Looking back at 2008

What a year 2008 has been, full of landmark anniversaries and new additions, special events and celebrations despite the economic turmoils of the times. Most notably, Chemers Gallery has kicked off our 30th Anniversary celebrations over the summer with our email partners. Exclusive to our email partners are events and special deals on artworks. One memorable event was a screening of "GREASE," the number one movie from 30 years ago, complete with pizza, beer, hot popcorn and candy. We can't wait to plan the next one! All of this is leading up to the big anniversary bash, set for spring 2009.

Cedar Way, North Laguna
Mary Aslin

We have welcomed so many new artists and artisans to Chemers Gallery, it's hard to keep track! Longtime client Pete Roberts now shows his beautiful watercolors with Chemers, and has introduced us to the work of Joseph Stoddard, another fabulous watercolorist. Early in 2008, award winning pastel artist Mary Aslin joined our artist family. A particular honor was to be chosen by Jacqueline Kamin to represent her traditional still lives after the closure of her own gallery, J Kamin Fine Art. Through our show for the Tustin Art League we discovered John Sawyer's beautiful California landscapes. From the east coast we have Scott Amrhein's dramatic glassware, and from San Francisco, Maria Mayr's playful still lives and landscapes. We have more jewelry now than ever, with great chunky necklaces by Jackie Jones, kinetic rings by Ithil Metal Works, delicate earrings and necklaces by Betty's Beads, and semi-precious stone concoctions by Amy Kekst.

Bush Lupine Study, Santa Barbary Country
Dave Chapple

We've also welcomed newer work from longtime favorites. Carol Jessen has sent us a beautifully rendered figure bathed in morning light, called "Mekong Light," along with her moody cityscapes. Leslie Lowinger sent us some wonderfully playful new "Walking Stick" etchings. If you look closely, you might see a witch on her broomstick in a few of the squares! Bonnie Holmes has been delighting us with her calm, soothing sea and riverscapes in a wonderful sherbert of colors. Jim Wodark has also kept busy throughout the year, producing gorgeous California landscapes in his characteristic style. Dave Chapple has recently introduced a new series of "Field Studies" in response to the economy. All are small works that are losely painted, affordable at under $1000. We've also continued to update our jewelry with Ayala Bar's new lines throughout the year.

Spray of Pink
Jacqueline Kamin

Chemers Gallery has hosted several special exhibitions thoughout 2008, from April's "Scenes of Tustin" exhibition in association with TACFA, to the Santa Ana College Invitational Show of Faculty and Student Work, from an intimate "Meet the Artists" evening with Bonnie Holmes and Mary Aslin, to an introduction of Jacqueline Kamin's elegant still lives and her daughter Stacy Kamin's vibrant figurative works. And of course, who could forget our 17th Annual Children's Book Illustrators' Show & Signing?

Now more than ever there is a need to support the arts, because the arts provide so much enrichment in our lives. The effects of the economy have been felt everywhere, including major art museums, some of whom are postponing special exhibitions until better times.

A sample of our economy line of frames

There is also a need to support your local small businesses during these difficult economic times. Chemers Gallery is more than happy to listen to your budget needs and work with you to make sure you and your wallet are happy. We have many items that are under $100, ranging from Soap Rocks to jewelry, ceramics and glassware to small artworks. For those larger items, we offer layaway options with no interest. For your framing needs, we have several economy lines of frames, so your frames will look like a million bucks without costing a million bucks.

Any requests or suggestions for events? Drop us a line or give us a call. We are always looking for innovative ideas!

Thank you to our loyal clients, wonderful artists and artisans, and all who have helped to make 2008 a momentous year!

Have a safe and healthy New Year!