February 1, 2026

President's Message:

Dear Members,

We share a common purpose and a future we’re building together. What we’re working toward matters, and I truly appreciate the time, care, and dedication you bring to our work in the arts.

Let’s continue moving forward thoughtfully and with confidence, drawing on our collective strengths to make meaningful progress. While there may be challenges along the way, our sense of community and mutual support helps us navigate them. By staying focused, encouraging one another, and growing together, we can turn our ideas into something real and lasting.

Best wishes, Cheryl Ehlers

Up Coming Events, Deadlines and More . . . At A Glance

• FEB 1, 2026 @ 8 am, Baffle sign-up next session; new schedule & options below. APR/MAY/JUN

• Feb 2 - Take-in Feb Show (Feb 2- Mar 2) - 9:30am-1pm

• Feb 2 - Art Removal for Jan Show.

• Feb 3, Entries open 75th Annual Members Show. Enter Here. Entry deadline Feb 28 @ noon.

• Feb 4, 2026, Art Share with host Scott Bruckner, 5pm-6:30pm. Contact Scott

• Feb 5, 2026 – 1:30pm, Demo, Katinka Clementsmith: Color Theory, Acrylic

• Feb 7, 2026 Reception 3pm-5pm

• Feb 11, 2026, Inside Look: 5pm-6pm, Contact Cheryl

• March 2 - 75th Annual Members Show - Take-in March 2, 9:30AM-1PM

March 2 - April 14, (45 days on exhibit).   Art removal April 14.

• March 5, Demo, 1:30pm-3:30pm

• March 7 - Reception 3PM-5PM

• Apr 15 - Apr 18 - Gallery closed for repairs.

Welcome New Members:

Marlyn Cheng, Oil; Liz Horwarth, Acrylic; Christine Lombardi, Acrylic; Lori McCoy, Oil; Mary Hartley, Acrylic; Oil; Richard Rose, Photography.

Gallery Manager, Gertrude Lewis - @ the Gallery

A few things for all members to remember:

The Gallery is no longer open to artists after hours without the express permission from Gertrude. Please notify her of your request. We need to monitor our security. Thank you.

Attention all Hosts; You all will be contacted via email regarding procedures, issue and instruction for hosting the gallery, Monthly. Please make certain you read, print and keep the email for future reference Thank you.

HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY 2026

February Monthly Show



Art Take-in, Feb 2 @ 9:30am-1pm, 

Art Removal: Mar 2. (Remember your art cannot be stored)

Reception, Feb 7, 3pm-5pm

DEMO - Feb 5, 2026 – 1:30pm,

Katinka Clementsmith: Color Theory, Acrylic



Sign-up Here

Experience the use of vibrant color, dive into the fundamentals of color theory and learn how to use color intentionally and creatively; explore the color wheel, harmony and contrast, warm vs. cool palettes, value relationships, and the emotional impact of color. Visit Katinka

Art Share with host Scott Bruckner, February 4, 2026, 5pm-6:30pm - Join now for a monthly Art Share at COAL.  On the first Wed of each month, an event where you will share your work, ideas and creative energy, and get to know fellow members of the gallery. 

Whether you are just starting out and looking for comments on your work, or you have years of experience, this is a way to connect with others in a very relaxed and supportive environment. You will find it inspiring and uplifting, I know I do.  

No judging. No competition. Just creativity, community, and connection. Contact Scott to let us know you will be there.

Inside Look with host, Cheryl Ehlers, February 11, 2026, 5-6pm. Come meet and talk to Nancy Hackamack, our featured Monthly Artist.

INSIDE LOOK SEEKS MONTHLY SHOW ARTISTS 

 We offer Members:

• NCAG Website presentation (Home page and Event sections)
• Social Media presentation
• Coast News Calendaring
• Local Event Calendaring
• Community Calendaring

Signup today to, share about yourself, your art journey, and your inspiration. Introduce yourself to members and the public. Sign up here now.

Contact Cheryl.

COMING IN MARCH & THE MONTHS AHEAD

75th Annual Members ($$) Show

Mar 2 – April 14 (45 days on exhibit)

" Revelations in Reflection" -

Entries open here Feb 3,

Entry deadline Feb 28 @ noon.

Take-In March 2, 9:30AM-1PM

Art Removal April 14

Reception: March 7, 3PM-5PM

Demo - March 5, Watercolor with

Keiko Tanabe. 1:30pm-3:30pm

Reserve your seat here



Reserve your seat here

Coming In 2026 – We are starting an Art Mentorship Program whereby our existing Members can mentor other artists, and Members, on their quest into a fulfilling art experience. This is a one-on-one experience, individualized to each artist needs. We believe in the value of sharing your expertise within the arts community, and when you take the time to give back to others, you are fostering a sense of purpose, while also strengthening social connections, and improving self-esteem.

The program is in the development stages, and we look forward to hearing form those that are interested to move forward. Contact: Vice President, Susan Bell at susanllctr@aol.com 

January Awards

Who Oversees What - Who To Call for Help

Director of Programs, Julie Brooks, click to contact Julie

• Demo & Expression Programs
• Art on the Green
• Jewelry and Sculpture Space Rentals

Director of Membership - Scott Bruckner, click to contact Scott

• 2026 Membership Drive/Renewal

Baffles Coordinator, Charcee Colosia, click to contact Charcee

• Baffle Rentals for April 19 - June 30 begins February 1 @ 8am. Sign up.

Demo Coordinator, Sharon Commins. Be sure to welcome her when you see her at the Jan 8 Demo. Click to contact Sharon

2026 Membership Drive and Renewals.

Art on the Green - Open to All Artists and Art Organizations

Do you know of any who want to use selling space? Send them our way.

Join us each weekend "on the green".

Easy signup Here. Questions, please contact Julie Brooks

Demo and Expression get details here.

Questions, please contact Sharon Commins

Open now and accepting applications here.

"DAMES ON GRAND" - Congratulations COAL Members, Julie Brooks, Sue De Wulf, Linda Ericksen, Vickie Griffin, Mary Lou Owen and Vita Sorrentino on being juried into "Dames on Grand" at Expressions Galleries (inside the Escondido Arts Partnership. EXHIBITION DATES AND HOURS: February 14, 2026, to March 20, 2026. Opening reception: Saturday, February 14, 2026, 4:00PM– 6:00PM. Closing reception: Friday, March 20, 2026, 2-4:00 PM.



Shown below upper left to right, Night Blooming Cactus, Linda Ericksen; Otherwordly, Vita Sorrentino; lower left to right, Centauress, Half Woman Half Work Horse, Sue DeWulf; Plan Your Escape, Mary Lou Owner; Sunset on Cripple Creek, Vicki Griffin; Goat Yoga, Julie Brooks.

Do you have news of you're upcoming exhibits, awards, etc. you'd like in Brushmark? Please send all the details in a format ready to be published along with any photos to Cindy. It will be published in the next Brushmark that comes out 2 weeks after receipt of your submission.

We Love Our Volunteers

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers! We couldn't run the Gallery without you. Each month, we will highlight many of our volunteers and introduce them and their jobs. You may not always see them - they might be in the back room, behind a desk or at a computer. But everyone of you are critical to our operations. Thank you all!!!

Open volunteer positions - we need you! Jobs Coordinator, Publicity Chair, Publicity assistants

Contact Cheryl if you can help.

Very special shout out and thank you to our wonderful Show Take-In and Installation Teams. What would we do without them. Take-In - Cheryl Ehlers, Gertrude Lewis, Joe Gass, Marleen DuBona, Karen Johnson, Bob Koch, Susan Bell, Janyce Knight, Betty Anne Kreutziger, Karen Burstein, George Garcia, John Olvaney, Vickie Griffin, Jarvis Beeler, Dylan Miller, Jean Kelleher, Candace X. Moore, Bill Anderson, Julie Brooks.

Did We Miss Something?

Please check the website. All information is listed on our website under Members Info here.

• Get your Parking squared away & view the Hosting Calendar: Easy to find along with the revised Substitute Host Lists and all the Gallery Information.

To contact the Brushmark Editor, email Cindy Fatica

Gallery Hours

11-5pm Daily - January - March 31, 2026

Extended Hours beginning April 1, 2026