Plein air artist Cedric Williams invites the public to his art reception, Saturday, February 22, 1-3pm, as the latest artist-in-resident at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts (19501 Redwood Road). Award-winning plein-air artist, Williams works mainly in oils, often using a thick paint application with a palette knife to top off his works. He excels in painting hidden spots of beauty in the Bay Area such as Dolores Park. Williams’ enthusiasm for art is infectious and he welcomes the opportunity to talk about his process. If clients have a special request for a painting, he accepts commissions. Williams has been painting since he was six years old, encouraged by his parents and later his public-school teachers. He lives in Hayward with his wife Apple and two children and works at UCSF.

The public is invited to a very special Art Reception and sale for the extensive works of Castro Valley’s Betty Loeffler, Sunday, December 1, from 3:00- 5:00 pm at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts (19501 Redwood Road).  Betty’s  work which includes handmade paper, prints, and monotypes spans almost 100 years. 

Betty and her husband, Dr. Robert Loeffler, moved to Castro Valley in 1960.  They raised their five daughters in Castro Valley and Bob opened his plastic surgery practice there.  Both Loefflers  were actively involved in the Bay Area art community, garnering awards along the way.  Betty was influenced and studied under Lundy Seaquist and took workshops from Mel Ramos and Wayne Thiebaud. Betty died in 2022. 

Daughter Pam Holloway shares, “This is an opportunity to have an original piece of art at a very reasonable price. Most important to the family is that  Mom’s work be out in the world bringing people joy.”  There are framed and unframed offerings. Refreshments will be served.  Artist and curator Susan Sarti will play piano and photographer Bruce Cassaday will accompany on trumpet. Any questions, please call 808-754-0393.

Come meet Oakland textile artist Alice Beasley and Berkeley illustrator and urban sketcher Cathy Raingarden at their NOT TO BE MISSED art reception in the Exhibition Room at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 2, 3:30-5:00pm.  Local artist and musician Susan Sarti will entertain with jazz piano and refreshments will be served.   

Alice’s quilts celebrate the human condition in pieces that both intrigue and inspire the viewer.  She comments, “I am often drawn to telling hard facts with this soft medium; reveling in the irony of making political statements using grandma’s tools.”  Black History Month and the politicians in the news are the subjects of many of the quilts on display.  

Alice’s work has been exhibited in many venues throughout the United States including the de Young Museum in San Francisco, The Textile Museum in Washington, D.C., the American Folk Art Museum in New York City, and the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, as well as abroad in Madrid, France, Japan, Namibia, and Croatia.  Her work has been purchased or commissioned by the City and County of San Francisco, the de Young Museum, the United States Embassy, the County of Alameda, Kaiser Hospital, Highland Hospital, and the Sunnyvale Medical Centre.

Cathy Raingarden’s sketches of familiar Castro Valley haunts such as Rudy’s Donut House, Al’s Market, and Lake Chabot fill the Lobby of the Center for the Arts.  Cathy’s subjects are anywhere she wanders.  This past year’s inspirations included New Zealand, Columbia, all over the Bay Area, and always Castro Valley where she used to live.  Cathy has a full page in every issue of THE VALLEY, always a Castro Valley scene, and this month it is of the Castro Valley Center for the Arts.  Cathy explains that urban sketchers draw from real life rather than in a studio.  Last year she filled a dozen sketchbooks, “from the mundane to the marvelous.”  Cathy’s enthusiasm for sketching is infectious.  She hosts a monthly group, First Saturday Urban Sketching, and would love to talk to guests about how to get started.  Her materials are on display.   

All featured works of art are for sale. A portion of the sales will go to the Castro Valley Arts Foundation toward supporting arts in the school and community.

Award winning artist Gerald Thompson captures 27 intriguing subjects in a new exhibit titled ‘Visual Odyssey.’ An Artist Reception will be held Tuesday, May 16, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the H.A.R.D. District Office (1099 E Street, Hayward). This free exhibit is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.

Castro Valley’s newest art gallery, at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts (19501 Redwood Road),  invites everyone for a Meet and Greet, Sunday, February  26, 12:00-2:00p.m. featuring the works of Denise Oyama Miller and Lynne Shephard.

Denise’s show, Fantastic Fibers, features innovative work based on West Coast landscapes and designs based on Nature. Denise explains, “Nature is a source of constant  inspiration, and I look for patterns, textures and color combinations that can be interpreted in fabric.”  She  has shown her work nationally and internationally, had pieces accepted at the Triennial of Tapestry in Lodz, Poland, Quilt National and Quilt Visions. Denise lives and works in Fremont.

Lynne Shephard is an abstract artist. “ I am an artist.  I am a journeyman.  For me, the path through a painting  is always a visual adventure.  I strive for an expression of wonder and presence.”  Lynne grew up in San Leandro, but has lived in Livermore for the past 50 years. She enjoys teaching private students.

Curator, and artist herself, Susan Sarti brings these esteemed artists to Castro Valley. “We have rotating exhibits in the Lobby and the Exhibition Room showcasing both Bay Area artists and Castro Valley High School student artists.”  She adds that it is unusual for artists to have such a large space to exhibit multiple large scale pieces. Conducting Master Classes, the artists share their talents with CVHS teacher Jennifer Parker’s art classes.  Jennifer comments, “It is fantastic for our students to meet real artists, learn new techniques and hear the artist’s personal journeys.”

Normally, access is limited to events within the Center for the Arts or by appointment. (510-889-8961) This is a special time, open to the public at large.

Artists' Reception, membership meeting and election of officers

Friday, February 10, 2023 from 5:30-7:30 PM

John O'Lague Galleria at City Hall, 777 B street, downtown Hayward 

Light refreshments and music

The Board approved slate of candidates are: President, Heather Reyes; Vice-President, Bruce Roberts; Treasurer, Ed Keller; Secretary, Suzanne Philis; Webmaster, Jeanne Bertolina.

Other candidates who seek a Board Office may nominate themselves or others at the Membership Meeting. Nominations which are seconded will be voted upon.

Hayward Arts Council presents "Fragments" at Hayward City Hall John O'Lague Galleria showcasing the fantastic works of the group 7+1 Collective composed of local artists Elinor Cheung, Deborah Dodge, Deanna Gibbons, Renee Kelly, Judith Kneeter, Katheryn Page, Ruey Lin Syrop, and Yu Yan Wee. The exhibition runs until January 19. An artists' reception to meet and greet the artists open to the public will be held on Thursday, December 15 from 5:30-7:30pm.