finearttrekkinMonrovia

“Monrovia Celebrates the Arts in M.A.F.A’s 48th Annual Juried Fine Arts Celebration happening October 8th & 9th!” Carol Curtis is honored as featured artist!

2011-10-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

Monrovia, California—

“Monrovia Celebrates the Arts in M.A.F.A’s 48^th

Annual Juried Fine Arts Celebration happening October 8^th & 9^th!”

Carol Curtis is honored as featured artist!

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts presents its 48th Annual Juried Fine Arts Exhibition “Celebrate the Arts Festival” in Old Town Monrovia on this coming Saturday & Sunday, October 8th and 9th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at Monrovia Library Park, located at 321 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia, California. This year’s opening ceremony will include an introduction to the Marine Corp for the flag salute and Steve McCarthy will sing the Star Spangled Banner.

Every year, an artist is recognized for their important contributions to their art field and this year, Carol Curtis has received that honor for her work in photography. Carol Curtis has been making fine art photographs for 20 years. She graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a degree in Fine Art – Photography in 1986. She participated in several group exhibits at UCR, won several grant awards and had work published in Photographer’s Forum magazine. Her portfolio, The Many Faces of Lisa, is part of the permanent collection at the California Museum of Photography. Most recently she has shown work in the Los Angeles County Fair and local MAFA events. To see some of Carol Curtis’ work, please visit her website www.carolcurtis.com or check out www.monroviafinearts.org

Events featured by MAFA artists throughout the weekend at the Celebrate the Arts Fine Arts Festival will include local and regional fine artists, who will display, sell and demonstrate their artwork such as painting, collage, ceramics, photography, jewelry, and sculpture. There will be Hands-on art experiences for children, adults and family friendly activities available as well as Student Art Displays and a Silent Auction to benefit the MUSD. Also don’t forget to check out the Village Booth as well!

MAFA's art events not only promote local and regional artists, but also help support arts education in public and private schools. In recent years, when budget cuts adversely affected schools, MAFA’s donations of more than $50,000 have supported art education in after-school and in-school programs. MAFA has also funded schoolteachers through mini-grants in Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Duarte and Arcadia. Other local organizations and non-profit organizations supported by MAFA are Foothill Unity Center, Boys and Girls club of Monrovia and the YMCA. The public is invited to celebrate the fine arts! This event is FREE and OPEN to the public.

Local art is featured in a number of MAFA supported venues such as the PAINT N PLAY ART GALLERY located at (418 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia) and FIRST CITY FINE ARTS GALLERY (404 East Huntington Drive, Monrovia) as well as a number of additional supporting vendors who continue to create an inviting and nurturing environment for the artists and their arts. The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts is an all-volunteer organization with goals to enhance the lives of those within the community through interaction with the arts and to increase the opportunities of the children through art education. The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information, please contact Lisa Barrios at 626-802-7873 Or visit www.monroviafinearts.org

October 3, 2011 CONTACTS:

Frank Zgonc, VP and Juried Art Coordinator; Lisa Barrios, Paint N Play 626-802-7873

Bill Beebe, President, MAFA bbeebe@monroviafinearts.org

Ginger Van Hook, MAFA Press Liaison, enilde@sprintmail.com ; info@monroviafinearts.org

Website: http://www.MonroviaFineArts.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/#!/event.php?eid=200268523339263

MONROVIA ARTWALKS FOR THE SUMMER! June 25, July 30 & August 27th, 2011

2011-06-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

ART EVENTS in Monrovia June 25, July 30, August 27, 2011

CONTACTS:

Cyndi Bolander, Art Walk Chair 626-589-3882, cybolander@gmail.com

Lisa Barrios, Art Walk Chair 626-802-7873, paintnplay2@yahoo.com

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts

418 South Myrtle Ave • Monrovia, CA • 91016

www.monroviafinearts.org

June 25, 2011

SUMMER ART WALKS in OLD TOWN MONROVIA

*Art Walks are FREE community events sponsored by The Monrovia Arts Festival Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, featuring local artists held on the last Saturday of each month during the Summer in charming Old Town Monrovia: this year, on Saturdays June 25^th, July 30^stand August 27^th 2011 from 7:00 pm-10:00 p.m.

*Local artists will set up along the sidewalks of Old Town Monrovia’s historic Myrtle Avenue to show and sell drawings, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, photography and hand-made glass and ceramic artworks. The 2011 Summer Art Walks will also feature live music, face painting, gallery receptions and JACK FM 93.1 Street Team.

*Exclusive exhibit at Paint-N-Play 2 Studio & Gallery featuring the ‘Los Angeles Windows Collection’ by photographer Stephen Coleman, with special live music by the Locke Brothers will be featured at the June 25^th Art Walk.

*Art Walk Night is also FREE CERAMICS NIGHT at Paint-N-Play Art Studio and Gallery, 418 South Myrtle Ave. First 50 kids (age 12 and under) will be able to paint a ceramic piece in the Paint-n-Play studio for FREE! Sponsored by MAFA.

*Live art demonstrations include ceramics wheel throwing by Monrovia High School Ceramics, plein-air painting and clay sculpture. By popular demand, in artists Frank Zgonc and Heather Shaw will bring back the “Brush-Off” or “Swap-a-thon” which is a fun demonstration of two artists painting on each other’s canvases as a collaborative effort in the process of making artwork.

*Many Old Town Merchants will be holding sales and special events including the popular Traditional Music Gathering, at The Dollmaker Kattywompus, 412 South Myrtle.

* Great event for families and art lovers of all ages, wonderful photo opportunities, heartwarming story of small town America summer fun!

"ON GUARD!" Sergeant Sasha and Commander Pyro on Exhibition at First City Gallery. PhotoJournal by Ginger Van Hook

2011-05-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Ginger Van Hook celebrates her artwork by displaying her dogs Sasha and Pyro.
Ginger and Luke Van Hook adopted Sasha and Pyro from the local pound.
Sasha came first in 2007 and then Pyro was adopted in 2009.
Ginger credits the safety of their home to their crazy dogs
Sergeant Sasha and Commander Pyro.
Photo Courtesy of Carol Curtis

Sergeant Sasha and Commander Pyro are "ON GUARD!" all the time.
Dogs are some of the most beloved pets of all time, plus they provide unconditional love,
protective services, search and rescue services and
good old fashioned psychological counseling services for those who
wish to talk about their troubles to their dogs. Dogs are some of the best listeners!
Photo by Ginger Van Hook

Carol Curtis displays her artwork at the First City Gallery in Monrovia, California.
Carol Curtis is the featured artist
for the 2011 Celebrate the Arts Festival in October
held at Monrovia Library Park in Monrovia, California October 2011!

Carol Curtis Photography; Portraits of her beloved Horses.

Photo by Ginger Van Hook

Evan Cook Student Artist of the Year 2011. Award winner of the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts. Photojournal by Ginger Van Hook

2011-05-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

Evan Cook demonstrates his ceramic art called "Free Flowing Tree".
Evan Cook is the winner of the Student Artist of the Year award for 2011
to be presented by the Monrovia Association of Fine Art on May 7, 2011
at their annual fundraising benefit
held at the Krikorian Theatre's upstairs on Saturday night.
Photo by Ginger Van Hook@2011

Evan Cook, Student Artist of the year,
presented by M.A.F.A. Photo by Ginger Van Hook, 2011

Evan Cook holds one of his favorite pieces of ceramic artwork, fired up and constructed
at Paint N Play in Monrovia, California under the direction of Lisa Barrios.
Evan Cook is currently a student and teaches ceramics at Paint N Play during his summer breaks.
Photo by Ginger Van Hook

Evan Cook and his Beagle Scully. Photo by Ginger Van Hook@2011

I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to personally interview the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts Student Artist of the year winner for the art of ceramics. From the moment I met Evan Cook, he was every bit as delightful as his reputation has him portrayed. Below I wish to share some kind words written by his ceramic's teacher in Monrovia High School, Sal Perez. I also want to thank Evan Cook's family for allowing me to come into their home, meet Linda, Sarah and Ted Alfino and interview their talented 17 year old son for the short ten minute movie that is now on YOU TUBE.

Best wishes and congratulations to Evan Cook and his family from
Ginger Van Hook, Photographer, Writer.

You may view the movie at this link below

Evan Cook Student Artist of the year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX7Cf3A8EYs

As a student, Evan is a self-motivating and enthusiastic learner. He is not easily frustrated when presented with a challenge and successful or not he continues to improve, mature, and learn. He enjoys the competitiveness of being one of the best in the class. When he encounters a challenge, he is motivated to look for and find solutions to any challenges that presented themselves to him. This attitude has been the inspiration of many of his outstanding ceramic works of art.

Evan is a problem solver and evidence of this is his use of unique and creative insights to artistic problems. It is this willingness to be the best and his unwillingness to give up when presented with life’s challenges and difficulties that places Evan well above the average student. He is exceptional; a gifted intelligent student and a talented ceramic artist.

As a person, Evan is well-liked, admired, and respected by his peers as well as fellow educators. Don’t let his quiet demeanor fool you, he is a tough competitor and students see him as a leader and positive role model. This is evidenced by the fact that he was the team’s Track and Field Captain as well as the Pole Vault Coach. He served as president of the Astronomy Club and spent a summer at Rawhide Ranch taking leadership classes.

Academically, Evan is currently ranked in the top 30% of his graduating class of 385 with a current GPA of 4.00 and an overall GPA of 2.73. He is taking a challenging class schedule that includes Biology, Physics, Algebra II, Chemistry and AP Studio Art.

Outside of the school day, Evan is and has been actively involved in exhibiting his art work at various art galleries and art fairs including his involvement in the Monrovia’s Festival of Fine Arts called "CELEBRATE THE ARTS" the past 3 years, ‘Focus One Art Gallery’ and ‘The Paint and Play Art Gallery’. His ceramic art works continue to evolve as his artistic skills and techniques increase and the level of quality, originality and breath of his work far surpasses that of many college level students. In addition to this MAFA award, he also received recognition for his artwork by the Kiwanis Club having been awarded the ‘Emerging Artist and Leadership Award’.

Evan’s accomplishments are many, including having earned a Black Belt in Tae Kwan Do and Hap Ki Do, where he competed at the national level and won many gold medals. He also holds several MHS Track and Field records in events such as 800 meter and pole vault, but what impresses me the most about Evan is the volunteer work he has done throughout his high school career. He has help decorate floats for the Rose Parade for the past two years. Has volunteered for the Food Kitchen during Christmas and Thanksgiving serving food to underprivileged and needy people; and has done unpaid tutoring for middle school children of financially troubled families.

Evan is a natural born teacher. He enjoys conversing and teaching people of all ages about his craft/art. He is very knowledgeable of his craft/art for his age but that does not deter him from wanting to get his hands on more information by reading books, watching DVDs, or learning new firing methods or techniques that will improve his skills.

We wish Evan all the best in his studies at Sierra Nevada College next year!

Linda Wagner

Superintendent

Monrovia Unified School District

325 E. Huntington Drive

Monrovia, CA 91106

Doug Gordon winner of Heart in the Arts Award presented by MAFA in Monrovia, California. Photojournal by Ginger Van Hook

2011-04-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

Doug Gordon wins the Heart in the Arts award
to be presented at the Acknowledge The Arts yearly fundraiser
sponsored by MAFA, The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts, 2011.
Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2011

Doug Gordon, Photographer

Doug Gordon has always been interested in photography ever since he can remember. Over the years he has concentrated on landscapes and nature photos shot on film. When digital cameras first came on the scene, he realized the benefits of this new technology. Several generations of digital cameras later, he is now concentrating on shooting large format landscape panorama photographs and wide format photographs. By being able to capture the scenes digitally at high resolution and then processing them on a computer, he is able to present large panorama photos and large format photos without any loss of detail. All prints are printed on Epson professional wide format printers for maximum detail and clarity.

He has recently completed a series of photos showcasing the city of Monrovia, California. The collection includes large format panorama and large format photos of the High School, the new Library, Old Town Monrovia and other Monrovia landmarks.

Previously he has created scenic collections of Dana Point harbor, Dana Point, California and Morro Bay, California. He also does custom panoramas on a consignment basis.

Mr. Gordon has been a member of MAFA (Monrovia Association of Fine Arts) for over 9 years and has presented his photographs at MAFA’s “Celebrate the Arts” annual 2 day art festival for 7 years. He has also displayed his photos at other local businesses, art shows and festivals.

Mr. Gordon also has a large collection of early 1900’s gold and silver mining photographs that he has digitized and is making them available for presentation. This would include mines in Central Nevada and Eastern California.

Mr. Gordon has worked for over 25 years at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

He can be reached via phone at 818-249-1660, and email at doug@ogbgraphics.com. His website is http://www.ogbgraphics.com

Doug Gordon enjoys his work at JPL and additionally keeps the arts close to his heart.
Doug Gordon is the volunteer webmaster for the MAFA website,
keeping Monrovia's fine art community up to date with events, photos and community activities.
Photo courtesy of Doug Gordon.

Councilmember CLARENCE SHAW

is the Renaissance Award Winner for 2011.

The presentation of this award will be made to Mr. Shaw at the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts ACKNOWLEDGE THE ARTS annual fundraiser being held on Saturday May 7, 2011. Tickets to this event are available through the MAFA website and paypal.

www.monroviafinearts.org

Councilmember Shaw was elected in 2009. Prior to serving on city council, Shaw was elected to the Monrovia Unified School District’s Board of Education in 2005 where he served as Board Vice-President and Board Clerk.

Shaw, a career public servant, is employed by the County of Los Angeles as a Human Services Administrator. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and earned a Masters degree in Public Administration from California State University. Shaw has two children attending Monrovia schools. He is a Battalion Training Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves and served as a Company Commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003-2004.

Council assignments include liaison to Community Media of the Foothills, Council liaison to the Planning Commission and the Youth Employment Service (YES!) program, alternate representative to Animal Control, the Independent Cities Association, the League of California Cities and the Southern California Association of Governments; and participation in the Monroe Elementary School Adopt-a-School program.

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts 418 S. Myrtle Ave Monrovia, CA 91016 (626) 802-7873
Email Contact info@monroviafinearts.org
www.monroviafinearts.org P.O. Box 92 • Monrovia, CA • 91017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- April 11, 2011 (ART EVENTS)--
Bill Beebe, President, MAFA Contact bbeebe@monroviafinearts.org
Written by Ginger Van Hook, Press Liaison, MAFA

(Monrovia, California) Monrovia Association of Fine Arts invites the public to attend its 11th annual fundraising
event, Acknowledge the Arts 2011 slated for Saturday evening May 7, 2011 at the Krikorian Theater upstairs located at
410 Myrtle Avenue Monrovia, 91016. MAFA is pleased to announce this years’ Renaissance Award Recipient is
Councilmember Clarence Shaw. The Renaissance Award is given every year to honor and recognize a special member of
the community whose contributions to their fellow citizens leads to the cultural enrichment of the community as a whole.
Councilmember Shaw was elected in 2009.

Prior to serving on city council, Shaw was elected to the Monrovia Unified
School District’s Board of Education in 2005 where he served as Board Vice-President and Board Clerk. A career public
servant, Shaw is employed by the County of Los Angeles as a Human Services Administrator. He received his Bachelor of
Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and earned a Masters degree in Public
Administration from California State University. Shaw has two children attending Monrovia schools. He is a Battalion
Training Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves and served as a Company Commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003-
2004. Council assignments include liaison to Community Media of the Foothills, Council liaison to the Planning
Commission and the Youth Employment Service (YES!) program, alternate representative to Animal Control, the
Independent Cities Association, the League of California Cities and the Southern California Association of Governments;
and participation in the Monroe Elementary School Adopt-a-School program.
MAFA is also pleased to announce the additional award winners Doug Gordon, recipient of The Hearts in the Arts award
for his generous contribution to the MAFA website, and Evan Cook, Student Artist of the Year.

Please join us in celebrating the generous accomplishments and inspiring leadership of Councilmember Shaw by
participating in all the exciting activities planned for this commemorative day. In addition to lively music, there will be a
raffle, door prizes, hors d’oeurves, wine and spirits. All proceeds go to benefit art programs in local schools. Advance
tickets may be purchased for $35 pre-sale or $50 at the door and may be purchased on the website through paypal. For more
information please visit www.monroviafinearts.org.

The MONROVIA ASSOCIATION OF FINE ARTS, otherwise known as MAFA, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the
cultivation and support of the arts in children’s after school programs
as well as educational awareness of the arts in the
community at large.

Regular MAFA affiliated venues displaying artwork of MAFA member artists include the following:
FIRST CITY CREDIT UNION GALLERY located at 404 Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016
(Contact: Carol Curtis seeccgo@gmail.com)

CALIFORNIA WINE AND CHEESE located at 115 West Foothill Boulevard Monrovia, CA 91016
(Contact (626) 358-6500 visit www.cawineandcheese.com

PAINT N’ PLAY ART GALLERY, (in OLD TOWN MONROVIA) is located at 418 South Myrtle Avenue Monrovia, CA.
(Contact Lisa Barrios at paintnplay2@aol.com or call (626) 256-4845).

The two biggest fundraising events sponsored by MAFA are “ACKNOWLEDGE THE ARTS”,
held in May and the
“OCTOBER
CELEBRATE THE ARTS”

held at the Monrovia Library Park every year.

They also sponsor the

SUMMER ART WALKS
every year
on Myrtle Avenue in Monrovia.

The 2011 summer art walks are scheduled on
June 25, July 30 and August 27, 2011.

Bill Beebe, President, Monrovia Association of Fine Arts
PO Box 92 Monrovia, CA 91017
www.monroviafinearts.org

“Enhance the lives of those within our community through interaction with the arts.
Increase the opportunities of our children through art education.”
The Monrovia Arts Festival Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

For further information regarding this specific press release, please contact
Ginger Van Hook Writer/Photographer or visit www.gingervanhook.com
## END.

Lisa Barrios, Ulises Gutierrez, and Julie Gentile AWARD RECIPIENTS in MONROVIA!

2011-01-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

Doing what she does best, Lisa Barrios, owner of Paint N Play in Monrovia , California,
and long time member and supporter of the
Monrovia Association of Fine Arts (M.A.F.A.)
has been selected to receive the "Business Person of the Year" Award!
Pictured beside Lisa Barrios is the emerging artist Adin-Rose Arroyo, age 22 months
and daughter of Lorraine Macias.
Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2010.

Annual Award Recipients!

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the recipients of their annual awards for 2010. The Iris Award, Citizen of the Year will be presented to Ulises Gutierrez, the Monroe Award, Business Person of the Year will be presented to Lisa Barrios owner, Paint 'n' Play2. The Dick Lord Award for outstanding contributions to the Chamber will be presented to Julie Gentile.

To read the complete story, click here.

The Monrovia Chamber invite's the community to attend the Annual Membership & Awards Dinner to honor and support these deserving members of our community. The annual dinner is on Friday, January 21, 2011, at the Doubletree Hotel, Monrovia. To RSVP for the Membership & Awards Dinner, contact Korrine Ramirez.

The Monroe Award was established in 2000 for Business Person of the year in recognition of outstanding contributions to the community, the recipient for 2010 is Lisa Barrios, Paint 'n' Play2 in Old Town Monrovia. Lisa Barrios is well known in the volunteer world as she volunteers her time and materials to many organizations in the community. For the City of Hope's Helping Hearts Program, Lisa creates ceramic handprints of patients, both kids and adults. For the Foothill Unity Center's Back to School Program and the Holiday distributions, working with children in need and helping them explore art and ceramic painting as part of the Unity Center outreach efforts. She hosts workshops and fundraisers for the Girl Scouts of the Greater San Gabriel Valley, students with special needs find employment opportunities at Paint 'n' Play2. Monrovia High School ceramics students benefit from Lisa's giving spirit as well, students are encouraged and promoted through opportunities to partner with Paint 'n' Play2 to further their craft and seek employment at Paint 'n' Play2. Lisa is a supporter of the Village Afterschool Program, and the Boys and Girls Club by holding workshops for kids at her store. Additionally, Lisa assists in promoting and fundraising and hosts a gallery for the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts MAFA; MAFA in turn supports the Monrovia Unified School District's arts education efforts. Lisa volunteers her time to the Old Town area as well, assisting with organizing the Summer Art Walks and by promoting and participating in public activities in Old Town.

Monrovia is fortunate to have a business leader who not only speaks about giving back, but also puts her money where her heart is, always finding time for another project, another worthy cause and another child.

Lisa Barrios

Paint 'n' Play Art Studio & Gallery

418 S. Myrtle Ave.

Monrovia CA 91016

(626) 256-4848

www.paintnplay2.com

Local Monrovia Photographer Frank Zgonc Exhibits work in Downtown LA ArtWalk, 2010!

2010-12-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

A local photographer from Monrovia, California, Frank Zgonc,

exhibits his work in the controversial Downtown LA Artwalk

at Bolt Barbers on October 14th, 2010.

Story and Photojournal by Ginger Van Hook

The Downtown Los Angeles ArtWalk is controversial because this monthly art trekking exercise through the city has already attracted crowds of well over 10,000 art lovers, patrons and lookieloos; but these numbers don't bother Frank Zgonc, the local photographer from Monrovia who exhibited his landscapes and unique scenes at a popular local hangout on Main Street in Downtown LA. As a matter of fact, most people on the street were quite comfortable perusing the galleries, shops, museums and eateries that dot the sidewalks in a revitalized artist community where being creative is the key to this area's success. There was a complementary police presence in addition to the facepainters, bodypainters, glow-in-the dark art, and legitimate big name art stars reflecting the LA culture hanging in front gallery windows on every block. For all the hype, a controversy about who's going to pay for what, as in the clean-up from the afterparties, this crowd looked happy, enthusiastic, and hungry for more art, not to mention good food, and at Bolt Barbers, a nice haircut too!

Artist Zareh exhibits drawings at the Downtown LA Artwalk.

Artists Zareh and Rouzanna Berberian, Downtown Los Angeles

Fine Art Trekkin Downtown LA, Ginger Van Hook

is pictured between artists Zareh and Rouzanna Berberian.

Rouzanna Berberian unlocks the door to the safe

containing all the artwork in Los Angeles.

There is no limit to the treasures of artwork that exist in Los Angeles

the vault is open...

come in and enjoy!

SUMMER ART WALKS IN MONROVIA, CALIFORNIA Next one: July 31st 2010

2010-06-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

Heather Shaw and Frank Zgonc participate in Summer "Brush-Off"...

Photograph by Ginger Van Hook

SUMMER ART WALKS IN MONROVIA

CONTACTS
for the Summer Artwalk participation or attendance:

Please call or email:

Betsy Thurmond, Artwalk Chair 323-251-2643 June 15, 2010

Lisa Barrios, Paint-n-Play 626-802-7873

Frank Zgonc, VP and Juried Art Coordinator frank@monroviafinearts.org

Bill Beebe, President, MAFA bbeebe@monroviafinearts.org

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts

P.O. Box 92 • Monrovia, CA • 91017 www.monroviafinearts.org

626 802-7873

Ginger Van Hook, MAFA Press Liaison, enilde@sprintmail.com

2010 SUMMER ART WALKS REV UP

in MONROVIA’s OLD TOWN

Features local artists, Gallery Receptions and Demonstrations

The aroma of sweet orange blossoms, gardenias and jasmine flowers permeate the air as folks stroll down Myrtle Avenue on warm summer nights. The sounds of children’s laughter echo in and around merchant storefronts with crowds gathering around the lively art exhibits, sculptures and ceramic treasures that are featured during the yearly SUMMER ART WALKS hosted by The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts and the merchants of Old Town Monrovia.

The public is invited to attend and participate in the 2010 Summer Art Walks be you an art admirer or a business willing to jump into the art culture. The Summer Art Walks are FREE community events featuring local artists held on the last Saturday of each month during the hottest days of the season. This year, on Saturdays June 26th, July 31st and August 28 th 2010 from 7:00 pm-10:00 p.m., local artists will display their works along the sidewalks of Old Town Monrovia’s historic Myrtle Avenue to show and sell drawings, paintings, sculpture, photography and hand-made glass and ceramic artworks. The 2010 Summer Art Walks will also feature live music and host gallery receptions. Gallery Events held at Paint-N-Play feature Sculpture and 3-D Art in June, Photography in July and Painting in August.

There will be a FREE CERAMICS NIGHT at Paint-N-Play, sponsored by MAFA where the first 60 kids age 12 and under will be able to paint a ceramic piece in the Paint-n-Play studio for FREE! Live art demonstrations include ceramics wheel throwing and Raku glazing, plein-air painting and clay sculpture. By popular demand and as a special treat, in August, artists Frank Zgonc and Heather Shaw will bring back the “Brush-Off” or “Swap-a-thon” which is a fun demonstration of two artists painting on each other’s canvases as a collaborative effort in the process of making artwork.

Additional artists are encouraged to participate as the planned festivities for the Saturday evenings are expected to be filled with art, culture, ice cream, wine and cheese receptions and live music by local musicians.

Young artists, ages 4 to 18, will also be featured during the 2010 Summer Art Walks. Many Old Town Merchants will be contributing to the 2010 Summer Art Walk events or support the event as sponsors, including the Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board (MOTAB), Focus One Community Credit Union and Family Festival Productions. Additionally MAFA is partnering with Soldier's Angels Foundation (out of Pasadena) to make artistic cards to send to our troops overseas at each Art Walk, all art supplies will be provided by MAFA and everyone is welcome to participate. Also, in the Paint-n-Play Plaza, The Dollmakers will be presenting a free concert: the Traditional Music Gathering. Many merchants around town will be presenting special sales and events that night including Aardvarks, Styx Ride Shop and Nani Skin Care, Paint ‘n’ Play Ceramic Art Studio and Fine Art Gallery, Segil Fine Art Gallery, as well as California Wine and Cheese.

Folks wishing to participate as artists, merchants or supporters are encouraged to contact Betsy Matz, the Art Walk Chair, as soon as possible by emailing her at betsy38@mac.com.

Mr. & Mrs. Zgonc support the Summer Artwalks in Monrovia every year!

Monrovia Celebrates the Arts Where Culture Unites 2009

2009-10-13T01:10:00.000-07:00

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts partnered with the Nuvein Organization to bring a unique vision of the arts to a revitalized Monrovia Library Park on October 10th and 11th, 2009. Fine Art Trekkin through the community of Monrovia we witnessed the President of the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts, Mr. Bill Beebe presenting the 2009 Featured Artist Award to Rouzanna Berberian.

Rouzanna Berberian of Monrovia, California accepted the 2009 Featured Artist Award for excellence in the art of Painting and Drawing. Additionally, Rouzanna Berberian is recognized for her consistent service to the community working with children in the After School Arts program as well as the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts. Here she is pictured being interviewed by CameraMan and Editor Danny Assad.

Rouzanna Berberian displays her award which was hand made and engraved by the dedicated artists at Paint N Play. Rouzanna is standing in front of one of her paintings and the background displays some of her drawings as well.

Portrait of Rouzanna Berberian, Monrovia, California

Photo by Ginger Van Hook

Portrait of Rouzanna Berberian and her dog Nellie.

Photo by Ginger Van Hook

Frank Zgonc displays his artistic rendition of the petals of a purple orchid in his photographic style for which he was recognized as the Featured Artist in 2008. Additionally Frank Zgonc was recognized for his service to the community of Monrovia as well as The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts for his dedicated volunteer work over many years and his current status as Vice President of M.A.F.A. Frank Zgonc is also the juror for the October Fine Arts Festival.

Photo by Ginger Van Hook

http://www.mindscapewatercolorphotography.com/

http://frazgomeanders.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/frazgo/

http://la.metblogs.com/

The 2010 Featured Artist was announced at this year's October Arts Festival as

Ginger Van Hook, Photographer, Writer and Artist. Additionally Mrs. Van Hook is recognized for her work as the Press Liaison for the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts since 2005.

Ginger Van Hook displays her winning tomatoes at the 2009 Monrovia Association of Fine Arts October Arts Festival. Ginger credits the success of her tomatoes to her participation in a garden art project spearheaded by Beverly Hills artist Linda Kunik called "Plant It Forward".

Additionally Ginger Van Hook started her first blog in 2007 called Ginger's Art Journal. In her first entry, Ginger reported on the art opening at the TAG Gallery in Santa Monica where her husband Luke Van Hook showed his work. In 2009, Ginger and Luke developed a new blog series called Fine Art Trekkin where Ginger Van Hook developed her style of Fine Arts Journalism dedicating herself to reporting on local fine artists and artwork in local venues arranged by cities in California and places where she and her husband have travelled to.

Ginger also credits her first blog to her mentor Frank Zgonc for encouraging her to create her stories online.

Blog postings include some of the following local cities and communities:

http://finearttrekkinlosangeles.blogspot.com

http://finearttrekkinmonrovia.blogspot.com

http://finearttrekkinculvercity.blogspot.com

http://finearttrekkinmiraclemileLA.blogspot.com

http://finearttrekkinatusc.blogspot.com

http://finearttrekkininglewood.blogspot.com

http://gingersartjournal.blogspot.com

Additional blogs with current work by Ginger Van Hook

and Luke Van Hook can be found at:

http://inglewoodopenstudio.blogspot.com

www.artslant.com/la/events/show/75387-3rd-annual-inglewood-open-studios-2009

Photographer Andy Petrell, enjoys the classic black and white photography,

a talent for which he has become renowned in his community.

Photo by Ginger Van Hook, Monrovia Arts Festival October 10, 2009

Celebrating a unique vision of the fine arts was the Comic Book convention held inside the Monrovia Library Park. Photo by Ginger Van Hook, October 10, 2009

A unique pet among the visitors to Monrovia Library Park, this little piggy went to the art fair and enjoyed eating the grass. Typical pets that roamed in the park with their owners included Greyhound dogs, Chows, Akitas, Jack Russel Terriers, Cats on leashes, Labrador Retreivers as well as dogs of mixed breeds. By the sheer love and training from his owners, this little piggy was introduced to the fine arts and therefore was among one of the most cultured and well behaved of all the visitors; which goes to show that art has far reaching influence on all of God's creatures.

Rouzanna Berberian Named Featured Artist in Monrovia!

2009-09-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

While Fine Art Trekkin' through the City of Monrovia, California, Ginger and Luke Van Hook came across the artist Rouzanna Berberian in 2005.

It was our first Art Festival that we were selected to participate in and it just so happened to be windy. Art Festivals are held all over the nation, giving communities an opportunity to visit with the artists, bring the family, and enjoy the great outdoors while appreciating the fine arts. The weeks before, Luke and my father had gone to great lengths to build custom aluminum art easels that would hold Luke's large paintings. Unfortunately, we had not counted on the wind. In the early morning as we set up our booth along with about a hundred other artists in Monrovia Library Park, our paintings and set ups blew over as did the ones for the artist next to us. As we struggled to help each other, Rouzanna Berberian looked up and exclaimed..."Oh my God it's Luke and Ginger!" and thus we recognized each other from attending Pasadena City College about five years earlier. Our mutual inspiration and motivating force for the first two years of our art education was also Jim Morphesis as it had been for Rouzanna. It was indeed a pleasant surprise and a pleasure therefore to be showing our work side by side with a classmate we loved and highly respected!

Since then, Luke and I have witnessed as Rouzanna developed her style of painting, graduated from school, raised her lovely children with her husband Ohannes Berberian and began her teaching career, dedicating her time to the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts and the after school program.

It has been about four years since that once windy art festival in Monrovia Library Park and Luke and I have done a lot of fine art trekkin' through all kinds of communities discovering wonderful artists of every medium, so it is with great excitement and enthusiasm that we now learned that the MONROVIA ASSOCIATION OF FINE ARTS has announced Rouzanna Berberian as their featured artist for the October Arts Festival 2009! Lots of changes happened in Monrovia as well. The new library opened and this year's festival will be held in the newly renovated park grounds. At best we will expect a warm October weekend on the 10th and 11th but the quality of the festival is one of the best with or without wind!

I had the honor of interviewing Rouzanna to write up the M.A.F.A. press release and set up her photo. One of the unique qualities Rouzanna has which makes her an emerging artist to watch is the ability to make her students think carefully about the message in their artwork and to not be intimidated by anyone who would try to dissuade their intentions. Rouzanna told me one of her favorite paintings is the painting of a large red bull upon which is text painted at the bottom of her painting stating, 'No Bull!' When I had the opportunity to see her work space in her studio I also saw the original photograph of the bull which had been her inspiration for that image. Rouzanna is not only an elegant woman, a tender mother and a lovely wife, she's a strong artist with a bold yet sensitive inclination. She knows how to balance her home and her artwork, how to give of herself to her community, and how to reserve a little extra time for reflections at the end of the day. I learned from Rouzanna about the Armenian Genocide. She stated to me that she would have had a lot more relatives, had it not been for the Armenian Genocide that took relatives from her Grandmother and her friends. Rouzanna has participated in art shows in Glendale in support of this issue so close to her heart, yet she carries her self proudly as a surviver, not taking any 'bull' from anyone about her art. She is currently working on new artwork that reflects the changing technologies of our time. She's taken apart some circuit boards and begun to experiment with painting the paths the circuits run through.

Personally, I've realized our paths crossed on a similar circuit grid in our community and what an honor it is to have come to know Rouzanna Berberian and her family. Congratulations on an honor well deserved! Featured Artist, 2009!

Rouzanna Berberian 2009

Biography /Personal Learning Theory

I grew up in Yerevan, Armenia, a place rich in culture, art and architecture. After the high school, I got accepted at Karl Marx Polytechnic Institute and studied Radio Engineering. After I finished the first year, my parents immigrated to the United States and I continued my education at Pasadena City College.

I always loved art but never dared to take art classes. I thought art was for people with “special talents“. After an encouragement from my husband, I took a beginning drawing class with an accomplished artist and educator Jim Morphesis at Pasadena City College. It was a turning point in my life. I found something that I was searching for my entire life. I “found” ART. It opened up a completely new world for me filled with dreams and imagination, passion and excitement. For the first time in my life, I knew what I wanted. An engineering career was not even an option.

Jim Morphesis always found something nice to say about every single work that students created. Once he told me “Don’t ever believe anyone who would say you can’t be an artist”. That statement stayed with me and helped me work hard to accomplish my goals. Following year I received “Honors for Superior Achievement in Painting” and the year after that I was the winner of the Julia Cannon Vocational Scholarship at the Pasadena City College’s Visual Arts and Media Studies Division.

I continued my education at California State University and had an opportunity to meet extraordinary Professors such as Dr. Manuel Aguilar, Dr. Daneshvari, Mr. Daniel Douke and Dr. Carol Jeffers. Their passion for art and teaching was contagious. Dr. Carol Jeffers, Professor of Art Education helped me see the art world beyond Western Art. She helped me explore cultures and art forms that I never thought existed. She introduced me to teaching and sparked a fire that will never extinguish.

My first teaching position was at the St. Gregory’s A&M Hovsepian School. The satisfaction of teaching art and inspiring students turned out to be a wonderful experience.

To learn more about teaching, I started attending Point Loma Nazarene University and met wonderful professors and teachers who shared my passion. By listening to their stories, doing relevant research on education helped me develop my own philosophy of education and it deepened my love for teaching.

Currently I teach art at South Pasadena High School and I’m actively involved in the fundraising activities for Monrovia Association of Fine Arts.

"No Bull" Painting by Rouzanna Berberian.

Photo by Ginger Van Hook 9-26-2009.

Rouzanna and Ohannes Berberian brought their daughter to the Brand Library

to see Luke Van Hook's opening reception August 2, 2008, Photo by Ginger Van Hook

Luke Van Hook states that Rouzanna Berberian's earlier exploration of expressionism in figuration has evolved into a synthesis of expressionism and geometric abstraction in her new circuit board inspired paintings
.

Rouzanna Berberian with the children from the afters-school program.

Focus One Gallery, Monrovia, 2005.

Photo by Ginger Van Hook

Rouzanna Berberian's painting was selected to participate in a group show

at Royal Gallery's Xtreme Opposition, April 22, 2006

This group of international artists gathered to let out a solid voice of Xtreme Opposition, against all Genocides and mass murders towards human kind, because of their race nationality or religious and personal beliefs.

Royal Gallery is located at 1418 W. Glenoaks Blvd. Glendale, CA 91201

(818-502-9090) Photo by Ginger Van Hook

Rouzanna Berberian attends the reception for the group show at Focus One Gallery in Monrovia, California. Photographed with M.A.F.A. vice president, Frank Zgnoc

and Cindy Bolander on November 09, 2006.

Photo by Ginger Van Hook

A well known icon on Foothill Boulevard is the black and white cow that advertises the Rigo's Mini-mart and drive-through local grocery store. Right across the street, Rouzanna Berberian's husband, Ohannes owns the camera repair shop called DigiTech. Rouzanna and Ohannes work in concert to support each other's dreams. When I went to visit the camera repair shop for a photo of her husband, I noticed he keeps a number of Rouzanna's paintings on the walls of his award winning business.
www.digitechcamerarepair.com

Ohannes Berberian taking care of the focus in the family...

Ohannes Berberian has also won awards for his camera repair business and he supports his wife's artwork as well. Digitech Camera Repair is located at

447 Foothill Blvd. Monrovia, California.

Photo by Ginger Van Hook

ANOTHER ARTIST AND EDUCATOR in Monrovia is the esteemed Mildred Lapson, the founder of the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts almost 50 years ago. Practically following in her footsteps as she teaches her students to respect and appreciate the arts, Rouzanna Berberian reminds me of Mildred Lapson whom I've also had the privilege of meeting for the first time in 2005.

Focus One Gallery Show and

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts Reception Nov.15, 2005

MILDRED LAPSON

MILDRED LAPSON RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION

A teacher of Fine Arts for the California Board of Education for five decades, Mildred Lapson pioneered the Fine Art interest and art programs in Southern California in the early 50’s. In 1963, she initiated the first art gallery in Monrovia, at the Alvord Room of the Monrovia Public Library where famous California artists’ work was exhibited regularly. The following year, she founded the first Monrovia Annual Arts Festival, which still thrives today.

Lapson’s subjects are varied, as her passion and dedication to her art is forceful and communicative. Her extensive research and sensitive drawings attest to her knowledge and skill with the human form, with a keen feeling of ‘simpatico’ to humanity. Her sense of humor is also evident in her satirical work.

Lapson says, “…As with the architecture of all things, including nature’s or artists’ whimsical improvisations, nothing is lasting without firm footing.” Feeling empathy for what she terms as “the precious jewels of life”, she adds, “They create prisms of brilliance on the facets of life and intensify life’s forms, but it also makes me aware of the dimensions of the dark. It is impossible for me to feel one without the other. My approach to painting is with primary and serious respect to the subject. The topic of each painting dictates to my senses what my approach will be and what medium will be used. It is my hope that its essence will communicate to those who will share my feelings. I lean on academic structure for dynamic support regardless of my improvisations.” Although her works and subject matter range broadly, and would technically be classified as Impressionistic, Miss Lapson likes to be identified as a “Contemporary Communicator”.

MILDRED LAPSON is listed in the International Dictionary of Biographies, London, England; Who’s Who of American Art, ‘59ff Library of Congress Card No. 36-27014: Who’s Who of American Women, ‘60ff Library of Congress card No. 58-13264; Who’s Who of the West, ‘67ff Library of Congress card No. 49-48186.

In addition, her works are shown in the Metropolitan Museum, N.Y., the Wadsworth Athenaeum Museum, Hartford, CT., the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, CA., the Frye Museum, Seattle, Wash., Plymouth Hall Museum, Plymouth, MA., to name a few among over fifty major museums and galleries across the nation. Lapson’s works are also included in numerous private and corporate collections in the United States and abroad, and are also included in the Permanent Collection and Archives of the Pasadena Museum of History, Pasadena CA.; the Permanent Collection and Archives of the Colchester Historical Society, Colchester, CT., the Permanent Collection and Archives of the Monrovia Historical Museum, Monrovia, CA., the Permanent Collection and Archives of California’s State Theater, the Pasadena Playhouse; the Archives of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Wash., D.C.; the Permanent Collection in Perpetuity of the Ellis Island Museum, at Statue of Liberty Is., N.Y.

Under the auspices of the U.S. Dept. of Justice and Immigration, Lapson’s paintings of immigration subjects toured the United States in all the Presidential Libraries and State museums for three years in celebration of the United States Centennial. On the West Coast, they were shown in Seattle, Washington; Los Angeles, CA; the Museum of Natural History; and a reception in her honor was given at the Ronald Reagan Library.

Bill Beebe, current President of the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts

together with the original founding member of M.A.F.A.,

Ms. Mildred Lapson

at the Focus One Reception on December 05, 2006

Photo by Ginger Van Hook

A view of the Monrovia Foothills

as seen from the Monrovia Public Library

September 26, 2009

Photo by Ginger Van Hook

This year's October Art Festival will keep Mark Twain busy in the park as he reads his book and tells his stories to whomever sits beside him on the bench. "Celebrate the Arts...Where Culture Unites", brings together the best of two artistic societies in our community this year:

The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts and the Nuvein Foundation for Literature.

Photo by Ginger Van Hook

PAINT N' PLAY located at 418 Myrtle Avenue acts as the meeting ground for M.A.F.A. member meetings, a local fine art gallery and a place to nurture the arts in children.

Owners Lisa and Rachel enjoy the holiday party at Paint N Play

with their friends and family in December of 2007.

Photo by Ginger Van Hook.

The October Fine Arts Festival in Monrovia is one of the longest running fine art festivals in Southern California. The following photos have been selected from the October Festivals in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Collection and copyright of Photos by Ginger Van Hook

CONTACTS:

Mohna Manihar, Marketing Consultant (626) 359-4114 or (626) 991-4789

Frank Zgonc, VP and Juried Art Coordinator; Lisa Barrios, Paint N Play 626-802-7873

Bill Beebe, President, MAFA

bbeebe@monroviafinearts.org

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts

418 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016

www.monroviafinearts.org 626 802-7873

Ginger Van Hook, MAFA Press Liaison, enilde@sprintmail.com

Monrovia, California—

“MAFA Announces Featured Artist for the October Arts Festival”

In keeping with yearly tradition for the October Arts Festival in Monrovia, the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts announces Rouzanna Berberian as the featured artist!

Rouzanna Berberian grew up in Armenia, a place rich in culture, art and architecture where she studied radio engineering. When her parents immigrated to the United States, she continued her studies at Pasadena City College and changed her major from Engineering to art as soon as she took her first drawing class at the encouragement of her husband. Her instructor, artist and educator Jim Morphesis inspired her by telling her just what she needed to hear at the time, "Don't ever believe anyone who tells you, that you can't be an artist". That statement stayed with her and she went on to win awards and scholarships. She received her undergraduate degree in Art Education and Studio Art from California State University and teaching credential from Point Loma Nazarene University. Mrs. Berberian currently teaches art at South Pasadena High School and is actively involved in the fundraising activities for Monrovia Association of Fine Arts.

Her website is http://www.lalikarts.com

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts celebrates its 46th annual arts festival “Celebrate the Arts - Where Culture Unites” in Old Town Monrovia on Sat. & Sun., October 10th and 11th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at Monrovia Library Park, 321 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia, CA.

The October Fine Arts Festival in Monrovia is one of the longest running fine art festivals in Southern California. This year MAFA is expanding the event in collaboration with another art group – Nuvein Foundation for Literature and the Arts and will present live entertainment and additional art venues throughout Old Town on both days. The Nuvein Foundation has scheduled poetry readings as well as a self-publishing panel, a comic panel on storyboarding presented by Ralph Navarro and cartoonists presenting ‘live draws’, plus a drumming workshop presented by Vivek Babtiwale. In the Concrete Stage, Incendio will be performing on Saturday and the Lancer Jazz Band will perform on Sunday. Events featured by MAFA artists throughout the weekend will include local and regional fine artists displaying, selling and demonstrating their artwork such as painting, collage, ceramics, photography, jewelry, sculpture, etc. Hands-on art experiences for children, adults and family friendly activities will be available as well as Student Art Displays and a Silent Auction. The San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival will be a part of the festivities and live entertainment on multi-stage settings are scheduled throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday. Food booths as well as representatives from local and non-profit organizations will also have booths to educate the public about their special programs. This event is FREE and OPEN to the public.

MAFA's art events not only promote local and regional artists, but also support arts education in public and private schools. In recent years, when budget cuts adversely affected schools, MAFA’s donations of more than $50,000 have supported art education in after-school and in-school programs. MAFA has also funded schoolteachers through mini-grants in Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Duarte and Arcadia. Other local organizations supported by MAFA are Foothill Unity Center, Boys and Girls club of Monrovia and YMCA.

The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts is an all-volunteer organization with goals to enhance the lives of those within the community through interaction with the arts and to increase the opportunities of the children through art education. The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more info, please call (626) 802-7873 or visit the website www.monroviafinearts.org or http://www.monroviafinearts.org/pages/2009_cta_info_page.html