| Login |
CAL NEWSLETTER, September 2025 | |
| |
| |
| |
President’s Letter | |
On Tortoise Shells and Butterfly Wings The world has turned upside-down. To quote Elvis, there's a whole lot of shakin' goin' on, to put it mildly. I've done less creating as of late. I think it has to do with the tumult in the air that has gotten me more than a bit off-kilter. I have hidden inside my shell like a tortoise. I remind myself, though, there is no better feeling than getting into that timeless, altered-state of creation while painting. Once I plunge into it, this feeling suspends me from most anything else going on, and lasts for hours upon hours. I know I'm not alone in this- I've heard other artists say that they, too, feel this state of suspension while making their art. I'm sure you've heard about the concept raised by Edward Lorenz that, (paraphrased), a butterfly's wing-flutter could be a small change that might significantly change weather. Similarly, I think that in our act of creating art, the energy of our creative mind and hands may culminate in a product that strikes others as meaningful. As ephemeral as this sounds, I think that art holds the potential for transformation. In essence, our art may become a portal to incite thought, inspiration, peace, awareness, and change. I've allowed enough time to dive into other worthy pursuits that have given me a vacation to the stress of worries associated with "what if?" and am now ready to dive back into making art. I realize the value of "the tortoise shell retreat". Taking time off from art is not giving up, nor is it an admission of failure. It's an opportunity to re-group. Letting go for a bit takes the pressure off. This cocoon state was nurturing; now my wings are fluttering and am inspired to take flight again, to create it, and to show it. Visibility: Our last show at Gallery 612 was a success in that CAL has moved from reliable, local venues to spreading its wings to notoriously good zip codes for visibility. Sales are not as prevalent these days. But it's more important to stay in the game, continuing visibility in good places, seeking to improve our work. Familiarity gains approachability, and venue choice enhances value. Value: I think the mark of the artist must never be extinguished, as it is the telling of our humanity that may transcend chaos. Art is a portal to another world. That's one reason people buy it. They want to enter just such a portal that inspires them and releases them from the banality or cruelty of the world. Art allows us to transcend, and have a moment of peace, or a moment to think new things, even to feel a sense of hope. New Venue! Do know our next show will be within the famed Bergamont Station complex which is home to several contemporary galleries. BG Gallery will be ours for our final show of the year. The call for entries is now open at Online Juried Shows. Here is the link: https://www.onlinejuriedshows.com/Default.aspx?OJSID=58886 The deadline is 10/19/25. (Nora Koerber will be out of town during the opening reception but will be present at the Artists' Talk at the gallery) Thank you, CAL artists, for your continued inspiration and highly diverse creative visions. We have but to think, to execute, learn, and get it out there for the world to see. What we do, as artists, may well be more important than ever. Just remember: the world needs our butterfly-wing energy. Cheers, Nora Koerber, CAL president, 2025 The CAL Team joins Kathryn Donatelli in her words of thanks for her two volunteers to retrieve, input, and make possible, our wonderful and ongoing online exhibition site for all our shows: "I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Rachana Mathradan for the program she created to easily change file names for the images accepted into the exhibition. This new asset from her made my job much easier when working on the exhibition website and getting it up online. Thank you Rashana. Thank you so much to Barbara Tabachnick for being my right hand and getting all the images and information inputted to the website. I know that's a lot of work and she's been doing it for me since we began the exhibition website. Thanks again Barbara." ~Kathryn Donatelli, Online Show Chair | |
| |
Membership News | |
Katy Bishop Katy is showing in "Celebrate!" presented by Southern California Women's Caucus for Art (SCWCA) at the Betsy Leuke Creative Arts Center. SCWCA is beginning the celebration of it's 50th year anniversary with events continuing into 2026. The Juror, Holly Jerger, is the California State University, Northridge Art Galleries Director. The exhibit continues until September 25. Tracking Stars, Alcohol Ink on Plexiglass, 18x24x1 | |
| |
| |
| |
Barbara Tabachnick
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Teresa Bernadette Teresa Bernadette is exhibiting in the upcoming group show "Enter the Goddesses III, at Los Angeles Makery, curated by A. Laura Brody. The show runs October 2-26, 2025. For programming and exhibition details, visit: https://www.opulentmobility.com/enter-the-goddesses3.html Venus | |
| |
| |
Leah Kneckt Leah is exhibiting two pieces in The Assemblage Show, juried by Dave Lovejoy, at Los Angeles Makery https://www.makery.la Opening Reception: Saturday, September 13, from 6–9 PM. Artist Talk: September 26, 2-5pm, Closing: Sunday, October 26, 2-5pm. Leah is exhibiting a piece in the Pasadena Society of Artists Exhibition, juried by Juan Bastos, at Betsy Lueke Creative Arts Center. Opening Reception: Saturday, October 4, 2pm - 4pm.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Bonnie J. SmithBonnie's textile "Thoughts of The Mind" from her Indigo Installation of the same name was accepted into East End Arts Councils exhibit "Entangled"located in Riverhead, Long Island, N.Y. Exhibit runs September 20 through November 1, 2025. | |
| |
| |
Karol BlumenthalKarol has two images which have been juried into the Collage Artists of America's "More Than Meets The Eye" in-person exhibit at White's Galleryin Montrose. The show runs from September 20 - October 25, 2025.
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
