19th Annual Images of the Virgin Exhibit

I thought I would be more efficient keeping everyone updated on the Gallery's news and events. Time just slips by. This next exhibit opens on Friday, but we still have a few missing art pieces. That's okay though because we had a lot of artists submit work to this juried exhibit. The art ranges from very conservative (traditional) to abstract. Every year it is a surprise what is submitted, but always make a delightful experience.

We just completed our Dia de los Muertos art show. We got a lot of good feedback on the art and it was a fun show to sponsor. We would like some ideas for future juried shows, so if you have a favorite theme, let us know. One artist from New York suggested birds and butterflies. That would be a fun theme. I just saw the most wonderful fluorescent green humming bird in our yard today. I wish I had my camera right then.

Save December 11 for our artists reception for the Images of the Virgin. It will be free to the public and held from 5 - 7 p.m. at our gallery at 115 Third Street, San Juan Bautista. See you all there.

Roots of "Jazz"

June 4 - August 1, 2010
This current exhibit was juried by guest juror Linda Bynoe. Using the theme of the Roots of "Jazz" our exhibitors have encompassed ceramics, mixed media, photography and textile story quilts in the telling the history of "jazz."

Special guest artist, Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney, a native of New Orleans, is a visual poet, creating contemporary quilted textile collages. Mooney started her artistic journey with coloring books, daydreams and doll houses. In 1995, she created the Big City Women series as a vehicle for her woven stories. Mooney has lectured at the Witherspoon Museum, North Charleston Cultural Art Center, and Spelman College.

Her works are in numerous exhibitions housed in both private & corporate collections including Oprah Winfrey, the Hon. William Jefferson Clinton, George H. Bush Sr., Bill Gates Sr., Drs Bill & Camille Cosby, Johnetta Betsch Cole, Maya Angelou, Danny Glover, Baroness Valere Amos & others. In 2010, she will serve as the Artist in Residence for the River Road African American Museum & will be one of the featured artists at the Essence Music Festival Marketplace for 2010.

We are privileged to have two of her vibrant quilted textile collages on display.