newsletter7:13 - Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center

A heARTy Welcome to Honora Bacon!
Say “hello”, and introduce yourself when you see Honora (Nora)
at the Center! She recently moved
from Albuquerque, New Mexico
to Santa Cruz after graduating
A smiling Nora Bacon greets visitors
to our Ceramics Facility.”
from the University of New Mexico with a major in Spanish and
minor in Ceramics. She set out
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continue to build her portfolio
with the support of an artist community. Nora related, “I knew I
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across the Santa Cruz Mountains
Art Center. The Center has an
inspiring history sustained by a
community of amazing artists
who facilitate a wide range of art
to all ages. I have been so happy
to work at the studio for the past
6 months as a student and teacher
and am now super excited to
become a more integral part as a
board member.” Nora hopes to
bring a fresh perspective to the
Jeff Stewman: He will be missed
Jeffrey Alan Stewman called the San Lorenzo Valley
his home… even as the sea pulled at his heart. High
Art Center board,
contributors and newsletter info
Lisa Alexander
Youth Education
Noel Littlejohns
Facilities Committee
Susan Archibald
Volunteers & Curatorial
LAuruS Myth
Events
Cynthia Armstrong
Youth Education Program
Director
Laura J. Rinaldi
Member, Newsletter Design
Honora Bacon
Ceramics
Julie Hendriks
Music
Jennifer Hennig
Newsletter Editor
Linda Levy
Executive Director
Jody Snyder
Ceramics
Shahn Spratt
Board Chair
Stephanie Triolo
Ceramics
Pat & Larry Worley
Gallery
Mountain Arts is published biannually by the Santa Cruz Mountain Arts
Center. Deadline for the Fall issue is Oct. 15, 2013
For artists who want to advertise in this publication,
send email to [email protected]
by Linda Levy
board with experience as a high
school art teacher, yoga teacher,
and ceramic artist.
Nora currently makes table-wear
with elements of sculpture and
conceptual narrative as a means
of creating dialog between the
hand-made object and the user.
Her work explores the boundaries
of utility as a springboard from
which to foster aesthetics and
design. “As a developing artist,
the Mountains Art Center provides me with the support I need
to grow. I am enthused to be a
board member and contribute my
thoughts and ideas to the voice of
this wonderful community.”
by Laurie Hennig
school sweethearts, he and his wife Donna raised
four sons, Joshua, Casey, Michael and Thomas, here
in the Valley during their forty-four year marriage.
His great love of family extended into his community in many ways. Equally competent with a pencil, a hammer, or a guitar, he made his living doing
what he loved: architectural design, construction
and music.
Pots and Paints: Open Studios Art Tour at
the SCMAC October 5 & 6
This year at the Open Studios Art
Tour, the SCMAC will be hosting
three artists. Travis Adams, Nora
Bacon, and LAuruS Myth will be
sharing the back patio to display
their sculptures and paintings for
open studios. We will show pro0*$/#-5,*6*!(#"1#").#7").%-8(#*%#'.!#
making as we hope to evoke the
celebration of life and community
in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Come
and view our Studio and Gallery as
we expose the core joy and process
of our works.
Travis Adams: “I’m starting to find a
balance between producing wheel thrown vessels
and sculptural forms. I
love the art of function
and the aesthetical value
of well-proportioned
pieces. Nature, in its
infinite patterns and
variations, is my most
prevalent and consistent
inspiration. My decorative techniques have begun to rely on the effects
of atmospheric firing
and trying to use the fire
as a paintbrush to get natural looking
ducing and coordinating a monthly singer/songwriter
showcase and Art Center performances.
pots and paints (continued)
variation. I use the soda kiln to achieve a sensation of
magic and mystery through firing. Creating one of a
kind, asymmetrical forms, has been my recent exploration bringing me the most happiness. Open Studios is a
great opportunity to connect with the community and
share my love of clay. I’ll be doing raku firing, wheel
throwing, and hand-building demonstrations throughout both weekends. The Mountains Art Center has
provided a place where creativity can be nourished, and
the members who frequent the art center have created a
sense of family that is a constant inspiration and motivation that I’ll be forever grateful for.”
continue on next page
jeff stewman (continued)
Jeff was a busy man. In addition to his work in the
arts community, he was very active in “Habitat for
Humanity”, designing, managing and constructing
many local projects. Teaching classes in Green Construction Practices at Hartnell College in Salinas was
one of his latest endeavors as well.
His love of the sea often called him to the Islands. He
and his family spent many happy episodes in Hawaii,
building homes and learning the Aloha rhythms, but
the Valley always called him back. The Monterey Bay
was a passion for him. Sailing his boat on the Bay was
a great personal joy for Jeff, a joy that he generously
shared through teaching and chartering.
He was a director of the Redwood Mountains Fair
at Highlands Park in Ben Lomond the year that Etta
James performed and, for many years, coordinated
the Acoustic Music Competition at that Fair. He
was also a performer at the Fair many times over
the years, most recently in 2010 at Roaring Camp
in Felton. Organizing the Redwood Mountain Fair
Reviews at Park Hall in Ben Lomond was always a
spirited affair he enjoyed, which featured the winners of the Acoustic Competition from the Fair.
With the creation of the Santa Cruz Mountains Art
Center in Ben Lomond in 1998, Jeff persistently
worked to make music a part of the program, introcontinue on next page
by LAuruS Myth
LAuruS Myth: “My process of painting begins with an
abstract layering of symbols and patterns that simply
create the foundation. As a fusion of elements develop,
my intention is to evoke the elements to find their place
on the canvas. I expose my own experiences of landscape
and spirit. A story is then created where the message
reaches to communicate through the paint. In my
works you will see culture, pattern, a fusion of symbols
and a variety of celebrations of this spirit place. I see
landscapes as endless horizons that bring new growth
through opportunity. As mountains create the highest
places on earth, they are simply nature’s temples where I
see people gather, communicate, and even find peace. At
the peak of my experiences in nature, I find moments of
this heightened energy. These are sources of inspiration
for my work where I seek to address the unobserved reality of elements we feel and experience in life Creating
art has become a spiritual practice. My awareness of this
allows me to celebrate spirituality through creativity. At
Nora Bacon: “I am a ceramic potter who uses elements
of sculpture and conceptual narrative as a means of creating dialog between user and hand-made object. This
year at Open Studios I will be exhibiting ceramic tablewear made from a silky smooth red clay body, formed
by the wheel, bisque molds and slab building. Once this
first step is complete I brush on a white slip, creating a
blank canvas, which invites decoration and design elements. I sketch a design freehand on each object with the
intention of allowing the shape of the object to inform
the design. Once the decoration is added, the objects are
bisque fired, glazed and fired a final time to cone 3. I aim
to make work that generates an environment of intimacy
between user and object through the interplay of form
and aesthetic. The functional art is not complete until
it is in use. This is what is so enticing about table-wear,
the relationship between user and object. So come on
down and interact with some art Santa Cruz Mountain
Arts Center!”
Lyrical serving platter, artfully created by newest Board
Member Nora Bacon.
Jeff told his story through song. His last, but not least,
music project was the CD “More Than Enough”. It is
available at the Art Center. His words share the creative spirit of a man that the Valley can respectfully
claim as its own.
Jeff Stewman- ” Hear Jeff’s final CD, ‘More Than Enough’
available at the Art Center
Open Studios, I will be doing Live Paintings, and showing the different stages of my paintings.”
LAuruS Myth working out her ideas on canvas
Schedule of Classes and Workshops
Make Art a Part of Your Life
Details available at: mountainartcenter.org
Adult Classes
DRAWING & PAINTING
“Life Drawing”
Every Tuesday, 7 - 9:15 p.m.
“Think Big and Loosen Up!”
Oil & Acrylic Workshop with Brenda
Berg, Sunday, July 21, 9:30 am - 3 pm
“The Art of the Illustrated
Journal” with Cynthia Armstrong
Saturday, 9 am - 4
pm
August 3 & 17
“Drawing and Painting with Mixed
Media” All Levels
with Brenda Berg, 8
Thursdays,
September 26 - November 14, 6 pm - 9
pm
“Oil & Acrylic Painting”
All levels with Brenda Berg
8 Wednesdays, September 25 - November
13, 6 pm - 9 pm
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CERAMICS
“Clay Expressions” – Wheel & Hand. Travis Adams. Ongoing Mondays – Thursdays, 10 am - 4 pm
she embraces the complexity of our visual
culture. Her current work is inspired by
the intersections between natural and
constructed landscape.
“Beginning Sculpture” with Jennifer
Hennig. November 4 – 27 (one
week off 18-22),
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sampling of different techniques
in sculpture. Try
them all!
UKULELE
“Beginning
Ukulele” with
Carolee Burrows
Mondays 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Session I: September 9 - 30
Session II: October 7 - 28
Youth Classes
SUMMER ART CAMPS
Art Camp III - Bug-O-Rama
Monday - Friday, July 22 - 26
9 am - 12 pm: “What’s Bugging You?”
with Cynthia Armstrong
12 pm - 3 pm: “It’s an Insect Invasion!”
with Brenda Berg
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm- “Robotics I&II” with
Brenda Berg. Skill level: ages 12-17
ART-AFTER-SCHOOL
BOULDER CREEK ELEMENTARY
Tuesdays, 2:45 pm - 4:30 pm
Session I - September 10 - October 1
“Awesome Autumn Art” with Brenda Berg
Session II – October 15 - November 5
“Clay All the Way” with Jennifer Hennig
Session III - November 12 - December
3 “Outside the Lines” with Cynthia
Armstrong
SAN LORENZO VALLEY ELEMENTARY
Wednesdays, 1:30 pm - 3 pm.
Session I: September 11 - October 2.
“Paper, Pastels, & Printing” with Lori
Wilson
Session II: October
16 - November 6.
“Awesome Autumn
Art” with Brenda
Berg
Session III: November 14 - December
11. “Christmas
Crafts” with Lori
Wilson
BONNY DOON ELEMENTARY
Art Camp IV- Dream it - Draw It - Shape It
Monday - Friday, August 5 - 9
9 am - 12 pm: “Dream It” with Lori Wilson
12 pm - 3 pm: “Dream Clay” with Nora
Sarkissian. 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm: “Drawing
& Art-isms” with Brenda Berg. Skill level:
ages 12-17
Wednesdays, 12:30 pm - 2:15 pm.
“Pottery on the Cheap” with Chris
Bolton
5 Saturdays, July 27, August 10, 17, 31,
Sept. 14, 12 pm - 2 pm
July 27: Making your own clay tools
August 10: Making a garbage can raku
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B)9)(!#G?D#@'99-.#$.*%9#!-/,%*F)-(
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from locally obtained materials
Fall 2013
Session III: November 12 - December 3.
“Creative Clay” with Nora Sarkissian
“Ceram-A-Rama” workshop with Tiffany Schmierer. Saturday, September 7,
10 am - 4 pm. Tiffany Schmeirer creates
assembled environments with a visual
density of pattern, imagery and detail.
Rather than edit down to the minimal,
Session II: November 2 - 23
10 am - 12 pm: “Van Gogh-Go” with Cynthia Armstrong
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm: 2D with Violet Skye
3 pm - 5 pm: “The Art of Songwriting”
with Amanda West
“Clay Studio” – Travis Adams, Honora
Bacon and Tom Watson Everyday of the
week, different times. Self-Directed Studio Time, with help from facilitators.
“Raku Fridays” – Dale Bates
Friday nights, 6-9 p.m.
ART SATURDAYS
Session I: September 21 - October 26
10 am - 12 pm: “Day of the Dead” with
Lori Wilson
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm: 2D with Violet Skye
3 pm - 5 pm: “Robotics I & II” with
Brenda & Ted Berg
Session I: September 11 - October 2. “The
Delight of Design” with Lisa Alexander
Session II: October 16 - November 6.
“Outside the Lines” with Cynthia Armstrong
TEENS at SAN LORENZO VALLEY HIGH
Thursdays, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm.
Session I: September 12 - October 3.
“Clay All the Way” with Jennifer Hennig
Session II: October 17 - November
14. “Mixed Media with Matisse” with
Anouk Johanna
Session III: November 21 - December 19.
“Creative Clay” with Nora Sarkissian
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage PAID
Ben Lomond, CA
Permit No. 35
Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
9341 Mill Street
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
Return Service Requested
Business Donors
Ahlgren Vineyards
Art Services
Ben Lomond Market
Bruce Bangert
New Leaf Markets
North Glass
Phoenix Ceramics
vol. 18 no. 6 July - December 2013
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Ceram-A-Rama Appoaches!
Foundation Donors
Community Foundation
Earth Matters Foundation
Come join us for the annual
celebration of mud and creativity! September 7th we’re fortunate enough to have Tiffany
Schmierer grace us with unique
techniques in achieving intricately detailed and pristine sculptural forms. She’ll manipulate
clay in a way that people will say
“Hooray! I’ve learned new ways
to play with clay today!” Tiffany
creates assembled environments
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Art Center Newsletter designed
by Catalyst Creations West
Mountain Arts is funded in
part by a grant from the
Arts Council of Santa Cruz County
The SC Mountains Art Center Youth
Art Program is supported by a Grant
from the California Arts Council
by Travis John Adams
and complex patterns. We’re
truly blessed to have this bay
area ceramic rockstar sharing her
wisdom and passion for clay expression. $30 for members /$40
for non-members.
Then, September 15th is the free
community event! It will kick
off with the unloading of our
mystical and magical Soda kiln
around 11:00 a.m. Followed by
a hosting of a multitude of clay
competitions and demonstra-
give a gift of membership (continued)
membership participation through
classes, exhibitions and community events and will review a monthly report on the new and renewing
memberships. The discussion also
included comments that while the
membership dues are low, there
are people in our community who
can’t afford the annual dues. This
got me thinking.
My membership renewal was
coming up and I decided that I
would renew my membership
and gift a membership to another as well. Another board
member said she was going to
gift a membership to a relative
with children who participated
in Art Center programs. What a
great idea! When renewing your
membership, or on a gift giving
occasion, think of giving a gift of
membership to the Santa Cruz
Mountains Art Center.
from the community shows how
valuable it is and helps us receive
grant funding that supports all our
programs.
Mailing costs are affected by
Here are some of the ways memmembership through bulk mailing
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our community and the Art CenMembership helps keeps the lights
ter:
on, our doors open for free, and
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supports classes & events throughdiscounts in cost of classes, entry
out our community.
into shows and commission on
Your membership contribution is a
sales.
tax-deductible donation.
Members receive monthly calenThank you for your continued
dars, bi-annual newsletter and information about classes and events support! We welcome your ideas
too!
A show of Membership support
Tiffany Schmierer’s ‘Bay Views’
Ceramics enthusiasts throwing in the blindfolded contest at Ceram-ARama 2012
tions throughout the day. We’ll
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and have tons of opportunities to get hands-on interaction
with clay! So rouse yourselves
out to learn, play, and laugh in
a marvelous muddy mess and
toss some pizzas in the kiln too!
Come one and all!
Give a Gift of Membership
The Art Center’s board had a Strategic Planning
meeting this year and came up with some new
ideas. An important Strategic Goal for the Art Center this year is to promote membership. Recently,
the membership form was redesigned and is now
a colorful card that can be easily handed out or
displayed. The board is committed to promoting
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