CALL TO ALL SAAG ARTISTS
The Anniversary Celebration's Silent Auction Committee is looking for 30-40 pieces of art from SAAG artist (all mediums and sizes) for the Silent Auction being held in conjunction with the SAAG 20th Anniversary Celebration on October 30. The event will be attended by SAAG members and their guests. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the SAAG Scholarship Program.
The auction committee is interested in donations of all types of art, as well as items for gift baskets or bid packages such as theater tickets, restaurant gift cards, spa gift cards, etc. We are also looking for trip items, such as timeshare donations or weekends away. Donations are not juried. To donate an item for the auction, please fill out the Donation Form provided on the SAAG website by CLICKING HERE.
Deadline for your donated piece is 4pm, on Friday, October 14, so that your item can be listed in the Celebration Program.
For more information about how to get your donation to the Silent Auction Committee, please call Lisa Suarez, (207) 332-5890 or Vivian Paric (520) 797-3165 to make arrangements. Any questions about the silent auction, please email lisa.suarez1958@gmail.com.
SAAG MEMBERS: Watch for your invitation and instructions to RSVP
in your email mid-September.
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A Message from Suzanne Villella, President |
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Goosebumps. I can’t find another way to describe my reaction when I see our guild members jump in to volunteer. Brand new members, Deb and Julia, joined the guild and immediately stepped up to run programs. John is another new member who is helping plan our 20th anniversary event and Community Art Festival events. Nancy, Lynn, and Patty who are scouring Tucson school districts while developing our scholarship program. Lisa is developing and funding a grant program for older artists. Robyn, who stepped in to run scheduling at the gallery – not an easy task! Gallery artists volunteer a minimum of 3 days per month working at the gallery, in addition to holding other positions to support the guild. WOW. I cannot mention everyone, but SAAG is as great as it’s volunteers. And we have stellar volunteers! There is still plenty of opportunity for you to find your place to get involved! |
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Thank you to those who attended the Artist Reception for The Beauty of Color show at the Overlook, Oro Valley Community Center. It is a stunning show that enjoyed a fantastic turnout! Congratulations to all members who had work in this show. The show runs through December 5th. While there, be sure to visit the Oro Valley Rec Center Lobby to see Theresa Poalucci’s one person show. SAAG is full of talent! |
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The application for “This is the Southern Arts Guild” exhibition at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) is live on our website. This is an incredible, new opportunity for all guild members. The JCC has a beautiful, bright gallery space that is waiting for your artwork!
We celebrated the new session of artists and work at the SAAG Gallery on August 26. It was a beautiful evening of networking, music, and food and wine. I was super proud of our guild and thank you for attending!
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Pictured above, the crowd at the August 26 Reception at the SAAG Gallery to introduce the new artists joining the Gallery for Session 8. |
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I am looking forward to our September program with Carol Booton on September 10 at 10am at the SAAG Gallery. A creative community can always use guidance when building our art businesses!
Please continue to open those emails and newsletters! And please make sure you paid your annual dues that were due in April. SAAG is bursting with opportunities: to volunteer, to teach, support our local community, exhibit our artwork, to network, and to celebrate. It’s a gift to be able to create good for the local arts and community alongside colorful, artful, spirited artists like YOU!
I’ll end with a quote given to me years ago when I was an Air Force spouse. I keep this note on my refrigerator and read it daily:
“IN THE END…
We only regret the
chances we didn’t take,
the relationships we were afraid to have,
and the decisions we waited too long to make.”
— Lewis Carroll
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I hope to see you around the guild and gallery!
Suzanne Villella
President, Southern Arizona Arts Guild
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Every time you purchase SAAG merchandise,
you support the future of ART!!
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The Southern Arizona Arts Guild will begin selling SAAG merchandise at the SAAG Gallery, proceeds from which will benefit our blossoming scholarship program!
Mugs $15 • Aprons $25 • Tote Bags $35 • Hot/Cold Travel Tumblers $30
Be in fashion, with some SAAG accessories!
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The Southern Arizona Arts Guild Committee's Mission Statement:
The Scholarship Committee is dedicated to providing opportunity and support for diverse artists of high school and college age. This will be done through scholarship awards and grants, exhibitions featuring chosen artists and complimentary
memberships to SAAG.
Interested in joining the scholarship committee? Our next meeting is Friday, September 9th at 10am at the SAAG Gallery.
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In a partnership between SAAG and La Encantada, we are introducing a new program titled Third Saturday Art at the Plaza.
This program will be an opportunity for the public to visit the first level plaza at La Encantada on the third Saturday of each month to make an art project for free! Each project is taught by a SAAG Guild member with the help of volunteers. All supplies are provided. Each event begins at 11 am and continues to 1 pm.
Here is the schedule . . .
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HEY SAAG MEMBERS,
LET'S GET TOGETHER!
Let's help support our first event
of this kind by showing up
and encouraging others
to participate!
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September 17, 2022: Day of the Dead Print Making with Russell Kahn
October 15, 2022: Mask Creations with John Staiano
November 19, 2022: Card Creations with Lawrence Peters
December 17, 2022: Ornaments for Center Tree with Gillian Allard
January 21, 2023: Mural Painting on Canvas with Lynn Pass
February 18, 2023: Solar Print Making with Bijou D'Arpa
March 18, 2023: Chalk Art with Lynn Pass
April 15, 2023: Recycle Sculpture with Nancy Kozlik
May 20, 2023: Clay with Russell Kahn and Tracy
June 17, 2023: Costume/ Hat Creation Instructor TBA
July 15, 2023: Collage Experience with Casonti McClure
August 19, 2023: Mobile Creations with Rodney Casabier
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"Woman in a Blue Dress"
By David Walsh
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"Stolen Moments"
By Dee Ruff
(pictured above and below)
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An Introduction
New SAAG artist in the gallery for session 8
(Editors note: these introductions are listed by the order in which they were received.)
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David Walsh no sooner got his art in the gallery and made his first sale. His modernism/cubism style is new to the gallery and provides our patrons with an expressionistic yet structured design that reflects our modern lives, while also being inspired by the geometric shapes of cubism, first created by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.
"Since I was a child I have been involved with art on a limited basis," said David. "My style is a progression in progress."
Dee Ruff creates contemporary mosaic and mixed media art that she has organized into four unique collections.
• “Illuminated Shards” which contain textural natural materials, hidden reflective elements, and translucent colored glass that sparkle when treated to focused bright lighting.
• “Patina Collection” which features copper, bronze or iron liquid metal coatings that have been oxidized to create unique patina finishes. These mixed media artworks incorporate areas of mosaic that contain semi-precious minerals, natural stone, glazed ceramic, and other unique tesserae.
• “Travertine Collection” which features hand cut natural travertine stone in abstract mosaic designs.
• “Color Field Collection” (wall panels & hand formed sculptures) featuring glass, semi-precious minerals or crystals, ceramic, metal, or stone tesserae. They have been described as “textural mosaic tapestries” and celebrate the beauty and emotional impact of color.
Dee and her husband relocated from Bisbee to Tucson in January 2021. "I am so glad that I am a brand-new member of SAAG," she said. "I really look forward to getting to know more of the members and broadening my awareness of the art opportunities that can be found surrounding our new home in Tucson.
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APPLICATIONS ONLINE At www.southernarizonaartsguild.com
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“The Beauty of Color” exhibition! There was a record entry of 99 pieces of art submitted by 31 artists. The exhibition is now installed. Stop by “The Overlook” for drinks or a meal and catch the show. The Overlook is located at located at 10555 N La Canada Drive in Oro Valley. |
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The Beauty of Color Winners |
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Janice Witt First Place in Photography
"Dancers in Flight"
Judge's Note:
I love your use of colors and how you manipulated the dancer. Your choice of colors is beautiful and catches the viewer’s eye. Within this you have created a sense of imagination, of light and joy. Janise has been able to create an ethereal quality of the piece which is very appealing.
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Bob Torrez Second Place winner in photography
"SF Rain"
Judge's Note:
I love this piece; it takes you right into the frame and right into the story. Bob, great choice in selecting the painting style to elaborate this theme. Your choice of color also helped create a lot of mood. Wonderful job, congratulations Bob.
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Jerry Rowlette Third Place winner in photography
"Joy of Life"
Judge's Note:
This piece is exquisite, and I look upon it in awe of its expression of beauty and joy. I don’t know if the main subject was dropped in digitally or if you had a timed camera, but it doesn’t matter, it is beautiful. I love this piece; it really makes you feel good inside when viewing it.
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Karen Lustrup First Place in Art "Yellow"
Judge's Note:
My first impression of this piece is that it has a presence. The piece exudes joy, fun, and a playfulness.
To me the work feels fluid, and completely spontaneous.The busyness in the piece works well and yet there are more than enough quiet places for your eyes to rest. Karen developed a very interesting composition.
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Gail Staal Second Place in Art for
"Birth of a Galaxy"
Judge's Note:
When I look at this piece, I do feel the birth of a galaxy.
The use of blending of colors and the combustion of light is quite lovely.
Gail’s use of contrast between dark and light work well with her dynamic composition and added touch of twinkle.
The painting feels other worldly, making the viewer feel inside the beauty
of the cosmos.
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Lynn Pass Third Place in Art for "Samsara"
Judge's Note:
Lynn has many wonderful aspects in this piece; the detail and the way she executed it is beautiful. The people in the painting tell their story. I don’t know what the symbolism means to Lynn, I can only guess it’s about the concept of death, rebirth and existence, and maybe hope for a better world?
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Pictured is "Night into Day" by Theresa Poalucci, a 60' x 48" that was hung at the Solo Show at the Oro Valley Recreation Center. Theresa's show runs through December 4.
December 5, 2022 through April 24, 2023
Solo Artist will be Christina Spann
April 24, 2023 through August 28, 2023
Solo Artist space is available
August 28, 2023 through January 8, 2024
Solo Artist will be Phillip Krebbs
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Solo show at
Oro Valley Recreation Center
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Along with the Overlook Restaurant Show, SAAG also hosts a one-person show in the Oro Valley Recreation Lobby. Right now Theresa Poalucci has hung a one-woman show downstairs and she sold a piece while she was hanging her art!
"Sales at the one-person shows have always been good and it's a wonderful opportunity for our members who have a collection of work," said SAAG President Suzanne Villella.
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SAAG donates to Angel Charity for Children |
Pictured to the right is Elsa Jacklitch from Angel Charity for Children receiving a $100 Gift Card from SAAG, presented by Gallery Manager Johnny B.
The charity is hosting a fundraiser on October 15 titled "The Big Deal Monte Carlo Night" at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. They are looking for art donations to auction at this event. If you are interested call or email Johnny B at johnnyb_art@yahoo.com.
The mission of Angel Charity is to improve the quality of life for children in our community.
This is accomplished through an established program of fundraising for beneficiaries
selected annually by the general membership.
They are currently in their 40th year of providing funding to organizations such as Youth on Their Own, the National Alliance on Mental Illness for Southern Arizona, Boys to Men Tucson, and El Rio Health Center Foundation to name just a few.
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Liz Vaughn
Blending the Unusual with Words and Images
Interview and Photography of Artist by Janise Witt
Liz is an Arizona native, and a graduate of University of Arizona. She majored in Art History with a minor in Media Arts.
She first started painting in an Art For Personal Development class offered by Pima College. The class was at night, and watercolor paint was the medium. It was a fun community-style class full of comraraderie that provided an invaluable foundation for what would become her future work.
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Harrie Handler
Seeing with the Heart
Interview and Photography of Artist by Janise Witt
Harrie Handler's guiding principle of "seeing with my heart" lures the viewer to enter into an abstract, a landscape, or a female form to experience calmness with movement, peacefulness with spaciousness, and tranquility with optimism.
In her diverse body of work, creating beauty is the goal. It's also about enjoying the process; she continues working on a painting until she loves it. With each painting she is learning.
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"Sapphire Sea" by Harrie Handler
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"Night of Falling Stars" by Irene Klar. |
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"Sapphire Sea" is part of Harrie Handler's "Earthscapes Series and received a Bronze award in the Abstracts in Blue show at the Camelback Gallery online.
"This series began when I viewed some NASA aerial photographs of the earth," said Harrie. "I wanted to preserve the beauty as well as convey an emotion in paint. The landscape of our world is changing constantly due to climate change and pollution. We need to appreciate and protect the rare treasures of our planet."
The etching (to the right) is by Irene Klar and is titled Night of Falling Stars. It was selected for inclusion in the Printmaking Biennale 2022 at the University of North Georgia!
Earlier this year Laura LePere won first place in the 2-D category of the Annual Global Exhibition organized by the International Polymer Clay Association. Here’s a short video of all the winners: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaN0Oysppp6/
Casonti McClure recently won a bronze award in the Abstracts in Blue show at the Camelback Gallery online.
"My work is typically movement based," she said. "The Falls is based on my feeling of a heavy body of water set in motion, which as a desert dweller, has an enormous presence with an underlying sense of calm as its underpinnings."
Lauri Kaye is having a show at the Tucson Botanical Gardens from September 25 until January 2023. She will be showing over 50 pieces that will hang throughout the gardens. There will also be a 32 minute animated movie version of her series, Tucson Portrait Stories, playing on loop at the "grove" located next the butterfly exhibit and Zen garden. (You can watch this film by clicking on the art below). The plan is to have 2-3 saguaro sculptures as well, a collaboration with Pam Ambrosio.
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Click on the art to the right
to go to YouTube to watch
Tucson Portrait Stories . . .
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SAAG Member Judy Morgan at Santa Fe Gallery |
SAAG Member Judy Morgan was invited to paint at Houshangs Gallery (50 E San Francisco Street in Santa Fe). She painted in the gallery for two days at the end of July while also exhibiting. Judy has been with the gallery for the past 15-years.
To the left is Judy, with her work at Houshangs Gallery.
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Join us in our monthly NON-Critique September 15 |
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Don’t wilt in the last of the Summer Heat or Monsoon Humidity! Join us online even if you’re out of town!droppable-1661818949725
See what your fellow SAAG members are creating! Share your artwork with other artists in a casual and supportive setting! The meetings are held monthly via Zoom on the 3rd Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The date this month is September 15.
You are invited to share one or two pieces of your art and talk about your inspiration and process. If you wish, you can request feedback from the other attendees. But no suggestions will be offered unless you ask.
To show off your work to the best advantage we suggest that you submit one or more photos of your piece(s) to the host, Laura LePere (email below), by Wednesday, September 14.
• The photos don’t have to be anything fancy.
• The larger, the better!
• You may want to share a detail shot or a different angle along with a shot of the whole piece.
Please join us even if you don’t have work to show. We have a lot of fun!
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Friday, September 2
1 to 3 pm
Stress Free Watercolors
"Poppies"
with Susan Oyler
$40
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Saturday, September 3
1 to 3 pm
3-Pc. Wall Art
Acrylic Flow
on professional grade canvas
with Theresa Poalucci
$75
Students will have to let
their pieces dry at the
gallery and pick them up
3 days later
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Monday, September 12
4:30 to 6 pm
Smartphone
Photography
Learn all the features on your phone!
with Nancy Schroeder
$45
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Friday, September 16
1 to 3 pm
Stress Free Watercolors
Rooster or Iris
with Susan Oyler
$40
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Saturday, September 13
10:30 am to 1 pm
Paper
Quilling
with Erin Newma
$50
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Saturday, September 17
4 to 6 pm
Fun with
Watercolor Pencils
with Kent Brenner
$35
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Saturday, September 24
4 to 6 pm
Fun with
Watercolor Pencils
with Kent Brenner
$35
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Sunday, September 25
1 to 4 pm
Mixed Media
Photo Collage
A dimensional collage.
with Phil Smith
$75
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Friday, September 16
1 to 3 pm
Stress Free Watercolors
"Blue Bird"
with Susan Oyler
$40
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• Classes taught at La Encantada in our classroom in back of the gallery
• All classes taught by Southern Arizona Arts Guild artists
• Classes are for both beginners and advanced students
• Most of the time students leave with a finished project
• With most classes all art materials required are provided
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Marcy Wrenn, Maurice Grossman, Lauren Grossman, Aurora Chabot,
Joy Fox McGrew, Colleen Quigley, Hiro Tashima, Kazuma Sambe, Andy Iventosh
1st winner of Marcy Wrenn Ceramics Award, 2022 Pima ceramics student Branae Skinner
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Clay Artists
A Tribute to Clay
Through October 7
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Open to the Public
Reception and Gallery Talk: September 8, 5-7 p.m.
Lecture: Aurore Chabot
September 15, 6 p.m.
Lecture: Joy Fox McGrew. September 22, 6 p.m.
Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery - CFA
The Gallery at PIMA Community College is located on the
West Campus
In the Center for Arts Complex
2202 West Anklam Road
Telephone: 520.206.6942
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The gallery and its programs are free and open to the public.
Hours: Mon.-Thu.10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri.10 a.m.-3 p.m., and before select performing arts performances.
Closed: Labor Day, Sept. 5.
Call David Andres, gallery director, 520-206-6942 for information.
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Our ad for the OnMedia Programs
Sept., Oct, and Nov. Issues.
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With the continued success of SAAG Gallery sales the Guild Board decided in August to increase the advertising budget for the important holiday season coming up. Along with ads already planned for the October and December issues of the Desert Leaf, we will also be advertising with OnMedia, the folks who publish all the programs for Arizona Opera, Arizona Theatre Company, Fox Tucson Theatre, Tucson Symphony and the University of Arizona Repetory Theater Series. This relates to 180,000 programs during the season that reaches through May of 2023.
The theater program advertising was chosen in part because of the affluence of the readers:
• $137,000* Average Household income
• 33% have a net worth greater than $2 million+
• 84%* more likely than the average Arizonan to have a household income of $150K+
• 90% more likely to have a
home value greater than $1 million+
• 80% more likely to hold a post-graduate degree than the average Arizonan
If you go to a theater event and collect a program with a SAAG ad in it, please leave that copy at the gallery for Theresa Poalucci, so she can catalogue the various programs.
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Social Media Tips from SAAG |
SAAG has opportunities for its members on both Facebook and Instagram.
If you would like to have your artwork images posted to Facebook and/or Instagram, e-mail jpgs to Gail Kushner at gail@kushnerskreations.com. Please include your name, the name of the piece of art, and the medium.
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Pictured above is SAAG artist Lousie Waller doing a sculpture demonstration in the gallery during our summer weekends live demo event. Looking on is SAAG artist Eric Black. |
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Thanks to all the artists who have agreed to do a live art demonstration the weekend that La Encantada hosts the SAACA Fine Arts Festival. The event is Saturday-Sunday, October 22-23. If history repeats itself, the SAAG Gallery will be very busy. The bulk of the festival is in the downstairs plaza, but as a part of our sponsorship position with SAACA we will be providing the live art demonstrations, which will draw enthusiastic art patrons to our gallery as well.
Save the date!
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Time
to get
into the
Holiday
Spirit.
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Gallery Artists Notice for the upcoming Holidays
Now is a great time for artists interested in selling holiday items to create ornaments and gifts for our $25 and Under Table(s). Small holiday items like ornaments fly out our doors during the November and December, so have your stock ready.
Artists are limited to 12 ornaments out on the floor at a given time. Examples of past $25 and Under Table items have been coasters, magnets, card packs, pens, and more.
Holiday items will be displayed starting in November and stay up through December 25th. The rent for ornaments or the $25 and Under Table will be $20 each or $40 for both and this rent will cover both November and December.
If you would like to participate in these, please pay this rent with your November rent.
Let Maddie, our Merchandising Manager know if you plan to participate by emailing her at merchmgrbox@gmail.com
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Guild Members Welcome to Volunteer at the SAAG Gallery! |
If you are interested in volunteering at the SAAG Gallery to help fill floor shifts please send an email to Heidi at gallerymgrbox@gmail.com. You will get training before you start and each shift is 4 hours. Heidi can provide you with information on the shifts that need to be covered.
Working at the gallery is a great way to meet fellow artists and learn more about SAAG’s gallery operations. It also gives you a chance to talk with our patrons who visit the gallery.
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MEMBERS: Help update your information in the Member Directory
Please go into your listing in the Member Directory and make sure that the link to your website, Etsy page, or other destination is correct. While looking to create a Gallery Instagram page, I found that a number of the website links were not working properly. Also, I would encourage members to include website, Etsy page, or another link and a contact phone number. The information in the Member Directory can only be accessed by the membership.
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Donations can be made in Gene's name to:
Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery
1900 Veterans Memorial Dr.
Boulder City, Nevada 89005
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Eugene R. Nault, 80 years old, passed suddenly on August 6, 2022. He served as Vice President, President (multiple times) and Interim Gallery Manager for SAAG. Gene designed the original schematics for how our first gallery should be laid out for maximum impact. Whenever there was a "fire," Gene was the first to man the hose!
"From the moment award-winning artist Gene Nault joined SAAG in 2006, he embraced the spirit of guild-think," said SAAG Founder Diane Loving. "He somehow found time to excel at sculpting, pen and ink drawings, acrylic, and he co-created with his artist wife Carol Nault, an illustrated book about carousels. I find comfort in picturing his murals on the ceiling of heaven."
Gene served in the United States Air Force from 1959 ~ 1963. He earned a BS Degree from U of M and taught Junior High School for 10 years in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Gene also worked as a technical writer for Hughes Missile in Tucson, AZ and retired from PCS/CVS as a project manager in 2006.An avid golfer most of his life Gene also enjoyed creating art work.
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"Escape to the Clouds" by Gene Nault |
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