labors.  Peni Baker's 2011 design is back by popular demand, installed by yours truly, Vito, Kathleen Richter and Ann Emery.  Peni was "MIA" nursing a broken shoulder at home, after falling over her new puppy's gate.  Get better soon Peni.  In an hour we had the deed done, and were on our wayback to the Art Center.  Thanks to all who helped in Peni's absence.

There was a good turnout today, about 25 people chatting, painting, planning and talking art.  Sue made the coffee, and Toni Hill brought in some wonderful delicacies.  Had several visitors, one of which will be back to join.

Well, that's all for tonight folks.  Stay tuned.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Sebastian River Art Club

Launching Kathleen Richter's Art Career!

Pictured below is Kathleen Richter in front of her first few paintings--stunning work for a newby!  Actually she's been dabbling in art for a long time, but only just got serious.  We at the Sebastian River Art Club noticed how good she was at sketching people, the likenesses were great, so we pushed and pushed, and finally she picked up the brush and immediately began blossoming.  She was like a sponge--wanting to know as much as she could as fast as she could ... and it paid off in spades.  You can see from her paintings below that she appears to be an accomplished artist.  And day after tomorrow she will be participating in her first outdoor show!  Congratulations Kathleen--we're so proud of you.  And good luck on Saturday, you'll have a good time with the SRAC "gang," and meet lots of friendly art-loving people (maybe even sell a painting???)

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the
Sebastian River Art Club's
Art Center

Peni Baker's Opening at Inlet Wines

Come one, come all ... to Inlet Wines Saturday night and tip a glass with us!  A regular Tuesday and Thursday painter and exhibitor in the SRAC's Art Center, we at the Club are very proud of this member. 

Friends and fellow artists will join Peni in celebration of her exhibit.  An award-winning acrylic artist who can capture not only seascapes (see card below), but florals, landscapes, still life, and fabulous portraits.

Other examples of her work ~

POST-NOTE ON THIS PAINTING - IT SOLD AT THE VERO BEACH ART CLUB'S SHOW "ART BY THE SEA" AT THE MUSEUM JANUARY 27TH FOR BIG BUCKS!  CONGRATULATIONS PENI BAKER - YOU DESERVE IT!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the
Sebastian River Art Club's
Art Center