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This Year’s Art Classic The Most Successful Yet

Santa Clarita Artists’ Association celebrating after event

This year’s Art Classic was the most elegant, successful and well attended in the 18 year history of the Santa Clarita Artists’ Association (SCAA).  Over 300 guests arrived dressed to the nines on Saturday night, October 13th at the College of the Canyons Art Gallery to recognize the talented artists in our community and to raise funds in support of the goals and mission of the SCAA.

The mood for the evening was set, as guests crossed the footbridge and were greeted with the enchanting sounds from a Santa Clarita Symphony trio. Walking up the red carpet, attendees entered the gallery where the crowd was gathering in a scene reminiscent of an opening reception in an upscale New York gallery.  The walls were adorned with over 100 pieces of original art hung in a salon style, which included contemporary vibrant abstracts; landscapes, still lives, florals, and wildlife in oils and watercolor; experimental & digital photography; miniature and portraiture done in graphics and sculptures were displayed throughout the room.

Besides sampling many styles of visual art, guests were treated to a variety of music, food, and wine.  Inside the gallery, a keyboardist and vocalist played while volunteers from Saugus High Key club circulated trays of international hors d’oeuvres and Leona Valley Winery served a selection of their fine wines.  Outside, guests enjoyed the grooves of the RGB Jazz Band and continued to be served a further sampling of hors d’oeuvres.

Bob Kellar, Mayor Pro Tem, and Don Fleming of Valencia Acura emceed the evening and kept the crowd of over 300 entertained and amused with their usual lively repartee.  Together they conducted the live art auction. Besides the live art auction, art was sold in a silent art auction containing over 45 original art works and of course, art work on display in the show.  Richard Darling of Canyon Country is an art lover who purchased over $1200 of art work and stated “I’m thrilled with the quality of art work available in the show”.  

[view:node_ad=5]The awards began with the SCAA presenting the College of the Canyons Foundation with a $500 scholarship, which will be awarded to a fine arts student enrolled at COC in 2008.   The Richard Huff Memorial Founders’ Award, which recognizes a member of the association who personifies the creed, lived by founding member, Richard Huff, to promote camaraderie amongst artists in both words and deed, was bestowed upon Diane Bruckner, who has served as a volunteer for 10 years.  The City of Santa Clarita chose Tandy Zorba for her graphic piece titled “Nic and the Hidden Messages of Meadow Grass” to receive the Excellence in Arts Award, with the prize being that this art work will be featured on the Arts & Events Calendar for Spring of 2008.

Over 50 local artists entered the show, which was independently judged by three professors (Dan Hansen, Marjan Hormozi, and John Mahoney) from Cal Arts.  Taking the award for best of show was Jane Mick with her oil painting “Twilight”, which also received a gold award.   Other gold medal winners for the evening included: Sharon Bradley – Acrylic, Julia Karson – Sculpture, Sandy Fisher – Photography, Gary Friedman – Watercolor, John Ursillo – Masters, Diane Bruckner – Graphics, Jacqueline Sofen – Other Media.

“The income generated from this event helps to support our scholarship programs, exhibits of art throughout the community, and monthly demonstrations to promote creative growth amongst our local artists” reported Sandy Fisher, President.  “We generated over $12,000 in income from this event and we are so delighted with the support we have received from the community and our sponsors, such as KHTS AM 1220, Providence Holy Cross, Keyes Lexus of Valencia, The Printing House, The Signal, The Magazine of Santa Clarita, and Industrial Metal Supply to name a few.”  

The SCAA was started in 1989 by a small group of local artists who wanted to share their enthusiasm, expertise, and knowledge of art with each other and the community.  The association has since grown to over 150 members and is open to anyone who is interested in the visual arts. Members provide encouragement, assistance, ideas, and information to help develop both artistic and marketing skills, with camaraderie a core component of the group.  The Association has a broad range of talent; both professional and hobbyist.  Through exhibits and displays of art work throughout the Santa Clarita Valley in locations such as Providence Holy Cross, Barnes & Noble, Canyon Theatre Guild, Artistic Smiles, and Capelli Salon the association fulfills its mission to “Make Visual Art Visible”.  The organization participates in the Street Art Festival with a creative activity geared towards children.   Annually, a scholarship is awarded to either a high school senior or a college student, who wishes to pursue an education in the fine arts.

This Year’s Art Classic The Most Successful Yet

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