Online Exhibits

Richard Newman
“Queue”
AWE Open Studios

I am a semi-retired administrative law judge living and working in San Francisco. In addition to my legal career, I have had a lifelong passion for learning about and creating art. I began sketching and cartooning when I was very young, and in later years I became more interested in painting. I haven’t had much formal training, but a few classes over the years have helped hone my skills.

I often start from photos or copies of paintings by other artists, but my imagination eventually takes over and–this is the intriguing part of the process for me–I’m never sure  what will ultimately emerge.

Ana Miranda
“The Sacred Maya Ceiba Tree”
Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc.

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 teachers Santiago and Hugh are 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.

Geri B. Hill
“African Queen of Butterflies”
Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center

I am originally from Huntsville, Texas, but have lived in California since 1956. I would like for those following with me and after me to know that I’m just a little sun shine and a breath of fresh air to help you find your way.

I started the AWE class in 2017. I always loved art from a child. After working with Virginia and William, I learned so much. I learned to enjoy colors, plants, trees, facial and head structure, 1-point and 2-point perspective. It’s been my life since 2017. Some words of wisdom that have helped me in my life: Think before speaking and respect each others’ feelings.

Gloria Learned
Bluebird”
Heritage on the Marina

Gloria was born in Tucson, Arizona and up in Santa Barbara with her brother, Mark.

Gloria loves the outdoors and enjoyed hiking by the lakes in Marin. She is still very active, attending Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, movies, and other outings with her daughters, granddaughter, and great-grandson. Always creatively inclined, she studied calligraphy, and also loved knitting and embroidery, but only began taking art classes since living at Heritage on the Marina.

“The greatest thing in the world you can have is a sense of humor,” Gloria says. “Sad things happen to everyone, but it will get you through anything, if you can manage to laugh.”

Roslyn Tunis
“A Curator’s Tale”
The Reutlinger Community

As a preteen, I took myself to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for art classes and my first museum experience! Museums became my passion. As a youngster I became interested in and fascinated by the first collection of Inuit Art in 1948, when it literally flew into Montreal from the far frozen North!

I was fortunately able to work with many different ethnographic people throughout my five decades career as a curator in Museums. I studied several cultures, including Arctic, and grew to love and appreciate the peoples beyond measure. My own artwork is a blend of it all—mythological, realistic and spiritual.

Royashu Bozeman
“Nature’s Mandala”
Laguna Honda Hospital

Roy remembers two paintings in his home when he was growing up in Houston, Texas. The artist used natural media like sticks and leaves to compose the incredibly realistic landscapes. After going to art school in Houston Roy explores using similar and unusual materials to make his art. ​

Roy studies Tibetan Buddhism. He also plays a variety of instruments like drums, snake charming flutes and saxophone. Adding to his layers of creativity he has a long history of making jewelry inspired by the many cultures he has studied over the years.

Willow Salzer 
“Purple Clouds”
Ivy Park at Cathedral Hill

Originally from Philadelphia, she took art classes at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University and at Moore College of Art & Design.

Willow moved to San Francisco two years ago. “It’s beautiful here!” She loves to be in nature and from her home on Cathedral Hill she has access to a nearby park and great views of the ocean. She loves willow trees and took on the name Willow when she was 40.

In her AWE art class she works with acrylics, but she is also experienced with oil, pastels and chalk. She enjoys her AWE classes because she finds new ways to do things. Her preference is to do things on her own. She picks up visual clues that others don’t see.

As is true for many of us, Willow doesn’t like anybody telling her how to do things. “Too many rules and regulations.” She also believes that “sometimes a mistake produces one’s best work yet!”

Yuyan Kuang
“Still Point”
Victorian Manor

Yuyan Kuang was born in China in 1955. She finished elementary school in China and immigrated to the United States when she was in her 40s. She worked on the farm when she was young. As a child, Yu liked to spend time at the river, playing on the sand, enjoying the day. She also liked playing cards with friends and singing. Moving to the States was a big life change for Yu. She could not farm here so her first few jobs included being a seamstress and a caregiver for a senior.

Yu was first introduced to art at the Laguna Honda Hospital. They have a great arts program called Art With Elders lead by artist Mark Campbell. Mark is a great mentor to Yu, and he would consistently encourage her to attend art class. She started to enjoy drawing, painting, and other art classes. Art brings her joy and peace. And art also makes her feel a sense of satisfaction and confidence. She looks forward to the art classes every day.

“Bluebird”

“Back Home”

Elegantly ebullient, with a warm, self-deprecating sense of humor, Gloria was born in Tucson, Arizona and up in Santa Barbara with her brother, Mark.

For their honeymoon, Gloria and her husband bought one-way tickets to Europe. In Paris and Darmstadt, she taught English to U.S. soldiers who did not speak English, while he was a journalist for the Stars and Stripes. They had four daughters.

Gloria loves the outdoors and enjoyed hiking by the lakes in Marin. She is still very active, attending Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, movies, and other outings with her daughters, granddaughter, and great-grandson. Always creatively inclined, she studied calligraphy, and also loved knitting and embroidery, but only began taking art classes since living at Heritage on the Marina. Recently, Gloria was enthralled by perspective drawing exercises taught in class, and she is excited to master this new challenge

“The greatest thing in the world you can have is a sense of humor,” Gloria says. “Sad things happen to everyone, but it will get you through anything, if you can manage to laugh.”