Draft February 2026 Newsletter

Our Mission

To foster, promote, and celebrate the visual arts in Monrovia by supporting artists, engaging the community, and creating opportunities for artistic expression and appreciation.

IN THIS ISSUE

• We proudly welcome our new artist and volunteer members over the last year!
• Workshop on Wednesday, January 28: Paint Your Pet!
• Artist Alley Gallery Reception, Friday, January 30 
• Coming soon: Art Night at Grey & Cash, February 13
• Sign up today for MAFA's Monthly Art Workshops open to the public.
• Did you know we have four MAFA artist galleries in town? Ask eric@monroviafinearts.org about getting your work displayed.
• We need volunteers! Take our volunteer survey at this link.
• Check out all the benefits of MAFA membership - Pop quiz below

New Members

New member Miguel Pichado displays his work at the Annual General Meeting in January.

We were thrilled to welcome these new Artist Members over the last year.

Look them up on our Member Directory at monroviafinearts.org (right side of home page) to discover more about them and see samples of their work.

Stephen Baack – photography, graphic design

Lucy Code - creative photography, Photoshop, calligraphy, modern lettering, charcoal

Mosig Der-ian - oils, acrylics, watercolor

Jeraldine Gaudino - oIls

Michael Henderson - photography

Jennifer Jones (student) - paint, mixed media, photography

Timmi Karipides - digital art, drawing

Dalia Hosn Koleilat - digital painting with Photoshop, Manga/Comics with pen and ink

Jim Lacy - watercolor

Martha LeDuc – watercolor, sketching, abstracts in oil and acrylic.

Nuria Martinez - chalk, acrylic, watercolors, digital prints

Ion Motkin - watercolor, oil, mixed media

Linda Myers - painting, ink, pencil, collage

Art Nunez - oil

Jon Ogden - metal, wood, found items

Ralph Rockenbach - oil and acrylic on canvas, pen and ink

Carmen Sanchez - fabric art

Dominic Teneriello - oil, charcoal

Supriya Thote - mixed-media; markers, fabric paint, acrylic paints, clay, photography.

Ing Zhang - acrylic

New Volunteer Member

Sarah Skibitzke

MAFA Monthly Workshops

Paint Your Pet Class Launches New Artists

The people above span are grinning because in two hours, their colorful paintings of their beloved furry friends (and one bird and one snake!) took shape before their very eyes--and many had never painted before! And note the age span!

Instructor and professional artist Sally Weiss worked her magic again, handing out paint, canvas, brushes and careful step-by-step encouragement. Not only did the particpants create cherished portraits, they had fun doing it! And several signed up for future sessions in this series.

Note: This session was way overbooked, so we will hold a seond session on June 17 for those on the waiting list and anyone else who is interested.

All of these workshops are open to the public and admission is free, but participants must register in advance to christine@monroviafinearts.org. The sessions are the last Wednesday of the month 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center. Registrants will be given a list of materials to bring if needed.

See the schedule below.

Artist Alley Gallery Artist Reception

ART NIGHTS at Grey & Cash

425 S. Myrtle Ave

Artists: You can display and sell your art at this cafe on the second Friday night each month during the popular Friday Night Street Fair. This gives you more opportunities throughout the year along with the MAFA galleries.

Setup time: 5 p.m.

Running time: 6 to 9 p.m.

Break down time: 9 to 9:30 p.m.

Registration fee: $10.00 per artist (proceeds going to the restaurant).

Commission: 20 percent on each sold artwork (proceeds benefitting MAFA's art educationprograms)

Number of artists per show:

• During the dry season, 8 artists inside and possibly 6 artists outside.
• During the rainy season we can fit just 8 artists inside.

To register, go to this link:

 monroviafinearts.org/ArtNight

For more information, contact MAFA Gallery Manager Eric Watkins at eric@monroviafinearts.org.

Learn how to make luminous scenes like this in George Liang's watercolor class on Feb. 25. RSVP today!

Join Us for These Monthly Artist Workshops

Learn art techniques from a professional artist on the last Wednesday evening of each month, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Monrovia Community Center.

We welcome adults and students ages 12 and up. Bring a friend--The sessions are open to the public and admission is free, but you must reserve your seat in advance by emailing christine@monroviafinearts.org. When you rsvp you will receive a list of materials to bring if needed.

February 25: Watercolor Painting with George Liang

March 25: Creating Pastel Portraits with Karl Washington

April 29: "Combines" - Creating Art with Found and Recycled Materials with Ed Houlemarde

May 27: Watercolor Painting with George Liang

June 24: "The Tree of Life" - Oil Painting with Jeannine Savedra

July 29: "How to Paint a Horse" - Ink and Watercolor with Eric Watkins

August 26: "How to Paint a Wolf" - Ink and Watercolor with Eric Watkins

September 30: "Intro to Fluid/Pour Painting" with Renee Taylor

October 28: "New Horizons in Watercolor" with Pete Morris

Display and Sell Your Art in MAFA's Four Galleries

Artist Alley at the Monrovia Community Center -

119 W. Palm Ave.

Rotating installations of four artists' work every three months.MAFA receives a 20 percent donation from each sale that supports our art education porgrams.

Grey and Cash - 425 S. Myrtle Ave.

Rotating installation of one artist's work each month. Artists keep 100 percent of sales, but are encouraged to make a donation to MAFA for art education programs.

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce - 

Rotating installation of one artist's work each month. Artists keep 100 percent of sales, but are encouraged to make a donation to MAFA for art education programs.

Monrovia Historical Museum - 742 E. Lemon Ave.

Rotating installation of one artist's work every three months. Sales donation of 20 percent each to the museum and to MAFA.

To learn more and to install your work at these locations, contact Eric Watkins, Gallery Manager, at eric@monroviafinearts.org.

MAFA Needs Volunteers...

This is an all-volunteer organization: So this means we rely on volunteers like YOU to help us make everything happen! You can take our Volunteer Survey at this link - and thanks for your input!

Pop Quiz - Do You Know All These MAFA Member Benefits?

T or F Members can display and sell work in shows, galleries and events like our Art Nights, Artist Alley Gallery, Old Town merchant galleries, the Monrovia Historical Museum, and Monrovia Chamber of Commerce.

T or F Members can attend free monthly workshops to improve art skills and sales.

T or F They get access to public art opportunities throughout the region.

T or F They receive info on individual art grants and publication opportunities.

T or F They can market themelves through MAFA social media and local print media.

T or F Members can create their personal listing in the Artist Directory on the MAFA website.

f you haven't already joined MAFA as an Artist Member or Student Member, now's the time--It's easy! Submit your application and three photos of your work on this page to qualify as an Artist Member. Annual dues are $36.00 and $15.00 for students with a valid student ID.

Sign up now or refer a friend: We welcome professional and emerging adult and student artists. Learn more at monroviafinearts.org/join.

Artist Members: Have You Filled Out Your Page on the MAFA Artist Directory?

Just a reminder to find the Featured Member section on the right side of the home page and click on View member directory. Find your name and upload your contact information, web address, photos and artist statement to promote your work.

Speaking of Your Art Business:

It's Easier Than Ever to Get Your Resale Number 

Our Mission

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Monrovia Association of Fine Arts

433 W. Foothill Blvd, Monrovia CA 91016

(626) 483-0560

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