July 1, 2026 BRUSHMARK

President's Message

Happy 4th of July Everyone,

As I step down as your President, my heart is full. We’ve grown together, worked side by side, and lifted this gallery into a bright new chapter. I want you to feel completely confident knowing that your incoming President will continue the same care, quality, and dedication we’ve all poured into this place.

We’ve accomplished so much — not just in programs and improvements, but in creating a welcoming space where artists and community members feel seen, supported, and inspired. Opportunities are here for everyone, and they will continue to flourish if you remain involved with them.

All you need to do is walk through those doors and keep sharing your creativity, your time, and your passion. That’s what keeps us strong. That’s what keeps us at the level our community expects and deserves.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I’m proud of what we’ve built together, and I know the best is still ahead. Thank you all for the memories of a lifetime as you move into 75 years in the arts. A time indeed to celebrate!!!!!

Respectfully,

Cheryl Ehlers

We have loads of planning for our upcoming Events, Deadlines and More . . . We hope you will participate.

• Applications now open for 75th Annual Fine Art Open Award Show. Here

• July 1 , 2026, - Art Share: 5pm-6:30pm. Contact Scott

• July 1 - July 10 - Voting opens today for COAL BOARD - 2026-2028 - Here

• July 6, 2026 - Take-In: 9:30AM-1PM. Monthly Show, Deadline to enter July 3, Enter Here. Art Removal, August 1

• July 8, 2026 - Inside Look with featured artist Lorraine Strieby: 5pm-6pm, Contact Cheryl

• July 9 - Educational Discussion 1:45-3:15pm, 17th Century Dutch Painters with Douglas Barker, MA Sign-Up

• July 11 - Reception. 3-5pm

• July 12, 1-4, COAL Village Air Faire. Here We need more artists to represent the gallery or we will need to cancel this event out of respect for the SIMA's help.
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• July 19, 9am-4pm - Spin Out at Art on the Green, Potters Demonstration

• July 23 - Deadline to enter 72nd Fine Art Open Annual

• July 23 - Madd Hatters, 5-7pm, Flicks at the Fountain.

• Opens on July 23 - Abstract Open Annual Applications are now open. Here

• August 2, 2026, Take-In, - 75th Annual Fine Art Open Award Show, 9:30AM-1PM

• Sept 26 - Applications open for next Baffle period Oct 1- Nov 3 (1 month)
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• Now Open: November 28 - COAL Holiday Bazaar Applications, limited spaces, so soon up soon, Here. Members only.

VOTING BEGINS TODAY COAL BOARD ELECTIONS 2026-2028

VOTE July 1 to July 10

The following is the slate for Board Positions.

• President:  Susan Bell has agreed to fill position temporarily.
• Vice President: Open
• Gallery Director: Karen Johnson has agreed to fill the Gallery Management position.
• Director of Publicity: Open
• Parliamentarian: Cheryl Ehlers has agree d to fill this position.

The following volunteers will remain in their Board of Director positions:  

Scott Bruckner, Membership Director: Responsible for accepting New Member artists.

Judy Richardson, Secretary: Recording Secretary

Julie Brooks, Programs Director: Responsible for implementing action all our Programs

Carolyn Alkire, Treasurer

NOTE: Effective August 1 new emails

Susan Bell will be using the ncagpresident@gmail.com

Cheryl Ehlers: northcoastalartgallery@gmail.com,

Please make a note of these new emails.

PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS:

Susan Kamin, textiles; Idalia Rewar, oil; Anita Friedrich, photography; Jan Stiles, jewelry;

James Richer, acrylic; Denise Rudy, acrylic; Denise Turner, oil; - looking forward to meeting you all soon!

AT THE GALLERY

From Gallery Coordinator, Karen Johnson.

Contact Karen Johnson @ (760) 580-9313 for your questions about all gallery functions. (Backups: Susan Bell or by text only @ 760-405-3199 or Cheryl Ehlers @ 760-519-1551). For Calendar issues contact Ellen Cramer

• There is a temporary credit card machine in the gallery. It is very easy to use. Instructions are on the desk. If for any reason it doesn't work for you, simply use a cellphone, go to the North Coastal Art Gallery website, find the donation button and click, select Art Sales and enter the dollar amount of the transaction. (if necessary only)

• When using the gallery phone, please clean it (ladies, make-up goop?) There have been virus's going round, so better safe then sorry.

• Update - New Member Host Training. Mercedes Martin is managing the training. Please note: New members must be trained before hosting. Contact Mercedes or 202-957-3625 with questions and to schedule training. Click Here for the New Member Host Training Schedule.

HAPPENING IN JULY - LOADS OF ACTIVITY

July Monthly Show - "Hidden Realms", JUL 6 - AUG 1

Deadline to enter is July 3rd - Enter Here

Art Take-in is July 6, @ 9:30am.

Reception: July 11, 3-5pm

Art Removal: Aug 1 (no exceptions) the open Annual is coming in on Sunday, AUG 2)

We need more artists. Where are you all? So please sign up today! Here

Help us plan great shows—early sign-ups make all the difference!

We know you are all busy, but so are we trying to keep the gallery up and running with all the transitions happening in July, but more important is the fact that without art we don't have a gallery to share with the public, and each month this lately seems to be a repeat course appearing monthly at the last minute. Right now we only have 4 entries and 3 days to go until July 3rd.

We are always planning things to keep our exposure in the community and sales for the gallery and you. We just need your artwork to do that or we will need to establish a draft floor plan.

Questions Please Reply to this email—we’re happy to work with you.ncagpresident@gmail.com

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

All our Monthly Shows and Open Shows are a major part of funding the gallery and our awards. They take real energy—planning, promotion, and many volunteer hours. To keep these shows strong and sustainable, we need to know who’s in earlier.

We publish the Annual Calendar so you can plan ahead. If you’re focused on other commitments or another show, we get it. But if you expect to participate, please reserve your spot early.

Early sign-ups help us:

• Confirm gallery layouts and staffing
• Set marketing timelines and budgets
• Avoid last-minute scrambles that strain volunteers

Two quick actions you can do:

1. Mark your calendar for the shows you’re likely to enter.
2. Submit your application weeks ahead of the deadline.
3. We would like to start publishing a preview grid of confirmed artists two weeks earlier than usual of the MS show for artists, and eventually spotlight a few of you, but we do need your signups earlier to do that. It takes time, planning and participation, so thank you.
4. And we are considering reenacting early taken in? if we can get artists to participate in helping each other out. The guidelines have not been established yet or in effect on the process we will be using. For now, you need to contact a buddy at this point and ask for help.
5. We are trying to help you too!

With appreciation, Cheryl and the Monthly Show Team Members

Art Share with host Scott Bruckner, July 1, 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, July 8, 2026, 5-6pm. Come meet and talk to our featured Monthly Artist, Lorraine Strieby: Her art is whimsical and her creative mind helps her get to the heart of things. But it is a lot of work. She doesn’t mind because she has a lot of energy that brings whimsey to her paintings and her books.



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 JULY AND LOOKING AHEAD

Join the art community of local artists in this once in a lifetime celebration! Our 75th year as an organization.

Don't delay!!!! Join the art community of local artists in this once in a lifetime celebration! Our 75th year as an organization.

Judge: Richard Hawk



Applications Open: HERE. 



Deadline to apply: JUL 23rd @ NOON. 

Acceptance Notice: By JULY 25 @ noon, 

Art Take-In Date:  AUG 2, 9:30AM – 1PM. 

Art Removal Date: SEPT 5, 2026, 9:30AM - 1PM

Seeking volunteers for take-in Aug 2, contact Cheryl if you can help.

AOG Artists can join up here. DEADLINE IS JULY 2, Sign up here

Volunteers Needed for

Madd Hatters - July 23, 5pm-8pm

Madd Hatters - August 9, 10am-4pm

Jingles - Dec 6, 11:30am - 5:30pm

Youth Show Coordinating Asst - Oct 2026

Sign-up



Call for Artists Holiday Bazaar open to 10 inside and 10 outside 10-8pm, Saturday, November 28 @ the Gallery. Food/Music and cheers! Signup

Don't delay we have much planning and preparations to do for this event. IT was loads of fun last year!!! We have quite a few things going on for you to participate in, and enjoy with your peers, so take a step into the world of Art with us and explore all the opportunities that unfold for you.

Step outside of your comfort zone and experience all the aspects of being an artist.

We have it all at the gallery, dive in!

Prepare for the ABSTRACT Show, it opens on July 23rd for applications and will be announced. See you then.

JUNE AWARDS

June Best of Show

Bob Semper

The Del Ray

3D Sculpture

View all June awards here

People's Choice

James Richer

"Beginnings"

Acrylic"

San Diego County Fair Fine Art Show Awards. FAIR PICKUP coming on July 7th. They will have emailed you today and assigned you an art pickup date and time via email. PLEASER READ FOR DETAILS.

CONGRATULATIONS: San Diego County Fair Winners:

Ira Cosmos - Donated Award,

Scott Bruckner - HM,

Sue De Wulf, HM.,

Lois Athearn, 3rd

Do you have news of your 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 just downsized our CB Shoppes Pop-up Gallery. Space 136 bottom floor down from the Cheecaske Factory. We went from a 67ft to 30ft. it was a very tight squeeze, a terrific offer and we are grateful for the opportunity to be able to provide the art outside of the Gallery for the community. The Mall continues to take care of us, and that is what connecting and networking is all about, it always has a great return down the road. A real team effort to do for certain, we hope to one day get another space as we have now been in four of them as they get rented. Again, we are grateful for the opportunity to expand outreach with the Gallery in mind at all times

Members, WE NEED YOUR Facebook or Instagram page? To post announcements of your artworks. It is a key to today's communication and your visibility. It really is a necessary evil. Every time we want to share info. If you do not have any kind of online presence we cannot direct people to you, or back to the gallery, so think about it! Imagine, if no one knows who you are they assume you are not out there, so they look elsewhere for things. It is VERY IMPORTANT to have some form of social media, Food for thought! So if you can, will you please provide your info here. for use on our Social Media. Thank you.



Who To Call for Help

Director of Programs, Julie Brooks, click to contact Julie

• Demo & Expression Programs
• Art on the Green
• Jewelry / Towers - contact Day of coordinator, Lisa Farin

Director of Membership - Scott Bruckner, click to contact Scott

• 2026 Membership Drive/Renewal

Baffles Coordinator, Charcee Colosia, click to contact Charcee

Applications open on Sept 26 for Baffle period Oct 1- Nov 3 (1 month). Apply Here

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

Jewelry Towers & Sculpture Space Rentals - Jewelers - we still have space for three. See tab 8 on Members Info Page Contact Lisa Farin for questions.

Publicity Chair We need to find a replacement NOW, we have much to post and so little hlep to do it, Can you assist us?? Do you know Instagram or can work on a computer? This is a key position that has risen our organization to the top in social media. Can you please contact Julie Brooks. Meanwhile, while hosting.. Text her the photos and information of any to Julie at (909) 538-6218. Remember to tag, post and share all our posts you receive. it helps build interests and the algorithms online presence. You need to engage to make it work, even if you don't like it. Just a push of a button is all it takes. Simple tasks you can do to help. Thank you.

OUR PROGRAMS

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

Join us each weekend "on the green".

Art on the Green now has a new direct application link.  Easy signup Here.

Sign up opens on Mondays 8am and closes on Fridays by 6pm via the online accessible on the website page of Art on the Green with all the details.

Please remember, while your surroundings are more casual, you are representing our gallery and are held to the same standards of professionalism as our gallery staff. In addition, we have special rules for AOG vendors to assure that those standards are maintained. Those who choose not to follow the AOG vendor rules can lose their privileges.

Questions, please contact Julie Brooks

July 9 Demo and Expression get details here. Limited seating for Western Art History educational discussion with Douglas Barker, MA. Sign up today. Hosted at the gallery, 1:30pm

Questions, please contact Sharon Commins

Grades: ages 1st – 12th, you have plenty of time to prepare your art for the October 2026 exhibition. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2026.. You can now Apply here.

Contact Show Director: Charcee Colosia at charlotte.charcee@gmail.

We Love Our Volunteers We will be hosting a Volunteers Reception in November 2026, be on the lookout for the informaiton. Fun1

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers! We couldn't run the Gallery without you. 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!
• Publicity Chair, Publicity assistants,
• Assistant Programs Manager – monthly and as needed
• Assistant Director of Publicity – as needed
• Assistant Shrink Wrap Coordinator

. Contact Karen if you can help.

COAL Membership

We accept artists all year long,



Renew or signup for this page BECOME A MEMBER

Questions: Contact Scott Brucker

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