Annual Exhibits

Belmont Village Albany –
Instructors Mei Mei Everson and Virginia Jourdan

I enjoyed art as a child and continued pursuing my passion and developing my talents through college. I attended the University of Washington where I honed my skills in painting, then went on to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where I received my BFA in Illustration. I moved to New York and worked as a freelance Illustrator for commercial jobs before returning to the Bay Area where I began focusing on fine art to allow for more creative freedom. I am also an art educator.

You can learn more about Virginia’s work at: https://www.virginiajourdan.com/

The Carlisle – Instructor Yvette Brown

Sure that she was destined for a more-than-average life, Jayne Ross fled her childhood base in New Jersey for New York City as soon as she could. Her father was willing to pay only for post-high school courses that would provide “practical skills”. No college for her. The first class she took? HOW TO BECOME A PBX OPERATOR! But working the switchboard for several Manhattan-based companies infused her with a life-long fascination with business and launched several careers that eventually landed her in upper management positions at CBS. It was also in New York that she married George Matsuda. Daily immersion in the broadcast business led Jayne to take acting lessons which she then used to land roles in TV commercials. From there she went into actual television programming where she especially enjoyed being part of the cast of “Law and Order.” After forty years in New York, she and her husband moved to Seattle and from there, eight years ago, to San Francisco. By her own admission, Jayne has had a long-time but erratic interest in the visual arts. It has only been at The Carlisle, in the Art With Elders class, that she has found teachers who can instill the discipline required to learn the skills that result in a deeply satisfying art practice.

Aurora started taking art classes in the evening when she was still working. She was an active member of the Art Society at the World Bank (where she worked in Washington, D.C.) which held annual art exhibits and she had continued to participate even after her retirement. She had participated annually at the Glen Echo Park Labor Day Exhibits in Maryland, and also with other local community centers while residing in D.C. When she moved to San Francisco in 2011, Aurora took classes in Drawing and Watercolor painting for two years at the Sharon Art Studio at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. She uses the different media although she prefers oil and watercolor.“ I’m enjoying painting very much. I never knew that art painting would be part of my life. The more I paint, the more I discover myself. I am always challenged but at the end, I feel happy to see my work.”

Professionally, I was a caseworker. I spent many years at the National Council Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Later, during my move and marriage, I became an enthusiastic third grade teacher, loving the busy pace of the classroom and achieving some recognition for excellence. I’ve never painted before these past six months. I have done pencil and pen sketches, mostly of people. Now I seem to prefer to work with acrylic, but want to experiment with watercolors sometime in the future. I like to use images that appeal to me, but I don’t usually strive to copy them. I use those images to fire my imagination.  I will be 95 years old soon and feel blessed to learn new things, including painting!

I went to the High School of Music & Art, now called La Guardia High School. I was an art major there, where I also became the theater editor of the school paper. I have always had a fondness for theater (probably developing this fondness from my mother who enjoyed performing as well); my earliest memory of performing on stage was at three years old. I have always been a creative person, enjoying art, music and theater very much. As a camper and camp counselor during my teenage years, I wrote several musicals – and acted in them – continuing my love for theater performance as an adult in Paramus, New Jersey. Throughout my adulthood, I have painted more as a hobby. As an adult I also wrote several children’s books for which my daughter did the illustrations. I usually like working with any acrylic or watercolor but find that acrylic tend to be more forgiving.

My paintings hover somewhere along the invisible line of tension between awkwardness and grace. I strive to capture the frozen moment in which balance is either lost or regained. I tend to avoid faces because they give too much away. I want to leave more for the viewer to interpret. Is a figure filled with the elation of soaring? Or is there a violence bubbling just beneath the veneer of beauty? What are those secrets behind the beauty? It all depends on what we bring of ourselves to the viewing.

I often break my figures up into multi-canvas construction of varying depths in an attempt to contain aspects of the image- much in the same way that each of us tries to impose some kind of structure on the chaos of our lives. But that structure, as hard-edged as we try to make it, is an illusion. It distorts the picture we present of ourselves in ways that can be both flattering and grotesque.

But the truth is that, like the figures I paint, we are all bodies in motion, flowing around and over the rigid boundaries we try to erect. Life is not so easily contained. This is not such a bad thing.

You can learn more about Yvette’s work at: http://www.yvettembrown.com/

Curry Senior Center – Instructor Min Lee

Elisa B. Benedicto

Elisa Benedicto Tita Ely is a member of Curry Senior Center’s Samahang Pinoy, a Filipino ladies group. She has been a member for three years and has participated in many of Curry’s programs, especially during the pandemic. 

One of the programs she regularly attends is Art with Elders (AWE) every Thursday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Tita Ely loves to draw but struggles to find time to devote to it. Through Art with Elders, she has been able to find time to enjoy her passion. She said, “I am good with drawing, but I can be better.” The AWE instructor, Min Lee, starts their session by showing them techniques such as how a simple circle can start a picture and become a lovely work of art. The painting below was Tita Ely’s latest. The body of the animal began with three different sizes of circles, and the rest is history. She also learned how to mix colors and add shadows to make the subject of the painting stand out.

Natividad T. Galinato

I am Natividad T. Galinato , Natee in short. I had been in the USA 6 years ago as petitioned by my daughter. I am an active member of Curry Senior Center, Samahang Pinoy, Pilipino Seniors Resource Center, Canon Kip Senior Center, Bayanihan Choir, Co-chairman, Lead Team SF Power in San Francisco.

Arts is an ingredient added into my life. Why? This made me grow & transform for a better person. Since covid 19 pandemic, I indulge myself through painting. Painting is an art. I  love it & one way of expressing my thoughts, feelings & observations. It is a stress reliever for me as senior & free from boredom. In gratitude, I would say  ” Thank You, to our dear teacher Mr. Min Lee who is very talented sharing his ideas to us.

Patricia Hayashi

Arlene Miller

A native San Franciscan, I have been drawing since November 2020.  

Virginia Navarro

I graduated at Saint Louis University (Baguio City) with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I took my Masteral Degree at Philippine Christian University (Manila). I am a retired teacher in the Philippines and I worked as a Daycare Teacher again here in USA for six years. I am also actively collaborating with different organizations like: Curry Senior Center (Samahang Pinoy), Bayanihan Community Choir, Canon Kip Senior Center, Beginners Ukelele Class, Pilipino Senior Resource Center, RETAS Bindlestiff Studio, Arts With Elderly, Charismatic Group and Migrante USA.

Min Lee – Instructor

Min is the creator of Fuglee, a visual art studio that specializes in creative story-telling through the means of art, photography, and film. From conceptual development to production-ready visuals.

Fuglee was founded in 2015 by Min, an award-winning illustrator, published photographer, and accomplished filmmaker. He is a wanderer and a tinkerer. If Min is not traveling the world for inspiration, then he’s in the studio creating something. Min is currently a contributor to Kwest On Media and teaches for Art With Elders.

Learn more about Min’s work at: http://fuglee.com/

Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center –
Instructor Virginia Jourdan

I have been taking the AWE class since 2019 with Virginia Jourdan. We would meet on Mondays at the Davis Senior Center, but now I’m taking virtual classes since Covid19 began. I look forward to taking the class. I enjoy learning about mixing colors, drawing animals, 1 and 2 perspective. Perspective drawing is my favorite even though it’s complicated. My favorite medium is watercolors. My favorite class project was painting the waves in the ocean. A couple of things I would say about me is that I believe in the trinity and will continue loving others.

I have been taking the AWE class since they started the virtual lessons in September 2020. Some things I enjoy about the class is that it is relaxing. I am also learning something I never knew I could do. In this class, I have learned how to draw, paint with watercolors and mix different colors. I discovered that if I don’t have the color, I can make my own color by mixing colors together. My favorite medium is pencils and water colors. My favorite project was the rose I drew. I would like people to know that I am proud that I have the energy and health to keep doing what I’m doing. At my age I’m on my feet doing something all the time, I am steady moving.

I have been taking the AWE class for since 2019 with Virginia Jourdan. I moved to Illinois to be closer to my family so I participate in the virtual classes and enjoy seeing old friends and painting. In this class, I have learned about a lot of things, can’t remember all, but I’m drawing some different things then I usually draw. I learned to draw a cat, buildings and still life objects. My favorite medium is watercolor. It is so much fun. Some other things I enjoy are music, theater, musicals and love drawing people.

I enjoyed art as a child and continued pursuing my passion and developing my talents through college. I attended the University of Washington where I honed my skills in painting, then went on to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where I received my BFA in Illustration. I moved to New York and worked as a freelance Illustrator for commercial jobs before returning to the Bay Area where I began focusing on fine art to allow for more creative freedom. I am also an art educator.

You can learn more about Virginia’s work at: https://www.virginiajourdan.com/

Laguna Honda Hospital – Instructor Mark Campbell

“This old body ain’t down yet,” Walter declares. Diagnosed with hydrocephalus in his youth, after fifteen surgeries and many health challenges he asserts that he is “on a journey to keep going no matter what. I’m not giving up now.” Born in Many, Louisiana, Walter came to the Bay Area as a young child, attended both City College and San Francisco State University and received a business degree. He credits his mother, an important inspiration and voice in his life, with instilling in him a strong sense of determination. Walter was employed by the Hydrocephalus Foundation for ten years, worked as a teacher’s aide in sign language and ran a catering service at San Francisco City College. He’s particularly pleased with his Cajun catfish jambalaya and German chocolate cake. Walter plays piano, speaks conversational Tagalog, Cantonese and Mandarin, and loves to sing.He is “flattered and flabbergasted” by the attention he receives for his artwork. Walter enjoys the AWE classes and believes they have a positive impact on his goal of getting well.

“There is a gift of genius in every heart and mind. If that which now was hidden we would take the time to find.“

With her gentle smile and blue eyes shining, Mary likes to recite these words from a poem she wrote as a young mother going through a divorce. She has used the difficulties she’s faced in her life to find her own “gift of genius.” Born in Canada in 1946,she married at the age of sixteen to a young serviceman and eventually, realizing a difficult future for her family, gave up her four children to be raised in foster homes. She subsequently spent over twenty years on the streets of San Francisco, living in local parks, where she listened to other people’s stories, discovered the beauty of nature and developed a passion for trees. “God showed me the sunsets and clouds,” she says. A laundromat offered her shelter at times and she periodically helped out at the Shamrock Bar. To this day, her bible is her constant companion.Mary, who describes herself as a seeker and thinker, did some art in grammar and high school and is an avid photographer, especially of her beloved trees, but she attributes her current art to the AWE staff at Laguna Honda. “When I first started,” she says, “I didn’t think I could do it.

David Mar came to the United States from China as a child. Growing up in San Francisco’s Chinatown, he attended local public schools. He worked as a dishwasher in various neighborhood restaurants as an adult. The move to Laguna Honda eight years ago was a good one for David, and the Art With Elders classes have been especially helpful in giving him a social and artistic outlet. A shy, quiet person, David attends classes twice a week. He often works in intricate patterns, but he also paints buildings, flowers, houses, birds, and trees with elaborate root systems. David’s other passions include calligraphy and music. Completely, self-taught, he plays violin in the privacy of his room.

Ida’s easygoing charm, sunny smile and vibrant spirit make clear why her nickname is “Beautiful,” as she blushingly confides. Born in San Francisco in 1940, a stroke paralyzed her right side when she was two years old. However, Ida declares, “I don’t feel like I missed out on anything. I did everything a normal person would do.” Her parents immigrated from Northern Italy, and she grew up in North Beach “when it was special.” She cherishes memories of summer evenings when children would play kickball on Telegraph Hill as parents chatted on their front steps and of leisurely Sunday strolls with her family to Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square. One of life’s high points occurred when Ida was asked to sing for a benefit at the Fairmont Hotel. A fan of Doris Day and Al Martino, she still sings in the shows at Laguna Honda. Ida always liked art and loves to color. Even her wheelchair is decorated with a pink butterfly and violet flowers. “I can stay here in the studio all day and draw,” she laughs. “I always wanted to and never got the chance. Now I have that chance.” Her advice: “Don’t quit. I never quit when I felt I wanted something.”

Felipe Martinez

It’s difficult to catch up with this loving, big-hearted artist with an infectious childlike spirit. He might be painting in art class or down at the end of the hall playing a game with volunteers. And he’ll definitely be greeting everyone with a smile and an “ah-oh-ah,” and receiving a smile and a “hello” in return. Jeff’s vivid imagination comes out in his art and his language inventions. Over the years, he has developed his own distinct style, often reflecting a surreal and stylized interpretation. Wherever he is, Jeff makes people happy, comfortable and inspired, just by being in their presence.

“Art makes the world pretty.” Teresa has been doing art all her life. She studied print making and metal arts at UCSF, but long before that, as a child, she used food coloring to decorate the meals on her dinner plate. Born without a hip, Teresa has been disabled since birth. Her father died when she was quite young and she was sent to live with her grandmother. Her heart has already been broken she says and, so, it cannot be broken again. Her goal has always been to decorate everything. Make the world pretty! She is a very prolific artist. Her drawings are very intricate, detailed and colorful. “Psychedelic!” one might think. In addition to selling her paintings, she supported herself making jewelry. Using metal scraps left over from her classes at UCSF, she made one of a kind pieces which she sold on Castro Street. Other street artists sold their work during the day. Wanting to have the street for herself, Teresa sold her jewelry at night. Teresa’s drawings always tell a story. The story she is telling these days is about women and how powerful they are. “Women can save the world,” she says. “Eventually, women will save the world!”

Carl has always identified himself as an artist.  “I’m an artist!” he would say when meeting new people.  He is interested in all expressions of creativity and his taste in the visual arts has always been eclectic. In the last 20 years, however, he has focused primarily on painting.  

Carl suffered a stroke in March, 2019 and moved to Laguna Honda in June of that year. Although he can no longer speak, he is able to communicate his wishes and thoughts using an I-Pad “talk” program.  His friends and care givers know how important painting is to him. He is very excited to participate in the AWE program at Laguna Honda.

A bright and determined individual, Lotchanna was born in Laos and moved to Santa Rosa, CA at the age of 4. She finished college and has traveled around the world, working variously as a barista, translator, community organizer, researcher, and more. Lotchanna, called Channa by her friends, says her participation in the Art With Elders class allows her to learn new skills and increase her eye-hand coordination, as well as her patience. She describes herself as a “feisty and adventuresome risk-taker” adding that working in class has also helped her learn to control her temper by cultivating in her a sense of calm and patience. Some of her adventures include bungie jumping in Spain and driving cars in the desert of Saudi Arabia, an uncommon pursuit for women in that region. Her hobbies include travel, gardening, cooking, reading, and art. Channa knows much about art thanks to visits to galleries and museums. She especially enjoys surrealist artists, such as Salvador Dali and appreciates abstract art like that of Jackson Pollock. Currently, Channa is working with acrylics on abstract compositions, frequently painting in layers, and even experimenting with torn paper and tape to create 3-dimensional paintings. Channa values her ”art family” and believes “there’s a reason behind everything.”

Tony was born in southern China and lived in the Philippines and in Hong Kong before moving to San Francisco thirty years ago. “There has been so much change in my life. I have seen so many things – war, peace, my family, moving here.” Tony’s thoughtful expression becomes amused and his eyes twinkle and he says “ Well, I am 83 years old!” Art, however, has been a constant. An only child who loved to draw, he went to art college in Shanghai before embarking on a long and fruitful career as an artist. He enjoys landscape and still life painting but prefers figure drawing “since it’s the most demanding.” Tony is grateful for his two sons and daughter and he also greatly appreciates his health, which he attributes to swimming every week for thirty years. “All of it is good,” he observes, reflecting on some of his happiest memories. He smiles serenely, “It’s been a long, long life.”

Born in Norfolk, VA in 1968. BFA, painting and sculpture Rollins College. MFA, Academy of Art University, San Francisco. Studied classical realistic oil painting 1992-96. Started using wood and stone in compositions in 1997. Collected internationally by museums, celebrities and businesses since 2000. 

2013 assumed Executive Director role at Art With Elders. Mark has worked as a Artist Instructor at the AWE program at Laguna Honda Hospital since 1996, and continues as Executive Director of the Art With Elders.

You can learn more about Mark’s work at: https://markhcampbell.com/

Lytton Gardens – Instructor Sarah Dwyer

Louise Gibler

Louise has lived a life “centered in art.” Born in New Jersey in 1937, she and her two sisters and a brother had a happy childhood. She attended Catherine Gibbs School, a secretarial college and finishing school, and became a legal secretary.

She and her husband Dick met when they were both working for a Superior Court judge. Dick was a landscape painter and she began painting with him, often taking their easels and oils outside to paint together.

While living in Morristown, New Jersey, they began attending classes at the well known Arts Students League in New York at the time when Jackson Pollock and Georgia O’Keeffe were there. The couple worked and painted together until Dick’s death at the age of 75. She moved to Canada near Toronto where her son was living and joined an art community. “Art,” she says, “saved my life.”

Louise has lived for fifteen years in Palo Alto, where her son teaches at Stanford and she’s able to enjoy her three grandchildren. Her philosophy of life is to “accept everyone, but take care of yourself by putting yourself first.”

Fenie Zhang

I am especially grateful to teacher Sarah Dwyer an excellent teacher of the Art With Elders.

Who patiently, clearly, enthusiastically, lovely guided me to teach drawing pictures hand in hand, and also mailed various AWE publications to encourage me confidence in drawing every picture.

I loved drawing since I was a child but did not have the opportunity. Since in October,2020 I arrived at teacher Sarah to drawing online. I was deeply attracted to drawing by her love. I fell in love with beautiful pictures and increased my interest in drawing.

Sarah Dwyer – Instructor

Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting. She has taught with AWE since 2013 and currently teaches
two classes. “I like to be of service to older people—they are survivors! I respect the wisdom they have acquired over the years, and I try to learn from them. As an instructor for Art with Elders, I enjoy seeing the happy, surprised look on students’ faces when they discover that they can produce a beautiful piece of artwork.”

My abstract work starts with a drawing or collage. Sometimes a mandala (a symmetrical structure) is the basis of a painting. Images emerge from a collaboration between my imagination and the materials I work with. For me, abstract painting is a partnership between me and the canvas. It’s a give and take. My job is to take my cues from the painting and to render them to the best of my ability. Learn more about Sarah’s work at: https://www.sarah-dwyer.com/

Mission Neighborhood Centers –
Instructors Santiago Gervasi and Hugh Leeman

My name is Jose Alvarado, I am 72 years old from El Salvador.  I have been living is this country for the last 51 years.  I have 6 children, and 6 grandchildren. I am retired from my job of 48 years at the Grand Hyatt hotel in San Francisco. 

This art class have help me to understand and see how a paint or drawing is made, I always was curious about art pieces.  I have never taken an art class in my life because I had to focus on work to support myself and my family. I used to work 16 to 20 hours straight daily without a day off. I finally retired in December 2019, and I have plenty of time now to focus on the things I like. 

Now that I am taking this art class, I feel good because I am learning how to draw and the techniques.  It makes me feel happy and excited to learn new things. 

My name is Diana Marie Chow and I’m from El Salvador, I was so lost during the COVID-19 Pandemic when I found out about an Art Class was available to me through Zoom. 

I began to take Art Classes for the first time in my life. I’m amazed how these classes have saved my life and have brought hope into my life.

The Art Classes at the Mission Neighborhood Center have been so much fun, and I enjoyed the zoom format that brought so many friends into my life.  I have learned how to draw and care for myself and my classmates through my Art Classes.

I’m so grateful to the Mission Neighborhood center for helping me cultivate my creative side through Art. The whole Staff has been amazing during this pandemic.

Together we can make a difference!

My name is Maria Flores, I am from El Salvador. I am very grateful for the art class that MNC provide to us, for the past year and a half the class had helped me cope with everything that is going on with the pandemic.  I am entertained learning how to draw, how to combine colors and different techniques.  Taking the art class with Santiago and now with Hugh keeps my mind occupied, I do not think about stressful things.

My name is Alicia Hernandez, I am 77 years old. I was born in Mexico City. I was the first-born in a family of sixteen siblings. I am a widow; my husband passes away in 1995. I have four children, two girls and two boys. I have six grandchildren. 

As for the art classes, they have been like a oasis in the middle of the desert. The short time that I had access to Santiago’s classes they were enjoyable, fun and I started to draw, without ever taking a drawing class.  Hugh is different, he has other techniques, he is also patient, educated. It has been a wonderful experience for me.

My name is Graciela Hernandez, I am 71 years old, I was born in Mexico City, I am married for 48 years, I have three wonderful children.  Finding out about MNC classes helped me a lot because of the pandemic I was already very restless, I had to stop all my regular activities. 

Now that I am taking classes, through zoom from Mexico, I feel wonderful because I have met beautiful people form other countries and different cultures. Since I am taking classes with Santiago, I learned techniques that I did not know, also with Hugh I have learned other techniques that I love, he is very kind and patient like Santiago, I am delighted with what I am learning because I started from scratch. I appreciate this opportunity that you have given me.

My name is Hilda. I am a participant at Mission Neighborhood Centers drawing class. During the COVID-19, pandemic virtual classes have been taking place and I had been fortunate enough to had been able to borrow a tablet and internet hotspot so I can participate in virtual classes. The center also provided me with materials for drawing and painting delivered to my home by a Staff member. Drawing class has brought me out of this mental exhaustion over the stay at home order. I am a wheelchair bound and got hurt during the pandemic so I spend most of my time in bed. After the first class, I got in a better mood and got more active. I feel liberated and capable of doing more again. I stepped out of the boundaries by using color pencil and started painting too. I am a beginner, by participate in this class and seen others art and knowledge inspired me to learn more. I have been researching and learning from internet as well. I had been able to try materials in a more freely approaching into learning and just go for it. I am originally from Mexico, opportunities to learn art are very limited specially if you do not have the funds to support the cost. I very thankful to the center for proving this huge opportunity especially during this worldwide crisis. This virtual class has not only proving me the opportunity to come out of isolation but also to improve my health. On the plus side, beside been able to participate in class I can also be part of a community again even from home. I look forward to hear and see what other members of the class have to share two times a week. Thank you very much to all the staff at the center for all your help, efforts and encouragement above your daily duties and for stepping out of the box during this stressful and difficult times. You had given hope to us even from distance. We see some of you briefly during classes because you are so busy taking care of so many things and others so we can be able to get some peace at home. Mil gracias. May you receive more. Take care, Hilda I.

“My name Tomás Lopez, I am from Mexico. I am 68 years old. During this quarantine, sometimes I feel sad and desperate because I cannot see my colleagues at the center and attend classes. Now that I can attend virtual art classes with Santiago Gervasi, it gives me joy, and pleasure to see other people participating. I forget that I cannot go out because of COVID-19. The Art class helps me to relax; it is a therapy to me. I can relieve the stress I have for not being able to do the things I used to do before the pandemic. Thanks to this and the other virtual classes, they help me cope with the shelter in place order.”

Blanca L. Marenco, originally from Guatemala, has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past 50 years. Now retired, Blanca had a 28-year career with Pacific Bell Telephone Company. She and her husband raised a daughter and a son who have gone on to successful careers of their own. Blanca loves to spend time with her family including her five grandchildren, taking them all to see movies such as her favorite, the Toy Story series. Though she hadn’t tried fine art before, she says she is learning week by week and appreciates her art class because, “…it gets you out of the house, and it occupies your mind and frees it from worries.” She describes herself as “a naturally friendly person ”and enjoys the companionship of her classmates. In addition to art class, she attends the computer skills class at the Mission Neighborhood Center. At home, she crochets scarves and blankets for family and friends. She is gaining confidence in her ability to create artwork, drawing with colored pencils, inspired by master artists such as Cezanne. She and her family were excited to hear the news that she was selected to be in an art exhibit.

My name is Rosario Martinez,  I am from El Salvador.  Taking the art class has given me the opportunity to enjoy and learn how to draw, learn how to combine colors and techniques. 

This class has helped me a lot during this pandemic, I have been taking this class for the las 2 and half years.  I am very thankful for having the opportunity to take classes with Santiago and Hugh.

Hello, my name is Ana Miranda. I am an active participant in the classes offered through Mission Neighborhood Centers Inc. I greatly appreciate these classes as I am learning so many new things. I have always loved and enjoyed to draw. In the Art class, I have learned many more skills on how to use colors and how to combine them. Our teacher Santiago Gervasi is very knowledgeable and a joy to learn more and more skills from him. I feel very blessed to be able to participate in this class.

My name is Bonnie M Pérez, I was born in El Salvador, Central America on September 28, 1946.  I want to thank the staff members of Mission Neighborhood Centers Inc. for the different classes they provide us, like the art class with Hugh and Santiago.  I enjoy the art class and I want to thank both Hugh and Santiago for their dedication and support.

My name is Carlos Alfonso Perez, I was born in Guatemala, Central America on August 3rd, 1945. I have been living in the United States for 42 years. I want to thank Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc. and all the instructors that have provide us with different opportunities of learning like the art class.  I want to thank both Santiago and Hugh for their support and patience to teach me how to draw.  I have never taken an art class before.  Because of them by drawing skills has gotten better.

My name is Lorena Pérez. I am from Nicaragua. I am 66 years old. I have some diseases, which is why I am a person at high risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus, and that is why I have had to spend these months of prevention at home. Despite the above, I am happy to receive the art class with Santiago Gervasi, which is a great help to overcome confinement, because in addition to instructing me in the subject of art, I learn drawing and we had a lot of fun sharing with the other students. I thank Santiago for showing us videos of Latin American painters and from other parts such as Spain, France, USA, etc. The Mission Neighborhood Centers had great success in coordinating the virtual classes. Thank you very much for this great work on behalf of older adults like me.”

Ana Maria Po lives in San Francisco, her sister Graciela Orozco and Alicia Hernandez joined the class from Mexico via Zoom. ”Ever since I joined the art class with Santiago and Hugh, I felt at home.

When the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, I fell into depression and frustration with loss and isolation; however, the art class was a method of recovery for me. It was more of a lifeline where I could express myself emotionally and physically.

Santiago and Hugh, as the instructors, encouraged me to recognize my efforts; and so, this was an extra improvement in my life. I remember saying, “No se como dibujar pisca” (I don’t know how to draw) then Santiago stated that Picasso started with that mindset. Little by little, I grew as an artist. It all started with a Rosary and recently drew “Inspire 2020” being the newest piece. It was an inspiration due to the times we are in. I recognize that the instructors assisted me to continue in the art class. Lastly, I told my family member and friends to attend the art class; we have all have grown so much together as a family and artist.”

My name is Maria G Rodriguez, I am 71 years old from Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico. I have been living in the United States since 1971. I have 4 children and 9 grandchildren.  I like to listen to music, and colored drawings.  I have never taken an art class before.  I have been taking this class for the last 4 months and I am learning how to draw.  It is helping me to develop my drawing skills.   I like this class because it keeps my mind occupy and, in that way, I don’t think about stressful things.  This class gives me a sense of accomplishment and makes me relax and feel less stress. The last year and half have been very stressful because of the pandemic, during last year’s shelter in place months I got very depressed and hopeless.  Now I feel much better, this class has helped me a lot.

“My name is Concepción Ruiz, I was born in Mexico. I have been living here in the United States for many years. A friend invited me to go to the Mission Neighborhood Centers about four years ago or more. Before I went to another center, they are all very nice, but when I started coming to this one I decided to stay here because I met many very friendly people and the staff who works here at the center always look for programs and services for our benefits. Now that we cannot leave because of COVID-19, we take classes virtually, especially the art class. That class has help me a lot, since I starting participating on it, I am able to cope with everything is going on and relieve my stress. Thanks Aurora, Joana, Claudia and Maria. Thank you very much for thinking of us older adults.”

My name is Esperanza Salazar, I am from El Salvador.  I have been a member of the Mission Neighborhood Centers (MNC) for the last 6 years.  Last year was very difficult for everyone around the world, the pandemic changed our way of living.  I am a person that is very active and independent, being not able to do my regular routine was very hard at the beginning. 

Taking the art class with Santiago and now Hugh has helped me tremendously to improve my mental and emotional health.  I have never taken a formal art class before I started the class with Santiago in 2018.  Taking the class made me realized that drawing came very easy to me, however through this class I have learned how to use color, techniques, terminology, and about other famous artist.  This class makes me feel good, I have been able to show who I am through my drawings and the colors I use, I have learned a lot about me through this class.

My name is Virginia Zamora, I am from Guanajuato, Mexico.  I have been living in this country for 40 years. I am 64 years old.  I am married and I have one child and one grandchild. When I was about 10 years old, I participated in an art exhibition.  I joined the art class in august this year and so far, I love it.  It reminds me of the time I participated in the school exhibition.  I like this art class because I like to draw, I enjoy it, when I concentrate in drawing, I do not think about my problems or issues. It relaxes me.  I like the class with Hugh because he is very patient with us.  He helps us to improve our drawing techniques. 

My name is Ana Zavaleta. I am from El Salvador. I am 24 years old. I began confinement on March 13, 2020. We had to stock up on food, water, medicine for 3 months. I thank the Senior Center Mission Neighborhood Centers for the support they have given me with virtual classes that are giving us. These are difficult times and I want all this to pass so that we can meet again and give my friends a hug.

Santiago Gervasi was born in Lima, Perú. He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 80s, where he has been residing ever since. Gervasi received a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts.

Gervasi has shown his work extensively both nationally and internationally. The galleries that have represented his work include Olga Dollar (S.F., CA) SFMOMA Artists Gallery (S.F. CA), Cervini-Haas Gallery (Scottsdale, AZ) and Bay Area Visual Arts Network (Oakland, CA). His work has been reviewed in Art Week magazine, and has been featured in the TV show “Latin Eyes.”

Learn more about Santiago’s work at: https://santiagogervasi.net/home.html

Hugh Leeman is a multi-disciplinary artist and educator whose artwork and projects focus on community collaboration and social interaction. Leeman first collaborated on a self-empowerment project with the homeless in San Francisco. More recently, he teamed up with Aetatribes.org to bring clean water projects to the indigenous Aeta Tribes of the Philippines. Now he is creating impasto paintings and sculptures. They address personal and societal transformation.

Leeman has exhibited his artworks at the de Young Museum, the Museum of Mexico City, the Masur Museum of Art, and the Arlington Contemporary Art Center. He was awarded an Artistic Mastermind Grant and created a twenty-foot-tall mural of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. adjacent to King’s birth house in Atlanta, Georgia. His artwork and projects are published in The Outlaw Bible of American Art. Learn  more about Hugh’s work at: http://www.hughleeman.com/

Mission Plaza Apartments – Instructor Min Lee

Pearl is a survivor. She is finally home again after five surgeries, five months in the hospital and one month in a coma. During her recovery, with two sheets of white paper and a pen, Pearl slowly tried to gain control of her fingers by drawing shapes. Circles at first, then triangles and finally her toy dog. The work she is creating now is inspired by the dreams she had while in the hospital. Growing up in San Francisco as a mixed-race child, she suffered discrimination and “ugliness.” Doing art was a way to bring something beautiful into her home. Her mother, who was raised with art in Mexico and an uncle who told her, “You have a creative mind,” inspired Pearl to draw. Her father gave her a Playboy Magazine so she could study figure drawing. She kept the magazine under her bed so her brothers wouldn’t find it. Pearl took art classes at City College, but had to give up studying for many years while she worked and raised a family. She began painting again just a few years ago. Now, she carries with her the two white sheets of paper from her hospital days. Although she is in pain much of the time, the crude drawings remind her that she is a survivor and an artist.

Min is the creator of Fuglee, a visual art studio that specializes in creative story-telling through the means of art, photography, and film. From conceptual development to production-ready visuals.

Fuglee was founded in 2015 by Min, an award-winning illustrator, published photographer, and accomplished filmmaker. He is a wanderer and a tinkerer. If Min is not traveling the world for inspiration, then he’s in the studio creating something. Min is currently a contributor to Kwest On Media and teaches for Art With Elders.

Learn more about Min’s work at: http://fuglee.com/

Online Combined Communities Studio –
Instructor Mei Mei Everson

Sarah Armstrong is a trailblazer. Born in 1944 in Oil City, Pennsylvania, she graduated from Cornell with a liberal arts degree in government, intending to become a college teacher. Frustrated with the politics of higher education, she changed careers and worked in Human Resources for three different companies over a total of 39 years. She was a pioneer of benchmarking “best practices” at her first company, where she used this technique to develop the HR department. She says that life was challenging in those days for a woman who wanted a career in management. The high point of her career was working at ITT (formerly International Telephone & Telegraph), which was like “being paid for going to graduate school in business.” She was the first woman to become a department head there. She was then hired by Campbell Soup Company where she was in charge of executive and employee pay and benefits. She retired from Campbell in2006 after 20 years of service. Knowing that she loved Berkeley, she bought her house here several years before she retired. She plays classical piano and has recently taken up the cello. She enjoys spending time with her three children and three grandchildren. Her advice is to “know who you are and stand on your own two feet.”

Margaret Mary was born in Chicago in 1949, the youngest of three children, and moved to California in her early teens. At the age of 20, Margaret Mary was accepted at the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography and fell in love with the art. She was 1 of 2 women among 250 men.She met her husband at Brooks and they moved to Redding CA, where her daughter Kate was born. She opened a photo studio, and over time found her next passion: flower design. She became the owner of a flower shop where shelearned to love floral art. In 1985 she made some life changes, and after a divorce she moved to Sacramento.Struggling with personal losses she needed to find her essence. She volunteered at Loaves and Fishes, working on the front line with homeless people in need of mental health services, and became a full time employee. She later became director of the Service Center, handing out up to 1,000 lunch tickets. She then founded “SisterNora’s Place,” a shelter for homeless schizophrenic women. Margaret-Mary spent years developing leadership programs and supporting individuals in her community. She has often been celebrated for her compassion and authenticity. Now at Belmont Village,she enjoys creating floral designs, exploring painting and reading to her grandkids. The biggest lesson she discovered and embraced: “We are all the same.”

“In the legendary neighborhood of Montparnasse, the most celebrated painters and the most secretive amateurs come to the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere to practice the timeless art of painting” – taken from the Academy’s historical sketch. After four years of study at the San Francisco Art Institute, majoring in printmaking, Alice Gibbons recalls fondly the spring of 1967 when she went to Paris to study at the Academy to improve her painting and drawing techniques. Artistic inclinations surfaced early in Alice’s life in her native San Francisco. And she has worked devotedly to achieve a high degree of competence – a devotion that has paid off handsomely in local, national and international exhibits of her prints, drawings and etchings. She is represented by galleries through the U.S. and abroad and her prints especially are in many private collections. Alice loves entertaining a concept, image or idea and then grappling with just how to communicate this idea through art. When she gets stuck doing this, that’s when she’ll return to the classroom to perfect her techniques. She’s determined to find a way to express herself. “I find I become quite peaceful in this process,” she notes, “it’s nutrition for the soul. I feel better physically, too.”

The ebullient Chieko Lafferty, born in Kyoto, Japan, worked as an accountant. However, here dreams always led to art. After an apprenticeship, she began designing Western-style fabric patterns. Ten years later, she decided to visit the United States before settling down, but in San Francisco she met Jack, a dashing Scot, to whom she has now been married 36years.Chieko takes fine arts classes while continuing to work as a bookkeeper. She loves todraw, and enjoys painting still lifes, but her favorite is figure drawing. She regularly returns to the classics to check her technique. “If you can draw a circle, cylinder, box, you can draw,” Chieko explains. “The basics are so important. Sometimes it’s boring –another white bowl! But then you can go anywhere. ”Chieko enjoys reading in Japanese and murder mysteries in English, cooking all cuisines, listening to classical music, and taking walks. More than anything else, she is constantly exploring, seeking to develop her style. “There are rules, but rules are for breaking,” she laughs. “I love that!” For example, she will refigure classical compositions with a cubist technique and use origami paper for collage. “If I paint something and everyone says, ‘That’s Chieko’, that is what I want.”

If you’re lucky, Yelena might sing you the Ukrainian folk song that is featured in this painting of her grandmother’s house where she spent her summers in the central Ukrainian town of Poltova. Born in Kiev in 1948, she lost her father at the age of thirteen, but went on to study in the Polytechnic University, where she met her husband. The couple raised a daughter, who inherited Yelena’s love of singing, and the family came to the U.S. in 1998. Yelena began doing art with AWE five years ago, but a broken wrist interrupted her art-making. Her teacher Rafael gave her a series of exercises to help her brain recover from the trauma and on that same day, she was able to write her name for the first time with her non-dominant hand. She likes to paint in what she calls “Ukrainian style,” once adapting the work of a Mexican artist that inspired her into her own native style. A creative person, she also enjoys sewing, embroidery, and knitting–a skill she uses to make blankets for babies in the neo-natal unit. As for the lessons she’s learned: “Immigration is very hard, but if you like music and art it always helps you to recover and adjust. The deeper you go into a new culture, the better.”

Mei Mei Everson is an artist who is passionate in storytelling. Her choice of mediums ranges from acrylic and watercolors for illustration & painting to puppets and mechanical props for her stop motion animation. She has won an award in her stop motion film and frequently collaborates with others in paintings as well as in film. She has shown her painting in galleries and is currently working with others on their projects. 

Mei Mei Everson has a Bachelor Degree in Fine Art, in which she majored in Illustration, and pursued into Stop motion and Film projects. She has worked with children of all ages and with adults for over 10 years. She feels that the Art With Elders program has been one the most rewarding programs she has worked for and excitedly looks forward to meeting and connecting with more Elders in her future. She feels that the Art With Elders program not only greatly benefits the Elderly community itself but also the surrounding community as well by reconnecting it with older adults. You can learn more about Mei Mei’s work at: https://meimeieverson.com/

On Lok Gee Center – Instructor Insio Che

Born in China, Ms. Xie had been joining the AWE class since 2018. At first, she started with doing the Chinese Calligraphy but pandemic started activity staff invited her to join the online AWE class in Dec 2020 and since then she began her watercolor painting class with teacher Insio.

Ms. Xie likes the online art class because it is very convenient for her to join from home. No need to worry about getting ready for the driver to pick her up to go to Gee Center. Center activity staff is supportive and frequently checks in for art supply replenishment. She is enjoying learning different techniques and is gaining skill in doing watercoloring.

“This class improves my mood and makes me happy. Concentrating on painting helps me release stress and pressure” says Ms. Xie.

Ms. Chen, born in Vietnam, says that when she was young, she didn’t have time to develop any leisure interest because she had to take care of family. But now she has the opportunity and time to explore new interests which she really enjoys.

One of her new interests is the AWE online art class which she joined in December of 2020. She did not have any prior experience in painting, but now, taking this art class for the past 10 months, she reports that she can complete different images with guidance from her instructor, Insio. Ms. Chen especially enjoys using watercolors to paint plants, flowers, and landscapes.

Through the class, she is enjoying making new friends, and says she appreciates how everyone shares their skills and learns from each other. She encourages other seniors to “take the opportunities to develop new interests even though we are elderly.”

Lai Fong Ho, born in Hong Kong, hadn’t done any artwork since taking a few drawing classes in elementary and high school. She says she likes the AWE online art class because it gives her flexibility to take the class at home. She was especially grateful for the at-home activity during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She likes being able to see the teacher doing the demo online, and following along to gain firsthand experience of different techniques. She has learned about color themes, how to mix color, and how to create 3-dimensional images. Lai Fong enjoys working on various subjects including plant life and portraits, using watercolors. She reports that the class has helped her build up her self-confidence.

Qing Ho, from China, began her art practice in December of 2020 when she joined the AWE-On Lok class taught in Cantonese and Mandarin by Instructor Insio Che. She is learning many new skills using watercolor, color pencils, pen, and pencil.

 She says of the class, “During pandemic this class really support me spending my time on learning a new task. I don’t feel bored staying at home. The class also train me focusing on a subject matter. Time passed very fast when I was focusing on painting. This class improved my concentration, provided me a calm and tranquil mood.”

My love for classical music developed my artistic sensibilities and eventually led me to the appreciation of fine art drawing and painting. I attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree majoring in Illustration in 2002. While continuing my life-long study in art and music education,
I attended the music program at Holy Names University and received a Master of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy in 2011.

The process of studying art and music has not been an easy journey but I feel grateful to continue to fulfill my dream. I am currently teaching art to elders and teach private piano lessons, I am happy to do what I love and paint passionately; I hope to share the joy of arts with others.

My goal as an artist is to discover the inner beauty of humanity and nature using my innate senses with the help of my paintbrush. The subjects of my paintings represent my attraction and my appreciation of people and nature around me. I am compelled to capture the beauty of life’s essence through the techniques of painting vibrant light, harmonious colors, and the seductive mystery of shadows that in turn allow me to convey my emotions. Learn more about Insio’s work at: http://insioart.com/

On Lok Peralta – Instructor Dmitry Grudsky

I participated in the AWE drawing course around October 2020. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, Activity Team has arranged for everyone, an online senior art course- -Color Water Painting, taught and guided by the teacher. We started to learn watercolor painting from scratch (start at 0).

In December of the same year, and also  took part in the Cantonese art classes. Due to old age and multiple body parts disease, numbness of the arms has brought many difficulties to learning painting, and it takes a long time to complete a painting. After completing each painting, I still have a sense of accomplishment, and I feel that learning watercolor painting also adds color to my life. I continue to encourage myself to work hard and persevere. Thank you, teacher! Thanks  Activity Team! 

I started to learn painting at the end of December 2020. Art class is very help me overcome my anxiety, I feel good when I forgot everything to drawing picture, and I am happy and lucky for showing my picture. Although I start art classes lately. but I will try my best to paint and learn from teacher.

Mr. Yuzhen Lu has been an artist all his life, with a few detours along the way. Born in China in 1944, he started learning techniques in elementary school when he was seven years old. But there were no art classes in high school and he trained to be a teacher.

When he graduated he was drafted by the army and learned to send messages in Morse Code. After five years in the army, he began a 40-year career as a high-school Physics teacher. He would have loved to become an art teacher and to continue painting, but stopped painting since he was so busy. During the Cultural Revolution artists were only allowed to do portraits of Chairman Mao and Karl Marx.

Being devoted to classical Indian music and English literature, I have always considered myself quite artistic.  Yet, even in my wildest dreams I haven’t thought of entering the paths of Paul Gauguin and Vincent Van Gough. Thanks to On Lok and Dimitri I learnt to use my brush and dabble with paint! 

My name is Ashwin Sheth. I am an active participant in the Art Classes offered through Peralta Center. I greatly appreciate these classes as I am learning so many new things. I have always loved & enjoyed drawing.

In the art class I have learned many more skills on how to use colors and to combine them. Our teacher Dmitry is very knowledgeable, and I enjoy learning more and more skills from him. I feel very blessed to be able to participate in this class.

In October 2020, I participated in the AWE online senior art course—Color Water Painting, which was taught and guided by the teacher. I started to learn watercolor painting from scratch. In December of the same year, and took part in the Cantonese art class. I really like painting. I didn’t have the opportunity and conditions in the past. Now I can learn through the Internet Zoom, which is a good opportunity.

After studying for a period of time, I have improved my knowledge and skills in watercolor painting. Although I am getting older, I still have to study hard so that painting can enrich and cultivate life. Thank you, teacher! Thanks to Activity Team!

Dmitry Grudsky was educated in Russia and holds a Master Degree in Fine Arts from the Tashkent Art Institute. This intensive training exposed him to a broad range of artistic styles, building on a strong foundation in classical Western European art traditions with stylistic infusions from Asia Minor. He has extensive experience in drawing, oil and acrylic painting as well as in mix medium painting. He is an exhibiting artist, displaying my paintings through local galleries, national and international shows and museums.

Dmitry is skilled in bi-lingual communication, and was initially taught English as part of his foundation training.

“My schedule revolves around the studio; teaching children and adults, working in senior centers, conducting workshops and taking care of my family. When I have free time, I like to seek out areas of town that I want to paint.” Learn more about Dmitry’s work at: https://www.grudsky.net/

Open Studios Saturday – Instructor Darcie O’Brien

Covid-19 has no side effects or symptoms that are desirable, sought after, or pleasant. To my delight because of the stay at home mentality I decided to participate in the AWE on-line class. Surprisingly, I am enjoying the experience. Previously some years ago, I had taken a day long watercolor class wherein I had failed drawing distance stick figure people. I give to Darcie for her guidance a thankful virtual hug.

Spirit Hill Meditation Garden and Art Studio, in Three Rivers, is Keller’s favorite place to be, letting the creative energies have the day. Keller plays with clay, focusing on ceramic masks. Repurposed items like hubcaps, skill saws, horseshoes, and more, are made into art pieces with dots of acrylic. Mixing words and art is her latest exploration on canvas and hubcaps. Gift Cards Keller designs from her photography. Keller’s art work grew out of her love of writing, which she does every morning. Coordinator for 1st Saturday in Three Rivers, a monthly art event.

Published in two books: But What About The Children? Diversity is Life: A Memoir, 2019, by Shirley A. Blair Keller  Amazon in paperback and Kindle; Tulare-Kings Writers Present Tales From The Strip Mall, An Anthology of Short Stories available on Amazon. Edited by Judith Bixby Boling, 2020.

I have enjoyed dabbling in art since I was in elementary school. As an adult,
I have taken classes in painting, stained glass, jewelry and mixed media.
I taught elementary school for many years and always loved doing art projects with my students.  Often, long after they went home I would find myself drawn back to the art table to experiment with new approaches to the lesson. I enjoy art history and always make it a point to visit art museums when I travel. Since joining AWE in April I have been experimenting with various mediums (watercolors, colored pencils, acrylics, markers, charcoal) and learning techniques for doing landscapes, portraits and abstract art. I find the classes educational,  challenging, relaxing and rewarding. In addition, I find that I really  enjoy making art in community with others.

I am indebted to Art With Elders for providing a new experience with art. To me art is a different way of seeing our world. When I was in practice as a life transitions counselor, I used drawing and collage with some of my clients. This was especially effective with adults and children who were grieving a loss. I am the author of a workbook titled “What Happens Next: Messages from Heaven.” It provides space to answer contemplative questions with writing, drawing, and/or painting. I am a resident of Vallejo Hills retirement community in Vallejo where I first learned about AWE. Thank you for your wonderful art courses.

I am a retired elementary teacher.  I taught all grades during my career and my favorite grade was fifth, because of the students’ interest and the curriculum.  I also taught in Finland and Taiwan.  I loved the cultural experience and making lasting friends.  I enjoy the Art With Elders’ classes, since I did not have time to study art until I retired.

Paula Tschida is a retired educator who joined our class in 2020.  Paula is enjoying the opportunity to learn new skills in painting and drawing and to develop her creativity through art.  Meeting and learning from Darcie and all the students in the art class have been gratifying experiences for Paula.  She appreciates the positive and encouraging spirit in the class.  Paula enjoys visiting museums and other sites so that she can see the originals of her favorite works of art.

Darcie O’Brien’s work focuses on building community through art. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and photography, and works as a freelance graphic artist, art educator, and organizes art exhibitions.

In 2009, Darcie began teaching art to youth from her home studio in a project called “The Art Garage.” engaging local youth to work on projects in a mode of self-discovery and collaboration. As an offshoot of the Art Garage project, she offered art workshops for youth and families in the city of Vallejo, CA. which led her to teach Art, Photography, and Graphic Design at Vallejo middle schools.

In 2012, she began working for Art With and currently serves as Exhibitions Director and Artist Instructor in addition to providing graphic design, web, and communications support. You can learn more about Darcie’s work at: darcieobrien.com.

Open Studios Saturday –
Instructors Darcie O’Brien and Mei Mei Everson

I came to Art with Elders as a writer. Brent H. Nettle, Kathy Barrows, and Darcie O’Brien connected me with artists in the program to write their bios for exhibits and two books. I always came away inspired, especially by the artists who were new to drawing and painting.

During the pandemic when classes went online Darcie invited me to join. I was a bit intimidated but Darcie and Mei Mei, as well as the other students, were (and still are) so supportive and encouraging that I felt my creativity soar. While I still consider myself more of a writer than an artist, I’ve fallen in love with watercolors and many days I’d rather paint than write!

After so many years of lifetus interruptus, I began painting again now that I am retired and have mucho Covid-19 time on my hands. High school and college were my painting days of still life and abstracts with a prize and honorable mentions here and there while living in Colorado.

My inspiration to paint again was late 2019, floral and fauna, but also, began a Fire Art painting in honor and awareness for our firefighters. Though I am not a professional (yet) and have no special certificates or degrees, I absolutely love working with oils and acrylics painting any subject. Attempting watercolors and colored pencil, still a challenge.

Please check out my website carolsoriginals.com and note my granddaughter’s gallery. May my legacy be of encouraging my granddaughter to push forward with her talent.

Dolores Smiller of Pittsburgh, PA is a painter, photographer and mixed multi-media artist. She has been recognized in many art venues for her painting and glass blowing and was a recipient of a national award for outstanding photography from Eastman Kodak. She volunteered her time for years as the team photographer and reporter for her daughter’s swim teams and photographed and provided various artistic designs for many events for the Carnegie Mellon University Mechanical and Chemical Engineering Departments. Her local library hosted two art shows in recent years featuring just her work and she has been sought out and commissioned to create paintings and drawings for individuals. Recently, she donated architectural drawings of stained glass windows for a local historic group fundraiser. 

While not a professional artist, Dolores has pursued the study of art her whole life completing many courses mostly through the Design and Painting and Sculpture Departments of Carnegie Mellon University School of Fine Arts. 

Watercolor study is her most recent passion and she takes a class locally in the Pittsburgh area. She is extremely appreciative to have the opportunity to join the online AWE program classes, in addition. According to Dolores, “The COVID restrictions on any type of gatherings (art classes) paralyzed my creative soul. It caused me to not create any artwork for more than a year. My heartfelt thanks to AWE for restarting me!” 

Paula Thompson

Gayle, born in Columbus, Ohio, is an avid quilter whose passion for using embellishments, fiber, and multi-dimensional approach leads to layered crazy quilts, collages, and paintings that capture her love for spiders, dressforms and nature. Her biggest fear is not being able to tell her story the way she wants through her art. But as Henry Matisse said, “creativity takes courage”. So, with that said, she strives for joy and the story generally follows. Thank you AWE for being a source of inspiration that enables me to find creative and mindful possibilities.

I was born in New York, but my family moved to San Diego when I was 3 years old. Later, I attended UCSD and then worked as chemist. In 1975, I obtained position as chemist in Sunnyvale, CA. In 1976, I was working full time and decided to go to SJSU part time in hopes of a masters degree. I met my former husband there. We married on 5/8/1977–Mother’s Day. My first daughter, Leilah, was born 7/12/1978. My second daughter, Almira, was born 10/27/1979. My 3rd daughter, Summer, was born 10/16/1988. When my husband and I divorced, I moved back into the 1st of 3 houses we owned in San Jose, which is now my home.

My daughter Summer has always been interested in art. She worked for several years at the Whitney Museum in NYC. While at the Whitney, she took several classes in ceramics and a had a website where she sold some of her work. She now works at the Pratt Institute In Brooklyn, NY.

I started taking an art history class and a studio art class about a year ago on Zoom from the Greenwich House Senior Center in NYC. They have many classes, one just has to remember the 3 hour time difference. Then I heard about the Art With Elders classes and joined their Online Open Studios with Darcie and Mei Mei. I find art relaxing. I also take classical piano lessons and spend at least one hour a day practicing.

Darcie O’Brien’s work focuses on building community through art. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and photography, and works as a freelance graphic artist, art educator, and organizes art exhibitions.

In 2009, Darcie began teaching art to youth from her home studio in a project called “The Art Garage.” engaging local youth to work on projects in a mode of self-discovery and collaboration. As an offshoot of the Art Garage project, she offered art workshops for youth and families in the city of Vallejo, CA. which led her to teach Art, Photography, and Graphic Design at Vallejo middle schools.

In 2012, she began working for Art With and currently serves as Exhibitions Director and Artist Instructor in addition to providing graphic design, web, and communications support. You can learn more about Darcie’s work at: darcieobrien.com.

Mei Mei Everson is an artist who is passionate in storytelling. Her choice of mediums ranges from acrylic and watercolors for illustration & painting to puppets and mechanical props for her stop motion animation. She has won an award in her stop motion film and frequently collaborates with others in paintings as well as in film. She has shown her painting in galleries and is currently working with others on their projects. 

Mei Mei Everson has a Bachelor Degree in Fine Art, in which she majored in Illustration, and pursued into Stop motion and Film projects. She has worked with children of all ages and with adults for over 10 years. She feels that the Art With Elders program has been one the most rewarding programs she has worked for and excitedly looks forward to meeting and connecting with more Elders in her future. She feels that the Art With Elders program not only greatly benefits the Elderly community itself but also the surrounding community as well by reconnecting it with older adults. 

Openhouse – Instructor Hugh Leeman

Keith Baillie is a Brit who worked in Silicon Valley and is now retired in San Francisco. His passion is traveling but the covid shutdown has afforded more time to paint scenes from photos of the city and his travels. He is an untrained, naïve artist primarily using gouache. He is currently a student of Hugh Leeman’s Art With Elders course (through Openhouse).

Luis de la Garza’s life-long interest in art found him working many years in museums, archives, and libraries managing their collections. Collages and graphic design have been his major artistic output. For the about a year he has participated with other San Francisco Openhouse community members in art classes taught by AWE instructor Hugh Leeman.

I’ve been taking an art class with Hugh Leeman through Openhouse since November of 2020, and I’ve come to rely on it as a mainstay of my week, especially with the restrictions imposed by the ongoing pandemic. I look forward to using what I’ve learned and spend several hours each week working on various art projects, which is a new experience for me and very satisfying. I look at everyday things in my life or ideas that have been running around in my head and see how I can incorporate them into my art. The pieces I’ve submitted for this exhibit are recent examples of my work in watercolor and ink.

I’ve been taking an art class with Hugh Leeman through Openhouse since November of 2020, and I’ve come to rely on it as a mainstay of my week, especially with the restrictions imposed by the ongoing pandemic. I look forward to using what I’ve learned and spend several hours each week working on various art projects, which is a new experience for me and very satisfying. I look at everyday things in my life or ideas that have been running around in my head and see how I can incorporate them into my art. The pieces I’ve submitted for this exhibit are recent examples of my work in watercolor and ink.

Lourdes Rivera Pollard, Puerto Rican, born in New York City.  

In the early 60’s I moved to Big Sur, San Francisco  and now I live in
Los Gatos /Santa Cruz mountain,

I have participated with AWE ” I love the fact that the program offers Zoom Art class to elders. This has allowed me and others to participate from home by eliminating travel barres and invisible borders .”

The AWE program made me realize I missed painting.  For the last 30 plus years, my main involvement in the arts had been as a photographer.

 “Due to COVID 19 being out in the public was not an option for me, With Openhouse AWE I was able to turn negative into a positive opportunity by participating in a weekly online class with instructor Hugh Leeman.  The Saturday class had given me a group of diverse elders to meet with, positive support, and a place to meet, learn, share ideas and make new friends,” 

The painting in this exhibit  “Ocean View” is acrylic on canvas.

Fran Schiff
“Loss: Self Portrait”

“Snapshot” – A snapshot of who I am on an energy basis

This is perfect for this moment 

Every art piece reveals another part of me that is now falling into place. Had a dream last night of Tetris game made out of wall-size colored blocks. I need it to sort the blocks into a certain pattern and then everything “fell into place“

Just to clarify I am not transgender. I am not trying to change the gender I was assigned to at birth. I just wish to determine what that gender is to me. I may look “male” but that is only because of years trying to hide what I truly was because I was afraid of other peoples’ reactions. Openhouse has been teaching me to be free in this aspect, “gender non-conformist“ is what they are now stating my category to be 🙂

All change now as every morning when I wake up my head is filled with dreams that need to be expressed. I spend hours manifesting. I am correct, when the student is ready a teacher will present themselves 

now that I need it more than ever before the gift of art has been released inside of me 

Hugh Leeman is a multi-disciplinary artist and educator whose artwork and projects focus on community collaboration and social interaction. Leeman first collaborated on a self-empowerment project with the homeless in San Francisco. More recently, he teamed up with Aetatribes.org to bring clean water projects to the indigenous Aeta Tribes of the Philippines. Now he is creating impasto paintings and sculptures. They address personal and societal transformation.

Leeman has exhibited his artworks at the de Young Museum, the Museum of Mexico City, the Masur Museum of Art, and the Arlington Contemporary Art Center. He was awarded an Artistic Mastermind Grant and created a twenty-foot-tall mural of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. adjacent to King’s birth house in Atlanta, Georgia. His artwork and projects are published in The Outlaw Bible of American Art. Learn  ore about Hugh’s work at: http://www.hughleeman.com/

The Reutlinger Community – Instructor Betty Rothaus

Color always appeals to me! This was an interesting and striking combination of color and surfaces to project that color. It takes a kind of strength to pull that out and all together! Painting this was a strong learning experience and the first time I had experienced and been inspired by aboriginal art. I’m always looking for new ways to learn. I search for and try out fresh methods and approaches to working. For example, aboriginal art work opens new styles of drawing and painting and broadens my attempts for my artistic work to flourish. That is a new level of learning and having experiences that widen both my self expression and artistic interests.

Sid Glickfeld’s realistic painting, “Fire Suppression,” came from his experience as a young adult volunteer working to put out fires. “I was a scoutmaster at this time in my life, and we worked together , digging trenches, on public properties where fire broke out. I remember after fighting a fire, we had to write a report . You never know for sure, but we were asking questions about how it started.”

Contemplation is an important part of the creative process. Before one begins a painting, one is involved in the process of contemplation. I am a contemplative person by nature and I hope to convey that expression in my painting. Rita R. Goldman. Note: The painting behind the artiste is one of her earlier works.

I am a dancer, dance teacher and dance therapist. I was born in Vienna and knew about Schubert, Schuman and Beethoven at an early age because of their sculptures in the parks; I can hear the music in my head! I also like to work with colors; they mean a lot to me. I ‘see’ a lot in dance forms and my creations reflect that vision. “Movement in Space” embodies the movement of curves and round swinging movements; and, the figures are ‘in’ space. In my life I accepted many jobs using my art to help people. I worked with emotionally disturbed boys in a private institution; they liked percussion and movement so we created dances together. Later my husband and I performed for Give Kids the World foundation for children with life threatening diseases. We also entertained in preschools, hospitals, birthday parties and wherever a smile was needed!

There is a certain feeling I get when I’m painting; doing this makes me feel elated and happy to be here!!! It is a place I feel at home: ” A Place of Mysticism”. I want to have that feeling with me all the time. This place has a fragrance of happiness.

I come from a small town in Poland. We had a house and garden – one side was vegetables, the other was flowers-with sunflowers that were so beautiful. (The dog was kept on a leash so he wouldn’t get into any of it!) I chose to work with flowers because it reminds me of this beloved home.

When I was a child we went on a school outing to Warsaw. There we saw a garden that remains in my memory.

Creating “Flowers From My Memory That I Still Love” gave me more memories of home, my wonderful parents and the family. Now that I am free, I am happy to express myself. This is the beginning as I work with painting, I will continue to grow with this! I express myself with thanks to my teacher because I never did this before…and thanks to myself for being open to creating something brand new!!

I am new to painting but not to the arts. I earned an MFA in creative writing at the University of Michigan and have been writing short stories since I was in my 20’s. “Enid’s Decision” is one in a series of crayon resist paintings. I first chose the images and made rubbings in blue on surf paper; this paper turns transparent when glued. I watercolored the orange background, and then, glued on the linear rubbings and watercolored again. Enid is a liberated butterfly. She can do what she wants. So, she has to know what she wants- and then, she has to do it. Poor Enid….all of this and she’s just a butterfly.

“I’ve been painting and talking since I was three! As the first grand-daughter and a 2nd generation American, I grew up in a large and creative Polish family who encouraged me as they restored a 100 year old house themselves. I watched my Mom paint, sew, sculpt, crochet and bake. My father studied journalism and writing( interrupted by WWII); he transmitted messages for Western Union, became a tool and die maker and used his hands for creative projects at home.

“Maui Makena Beach, Hawaii” is a port of America’s National Seashore. It is rarely seen by visitors, often used by Island Folks, and was part of my everyday life. I learned to be daring and curious while I learned to body surf in it’s healing waters.  

Betty Rothaus, MFA, an artist and art educator, has exhibited, lectured, and/or taught nationally and internationally on the east and west coasts of the U.S. and in Paris, France, Kobe Niki, Japan, Castello and Cadaques, Spain, and Byrne, Norway, and hangs in private collections in the United States and abroad.

The magic of creating has been part of my life for as long as I remember; what I am drawn to create continues to reveal what is closest to my soul.  Drawing, painting, color and design are my ways to both record my observations and to explore deeper meaning.  Creating and viewing art helps us to become more conscious to observe and witness who we are, here and now in the universe.  I like to work in series because it invites me into the subject more deeply and widely – I have time to explore it and our relationship to it in this larger context.

In all my work, light illuminates form externally, and internally- portrays a spiritual Presence and Source; there is a quiet, calming, underlying quality of interconnectedness that invites the viewer to focus and find peace.

Learn more about Betty’s work at: https://www.bettyrothaus.com/

The Sequoias –
Instructors Yvette Brown and Santiago Gervasi

I started to do art work when I was a boy. If I found any blank paper lying around my house I had to draw on it. Sometimes it drove my parents crazy!

In Grammar school I tried painting like the French impressionists. In high school I had a great art teacher and was lucky enough to win several awards for my art and a scholarship at the California School of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, CA.

In college I majored in photography. After that for 30 years I became a metalsmith specializing in metal work in the style of the arts and crafts movement. 

As a youngster I did some drawing and painting in school, but it wasn’t until I entered the school of architecture that I began art instruction in earnest. After graduation I worked as an architect and occasionally made up compositions of forms and colors using colored pencil, pastels or designer watercolors. 

I am learning to use acrylic and love to paint from my imagination. 

Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Richard grew up in Wisconsin, went to Northwestern University, and performed in live theatre, mostly comedies and musicals, for twenty years. His favorite character was playing King Arthur in Camelot. But his true passion is ceramics. Richard returned to school for an MFA in ceramics and came to California planning to become a potter. He has worked in San Francisco’s Castro district for thirty years as one of the managers of a non-profit studio for ceramic artists – Ruby’s Clay Studio – where he has his studio. Richard has been an avid participant in Art With Elders for many years, painting stunning landscapes of some of his favorite spots. Richard exhibits with AWE frequently, often choosing to donate his work. Richard has been in the “Artist Spotlight” of our newsletter and his recently sold work, Stony Cliff, was on the cover of our 24thAnnual Show Program. Richard, who describes himself as a generally positive person and a peacemaker, is excited about painting. “You’re never too old to discover new things,” he says and quips, “I doubt I’ll develop into Grandpa Moses, but I’m having a great time in my AWE class.”

I started to paint from scratch during the first year of Covid-19. My Kitty Cat painting is the second painting I have ever done. 

My paintings hover somewhere along the invisible line of tension between awkwardness and grace. I strive to capture the frozen moment in which balance is either lost or regained. I tend to avoid faces because they give too much away. I want to leave more for the viewer to interpret. Is a figure filled with the elation of soaring? Or is there a violence bubbling just beneath the veneer of beauty? What are those secrets behind the beauty? It all depends on what we bring of ourselves to the viewing.

I often break my figures up into multi-canvas construction of varying depths in an attempt to contain aspects of the image- much in the same way that each of us tries to impose some kind of structure on the chaos of our lives. But that structure, as hard-edged as we try to make it, is an illusion. It distorts the picture we present of ourselves in ways that can be both flattering and grotesque.

But the truth is that, like the figures I paint, we are all bodies in motion, flowing around and over the rigid boundaries we try to erect. Life is not so easily contained. This is not such a bad thing. You can learn more about Yvette’s work at: http://www.yvettembrown.com/

Santiago Gervasi was born in Lima, Perú. He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 80s, where he has been residing ever since. Gervasi received a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts.

Gervasi has shown his work extensively both nationally and internationally. The galleries that have represented his work include Olga Dollar (S.F., CA) SFMOMA Artists Gallery (S.F. CA), Cervini-Haas Gallery (Scottsdale, AZ) and Bay Area Visual Arts Network (Oakland, CA). His work has been reviewed in Art Week magazine, and has been featured in the TV show “Latin Eyes.”

Learn more about Santiago’s work at: https://santiagogervasi.net/home.html

SF Senior Center – Instructor Santiago Gervasi

Born in Rye New York in 1958. I grew up in the Middle East and spent summers in the Bay Area and England. I started two years ago in the Downtown Center Art Studios. Now is one of the most loved times of my life. 

Santiago Gervasi was born in Lima, Perú. He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 80s, where he has been residing ever since. Gervasi received a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts.

Gervasi has shown his work extensively both nationally and internationally. The galleries that have represented his work include Olga Dollar (S.F., CA) SFMOMA Artists Gallery (S.F. CA), Cervini-Haas Gallery (Scottsdale, AZ) and Bay Area Visual Arts Network (Oakland, CA). His work has been reviewed in Art Week magazine, and has been featured in the TV show “Latin Eyes.”

Learn more about Santiago’s work at: https://santiagogervasi.net/home.html

SF Towers – Instructor Yvette Brown

I am very grateful for being able to have the time to paint with Art With Elders. I never really had time before. I love coming together with fellow artists to focus on art and to share in the experience.

I started painting at 95 years old and had never painted or created art previously.

After classes started coming back post Covid, I found myself wanting to fill the time. I really look forward to coming to class.

This is a new beginning for me, taking art classes, and I haven’t missed a class yet!

My paintings hover somewhere along the invisible line of tension between awkwardness and grace. I strive to capture the frozen moment in which balance is either lost or regained. I tend to avoid faces because they give too much away. I want to leave more for the viewer to interpret. Is a figure filled with the elation of soaring? Or is there a violence bubbling just beneath the veneer of beauty? What are those secrets behind the beauty? It all depends on what we bring of ourselves to the viewing.

I often break my figures up into multi-canvas construction of varying depths in an attempt to contain aspects of the image- much in the same way that each of us tries to impose some kind of structure on the chaos of our lives. But that structure, as hard-edged as we try to make it, is an illusion. It distorts the picture we present of ourselves in ways that can be both flattering and grotesque.

But the truth is that, like the figures I paint, we are all bodies in motion, flowing around and over the rigid boundaries we try to erect. Life is not so easily contained. This is not such a bad thing.

You can learn more about Yvette’s work at: http://www.yvettembrown.com/

Visitacion Valley Family Center – Instructor Min Lee

I am presently enjoying a creative comeback to my art and art making.

My former artistic focus: design/drawing/painting/printmaking.

I have a background in art education, visual arts secondary education; training in interior design, small business. 

In the past I’ve also loved wood working and have created sculptures in mahogany.

I am Li-Zhen H. I came from China. I use to work for Chinese business and part time work with advertise art. I have been immigrant to the U.S for 26 years. I have gotten my College Degree and I work for child for 14 years. I love painting and drawing since I was six.

Learning to draw is my post-retirement plan. After two years of retirement, I will study drawing in a community school. For about a year or so, the community school will stop this course due to funding.

I did not continue to study. When the coronavirus broke out Later, the senior center has ART CLASS to study on Zoom, so I can continue to learn to draw. I am very happy. The drawing process brings me a lot of knowledge and fun. The more I learn, the more interested I feel. I like to draw. Chinese painting, watercolor painting, etc. Drawing brings me a fulfilling life.

My name is Yue Situ. I was born in 1931, grew up in a warm family. I studied in a boarding school for 12 years. Japan invaded China in 1937. Being refugees for 8 years, I learned how to swim which improved my juvenile physical. During the high school, I won five track and field championships twice. My school was spectacular and had plenty of good teachers. I had the honor to be taught by a famous painter. Under the teacher’s patient guidance, I fell in love with Chinese painting. My work was selected in the school exhibition, which gave me great encouragement.

I graduated from Zhongshan medical university in 1955, When I was busy with my homework, I would draw some pictures in my notebook. I like to take pictures of the beautiful scenery, flowers and trees in the park as my materials. After retiring, I immigrated to the United State for more than 30 years, I continue loving Chinese painting. I have participated in two painting classes and two exhibitions for the elderly. Unfortunately, the painting class has been cancelled for several years. I am lucky enough to participate in a perfect painting class in the SF Senior Center and have the patient teachers to teach. I hope to study hard together with other classmates.

I have participated in the SF Senior Center for more than 15 years. My spouse was my classmate in the medical school before. He was a professor of surgery and graduate tutor. The family will continue into the fifth generation of medical families, which are painters and calligraphers too.

I didn’t have the opportunity to learn to paint before!  Last year I was lucky 🈶️ the opportunity to follow Teacher Fuglee to study art courses! The teacher treats me who doesn’t have the basis of painting and the artistic cell! Patience and tireless teaching! I benefited a lot and increased the joy of drawing.  I like watercolor painting! I hope my painting style can express beautiful things!  Make people feel the beauty of the world! I love art and Mr. Lee’s excellent teaching spirit! I am 85 years old this year. Live and learn. Draw to sunset red!

Min is the creator of Fuglee, a visual art studio that specializes in creative story-telling through the means of art, photography, and film. From conceptual development to production-ready visuals.

Fuglee was founded in 2015 by Min, an award-winning illustrator, published photographer, and accomplished filmmaker. He is a wanderer and a tinkerer. If Min is not traveling the world for inspiration, then he’s in the studio creating something. Min is currently a contributor to Kwest On Media and teaches for Art With Elders.

Learn more about Min’s work at: http://fuglee.com/