September 2025 Newsletter | | |
Important Dates
August 31 (Sun.) Pick up studio display paintings by this date.
September 2 (Tues.) Deliver “Sky” artwork to studio between 9:00 and 10:00 AM
September 2 – October 31 “Sky” themed exhibit in Studio Gallery
September 2 – September 30 Printmaking SIG in Studio Gallery
September 4 (Thur.) New Members Meeting 2:00, SRAL Studio
September 4 (Thur.) Mix and Mingle 3:00 – 5:00 SRAL Studio
September 11 (Thur.) General Meeting/Artist Demonstration 1:00 - 3:00 Anza Room
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Presidents Message
Let the Season Begin!
September marks the start of another exciting season for the Santa Rita Art League, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. This is the time we gather to learn, create, share, and celebrate the joy of art together.
We have a full calendar ahead—classes, mini-workshops, competitions, demonstrations, art displays, social events, and of course, plenty of time in our beautiful studio simply making art side by side. Just thinking about it is inspiring!
Of course, none of this happens without the dedication of our members. Every class, event, and gathering depends on the time and talent of our volunteers. It’s often said that the more you put into something, the more you gain from it—and our league is a perfect example. By stepping up, you’ll not only help make our season a success, but you’ll also connect more deeply with fellow
artists and friends. Please take a look at the volunteer opportunities listed below for the 2025–26 season. We need many hands and many talents, and
I know this group has both in abundance.
Here’s to a wonderful year ahead full of art, friendship, and inspiration.
Happy Painting!
Jeani Gustafson
SRAL Co-President
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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, September 4, at 2:00 pm at the SRAL
Studio.
Questions? RSVP? Contact one of our New Member
Liaisons, Patti Sutherland at PattiS@SantaRitaArt.org.
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Mix and Mingle
Thursday, Sept 4th
3:00pm to 5:00pm
We’re kicking off the end-of-summer with an informal gathering in the Studio from 3:00 to 5:00 on Thursday, September 4th.
Our theme for this meetup is “What I painted, drew or sketched, printed, collaged or assembled this summer.” So, bring along a work of art you made to share and inspire us all. Work finished or in progress is just fine. We’d love to see what you created.
As usual, feel free to bring a snack to share along with your beverage of choice. We can’t wait to meet up again!
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SRAL Monthly General Meeting
&
Artist Demo
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1:00-3:00pm • September 11, 2025 • Anza Room
Demo Artist: Ursula Schneider
"Stepping Outside the Box with Ink”
Creating with Ink can be an incredibly dynamic
medium if you move out of the most typically
envisioned box. I'll show you how I step outside the lines to combine realistic representations of my subject with a bit of more freeform abstraction and selective use of color to create a more modern end result.
Ursula Schneider - Artist Statement
I see art as an illustration of a life well lived. The artist life I aspire to is the life of one who lives fully present and able to engage a place, a plant, a creature, a habitat, a home, a city…in a tangible manner. My goal is to invite others into my own fascination with the world around me, to create a desire to be intimate with the living world of plants, animals, ecology as well as the human environment and from that space of wonder, to find ways to care for and conserve the natural world.
Every piece of art begins with time spent outside in the natural world observing and loving what I’ve found. Each time I walk out the door, I am doing so in an attitude of curiosity, discovery and adventure. I see myself as a perpetual student of the Earth and, necessarily, of the creative possibilities with which I hope to illuminate it. I work, through graphite, ink, watercolor, acrylic and soft pastel coupled with photography and written words to create a cohesive body of work that calls to the soul of anyone willing to consider the wonders of the
universe.
Ursula Schneider Bio
Born and raised in the wild Coastal woodlands of West Florida, I now make my home in the lush deserts of Southern Arizona. While the transition from a flat, tropical environment to the arid mountains of the Sonoran Desert felt anything but natural to me, I ultimately surrendered to the magic of seemingly unending transitions that can be found between the lower elevations and lofty sky island ranges.
I never imagined myself as an artist growing up, but was always a naturalist compelled by curiosity at the site of speckled eggs in a Blue Jay’s nest and the flashing neon of a summer sunset. It was a natural progression taking up various mediums to express the joy and wonder I sense directly onto a surface, or through my lens. All that passion has led me to explore numerous art mediums, including pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic and my current
love, soft pastel. As I continue my growth, a shift to mixed media, combining all of my favorites when the subject merits it, was an easy progression. A creative life developed for me from years of gazing intently at the life around me and realizing that I had no choice but to find a way to translate what enraptures my soul.
I have earned a Nature Art Certificate at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum Art Institute. I now happily serve there as an Art Educator as well as offering private lessons. My habit has been to take any class that grabs my attention and incorporate what I learn into my work as well as my teaching. I’ve exhibited at Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery, at the ASDM Baldwin Gallery, The ASDM Ironwood Gallery, at Murphy Gallery and most regularly on my personal
website at www.ursulaschneider.art as well as having the honor of my work being part of private collections across the United States as well as with international collectors.
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SUMMER STUDIO DISPLAY
If you have paintings in our summer studio display, please pick them up by August 31st.
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EARLY FALL STUDIO DISPLAY
☁️ Studio Theme: Sky ☁️
For September and October, our studio walls will be filled with artwork inspired by the sky—from brilliant sunsets to abstract interpretations. Both representational and non-representational works are welcome, and pieces do not need to be new.
📅 Drop-off date: Tuesday, September 2, between 9:00–10:00 AM
👩🎨 Coordinator: Diane Conant will be on hand to help hang the paintings. You may reach her at DianeC@SantaRitaArt.org if you have any questions.
The display wires are ready, and tags will be provided. Bring in your sky-inspired work and let’s brighten the studio together.
Don’t miss this chance to share your art with fellow members and visitors.
DECEMBER MEMBERS EXHIBIT
🎨 Upcoming Members Exhibit – “Chaos and Harmony” 🎨
Mark your calendars! Our next big Members Exhibit at Canoa Hills will take place in December, with the thought-provoking theme “Chaos and Harmony.”
- Artwork size: 24” x 30” or smaller
- Entry forms: Available at the studio and online beginning October 9 at the General Meeting
Now is the perfect time to start creating your piece!
A special thank-you to Susan McKelvy and Nan Lux, who will be serving as Show Chairs. While it’s a little early to finalize our volunteer team, we know this exhibit will need many helping hands. If you’d like to be part of making this show a success, keep it in mind—your involvement will be welcomed and appreciated!
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We could not function without the support of volunteers. We know that many have served and may not be able to continue to serve in specific roles. Consequently, we are always looking for new volunteers to support our programs and administrative functions.
A new addition, at the studio, is a “Volunteer Board”! We need you! Please review the postings on a monthly basis, as new postings are added. periodically. Sign up, ask questions, or find someone to share a job, if it seems a little more than you want to do alone. We really do need you!
This “Volunteer Board” will also be at General Meetings, especially through the fall and winter. Thank you for considering this opportunity! If you have questions, please email Brenda Stewart or contact her by way of the contact information on the back of the Volunteer Board.
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Looking for New Leaders in 2026
Several Board of Directors positions will be opening in 2026, and we invite you to consider stepping into one of these important roles. Our current leaders have served faithfully for several years, and now it’s time for fresh perspectives and new ideas to guide our art league forward.
These roles don’t have to be done alone—many can be shared with a partner. If you’ve ever wondered whether you have what it takes, the answer is yes! Before retirement, you built careers, raised families, organized households, and managed busy schedules. Those same skills—leadership, organization, creativity, and teamwork—are exactly what our league needs.
Your time, talent, and experience can make a lasting difference. Please consider lending your leadership to help our community continue to thrive.
The following positions must be filled for 2026:
First Vice-President/President Elect/Nominations Chair - One person or co-vice Presidents:
- Fill in if President is absent.
- Be responsible for GVR facility reservations or volunteer openings.
- Attend monthly board meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10am.
- Agree to serve as President of the League in the year immediately following his or her term (2027).
- Learn league business so the transition to President will happen smoothly.
Second Vice-President:
- Responsible for the General Meeting and securing community artists for the monthly demonstrations.
- Attend monthly board meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10 to 12 noon.
- In the absence of President and First Vice President, Second VP performs duties of president.
Newsletter Manager
- Gather information from the various group leaders, proof and organize.
- This information will be sent via e-mail from the group leaders.
- Once organized, this information is sent to the Newsletter Publisher
- Preview and proofread the publisher's version before it is sent.
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Educational Opportunities
at SRAL
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ART 101 AND MINI-WORKSHOPS
Art 101 and Mini-Workshops will start in November. We will have information regarding upcoming classes in the October Newsletter.
TRAINING FOR NEW MAT CUTTER
We have only had the opportunity to train a few people to use the new mat cutter. We will not be able to schedule further training until November. Please do NOT use the new mat cutter without being trained. We want to be sure everyone knows the proper way to use it.
If you have matboard pieces you don’t have a use for, we could use them for training. Your matboard donations would be much appreciated. These can be any size. Small mat pieces work for training.
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Educational Opportunities at the
Community Performance & Art Center – CPAC
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Adult Workshops
- All About Color taught by Sonsoles (Sunny) Shack on Nov 4 - 5, 2025
Click here for more information.
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
Click here for more information.
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
Click Here for more information
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Workshops at
Tubac School of Fine Arts
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Member News
We like to share with other members if you have an art show or display coming up. Please send information regarding your personal art displays to JeaniG@SantaRitaArt.org.
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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
- 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 SIG
The exciting first fall meeting of the Abstract Group will be on Monday, September 8th, at 10 AM in the Studio. (The first Monday this month is Labor Day.) We will kick off a fun and active Fall/Winter season with an overview of upcoming learning sessions, numerous art exhibit opportunities, plus a Louise Fletcher “how to” video. Bring your Summer paintings to show us and come to catch up! Nan Lux
ASSEMBLAGE
Hello everyone,
We will have our meeting on Friday, August 22 from 1-3pm in the SRAL studio. Bring your project, either finished to share, or unfinished to work on. It will be cool in the studio!
We are going to have our show at Desert Hills in October, so now is the time to think about that.
See you there,
Cheryl Schaeffer and Sue Bollig, coordinators
COLLAGE/MIXED MEDIA and ACRYLIC
Our group will meet the first Wednesday of September from 1 to 3 pm. We will have a demonstration of acrylic paint blowing. Bring mixed media paper or gessoed watercolor paper, a arge straw and 2 to 3 acrylic paints. Also bring any projects you have to share.
The usual twice monthly schedule will resume in October.
You can contact Janet Johnson by Clicking Here.
All Art League members are invited to participate in this SIG. Get ready for a terrific year.
We will continue with our experiments in composition:
- Compositional Design: Pyramid
- Art Principle: Unity
- Element: Form
Again, it is not necessary for you to participate in our challenges to attend the meeting. Bring something to share or work on, resources to share, etc. We love hearing new ideas and seeing new techniques.
FIGURE DRAWING
This group will not be meeting during the summer months.
The Figure Drawing Group meets on the first Saturday of each month from November to April, 9 AM to Noon. We hope to see you then. Have a great summer!
LEARNING ABSTRACT
This is a new group that is board approved and coming to you all in mid-October, on three Monday mornings each month, including the second, third, and fourth Mondays.
This group will be a work group, painting in the studio and learning together. We will work with artists from the Abstract SIG (formerly known as the Abstract Briggade) and utilize materials from our comprehensive library, as well as YouTube offerings, and more, to support everyone.
Reach out to Brenda Stewart if you are interested in joining the group or if you are interested in teaching using your medium of choice, or a favorite technique. Otherwise, just plan to attend in October.
OIL/PASTEL
The group will resume meetings the first Monday in September.
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!
OPEN STUDIO
This popular event occurs every Tuesday from 9AM to 1PM. 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. Come and join us for a cool time this summer and bring a lunch!
PLEIN AIR PAINT OUTINGS
This outdoor group will be painting all summer, with a very early start time, on Thursdays, beginning about 6AM to 9AM, as it becomes too hot after that time. Many of our group have become full time residents, and we are happy to add anyone else interested in painting outdoors.
If you would like to join us send an e-mail to Nanci Sheppard. Click Here
PORTRAIT
The Portrait group will continue to gather throughout the summer, although they will not have a model. The group will meet and share their work, including members' works in progress.
PRINTMAKERS GUILD
Coordinators: Karen Keim and John McGraw
In September, we return to our schedule 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
This group will continue to meet every Friday from 9 AM - 12 PM over the summer. (Some of us also meet via zoom most Friday mornings in summer, 9 AM - 12 PM AZ time.)
To contact Valerie St. Marie Click Here
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