Uncategorized Art Exhibitions in the Santa Clarita Valley area

Jeffrey Thompson

Jeffrey Thompson, MA, MBA, EA, is a tax professional as well as a writer, actor, and magician. In addition to filing taxes for almost 400 clients each year, he serves as a co-artistic director for Impro Theatre, teaches at the Westside Comedy Theater, and serves on the board of The Ruby LA and The Improv Network.

Contact/Website Info: https://www.jeffthat.com/

Presenting: Get it Together! A guide to running your creative activity like a business

When most of us think about “businesses,” images of towering corporate buildings, factory production lines, and mom-and-pop shops come to mind, but in the eyes of the government, our artistic endeavors are a business as well. Most of us didn’t go to business school, so we find the business management side of things a bit overwhelming, after all, we didn’t sign up to be a CEO… we want to be artists! Nevertheless, it’s important for us to understand the business side of things to ensure that we set ourselves up for success. In this course, we will briefly cover some concepts that are helpful to keep in mind as your business grows (without even having to open Excel): 1) Separating Your Business and Personal Assets 2) Organization, Bookkeeping, and Year End Considerations 3) Present Value of Money and Investments into Your Future 4) Different Government Organizations and Their Required Filings 5) Changing Your Relationship with Money (Avoiding the Fear and Embracing an Information-Driven Approach) You won’t walk away from this course with an MBA, but you will leave with a set of tools that will allow you to better plan for the growth of your business.

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Slideshow, Uncategorized

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Dead Inside Series by Natalie Reyne

October 13, 2023 – February 23, 2024

Valencia Public Library
23743 West Valencia Blvd
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

The City of Santa Clarita is excited to announce, “Dead Inside Series”, an exhibition by Los Angeles-based artist Natalie Reyne. The exhibition will be on view October 13, 2023 at the Valencia Public Library, and will run through February 23, 2024. This exhibition invites art enthusiasts and novices alike to immerse themselves in a powerful collection that delves deep into the human experience of internal struggle, resilience, and the persistent glimmer of hope.

Born in Belarus and now residing in Los Angeles, Natalie Reyne’s transition from a career in economics and design to a passionate pursuit of expressive artistry is a testament to the transformative power of art. Reyne’s story, marked by political activism, migration, and unyielding artistic expression, illuminates the depths and heights of human experience.

“Dead Inside” reflects a journey from the shadows of despair to the radiant beams of hope. Every piece, from “Glowing Star Veins” illustrating numbing anhedonia, to “The Ocean of Lost Hope” echoing the profound weight of deferred dreams, offers visitors an intimate glance into complex human emotions and the indomitable spirit of resilience. Despite confronting and conveying intense emotions and internal struggles, Reyne’s art is imbued with a promise of hope and solace. Each painting is a narrative, echoing the universal human experience and the inexorable movement from darkness to light.

Visitors are invited to experience this remarkable exhibition at the Valencia Public Library, where the evocative and soulful artworks will be displayed for public viewing. Reyne’s complex yet hopeful pieces offer a shared space of reflection, conversation, and illumination.

How to Purchase Artwork:
For inquiries and to purchase artwork, please contact the artist directly.
Delivery will be arranged by the artist after the show ends on February 23, 2024.
Natalie Reyne | Natalie.Reyne@gmail.com | @nreyne_art

To learn more about “Dead Inside Series” and upcoming art opportunities with the City of Santa Clarita, please contact Stephanie Jacinto at sjacinto@santa-clarita.com.

Q & A with Natalie Reyne

Do you plan each piece out before you start, or do you let the piece “take shape” as you go?
Typically, I only plan the overall color scheme. For example, I know the painting will have a black background with pink accents. I select a few shades and then, as I work on the painting, I add other colors to emphasize certain aspects or enhance the form.

What’s the best reaction someone has had to your artwork?
I believe the best reaction is when people take my paintings into their homes. But I also enjoy the way children react to my art. They often capture the mood of the paintings and describe them in fascinating ways. Interestingly, adults more frequently misinterpret the emotions I intended to convey.

How has your art changed since you first started creating it?
I initially began drawing as a means of coping with emotions I couldn’t express verbally. My early paintings were bright, chaotic, and quick (using acrylic for its fast drying time). Now, my paintings are more thoughtful and profound. I spend more time with them (which is why I switched to oil), delve deeper into the issues I want to convey, and infuse more contemplation into my work.

How would you describe your artistic style?
Recently, I’ve been calling it “Eastern-European Madness.” I was born and raised in Belarus, and it has profoundly influenced my work. Even my most vibrant pieces are quite restrained and somber when compared to American artists. However, since my goal is to convey emotions, I believe I successfully achieve that task.

How do you come up with ideas for new pieces?
This is the most interesting part of my life because I never know when inspiration will strike. I have paintings inspired by billboards, road signs, music, and even ordinary trash. When you contemplate a problem, anything can serve as a trigger to create the right image in your mind. The key is to have a canvas of the right size at hand during those moments.

A Confluence of Culture by Larry Richardson
Gallery
A Confluence of Culture by Larry Richardson

Past Exhibitions, Uncategorized

A Confluence of Culture by Larry Richardson

July 11 – October 13, 2023

Valencia Library
23743 West Valencia Blvd
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Larry Richardson graduated from Oakland (California) High school with a full scholarship to the California College of Arts and Crafts. It was during this time that he was introduced to the Bay Area art scene and began to align himself with the local artists. Living in Oakland and going to the College of Arts and Crafts, one of the local artists was Robert Coldscott whom he was influenced by. After returning from military service in Japan he worked in the Civil Rights Movement touring through the southern states. After one year he concluded his work in the movement and was part of the March on Washington having the honor to be present during the historical “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King. He has earned many awards for his work and is collected by a divergent group of people.

Larry Richardson states, “As an Artist, I have always wanted to express the beauty of our African heritage. My paintings are an extension of the classic form of figurative painting using people of color. Most of my paintings make statements on culture and the human condition. My challenges in creativity continue to evolve, the reason for this is evident in the many events in the times we live in and through.”

Richardson find inspiration in other artists and literature. He states, “The artist Emilo Cruze (1938-2004) has been cited as one of the important pioneers in modern and figurative art along with Charles White (1918 -1979) one of Afro-Americans greatest figurative Social Realist. Emilo Cruze’s statement “Art that fails to articulate a liturgical mission is a purely decorative form of entertainment, construed to please by deception “is a reminder that as an artist I try to use my art to express a nobility inherent in the human soul and a contribution to the Afro-American culture and all mankind. Most literature on Black American Artist is approached as though it is a form of expression separate from the majority of art, culture, and galleries. This critical isolation in terms of art comes from being classified by culture and race, not talent. My objective as an artist is to heighten the awareness of those who view my art and stimulate thought and imagination.”

To learn more about “A Confluence of Culture” and upcoming art opportunities with the City of Santa Clarita, please contact Stephanie Jacinto at sjacinto@santa-clarita.com.

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SCVTV.com Finding Art: Larry Richardson, A Confluence of Culture

Connections: Connecting through Art, Nature, Healing, and Story
Gallery
Connections: Connecting through Art, Nature, Healing, and Story

Past Exhibitions, Uncategorized

Connections: Connecting through Art, Nature, Healing, and Story

December 2, 2022 – February 24, 2023

Old Town Newhall Library
24500 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

Reception for Old Town Newhall Library: December 11, 2022, from 1:30pm to 3:30pm

December 28, 2022 – February 24, 2023

Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library BRANCH
18601 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91351

Reception for Canyon Country Library: December 28, 2022, from 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Artwork will be displayed at the two locations listed above.

The City of Santa Clarita Public Library partnered with Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural to provide a Poetry and Art Workshop for children and teens at the Newhall Community Center and the Canyon Country Community Center. Guided by poet, Xitlalic Guijosa, the young artists created mixed media poetry collages answering the question: What does community mean to me?

This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org

Business for Artists 2022

The Business for Artists Conference gives arts and creative professionals the tools and opportunity to learn business development.

Central Park Slideroom PDF

Congressman Garcia’s Congressional Art Competition 2022

Congressman Mike Garcia invites high school students in the 25th Congressional District to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition. Students are encouraged to put their artistic skills to the test. The first-place artist from CA-25 will have their artwork prominently displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year, beginning in May.

Competition rules and details can be found online HERE.

All entries must be submitted by Thursday, April 28th, 2022.
Judging will occur during the first week of May, and 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place will be announced shortly after.
There will be a Meet & Greet for the winners with Congressman Mike Garcia, date TBA.
The student art will be displayed for the public to view at Fast Frames Valencia from Monday, May 2nd through Friday, May 13th.

Please Note: Fast Frames Valencia is open for viewing during the dates mentioned above during the following times: Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and closed Sunday.

Submit your artwork in just a few easy steps:

Review the 2022 Rules for Students and Teachers.
Review this guide to Copyright and Plagiarism.
Complete the 2022 Student Release Form.
Submit the Student Release Form and any other required materials to one of the Congressman’s District Offices by Thursday, April 28th, 2022.

Any questions regarding the Congressional Art Competition should be submitted to Chelsea Orzechowski at the Congressman’s office: 661-568-4855 or Chelsea.Orzechowski@mail.house.gov and include “Congressional Art Competition 2022” in the subject line.

Now Open for Submissions