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Important Dates
- October 1- November 5 - SRAL Art Display at West Center Lobby
- October 31 – (Fri.) Sky Painting Show ends- Pick up sky paintings by October 31
- November 4 – December 31 - Animal Paintings Art display in SRAL Studio, TV room. Drop off Animal Paintings, November 4 between 9:00 – 10:00
- November 1 – 31 – The Final Briggs Exhibit, Canoa Hills Rec. Center
- November 1 – 31 – Plein Air Exhibit in the SRAL Studio Front Room
- November 6, (Thur.) 2:00 – New Members Meeting, SRAL Studio
- November 6, (Thur.) 3:00 – 5:00 – Mix and Mingle, SRAL Studio
- November 5, (Wed.) 9:00 – Pick up paintings at West Center
- November 10 - December 31 - Collage Mixed Media Display in West Center Lobby
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November 13, (Thur.) General Meeting – 1:00 – 3:00 Anza Room
- November 22 (Sat.) - Postmark Deadline for Members Show (Chaos and Harmony)
- December 1, (Mon.) 10:00 AM - Members show art drop off
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BRING YOUR GVR CARD
TO ALL SANTA RITA ART LEAGUE EVENTS!
WE HAVE A NEW SCANNING SYSTEM TO TRACK ATTENDANCE.
YOU MUST SCAN IN.
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
We are still LOOKING for the 2026 President……………..Is it YOU?
Let’s Celebrate the fall season with ART!
An Artful Fall and Winter Season awaits you!
- There are 2 Art 101 classes offered this fall. (The Color Fundamentals class is already sold out but a wait list is available.)
- Many more classes are planned, beginning in 2026.
- The (SIG) Special Interest Groups, are operating at full swing! Both new and current members are always welcomed.
- The Member’s show “Chaos and Harmony” begins December 1st! Be sure to complete and postmark your entry by November 22, 2025.
- Our monthly live Artist Demonstrations have resumed in the Anza Room. The event is offered every 2nd Thursday of the month, at the General Meeting.
- Numerous GVR centers have exhibits painted by SIG groups or individual members.
- Our refurbished studio is open again! An exciting place to be! Come in and paint!
- The November “Mix and Mingle” event, Nov. 6, 3:00. Meet your fellow artists!!
The Art League is a busy place. We want it to continue to be busy. Please consider becoming the 2026 Art League President! We really need someone.
See below for more information about all of the above-mentioned activities.
Jeani Gustafson and Arlene Szypulski
Co-presidents 2023-2025
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SRAL MEMBERSHIP 2026
Dues are $35.00
Santa Rita Art League Membership renewal for 2026 has begun.
It is so easy to renew your membership.
Here are your options:
- Go to SRAL website to fill out an application and pay online.
- Print out an application and pay by cash or check
- Pick up an application in the studio and pay by cash or check
- Pick up an application at the General Meeting and pay there by cash or check
Please read the application carefully as it gives you the information to renew and make your payment.
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New Member Orientation
Welcome to New Members of the Santa Rita Art League!
If you are new member of Santa Rita Art League or just want to be brought up
to “speed” on how to benefit from your membership, please attend our New
Member Orientation on Thursday, November 6, at 2:00 pm at the SRAL
Studio.
Questions? RSVP? Contact one of our New Member
Liaisons, Patti Sutherland at PatiS@SantaRitaArt.org and Sally Bryan at SallyB@SantaRitaArt.org
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Mix and Mingle
Thursday, November 6
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Our November gathering will be held in the Studio on November 6 from 3 pm to 5 pm. All members are enthusiastically encouraged to join us, new and old. This is a great time to meet up with your fellow artists in a relaxed, unstructured, friendly environment to talk about art or life.
If you have a work of art featuring Fall colors or objects, bring it along to show us what you’ve been up to. And, if you’d like some friendly feedback on a piece, finished or in progress, bring it with you. Of course, any work you’d like to share, whether in progress or finished, is always welcome!
As usual, feel free to bring a snack to share along with your beverage of choice. We’ll see you there!
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SRAL Monthly General Meeting
&
Artist Demo
1:00-3:00pm • November 13, 2025 • Anza Room
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Demo Artist:
Inna Rohr
“Urban Nocturnes”
Demo Description:
This demo delves into the moody magic of nocturnal landscapes - city streets shimmering after rain as day slips into night. At dusk, streetlights glow like gemstones in the light, wet pavement mirrors the atmosphere, and power lines add rhythm and depth. I’ll share my go-to substrates, brushes, paints, and mediums for this style; we’ll explore composition, value, and a rich yet simple palette. You’ll learn how to make those streetlights pop and reflections glisten, as we move between loose, painterly brush strokes and soft edges, balanced by crisp geometry and hard edges.
Bio:
INNA ROHR
innarohrartist@gmail.com / innarohrartist.com / 520-965-3468 / IG: @innarohr
Studio location: 101 W 6th st, Ste 121
Inna Rohr is a Tucson-based artist, born in 1984 in Tallinn, Estonia - a cozy Northern European country that was part of the USSR at the time. Tucson has been her homebase since 2004, where she creates and teaches classes and workshops in her studio. In addition to her personal practice, she is the founder and director of Untitled Gallery, a community-oriented, volunteer-run space supporting local artists since 2019.
After earning degrees in design and animation, Inna spent nearly a decade working in advertising and television before deciding to pursue art full-time. Largely self-taught, she continues to seek inspiration from mentors and artists, attending workshops, conventions, and residencies to expand her knowledge and practice.
Inna primarily works in oil, exploring a wide range of subjects - from figurative and plein air work to landscapes, interiors, and still life's. She also enjoys the spontaneity of watercolor, often using it to capture live jazz, nature, and figure studies. More recently, she has been exploring mixed media and fiber art, creating mystical sculptural pieces from clay, wax, thread, and natural materials. For her, the subject determines the medium - a philosophy that keeps her practice ever-evolving and intuitive.
Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is held in private and public collections across the U.S. and Europe.
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MORE STUDIO UPGRADES
We have received many donations for donated art supplies in the last 6 months.
The Board has decided to add 3 Dyson air purifying devices. These are supposed to remove particulate from the air as well as airborne smells. You are still restricted in the materials you use in the studio. You will still be required to use odor free solvents, preferably Gamsol.
We also have ordered a new printer/copier. It should save us a lot in ink costs.
We have purchased a couple of padded stools with backs for use when painting at an easel. We plan to purchase several more, however, felt we needed to test out stools before we order very many.
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THE FINAL EVA BRIGGS RETRO EXHIBIT
Canoa Hills GVR Center November 1 – 30
After 20 years of annual abstract competitions honoring the
Eva Briggs legacy, the Santa Rita Art League offers you one last look at these beautiful 36” x 36” paintings.
Mark your calendar! You won’t want to miss this event!
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Announcing: the 2025 Members’ 2nd Annual
Judged Exhibit
Theme: Chaos and Harmony
New! Here are the details for the upcoming SRAL art exhibit in December. As always, our popular art shows at Canoa Hills GVR Lobby are fun to enter a piece as well as an opportunity to either win an award or sell your piece (with no commission). Please read, print, and save the important details in the prospectus for the theme, the entry date, etc. Click here for the entry form. Questions should be sent via email to the exhibit co-chairs: Susan McKelvy (SusanM@SantaRitaArt.org) and Rhonda Fisher (RhondaF@SantaRitaArt.org). Below are some ideas for the exhibit theme, Chaos and Harmony.
Definition of Chaos and Harmony
Chaos is defined as completely unordered, unpredictable, or confusing, i.e., a total lack of restraint or control. Synonyms are disorder, disarray, discord, helter-skelter, lawlessness, and turmoil. In contrast, harmony is a state of agreement, accord, balance or unity among people or things, characterized by peacefulness, a pleasing combination of elements, or fitting together well.
More information on the theme and the judge, Greg Wallace, are available on SRAL's website.
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MASTERS SHOW
It is time to start your paintings for the Masters Show 2026! It is tentatively scheduled from mid- February until the end of March at the West Center. More info to follow.
Recreating a Master painting is a time-honored tradition for developing artistic skills. It is a great way to try out a new technique, improve on your own style, and have some fun!
This year the special section will be for animal artists. Some artists to consider are: George Stubbs, Paulus Potter, Jan Fyt, Arthur Wardle, Sir Edwin Landseer, Charles Burton Barber, Rosa Bonheur, and John James Audubon. There are many others! Of course, an animal painting is optional, and you may choose any artist's painting that you consider to be a Master.
Due to copyright laws, an artist must be DECEASED for at least 70 years to be copied legally, so that would be from 1956 and prior years.
Due to the rise of A.I. (artificial intelligence) with fake interpretations of famous artists online, there will be a line on the entry form to enter the provenance of the painting that you are reproducing. Examples: title of the book it was in, name of the museum it is hanging in, who's personal collection it is from, or when/where it was sold at auction (like Christy's). It is no longer enough to just take an image off of a Google search. Our library has many great books to look through and check out.
- Each member may enter 2 paintings.
- No size limit, but be reasonable.
- No entry fee. Prizes: Artist's Choice ribbons
- SRAL hanging guidelines must be followed
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Please contact Cheryl Schaeffer CherylS@SantaRitaArt.org
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SANTA RITA STUDIO GALLERIES
The Plein Aire SIG will display in the Front Room for the month of November.
PICK UP YOUR SKY THEMED ARTWORK AT THE STUDIO
The Sky Themed display in the TV room will end on October 31. Please pick up your sky paintings by Friday, October 31.
WE NEED YOUR PAINTINGS OF ANIMALS!
We will display animal paintings in the TV room for the months of November and December.
Please bring your Animal paintings to the Studio between 9:00 and 10:00 on Tuesday, November 4. Try to be on time with your painting delivery. If you show up late, it is difficult for the hanging crew as they may need to rearrange paintings.
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WEST CENTER LOBBY
Collage/Mixed Media will display in the West Center lobby from
November 10 – December 31
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🌟 Looking for New Leaders in 2026 🌟
As we recently announced in our URGENT e-blast, the Santa Rita Art League is in dire need of leadership for 2026. We desperately need a League President. In addition, we need 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents.
PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING OUR SANTA RITA ART LEAGUE LEADERSHIP TEAM. Our current board members will guide you and train you in these leadership roles.
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Educational Opportunities
at SRAL
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ART 101 AND MINI-WORKSHOPS
The Art 101 classes begin in November with a Color Fundamentals class taught by Kris Martens. This class is full but you can Click here to add your name to the wait list.
You will receive an e-blast in November announcing the Art 101 class available in December.
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Educational Opportunities at the
Community Performance & Art Center – CPAC
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Workshops
- The Expressive Portrait taught by Tonja Sell on Dec 2 - 3, 2025
- Media Manipulation, Oil Resist with Acrylic Paint taught by Fran Sutherland on January 26, 2025
- Layers, Layers, Layers taught by Susan Ettl on January 27 – 28, 2026
Click here for more information (Adult Workshops | Community Performance & Art Center – CPAC)
Weekly Classes
- Personalizing Painting taught by Fran Sutherland, a SRAL member, on Nov 5, 12, 19, Dec 3, 10, 17, 2025
- Painting From Life with Pastels and PanPastels taught by Sonsoles (Sunny) Shack on Nov 11, 18, Dec 2, 9,16, 2025
- Discover the Joy of Bookmaking taught by Susan Ettl on January 7, 14, 21, February 4, 11, 18, 2026
Click here for more information (https://www.performingartscenter.org/programs/adult-education/adult-weekly-classes/)
Upcoming Exhibits at CPAC
“Plein Air”
Featuring Work by Arizona Artists
In the Harry and Ann Paxton Gallery and Theater Lobby
September 30 – November 3, 2025
Reception: Friday, October 10th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM
"Collage/Mixed Media Celebration III"
Featuring Work by Arizona Artists
In the Harry and Ann Paxton Gallery
November 3 – December 19, 2025
Reception: Friday, November 7th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM
"Icons of the West III"
Featuring Work by Arizona Artists
In the Harry and Ann Paxton Gallery and Theater Lobby
January 6 – February 2, 2026
Reception: Wednesday, January 7th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Click Here for more information
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Workshops at
Tubac School of Fine Arts
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SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGs)
There are 11 Special Interest Groups and all of them are open to the members of the Art League.
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- ABSTRACT WORK GROUP
- ASSEMBLAGE
- COLLAGE/MIXED MEDIA and ACRYLIC
- FIGURE DRAWING
- LEARNING ABSTRACT
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- OIL PAINTING & PASTEL
- OPEN STUDIO
- PLEIN AIR
- PORTRAIT
- PRINTMAKERS GUILD
- WATERCOLOR
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ABSTRACT
The Abstract Group will meet next on Monday, November 3rd, at 10 AM in the Studio. We will be sharing art information, comment on art work you bring in to share, and look at the results of our Challenge for this month: Make a Small Abstract Painting and add Bubbles. Please contact Nan Lux at nlux@me.com if you would like to details for the Challenge. All are welcome.
ABSTRACT LEARNING
This new, creative group of artists meets every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Monday of each month from10-12 PM at the Studio. The next weekly session is November 10th. SRAL members who would like to explore the large area of abstract art are encouraged to come by! All methods of paint
making are welcome. Bring your paint kit and come to be impressed by the experienced folks there to help you discover this fascinating field! Contact Nan Lux at nlux@me.com.
ASSEMBLAGE
The Assemblage SIG will have an exhibit of their work in the Desert Hills Lobby starting October 1 through October 31.
The Assemblage Special Interest Group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Fridays at the SRAL studio from 1-3 pm.
See you there,
Cheryl Schaeffer CherylS@SantaRitaArt.org and Sue Bollig SueB@SantaRitaArt.org, coordinators
COLLAGE/MIXED MEDIA and ACRYLIC
We are meeting the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1 to 3. The first Wednesday we will have a demo, a challenge and a time to share artwork. Our challenge for November is to create a negative painting.
You can contact Janet Johnson by Clicking Here.
FIGURE DRAWING
The Figure Drawing Group meets on the first Saturday of each month 9 AM to Noon and will hold its first drawing session of the 2025-2026 season on Saturday, November 1st.
Please arrive at least ten minutes ahead of 9 AM to set up. Alondra will be our model. She begins with quick standing poses and progresses to longer sitting and/or reclining poses. We listen to “New Age” music during the longer poses. The fee per participant is $5.00 and tips are welcome. Contact Lisa Schmit with questions LisaS@SantaRitaArt.org
OIL PAINTING & PASTEL
We are a friendly, supportive, and informal group that allows our members a scheduled time to paint, share ideas, and techniques. We welcome both beginning and accomplished artists alike!
We meet every Monday from noon to 3:00. Contact Deb Nealy with questions DebN@SantaRitaArt.org
OPEN STUDIO
This popular event occurs every Tuesday from 9 AM to 1 PM. As recently updated, all members are welcome to use all media types. Oil paint is allowed in the main studio on Monday and Tuesday only, so this is a great time for oil painting, but only an odor-less solvent, such as Gamsol, can be used. Our usual members stop to have lunch at noon.
PLEIN AIR PAINT OUTINGS
We will be meeting every Thursday morning with a venue listed on the schedule posted on the bulletin board.
If interested, please send an email with your name, phone number and email address to Nanci Sheppard NanciS@SantaRitaArt.org
PORTRAIT
The Portrait group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. We welcome and support all artists and their chosen medium.
PRINTMAKERS GUILD
Coordinators: Karen Keim and John McGraw
We meet on the second Wednesday and the fourth Thursday of each month (alternate Thursdays in Nov./Dec due to holidays). Interested SRAL members are always welcome to visit or join us in printmaking. Limited supplies are available for participation. To join the e-mail list, or if you have questions, please contact Karen Keim at KarenK@SantaRitaArt.org
WATERCOLOR
The Watercolor group meets year-round every Friday from 9am-12pm. Some of us also meet via Zoom most Fridays during the Summer and early Fall. The zoom calls are scheduled from 9am-12pm AZ time. All levels are welcome- come join us! To contact Valerie St. Marie ValerieSM@SantaRitaArt.org
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