APRIL 2024

 

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GALLERY HOURS

We are open Tuesday through Saturday

11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Docent Shifts are 11:00 - 1:30 and 1:30 - 4:00

Sip N' Shopwill occur the first Friday of the month.

DATES WORTH NOTING

Upcoming art submission dates:

April 30 – Take-in for May Member Show

May 3 – Student Show Take-in

GALLERY FAVORITES

There was no voting last month because of the CAL International Show, but things are back to normal this month. Be sure to stop by the gallery and vote on your favorite art piece.

DONATE TO THE JC AWARD

If you would like to see this program continue, please consider donating to the JC Award fund.

 This link can be used for making donations:  https://www.conroeartleague.com/Donations

 

Pick up a pencil case, tote bag, insulated cup, or sketch book next time you're in the gallery. Remember, all proceeds go to fund the Juan Cantavella Award to help keep the prizes alive.

EVENTS

Participate, Share, and Celebrate the Arts

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 20 - International Sculpture Day

April 27-28 - Paper Weaving Workshop

May 4 - May General Meeting and Reception

May 4 - Student Awards Show

May 6 - Artist in Action Plein Air

WELCOME OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS

President, Heidi Williams

Vice President, Judy Mackey

Secretary, Debra Riley

Treasurer, Patti Gary

Docent Coordinator, Sandy Stutz

Marketing, Brenda McDougall

Building Manager, Rod McDougall

Shows and Exhibits, Robin Pepper

Hospitality, Carol Roach

Education, Ken Roy

Membership, Martha Ezell

WINNERS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED

CAL received 643 applications from all across the U. S. as well as from Canada, Italy, and Mexico.  Juror Patrick Saunders announced the winning art at a reception on March 23, 2024 and $5500 was awarded to the winners.  Congratulations Creators!

First Place - "Pure Joy" by Juan Cantavella

Second Place - "Sir Elton" by Stacy Gresell

Third Place - "Kindred Spirits" by John Cole

Fourth Place - "T.N.S. Sam Houston" by Michael Horvath

View this video to see the entire show.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you want to be a part of the special event team contact Zoe White at zoe@zoewhiteart.com.  

STUDENT AWARDS

Conroe Art League will award $11,000 at the 2024 Student Awards art competition scheduled for Saturday, May 4, from 6 to 8 PM. There also will be a $500 award for the Adrianne Gerlach Memorial Art Scholarship for the Best Western/Wildlife Art, and a $300 award for the Sherry Wagner Memorial Award for the theme “Forever Cats.”

  • An eligible student is defined as a high school senior (the student does not have to be formally enrolled in an art class), who is attending a Montgomery County public, private or home school.

  • The student does not have to be present to win.  (But it would be nice!)
  • The student does not have to pay a fee to enter .              
  • Student must enter a piece of original art, and no more than two.  Size requirements are on the registration form.
  • CAL encourages online registration.  Click HERE to register online.  Complete the registration form.  Click HERE to download form.  
  • Bring the art and registration form to the Conroe Art League at 127 Simonton Street, Conroe, on Friday, May 3, between the hours of 1 and 5 PM.

COURTYARD SCULPTURE PROGRAM

The third quarter sculpture show begins in July. Each sculpture must be at least 24" tall, able to withstand outdoor weather, and not present a danger of any kind.  There is no fee but you must work one docent shift.  To propose a piece contact Bob Heintzelman at rdheintz@hotmail.com.  You can read about the program here and the registration information is included on the Take-in/Out page

The sculptures currently on display are:  Lotus by Robert Heintzelman (center), and Watchtower Series #1 (on left) & Watchtower Series #2 (on right) by Mark Frary.

ARTIST IN ACTION - IN GALLERY

To participate, artists must be a CAL member and provide all their own supplies/equipment and clean up when finished.  

Artists are expected to be working on their art in the gallery from 5:00 to 7:00 and may bring samples of their art for sale.  All sales go through the CAL system with 20% going to CAL. 

To sign up, find the date on the calendar and click that link. We will not be holding an AIA in May, but look for an opportunity in June. Please sign up for only one month to allow for more members to participate. For questions please email Sandy Stutz at docentcoordinator@conroeartleague.com 

 
 

ARTIST IN ACTION - IN PLEIN AIR

 

On location painting sessions add a special, fresh quality to these paintings and the time spent painting outdoors is cherished by the AIA members who participate. There is always room anyone who would like to join us. 

The next outing will be on May 6th and at a beautiful lakefront home in Willis.

To join group and be notified about painting dates and location, text name, email address and cell number to Pam Markham at 936-661-0800.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

 

On March 26th, CAL Members (George Bramlett, Jeff Lung, Debra Riley, Linda Prince, Jan Saunders and Janice Slaughter) helped judge the 2024 “Conflict Resolution Bookmark Art Contest” sponsored by the Dispute Resolution Center - Montgomery County.  There were over 1400 bookmarks designed by Montgomery County students in grades K-8th.

The Madeley Fine Art Gallery was a sponsor of the Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival held on April 12-14.

Having a presence at the festival was a great opportunity to showcase details about what we offer to surrounding communities. 

MAY TAKE-IN/OUT

The next take-in will be Tuesday, April 30th, between 11 am and 4 pm. Please be sure to register here by 6 pm on Monday the 29th.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

 

See our website for more details, or contact our the gallery at  gallerymanager@conroeartleague.com to share your talents.

NEED A DOCENT REFRESHER?

The next docent training session, led by Bev Hall, will be held on May 8th at 11:30am in the gallery.

 Please go to Calendar to register.

MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING

The next general meeting will be held on

 Saturday, May 4th, at 4:00 pm. 

DEMO ARTIST

We will be committing our artist demonstration time after the monthly meeting to the Student Show. Please support these aspiring artist with your presence and applause.

STUDENT RAFFLE

Be sure to get your tickets for this month's raffle item

Support Montgomery County high school seniors and the student art awards by making a donation to participate in the drawing.

Purchase your tickets in person at the general meeting.

 

ARTIST RECEPTION

The May reception will be at 6:00 pm Saturday the 4th, which will include the Student Awards ceremony and ending at 8:00 pm.

TEACHER HIGHLIGHT

Juan Cantavella, born in Orleans, France on June 14, 1941, to Spanish refugee parents fleeing Franco's regime, relocated to Venezuela in 1948 for better prospects. At 15, he discovered his passion for art during a recovery period from surgery, initially experimenting with "paint by numbers" kits. Despite parental pressure to pursue a traditional career, he persisted in painting, aided by his mother's support. Initially studying physics at his father's behest, he eventually pursued architectural studies to align with his artistic inclinations, much to his father's disappointment.

Marriage and familial responsibilities temporarily sidelined his artistic pursuits, with painting relegated to a hobby. Nonetheless, he never abandoned his dream of painting full-time. Despite challenges, including economic and political turmoil in Venezuela, he immigrated to America in 2002, where he realized his artistic ambitions. By 2005, he began painting murals in San Francisco, gradually building a strong clientele. Continuous self-instruction and dedication to improving his craft defined his journey as a muralist. In 2014, he relocated to Texas, establishing his studio in Houston, fully committing to painting as his profession. Cantavella views art as an ongoing learning process, always striving for artistic excellence.

 
 
 
 

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

CAL members, Patti Gary, Kristine Schneider, Elif Burduoglu, Jeff Lung, and Jimmie Shealy participated in the Waterway Arts Festival with standout booths and successful sales and visits.

 

If you are not able to see Jeff Lung at WWAF, he will also be at the Sugarland Arts Festival April 27-28.

 

Loraine Tomon will be at North Houston Art Gallery April 27th and First Saturday Arts Market in the Heights on May 4th.

 Zoe White’s acrylic piece, Believe, was juried into the Richardson Civic Art Society’s 58th Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibition and Sale.  Her piece will be on exhibit May 1-27th.

NEED EXTRA CASH?

How about helping CAL as a substitute docent?  Send request to Heidi Williams and include your phone number.  Subs must be fully trained and able to process sales transactions. Please email her at 

docentcoordinator@conroeartleague.com.

 
 

We welcome models of all ages and sizes. Be sure to tell your grandchildren, children, and friends we are always in need of models for both the Wednesday drawing and the Friday portrait groups.

For more info, please contact Vickie Nash at vickienash.artist@gmail.com or Juan Cantevella at juancantavella@yahoo.com

WORKSHOPS

Learn new tips and tricks within a few days

The Art of Paper Weaving

with Cynthia Reid

coming April 2024

 
Register

Painting with Gouach

with E. Melinda Morrison

coming June 2024

 
Register

Creating A Painting from Plein Air to Studio

with Kim Casebeer

coming October 2024

 
Register

Watercolor Confidence in Plein Air

with Richie Vios

coming November 2024

 
Register

CLASSES

Grow where ever you are on your art journey

 

CLASSES FOR YOUTH

Homeschool Art Class

with Rebekah Billings

Wednesdays, Sept. 6th - May 29th

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
 

CLASSES FOR ADULTS

 

Help Is Here

with Juan Cantavella

Attack issues wherever you are in the painting process

Learn more

Drawing Classes

with Gary Hernandez

Come and take in Gary's tips of the trade.

Learn more

Oil Painting Classes

with Gary Hernandez

Come visit with Gary and other classmates and brush up on your skills.

Learn more

Ceramics

with Carol Berger

Learn some helpful tips, whether beginner or advanced, Carol has a few for you. 

Learn more

Acrylic Basics

with Sarah Johnston

Learn the essential techniques for creating art with acrylic paints.

Learn more

Portrait Painting

with Juan Cantavella

A small class to focus on the details required in successful portraiture. Offered 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month.

 
Learn more
 
 

Oil Painting with

Juan Cantavella

Get lessons from a Signature member of the Oil Painters of America.  Now offered Saturday at 9:00am - 12:00 pm.

Learn more

Sculpting 101

with Donna Rodgers

Beginner sculpting class.

Learn more
 

Expanding on Watercolor Skills

with Cynthia Reid

Take your skills to the next level. 

Learn more

Watercolor Painting with

Gary Hernandez

Leave your mark; let Gary help. 

Learn more

 Watercolor and Acrylics with Carrie Allbritton

Classes will be held Monday 1 - 3 pm

Learn more

GROUP ACTIVITIES

Still life drawing

Participants can use any medium, there is no instruction, and still life is provided.

 
Join Us

Open Painting Group with Kathy Martin 

All mediums and levels welcome.

Join Us
 
 

Live figure drawing

Participants can use any medium, there is no instruction, and any experience level is welcome. The fee is $10 per to have a live model each session.

 
Join Us

Painting from life

Juan Cantavella portrait group will be held on the 1st and 3rd Friday mornings at 10:00am.  Contact Juan at juancantavella@yahoo.com.

Join Us
 

RENT THE MADELEY FINE ART GALLERY FEATURE WALL

 

Adult members are able rent the Feature Wall in the gallery for a $100 fee and 2 docent shifts.  You can find the application on line here. How to show in the Gallery

CAL IS STUDIO OPEN

A new benefit to our CAL members is the addition of Studio 127.  Located on the second floor of the gallery, it will offer members the equipment and setup for photographing, or painting from life, still life arrangements. Studio 127 can be used by 2D and 3D artists that want to photograph their pieces. Reserve the studio for yourself, or for yourself and a member friend to work together.  Reserve your spot with Debra Riley at gallerymanager@conroeartleague.com.  

Also check out the CAL Community 

This group is open to all members as well as non-members and is a great way to stay engaged in all things art.

Check us out on Facebook. Click icon above.

THE ARTS IN DOWNTOWN CONROE