Galleries

April 20, 2017 through June 30, 2017

Community Wall at Westfield Valencia Town Center
24201 Valencia Blvd.
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

This exhibit features artwork from the top winners of the Art on Canvas, Technical Art, and Pen & Paper contests. Selections were made from the more than 400 Santa Clarita Valley students who submitted artwork with the theme “We’re Going Places.” Each winning artist received a certificate from the City of Santa Clarita for participating, and the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners went home with a cash price to go toward their art education. Each school that they represent received the same amount for their art programs. This exhilarating opportunity for student artists to showcase their talent is presented by the City of Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita Human Relations Forum.

May 8 through May 31, 2017

FASTFRAME
24204 Valencia Blvd.
Valencia, CA 91355

Santa Clarita Artists’ Association member Olga Kaczmar will be exhibiting her work during May at FASTFRAME. As a commercial artist, Olga produced layouts and renderings for patent applications, exhibits and brochures. Currently, she is devoting time to a more delightful side of art, such as drawing horses, dogs, cats and portraits of family and friends. She uses timeless tools such as graphite, charcoal, oils, pastels, colored pencils and watercolor. To view her work visit www.olgakaczmar.com.

April 7, 2017 through August 7, 2017

Valencia Library
23743 Valencia Blvd.
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Not always thought to be the cutest, bugs tend to get a bad rap. At the sight of them, people reach for rolled-up newspapers and insect sprays.  However, in this exhibit, artists use the insect as inspiration for mesmerizing art and as a means to unearth the beauty and importance of our little friends.

Through the ages, insects have appeared in art work.  Many times their appearances signified hidden symbolism.  In Byzantine, Gothic and Early Renaissance paintings, there are many insects depicted that represent various philosophies, as well as Christian symbolism. Residents are encouraged to visit the exhibit to “bug out” and leave with an appreciation of the bugs we live with.

The above photograph is by Jonathan Willner.

July 21, 2017 through November 21, 2017

First Floor Gallery at City Hall
23920 Valencia Blvd.
Valencia, CA 91355

The Santa Clarita Valley Photographers Association (SCVPA) Spring Print Competition takes place on May 13 at the Sierra Hills Clubhouse.  The annual competition features members’ artwork in a variety of categories. The winners of each category and those receiving a merit are featured in the exhibition in the First Floor Gallery.  The Santa Clarita Valley Photographers Association is dedicated to advancing the art and business of photography.  For more information on the association, visit scvphotographers.com.

Reception: On Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 6 p.m., a reception will be held with light appetizers, live music, and an opportunity to meet the artists.

May 16, 2017 through September 15, 2017

Town Center Art Space
Westfield Valencia Town Center
24201 Valencia Blvd.
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

“In the battles of life, there is loss, persistence, and liberation. Some of these episodes, more dramatic than others, serve as pillars or beacons in our own timelines. Then there are the lulls or periods of recovery from and preparation for past and future battles – the intermissions in between that may feel nameless but impact us nevertheless, often in more important ways than the memorable events of our pasts. Sometimes we meander along our amorphous, cracked, or abstract thoughts. Our plans for the future are never definite and our memories constantly change. Nothing lasts forever.” – Lucas Novak

An artist reception will be held on May 24 from 6-8 pm. Light appetizers will be provided.

Artist Statement

Art is about creating what is human. By understanding myself, and by being engaged with culture, society, and the natural world, I create work that I, and hopefully others, want to see.

There comes a large responsibility with labeling oneself an artist. For me it requires a respect for others and an interest in the planet and its life forms. I thirst for knowledge and experiences; I enjoy visiting new places and meeting people, learning about local events and global trends; I like sports (I play ice hockey); and I love washing my spirit clean at the beach or on a mountain.

My practice as an artist requires me to expand and refine my life in general. For example, in the early 20th century, United States Supreme Court Justice, Felix Frankfurter, was asked by a young man how to become a great lawyer. He advised the man not to limit his studies to the law, but to embrace the study of all fields, including history, art, literature, science, sports, culture, and the environment. I think the same wisdom applies to people who want to be great artists.

About fifty years later, art critic Clement Greenberg wrote in his essay Esthetic Judgment: To keep on expanding your esthetic taste asks that you keep on expanding and refining your sense of life in general. To further develop your taste in art, he advises that you keep on learning from life apart from art.

I follow the wisdom of Greenberg and Justice Frankfurter in pursuing my endless mission to grow, refine, and create more influential and meaningful work that transcends cultures and borders and reaches greater audiences. In doing so, I must reflect the times in my art.

And I am inspired that two of the greatest artists of the 20th century, Henri Matisse and Wassily Kandinsky, were also lawyers.

April 1, 2017 through April 30, 2017

The MAIN
24266 Main St.
Newhall, CA 91321

Jorin Bossen is a contemporary, figurative painter residing at The Brewery Artist Complex in Downtown, Los Angeles. He has participated in multiple exhibits across the United States in over 35 group and solo exhibitions and now will display his western themed work at The MAIN gallery in a solo exhibit entitled “DUST” during the month of April. Jorin’s large scale paintings possess a cinematic quality reminiscent of old western movies. To achieve his unique style, he combines the use of composition, texture, detail, lack of detail, drips, and lines.

The exhibit will be open for viewing during all events at The MAIN as well as between the hours of 1 pm – 5 pm, Tuesday thru Friday.

A reception for the artist will be held April 20 at 7 pm.

April 3, 2017 through July 20, 2017

First Floor Gallery at City Hall
23920 Valencia Blvd.
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

This symbol of American freedom has been the source of inspiration to many artists throughout the last century – often using its iconic image to form political commentary about the issues facing the nation. Artists have used it to both honor their country and tear it down.  Works in this exhibition honor the symbol, while others re-interpret the symbol or use it to make a statement.

Artwork above is a mixed media piece titled “Homage to Jasper Johns” by Ramona Otto.

March 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017

The MAIN
24266 Main St
Newhall, CA 91321

The “Welcome to Santa Clarita” art exhibit showcases watercolor paintings by local artist Cecily Willis and takes viewers on a colorful road trip of iconic Santa Clarita landmarks and scenes.

A resident stands outside the Saugus Café on a cloudy day, the Sierra Pelona Motel’s neon sign pierces out of blooming cacti – these are just a few examples of beautiful Santa Clarita moments and settings captured by Willis in her paintings. By preserving these ordinary, yet beautiful scenes on canvas, the paintings inspire visitors to take a moment and appreciate the new, old, and sometimes forgotten Santa Clarita landmarks.

The exhibit will be open for viewing during all events at The MAIN as well as between the hours of 1 pm – 5 pm, Tuesday thru Friday.

June 6, 2017 through September 1, 2017

Newhall Community Center
22421 Market St
Newhall, CA 91321

Music has long been an inspiration for art and art-making. By listening to music and emulating it in their work, artists have discovered unconventional techniques in their art-making approach. SONICALLY VISUAL explores the influence on the visual arts and takes its name from the idea of interpreting music visually using various techniques such as color, form, repetition, layering and lyricism. SONICALLY VISUAL captures the infectious nature of music and how it can influence what we see and feel.

Gallery visitors with smartphones will have the opportunity to take a musical journey by listening to the exhibit’s playlist on the Spotify app while viewing the art.

March 25, 2017 through April 29, 2017

SCAA Gallery
22508 6th St
Newhall, CA 91321

The Santa Clarita Artists’ Association Gallery will be featuring the exhibit “Spring Fever” through the end of April. On display will be large art pieces as well as smaller gift ideas.