August 1, 2025

Welcome to the new Brushmark!

President's Message

Congratulations to the COAL! August 7th, 2025, marks our 74th Anniversary.

The Gallery has become a real focal point for many who are interested in your art and you. Let's keep that momentum going as the roads are always an unexpected one to face. We certainly have looked it right in the eyes and surpassed many of our expectations for this year, so far...... Fun is still ahead, with loads of activities planned for the upcoming season, and those that just pop up!

Remember, it's part of being a team that supports a village, enabling it to survive, and it's never too late to start. We hope you will help us out and keep growing. Attitude is everything, and the key to a successful life, which can be defined in many ways!

Best to all, Cheryl Ehlers, President

Congratulations, we did it again! We were voted 2nd place for the Best Gallery in North County. (The Barrio Glass took 1st place)

For all of you who participated, YOU made this happen. We appreciated it, and it WORKED! Thank you!

We have joined the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and expect to have an even larger presence and support system in the community as well.

Congratulations to our BOS artist!

July Best of Show - Lorraine Strieby

Best of Show - July 2025

Angels in Repose, Mixed Media

“I knew the world would not come to me; I had to go to the world. We are talking about my art business. I have a BS in Business Education and a minor in Marketing and English.

Lorraine is certainly a busy artist, writing and illustrating children’s books, being showcased in New York City, and traveling to Florence, Italy, to pick up the Botticelli Prize in a Palace.

How did this all come about? Oh, she is also the Original Creative Artist of the West Virginia University Children’s Hospital Float, along with Children’s Miracle Network, in the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade, in Pasadena, CA, which is entitled "Wild and Wonderful." But wait, there is more. Say "Hi" to her when you see her next!

Visit her website

People's Choice for July was John Linthurst

Safe Or Out - You make the Call, Mixed Media

John is a multimedia artist who explores art with enthusiasm. Never-ending thoughts seem to fill his mind, using digital, painting, sculpting, and found objects as he continually expands his horizons as a creative artist. Always fun to see what might be next. A very talented and fun person to get to know! Visit his website

(People's Choice for July will be displayed in October due to Open Annuals)

Welcome New Members!

Please join us in welcoming our new member, oil painter and muralist Gloria Favela Rocha, and introduce yourself if you see her at the take-in!

Please join us in welcoming our new member, oil and watercolor painter Fatemeh Rezaei, and introduce yourself if you see her at the take-in!

Monthly Shows

73rd Awards Reception

Come support your peers and enjoy the reception! The awards will be announced at 4 pm. Come meet the public, that is where the sales begin!

We need a reception photographer on site, please. Who can assist? Contact Cheryl

We need reception donations, please Link

All the details and the Prospectus are available to review online.

The deadline is August 22

APPLY

September Abstract Open Annual

Our 1st Annual Open Abstract Show pays tribute to our past member, David Schlegel, an avid abstract artist and supporter of the arts, who began the "abstract" shows at the COAL gallery many years ago.

Please join us in this very special tribute sponsored by Gertrude Lewis-Schlegel.

Our judge is Julie Weaverling, check her out here

Coming Soon!

The US Veterans art display at the Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad.

Arrangements are being made for the November 11, 2025, celebration. Come support your fellow veterans and provide insight to the cadets and families of these brave youth interested in serving our country.

Are you a US Veteran? We need to know who you are so we can send the details. (TBA). Contact Cheryl

REMEMBER: Gallery Procedures and Show Information are always online.

We encourage you all to use your Members Info page online to obtain your answers. The Schedules, Guidelines, Annual Calendar, and everything you need are there so you can schedule ahead of time. It is designed as a tool you all should be using, and it is very accessible on a mobile device or a computer. Make your life easier and use these tools.

Meet Your Monthly Show Application Coordinator - Joe Gass

MSG: Please review the Guidelines before entering. This helps prevent delays.

Joe takes your application, reviews it, and contacts you when there are discrepancies to make the show run smoothly.

Meet Your Monthly Show Installation Coordinator - Jarvis Beeler

MSG: Please prepare your wires properly for hanging. Remember, he checks everything!

For detailed instructions on how to wire your pieces, visit the Members Info page.

Thank you to our team members who are behind the scenes to make things work for the Monthly Shows. The Monthly Show Coordinators, Joe Gass, Ursula Schroeter, and phone tree; Lou Kasza. Also, many others not listed. Thank you for your offers of assistance.

The Gallery Manager's Message's

Gertrude Lewis and Rachel Furnberg

We want to thank all our hosts at the gallery and let you know how much we appreciate and depend on you. We know life can get in the way sometimes, but please let us know if something is happening and you are scheduled to Host.

It is important to have all the shifts covered so we can remain open. So, if you are not able to host, please follow the guidelines for arranging for a substitute who is available, found online on your Members Info page, before you notify the Calendar Chair, Ellen Cramer. She keeps our information updated. Thanks, everyone!

Questions contact Gertrude and/or Rachel.

Where is your new name tag?

New Members: Your name badges are on the bottom shelf of the cabinet that is to your left when you are seated at the host desk. The badges are alphabetized by last name in two boxes. Please wear your badge while hosting and during receptions. We encourage you to keep your badge in your car or purse so you always have it on when you walk into the gallery. If you have any concerns, please contact Rachel Furnberg

Our Credit Card Machine Cries for Help!

ONLY 6 Steps to making a customer sale. Use one sales slip per artist. (So very important) The directions are on the desk.

There seem to be lingering issues with credit card processing, sales slips, and more. Understandably, it is important to know what to do while in the gallery. We find it necessary to retrain Hosts. If you have any concerns, please contact Gertrude Lewis

Please Help Keep Our Sign and Flowers Safe

Sign: Only place the sign between the benches or mid-sidewalk.
Flowers: Bring them in after PM shift
Cards: They are not to be placed outside. Please leave them next to the baffles, not the front door.
If you have any concerns, please contact Rachel Furnberg

New Hosts will have a buddy working with them for the first time. Some artists will always have a partner so they can assist each other. We are here to help you out.

Cut me off please so I don't jam the machine by being torn incorrectly.

New Members need to complete the applicaiton and obtain your parking pass.

Link to Parking Pass

Parking for the Gallery

Artists, please try to use the lot by the gallery; otherwise, use the lot across the street at Spin Records (it does say paid parking). However, you do not need to pay IF you place your parking pass on your dashboard.

If you get a ticket, you must take a photo of the ticket, your license plate, and a copy of the pass on your dashboard to get it expunged. Send it to Cheryl.

Link to Parking Pass (They are year-round now)

Director of Program - Julie Brooks

Julie Brooks handles the Jewelry, Art on the Green, Off-site Shows, and Demo programs. Phew....

Jewelers: We need to mention how important identification is on each piece of jewelry. Please review your inventory and label every item with a price for the public.

Hosts: Please do not assume that the overall signage on shelving is the overall price of all items. Check them to verify correctness or call the artist if uncertain. This collaboration should assist on any issues moving forward. Thanks for all your help, it is appreciated. Contact Julie Brooks

Art on the Green

We are seeking Event Captains for SAT/SUN, a 1.5 hour task of simply making certain the artists have marketing materials, and the signs are placed. View AOG Info below.

Demo & Expressions

We are seeking a Judge Coodinator to assisto 0n Thursdays, and a Demo Coodinator.

We need to keep this programming running to gets grants. Please help!

Jewelry

Think about us all the time you are out and meeting new artists.

We love to see new types of jewlery and creative thought processing.

Demo & Expression - It's important to remain respectable in the community.

DEMO - SEPTEMBER Abstract with Julie Weaverling

Enjoy and experience the theory of abstract art and interact with Julie. She is open to conversation and sharing techniques in acrylic.

Don't miss this great opportunity at the Pine Avenue Community Center, FREE, and supplies are provided. You just need to RSVP for seating.

DEMO - AUGUST 14, 5-7pm - Paint and Sip, with Lorraine Marie Cote, Acrylics

The class is now filled.

We will be staging this class inside the Moradi Building, out by the front parking lot of the Plaza. Check signage to enter.

Supplies and refreshments are provided. We will work on doing another in November 2025.

DEMO Discussions: What are you interested in learning about? Ideas?

We need your ideas and items of interest for the coming year. What is exciting to you to learn about? There are so many things in life that are invaluable to artists. What is your need? Please drop us a line to provide your suggestions. We really need to hear from you soon to prepare the Calendar.

Please contact us: Cheryl or Julie and leave your thoughts. Thank you.

Art on the Green

We are open and looking for new exhibitors to join us! check to website out.

It is summer fun for certain, and a time to get your feet wet and explore what the public can do for you.

Seller's permits are needed, but NCAG Members can use the COAL Sellers permit for a 10% donation off your sales using our Donation button at the day's end. You just need to notify Julie or Cheryl to make arrangements. View the details on our website.

Our Gallery Committee Chairs and Team Efforts

Baffle Coordinator - Char Cee Colosia

The early bird always catches the worm; he is always prepared without notice!

Remember, Baffles open for OCT/NOV at 7 am on AUG 1. This schedule is reflected on your Member's Info pages, and has been for the past two months, so take advantage of the information provided to you ahead of time, as it moves very quickly. Please review the Members Page, Baffle Item 7. Apply here. Questions, please contact Charcee

Card and Shrink Wrap Coordinators - Vivi Anderson/Nancy Hackamak, and Linda Erickson

Cards: You are allowed 12 cards. Please label the backs only, it looks more professional.,(no longer on the fronts). Place a label with your name and the price on the back and seal in clear bags for cards 5x7 in size. Sell in $5 increments. Contact Vivi Anderson.

Shrink Wraps: You are allowed 6 shrink wraps in the bin. Please label the backs only; it looks more professional (no longer on the fronts). Place a label with your name and the price on the back and seal in clear bags only with professional matboard backs (no cardboard, thick mats, or taped backs). These guidelines apply to all pieces, including originals. Contact Linda Erickson.

Please review the Card/Shrinks/Holiday Policies. (Item 11)

Publicity Team - Elena Miller

While hosting, please text her with any sales info, a photo, and artist info. Also, tag our Instagram and Facebook. We appreciate the advertising we are getting, which has assisted the gallery immensely. Thank you Elena!

T ext her the photos and information ((858) 668-8301

Upcoming Events - Take Note

Madd Hatter's are out again!

Stop in and visit us on August 10 out in the CB Plaza. and see what you are missing. The public simply loves it!

Thanks to those that have offered to assist us Everyone appreciates it!

We are decorating the storefront for the Holidays with old-world panache!

Collecting for dropoff, AUG 28

We need old art items (old paint brushes, round paint trays), any old Christmas items you no longer want for decorations, garlands, old plastic bulbs, anything holiday to stick into the garland out front for decoration: Drop them off into the box in the back room.

We will be repurposing decorations, SEPT 28 - 5-7 pm. Join us with a fun, refreshment-filled decorating party to get ready. Bring glue, leftover glitter, and old acrylic paints to decorate items. All artists are welcome to join in.

Gallery & Outside Decorating, NOV 1, 9 am - Decoration day! We need your help, inside and outside, especially with 40 sets of lights!

RSVP for the decoration list of what you might donate

Ho...Ho...Ho.... We are coming to town

NOV 29 - 12-8 pm. Time to play and sell. We will be serving hot chocolate and cookies and filling the plaza with holiday cheer. Time to get out and meet the public with us. Sign up to bring your table and join us for our festival of lights.

(2) Shifts 10 am-2 pm and 3-8 pm. A $15 Entry fee applies to cover refreshments.

Artists attending the event will be required to assist in decorating the outside to get this all prepared.

Time to have some fun!

RSVP for event participation (NOV 29th)

And . . . yes we will be having a stand for holiday ornaments this year too! So get your ornaments ready to bring in beginning November 1. Review the ornament requirements for placing into he gallery at Cards/Shrink/Holiday Ornament Policies (Item 11)

Members Updates

Our Artists around town

John Olvaney- Presenting a solo show at "Expressions Gallery" at the Escondido Arts Partnership. Reception TBA in August. Visit their website for further details.

John Linthurst - Opening at OMA on August 23, participating in the Oceanside Museum of Art & September 12 at the California Surf Museum 1st Collaborative Exhibition. "Surf Art". Exploring California's Coastal Culture.

Cheryl Ehlers -Presenting a solo artist at the New Village Arts in Carlsbad for the upcoming play. "This and That", August 7 - September 21. The opening night reception is August 16, 5:30 pm. Visit her website.

Members, let us know where your next exhibition, award, or activity is to share!.

Calendar - Upcoming Events

Please refer to your online Annual Calendar for all details

September 1 - Call to US VETERANS - Veterans Art show, November 11 at the Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad. Where are our US Veterans? Email Cheryl
September 13 -Awards Reception, 3-5 pm - 1st Annual Open Abstract Show
September 28 - Holiday Decoration Party in the gallery
October 1 - Haunted House Fund Raiser
October 6 - Monthly Show take-in: Mystic Media: Illusions in Art
October 26 - Halloween in the Village Plaza
November 2 - CB Street Faire
We are always seeking volunteers, we are busy bee's ........

To contact your Brushmark Editor, email Rachel Furnberg

Gallery Hours

Sunday - Monday: 11-5pm

Fri-Sat: 9-8pm

Carlsbad-Oceanside Art League, a 501 C3 | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy