Monday, October 3, 2011

“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!

Monrovia, California—          

“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!

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








Tuesday, June 14, 2011

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


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 25th, July 30st and 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 25th 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!                                                                       

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

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

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








 Sasha and Pyro. Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2011



Friday, May 6, 2011

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

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 



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
MonroviaCA 91106

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

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


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.



Friday, January 7, 2011

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


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. 

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