Artists Council plans video demos, online sale, and juried exhibition

Suzanne Fromkin
·4 min read

As the new year begins, the Artists Council (AC) is launching new art activities for the community to enjoy. The Virtual Interactive Gallery Project will run Jan. 19-Feb. 6 with a series of video demonstrations by Artists Council members, who will each have three artworks on display and for sale online at artistscouncil.com.

The online art videos will provide a chance to see the artists’ creative processes and techniques. Artists video demonstrations will include realistic oil painting by Diane Morgan, watercolor by Barbara Goodman, glass painting by Paul Messink, mixed media by Juliette Vos, digital painting by Reese Schroeder, felt assemblage by Tom Lowe, digital collage by Terry Hastings, resin by Everett Soloman (JevPic), mixed media/fiber art by Andree B. Carter, intuitive drawing by L.W. Krebs, abstract watercolor by Donna Miller-Haggerty and plein art landscape by Sunny Patton.

To view the Interactive Gallery Project artists videos or the virtual art exhibition and sale, visit artistscouncil.com.

Guests view art In named galleries at Artists Center at the Galen.
Guests view art In named galleries at Artists Center at the Galen.

In addition, the Artists Council invites the public to the 2022 annual Juried ACE Exhibition and Sale Feb. 12-March 27. From 198 AC member entries, three guest jurors have selected 90 artworks to be exhibited at the Artists Center at the Galen as well as online at artistscouncil.com.

The ACE jury comprises Edina Adam, assistant curator of drawings, J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles; Melissa Russo, director, San Bernadino County Museum, Redlands; and Daniel Foster, artist, poet and executive director, Shumway Ranch Artists-in Residence Program above Palm Desert.

Foster said: “This exhibition, presented at a premier museum-quality space, celebrates some of the best artists living and working in the region. For the past few years, I have been observing how the professionalism of the AC board and volunteers have helped the Artists Council to become the most important organization serving artists in the Coachella Valley.”

Andrea Raft's Interactive Gallery Project Art can be viewed online.
Andrea Raft's Interactive Gallery Project Art can be viewed online.

On Feb. 11, the public is invited to view and purchase AC member artworks at the ACE Opening Reception, with refreshments provided by Lulu Catering & Events, plus music in the gardens by DJ Minus and saxophonist Steve Ross. KESQ Meteorologist and Eye on Desert host Patrick Evans will emcee the program, where cash prizes will be awarded by the jury as well as by Karen and Tony Barone for the Karen and Tony Barone Sculpture Award.

Opening Reception tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance on Eventbrite with timed-ticket entry from 5-7 p.m. for the galleries. Valet parking is complimentary. The Desert Sun and Desert Magazine are ACE media sponsors.

AC also offers an extensive schedule of workshops open to non-members and conducted by renowned artists in many media at all skill levels. Mardi de Veuve Alexis will teach “Abstract Collage and Mixed Media” on March 4 and 11. Learn how to express your creativity through watercolor and meditation at Judy Sklar’s “Morning Rituals: Art Workshop for Health and Wellness” March 9. Jeni Bate will provide all the materials for you to explore painting in “Art Bootcamp for Beginners” March 5. Starting late February, Morgan will teach “Watercolor for Beginners and Beyond” on Wednesday afternoons and “Realistic Oil and Acrylic Painting” on Thursday afternoons; Meridy Volz will teach “Painting in Pastels” on Wednesday mornings.

The Artists Center at the Galen is located at 72-567 Highway 111, Palm Desert.
The Artists Center at the Galen is located at 72-567 Highway 111, Palm Desert.

Workshop space is limited; buy tickets on Eventbrite.

Additional AC activities include the juried Young Artists Exhibition, April 9 to May 15, and Community Arts Days, April 25 and May 8. Partnering with other arts organizations, the Artists Council will host Desert Baroque Concerts every Friday in March at 7 p.m. ($30 tickets through Eventbrite) and the Watercolor Society Exhibition, April 1-3.

As of Feb. 9, the Artists Center at the Galen will reopen Wednesdays through Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission (donation suggested). With the continuing omicron variant spread and concern for guests’ safety and health, all Artists Council events require proof of full COVID vaccination, photo I.D. and enhanced masks (N95 or KN95) for entry to the Artists Center at the Galen.

For more information, to buy tickets, to join AC or to become a sponsor, visit artistscouncil.com or call (760) 565-6130. The Artists Center at the Galen is at 72-567 Highway 111, Palm Desert, California.

Retired from the fashion industry, Suzanne Fromkin serves on the Tools for Tomorrow Board and is publicity chair for the Artists Council. She is an avid art and theater lover.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Artists Council plans video demos, online sale, and juried exhibition