- MARCH 2025 -

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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

March - CAL International Exhibition on display

March 12th - Docent Training

March 22nd - CAL International Awards Reception

March 29th - Greater Conroe Arts Festival

March 31st - Shelf/Bins take-in/out

April 1st - 2d and pedestal take-in

April 5th - General Meeting/Reception

SUPPORT THE ARTS

Help CAL provide a growing number of diverse programs, classes, exhibits, and workshops. 

Make a donation to CAL and have the opportunity to win this beautiful canvas painting made and donated by Juan Cantavella.

“Lemons and Forsythia” after Cornelia Hernes.
"This painting is a study I did to try a different approach starting a painting and color application under the mentorship of Cornelia Hernes, the starting process is called “reduction” and consists in start with a very dark underpainting and slowly revealing the lights until the image is completed, then colors are applied in layers keeping the whole structure of the painting since the very beginning."

For each $10 donation one ticket will be entered into the raffle. Tickets may be purchased online or in the gallery at 127 Simonton Street, Conroe, where you can also see the item in person.

The winning ticket will be drawn on April 8th at the General Meeting. 

GALLERY FAVORITES

Be sure to stop by the gallery and vote on your favorite art piece.

The Juan Cantavella Award of Excellence went to Amy Houston for “New Every Morning”

The Juan Cantavella Award of Distinction went to Tina Hobbs for “Promise of a Sunrise”

The Juan Cantavella Award of Merit went to Katy Scheferman for “Into the Fire”

The winners in contention for the quarterly banner was decided between Debra Riley “Sunset”, Jimmie Shealey “Muse” and Amy Houston “New Every Morning”. The banner winner for this quarter is Amy Houston for “New Every Morning”. Congrats Amy!

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

2025 STUDENT AWARD SHOW

Conroe Art League will award $13,500 at the 2025 Student Awards art competition on Saturday, May 10th, at 6:00 p.m. There will also 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.”   For additional information and to enter your art, click HERE

Prizes awarded are as follows

1st Place = $3,000

2nd Place = $2,500

3rd Place = $2,000

4th Place = $1,500

     5th Place = $700

6th - 8th Place = $600

10 Honorable Mention Places at $200 each.  

Adrianne Gerlach Memorial Art Scholarship = $500

   Sherry Wagner Forever Cats Memorial Award                                          = $300

2025 CAL INTERNATIONAL

The exhibition is on display through March 29th, with the Awards Reception on March 22nd at 6:00pm where $5500 in awards will be announced.

COURTYARD SCULPTURE PROGRAM

The first quarter sculpture show began at the start of the year. 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 sculpture on display this quarter is "Valkyrie" by Mark Frary.

It's a striking sculpture that adds great artistic accent to the CAL courtyard. 

ARTIST IN ACTION - SIP & SHOP

 

This monthly event is free and is open to the public.  The entire downtown area stays open late every first Friday of the month.  Join the fun and show off your art!  Any CAL member artist may participate.  Work on your art in the gallery from 5:00 to 7:00 and may bring samples of your 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. The next event will be April 4th. Please sign up for only one month to allow for more members to participate. For questions please email Tina Hobbs at tinahobbs.tinamade@gmail.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 any member who would like to join us. There is no fee to participate.

The next event is March 11th at Market Street common greens in The Woodlands.

To join the group and receive notifications about dates, text name, email address and cell number to Pam Markham at 936-661-0800.

APRIL TAKE-IN/OUT

CAL wall and pedestal take-in is Tuesday, April 1st, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Deadline to register is 6:00pm on Monday, March 31st. Please register for those only here.

Jewelry/Bins/Cards Take-In/Take-Out is Monday March 31st, from 11 am to 4 pm. Deadline to register is 6:00pm on Sunday March 30th. Register here for those items.

GET INVOLVED

In order to host special events like the Lunar New Year, Fine Art Market, and Christmas on Main we need you to get involved. To be a part of the special event team contact Debra Riley at gallerymanager@conroeartleague.com

We have a new “Volunteer Hub” on the website listing immediate needs for special event volunteers.  See how you can help out here.

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

The next session, led by Debra Riley, will be held on March 12th at 11:30am in the gallery. Please go to Calendar to register

If you are not able to attend, the next one will be April 9th.

MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING

The next general meeting will be held on

 Saturday, April 5th, at 4:00 pm. 

DEMO ARTIST

Join us in welcoming April’s Demo artist, Donna Desforges.  Donna will be showing us ways to use acrylics with water-based cold wax.  Painting with cold wax medium, either for oil or acrylic paint, provides an opportunity to create a rich history with textures and patinas that can be revealed in the matte finish. 

 

STUDENT RAFFLE

The next student raffle will be held at the April monthly meeting.

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 April general meeting.

 
ARTISTS RECEPTION

The reception will be at 6:00 pm April 5th after the general meeting and demo. Feel free to enjoy light snacks and refreshments with the artists showing, as well as other friendly CAL members.

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Brett Hall will be interviewed at The Woodlands Art Gallery & Studios Wednesday, March 19th from 1-2 pm. He will have an opening reception on Thursday the 20th from 5 - 8 pm.

WORKSHOP REVIEW

“Thanks to CAL for bringing in these wonderful workshops. Great organization. Best art league in Houston area.”

After each workshop we ask for feedback from the attendees.  This was received from an attendee of the Dan Graziano "Painting From A Photo" workshop.

ART FILLED EVENTS

Participate in the Greater Conroe Arts Festival in Downtown Conroe March 29, 2025.  Contact Judi Lanza at events@greaterconroeartsalliance.com  for details on how you can be involved.

Celebrating it's 20th Anniversary!  Visit the festival on April 11, 12 and 13.  Stop by The Madeley Fine Art Gallery tent while you are there.  Find out more about the festival here.

NEED EXTRA CASH?

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

 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

Colored Pencils as a

Fine Art Medium

with Jesse Lane

coming March 2025

 
Register

Sketching the Figure: Three Approaches

with Ken Roy

coming April 2025

 
Register

Painting from Life

with Patrick Saunders

coming June 2025

June 20 - 22
June 27 - 29

     Dynamic Still Life

         with Pastels

          Carolina Dalmas

coming September 2025

 
Register

Beyond the Snapshot:

Creating Fine Art through Photography

with Carol Fox Hendricks

coming May 2026

Register soon

 

CLASSES

Grow where ever you are on your art journey

 

CLASSES FOR KIDS/TEENS

 

Homeschool Art Education

with Rebekah Billings

Third Grade and Up

Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:00
Wednesdays 3:30 - 5:00

CLASSES FOR ADULTS

Creative Exploration

with Heidi Williams

8-week class uses a blend of interactive exercises, thoughtful discussions, and practical techniques.

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 10:00am - 12:00 pm.

Learn more

Sculpting 101

with Donna Rodgers

Beginner sculpting class.

Learn more
 

 Watercolor and Acrylics with Carrie Allbritton

Classes will be held Monday 1 - 3 pm

Learn more

Watercolor Painting with

Gary Hernandez

Leave your mark; let Gary help. 

 
Learn more

GROUP ACTIVITIES

Watercolor Open Studio 

There is no instructor but ideas for projects are shared. Thursdays at 1

Contact Kerry
 
 

Still Life Group with

Terri Harris

An opportunity for artists to practice their art-from-life skills, there is no instruction, and any experience level is welcome. 

There is no fee for this group.

 
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

Is temporarily closed, and will reopen in April

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


The Greater Conroe Arts Festival will be here before you know it! Please Save the Date on your calendar for Saturday, March 29th, 2025 from 10:00-4:00 in Downtown Conroe!

Please consider helping! Volunteers are needed in the many Community Outreach booths such as Face Painting, Artist in Action tent, Plein Air Painting, Kids Art Village, Art Booths, Raffle Tent, Photography, Art Auction, Hosting, and more! 

Registration is open for Fine Art/Fine Craft Vendor, Vendor Market (includes businesses), Artist in Action, and Volunteers! (See link below to sign up.)

Note: Those who paint in the Artist in Action Tent or Plein Air can bring up to 5 paintings to sell in their painting area and hand out business cards and flyers. Fine Art Vendors who paint at their tent will receive $50 off their Vendor fee. Artist in Action contact information will be placed on the Greater Conroe Arts Alliance Website for a year and receive recognition on our social media. All paintings painted at the Festival must be finished by 1:30 and donated to the Festival Auction which is at 3:00 at Founders Stage. Painters may start the painting at home and finish it at the Festival. Many people have never seen artists paint live. It is a special and rare opportunity to see an artist at work and then have the opportunity to purchase the painting at the Festival Auction! (See the Artist in Action page on our website for more info)

Sponsor opportunities are available! Something NEW this year will be Festival Pole Banners that will hang downtown the Month of March! Pole Banner deadline is February 15th. 

At the Greater Conroe Arts Festival, the whole family will enjoy a day full of Local Visual, Performance, Literary, and Cultural Arts! Help spread the word!

Sign up at greaterconroeartsalliance.com. Contact: Judi Lanza.
Cell: (936) 203-2423 (text).  Email: events@greaterconroeartsalliance.com

Facebook: Greater Conroe Arts Alliance | Conroe TX | Facebook

Instagram: Greater Conroe Arts Alliance (@conroeartsalliance) • Instagram photos and videos

 

Display your art in the Crighton Theatre lobby during the month of April 2025.  Family friendly art that goes with the theme of "Shakespeare" or "Love" is eligible.  Sold art must remain until the end of the exhibit.

Take-In is Sunday, March 30, 2025 from 5:00pm to 6:00pm.     Deadline to register is 6:00pm on Friday, March 28.  This Exhibition will be on display in the Crighton Theatre lobby during the production of "Shakespeare In Love".  Register your art here.

Art will need to be picked up on April 20th between 5:00pm and 7:00pm.