April 2026 Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE

• We're proud to welcome new Artist Members! 
• Sign up today to display your work at our Art Nights at Grey & Cash.
• MAFA Board hires part time Project Manager to spur dynamic growth.
• Did you know we have five MAFA artist display spaces in town?                      Find out more below. 
• Our Monthly Artist Workshops continue to be sellouts! Make your reservations today for the eight upcoming sessions at monroviafinearts.org/Workshops
• It's Annual Membership Renewal Day on June 1. If you're a member now, watch your email for more information. If you'd like to become a member, go to monroviafinearts.org/join-MAFA. We look forward to welcoming you!
• We need volunteers! Take our volunteer survey at this link.
• Become a Patron of the Arts in Monrovia

New Member Miguel Pichardo with a sample of his art.

And here is your Board of Directors for 2026:

Executive Committee

Eric Watkins - President, Display Manager and Art Night Chair

Dr. Anthony Fellow -Vice President

Joan Whitenack - Treasurer

Judy Watkins - Recording Secretary

Board Members at Large

Lisa Barrios - Creative Committee Chair

Christine Geltz - Membership and Workshop Chair

Mayor Becky Shevlin - City Council Liaison

Sarah Skibbitzke - Volunteer Recruitment

Standing Room Only at Annual General Meeting and New Member Reception

It was a great gathering of friends and lots of art earlier this year when MAFA members

• celebrated new members
• elected officers for 2026
• socialized with new and old contacts
• and shared art!

We were thrilled to welcome these new Artist Members. 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. Want to join MAFA as an Artist Member, too? Just go to monroviafinearts.org/join-MAFA

ART NIGHTS at Grey & Cash

425 S. Myrtle Ave

(Second Friday night of every month)

Artists: You can display and sell your art at this cafe 12 nights a year during the popular Friday Night Street Fair. This gives you more opportunities throughout the year along with the five MAFA display spaces throughout the Monrovia community.

Setup time: 5 p.m.

Running time: 6 to 9 p.m.

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

Registration fee: $25.00 per artist (proceeds going to the restaurant).

Donations from artists are appreciated (proceeds benefitting MAFA's art education programs).

Number of artists per show:

• During the dry season, 7 artists inside and 1 artist  outside (subject to change)
• During the rainy season we can fit just 8 artists inside.

MAFA Hires Part Time Project Manager to Lead Growth and Community Engagement

At their February meeting, the MAFA Board of Directors decided to bring Monrovia resident Julie Bank on board as Project Manager. In the past, she has served as the coordinator with our Reed Foundation-funded after school program at Clifton Middle School. With her background as a well-rounded executive with extensive experience with non-profit organizations and programs, she is a perfect fit to help us grow MAFA and deliver services in the community and surrounding area.

Working with small, medium, and large non-profits and government agencies, Julie has a strong passion for program development, building robust operations and infrastructure, and a keen ability to develop and implement long-term strategic goals and plans. Her successful track record in leadership has been key throughout organizational growth and change.

Julie thrives on creating positive relationships with boards, employees, and the community. She has extensive experience in managing and motivating employees and quickly understands organizational culture and mission. Julie is a proven operational consultant, communicator, and fundraiser with experience in all aspects of donor and community relations. As a leader, her strength comes from providing clarity, mentorship, education, and creating an environment where teams can be successful. She is excited to work with MAFA to garner great growth and results.

If you have any questions, you can contact her at Julie@monroviafinearts.org.

Sell Your Art in Five MAFA Display Spaces Throughout the City of Monrovia

Artist Alley at the Monrovia Community Center -

119 W. Palm Ave.

Rotating installations of four artists' work every three months. Artists keep 100 percent of sales, but are encouraged to make a donation to MAFA for art education programs.

Grey and Cash - 425 S. Myrtle Ave.

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

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce - 620 S. Myrtle Ave. - 

Artists keep 100 percent of sales, but are encouraged to make a donation to MAFA for art education programs.

Century 21 Adams & Barnes - 433. W. Foothill Blvd. - 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. Artists keep 100 percent of sales, but are encouraged to make a donation to MAFA and the museum for art education programs.

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

March 25  "Portraits in Pastel" Workshop Made Their Day!

This session with well-known pastel aritst Karl Washington (back row right, wearing hat) had first-time and professional artists alike creating portraits of Clint Eastwood as the High Plains Drifter--and the results were amazing and widely varied. [You can reach Karl via ktwstudios.com.]

This was just one in MAFA's 2026 Monthly Workshop Series held at the Monrovia Community Center on the last Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

These sessions are available with no admission fee until the end of June. After that admision fee will be $15 per person for each session. You must make your reservation on the MAFA website at  https://monroviafinearts.org/Workshops. Click on the session title(s) of your choice and you'll find info on

• How to register
• What you wil learn
• What materials to bring
• How to pay (July, August, September and October sessions only)

Upcoming Workshops - Register Today

April 29: 'Combines:' Abstract Art Blending Sculpture and Painting - Ed Houlemarde Free admission

May 27: Creating Atmsohsperic Effects in Watercolor - Geroge Liang Free admission

June 17: [Due to massive overbooking from January Session] Paint Your Pet Returns! Sally Weiss Free admission

June 24: Tree of Life: Drawing and Painting Inspired by the Beauty of Our Local Oak Trees - Jeannine Savedra Free admission

July 29: How to Draw a Wolf in Pen and Watercolor - Eric Watkins $15 per person

August 26: How to Draw a Horse in Pen and Ink - Eric Watkins $15 per person

September 30: Intro to Fluid / Pour Painting - Renee Taylor $15 per person

October 28: New Horizons in Watercolor - Pete Morris $15 per person

Annual MAFA Membership Renewal Day: June 1

MAFA will begin sending automated membership renewal notices next month. It's easy to renew your membership right from the renewal notice: Just follow the instructions. You can renew by credit or debit card or by personal check--Instructions will be provided. Here are the categories and annual dues:

Artist: $45   Student: $15   Volunteer: $35   Friend: $0

Artist Members enjoy these benefits:

• Display and sell your work in our shows: Art Night, second Friday of the month at Grey & Cash
• Display and sell your work in our five public galleries: Artist Alley in the Monrovia Community Center, Century 21 Adams & Barnes, Grey & Cash, Monrovia Chamber of Commerce, Monrovia Historical Museum
• Attend free monthly workshops with professional art instructors to improve your art skills and sales.
• Get preferred access to public art opportunities in Monrovia and throughout the region.
• Receive info on paid teaching opportunities, individual art grants, and art show opportunities throughout the region.
• Market your work through MAFA social media and local print media.
• Get more exposure by posting your listing in the Artist Directory on the MAFA website.

Become a Patron of the Arts in Monrovia

You can also support the mission and work of MAFA by becoming a Patron.  You can give a direct donation, become a corporate sponsor, or more.  Visit our website at www.monroviafinearts.org to learn more about ways to get involved. 

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!

Artist Alley Committee: Work with Eric Watkins, MAFA President and Display Manager. Eric would like assistance every three months with installing new artworks in time for our Artist Alley Receptions. You can contact him at eric@monroviafinearts.org.

Our Mission

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts

433 W. Foothill Blvd, Monrovia CA 91016

(626) 483-0560

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