September 2026 Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE

• Celebrating MAFA Summer Art Walk and Art Night at Grey & Cash
• August 26 Workshop: How to Draw a Horse.
• MAFA wins foundation grant to provide free after school art program for Clifton Middle School students.
• Demonstrate your art at the Taste of Old Town Monrovia, October 25.
• MAFA partnering with KGEM-TV to host the Creative Compound starting in January.
• Welcome to our brand new Artist Members!
• Show your work in our six permanent art display locations.
• MAFA needs volunteers! You're invited to staff booths at events, provide social media support, and join our Board of Directors.
• Support the arts. Inspire the Community.
• It's easier than ever to get your resale license.

DONATE

August 21

Art Night

at Grey & Cash

August 14

The last Summer Art Walk of the season was a balmy night loaded with visitors spilling over from the Friday Night Farmers Market in the next couple of blocks. MAFA President Eric Watkins (left) demonstrated his amazing illustration technique combining drawing and painting, and had plenty of examples on display. Wood artist Paul Bernal (above) chatted with interested customers and explained the techniques, finishes and equipment he uses to create the beautiful pieces on display.

Recent new MAFA member and volunteer Jenny Rivera drew lots of visitors interested in her wide variety of colorful art pieces, ranging from acrylics, pastels and ink to spray paint and other materials.

What You Will Learn

Drawing animals with movement:

For beginners: Transferring an image to another page.

For intermediate artists with some experience: Using the grid method to draw an image.

For experienced artists: Freehand drawing of an image.

What to Bring With You

Nothing: Eric will provide all the materials.

More Workshops Coming Soon!

Reserve your seat now at: monroviafinearts.org/Workshops

September 30:

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Introduction to Fluid/Pour Painting

Renee Taylor, Instructor

October 28

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

New Dimensions in Watercolor

Pete Morris, Instructor

August 26 Workshop:

Learn How to Draw a Horse

Eric Watkins, Instructor

Wednesday, August 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm Ave, Monrovia

Admission is free to MAFA members to but you must register no later than Monday, August 24 at this address:

monroviafinearts.org/Workshops

Instructor Bio

Eric is president of MAFA and has been an actor, singer, dancer and mime in the performing arts as well as a graphic designer for many years. Eric joined MAFA in 2016 and since then he’s painted four utility transformer boxes for the City of Monrovia and won an award as “Best of the Show” in the first Juried Art Show in 2018. You can see Eric’s art displayed in various restaurants, galleries, and art walks throughout the surrounding communities. Eric was awarded MAFA's Heart in the Arts Award in 2021.

[Below] Proud artists (including some who had never drawn before!) display their work at the How to Draw a Wolf Workshop on July 29. Their instructor was Eric Watkins, front row, second from left.

MAFA is once again providing FREE after-school art classes at Clifton Middle School with a grant from the Ruth & Joseph C. Reed Foundation for the Arts .

Any MAFA Artist Member who is interested in teaching one or more sessions should contact Jeannine Savedra at jeanninesavedra@yahoo.com to get into the schedule. The sessions are every Wednesday from 1:40 - 3:00 p.m. (except for Nov 11 and 25, Dec 23 and 30, Jan 6, and June 2) throughout the school year and the instructor stipend is $200 per session. 

Demonstrate Your Art at the Taste of Old Town Monrovia, October 25

MAFA is partnering with the Kiwanis Club to help raise funds for youth of Monrovia during the Taste of Old Town on October 25, 2026 from 5 to 8 pm. We are looking for four Artist Members willing to donate their time to do Live Art during the event. At the end of the evening, the art will be auctioned off to raise funds for our youth programs. A percentage of the profit will go to MAFA youth programs.

You'll be able to hand out flyers/cards to those watching at the event and create new followers and fans. If interested in participating, please email mafa@monroviafinearts.org with the title Live Art.

NEW to Monrovia!

The Creative Compound at KGEM-TV

Community Media of the Foothills

Help Us Build the Creative Compound

MAFA is partnering with KGEM-TV to create The Creative Compound. This will be a monthly meet-up at KGEM-TV that is tentatively launching in January 2027 and will include a “spotlighted” artist/creator each month. There will also be “breakout stations” where photographers, editors, writers, and painters can group up to mingle, chat and share. MAFA will be hosting one of those stations.

We are looking for MAFA Artist Members to volunteer to sign up for a 3-month slot to man a station. The station will be designed around your artist's method. Your job will be to stimulate dialogue amongst those who choose that station. If interested in participating and manning a station, please email mafa@monroviafinearts.org with the title KGEM-TV. 

New Artist Members

We were thrilled to welcome these new

Artist Members in the last month:

Sara Palacios

Textiles and mixed media to carry stories

through texture, touch, and labor

Karen Suarez

Nature photography and multimedia art

for education and conservation

Monrovia Community Center

Century 21 Adams & Barnes

Grey & Cash

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce

Monrovia Historical Museum

Smudges & Scribbles

MAFA Needs Volunteers!

Are you passionate about the arts and making a difference in our community? The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts (MAFA) is looking for dedicated, creative, and community-minded individuals to support our organization:

• Represent MAFA at Community Events
• Help with Social Media
• Join Our Board of Directors

Help keep the arts visible, active, and thriving in Monrovia by becoming an MAFA Patron of the Arts. Your donation directly supports art exhibits, hands-on educational programs, youth activities, community outreach, and opportunities for local artists to showcase their work.

With your support, MAFA brings art into the community through events, partnerships, and creative experiences that inspire people of all ages. Every contribution helps connect artists and art lovers, encourage creativity, and strengthen Monrovia’s vibrant arts community.  Go to monroviafinearts.org/Donate to make your donation today.

It's Easy to Register for Your Resale Number 

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 the Directory. Find your name and upload your contact information, web address, photos and artist statement to promote your work.

Our Mission

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The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts is a 501(c)(3)non-profit organization.

Our mailing address:

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts

433 W. Foothill Blvd, Monrovia CA 91016

(760) 908-8058

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