Monthly Meetings
📅 Schedule:
Meetings are held on the fourth Saturday of each month from 2:00–4:00 PM, except in November and December.
📍Location:
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church (3051 Putnam Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523)
Participation:
Members: Attendance is free, and no RSVP is required.
Non-members: Please reserve your place in advance by contacting us at eastbayartistsguild@yahoo.com
Guidelines for Attendees:
Members are welcome to bring one guest.
New members are encouraged to bring their most recent artwork to share.
All members are asked to contribute a snack or beverage (complimentary water will be provided).
Latest Monthly Meeting
September “Landa Ruen” with Las Juntas ~ East Bay Artists Guild!
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025, 2 PM.
Landa Ruen is a Bay Area artist and licensed art educator with 14+ years of experience in drawing, painting, and ceramics. She creates watercolor kits, videos, and classes that inspire people of all ages to enjoy the art-making process. www.landaruenart.com
2025
January: Welcome & Introductions (Lorna), Updates on Exhibition Venues (Lia). “Sharing Art & Inspirations”: Bring your art or inspirations to share and discuss as a group!
February: Field trip to the Arts Benicia to explore Forma Natura, a nature-inspired juried show, and In Remembrance, honoring artist Lowell Dalton's legacy.
March: Presentation by Jenny Balisle and Esther Soto from ARTSCCC to learn about their mission to support local artists in Contra Costa County.
April: Presentation by Vicki Assegued, who inspired us with her beautiful fiber art made from recycled materials.
May: Members “Show & Share” artwork, creative process, and inspirations, followed by an informal discussion on activities for the remainder of 2025.
June: Presentation by Pat Viera, a self-taught artist known for vibrant paper art using gel plate prints.
July: "Field Trip: Seeing Differently" at Moraga Art Gallery features Wenda Pyman, Judith Rohrer & 20+ artists. Located in Rheem Shopping Center — art, gifts & creativity in many forms.
August: " Nancy Roberts" Featuring Nancy Roberts — bold color, dynamic design, and a fresh spin on landscapes!
September: " Landa Ruen" Presentation by Landa Ruen, a Bay Area artist and educator, specializing in drawing, painting, and ceramics. She offers watercolor kits, videos, and classes that spark joy in art!
2024
January: Members “Show & Share” their artwork, creative process, and inspirations.
February: Presentation and demonstration by Melissa Stephens, encaustic painter and mixed-media artist.
March: Presentation and demonstration by guild member Raf Podowski, surrealist artist and sculptor.
April: Presentation and demonstration by Donna Brown, printmaker, woodcuts, linocuts, etchings, monoprints, and screen prints artist.
May: Members “Show & Share” artwork, creative process, and inspirations, followed by an informal discussion on activities for the remainder of 2024.
June: Who inspires you to make art? When did you start doing art? Members discussed their favorite artist(s), why they inspired them, and when their own creative endeavors began.
July: Field trip to the Bedford Gallery, Cut Paste Create show, celebrating the deft use of materials and creative spirit of collage.
August: Members “Show & Share” artwork, creative process, and inspirations. Bring pieces to photograph for your Members' Gallery page and work together to create your artist statement. More info about ARTSCCC's plans for supporting all artists in Contra Costa County.
September: Lunch at Artist Lorna's home, then off to visit the Saint Mary's College Museum of Art.
October: Share your creativity by showcasing your finished or in-progress work, or tell us about the artist(s) who inspire you and why!
2023
January: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
February: Sue Ballenger, watercolor, gouache, and acrylic artist. Demonstration on approach to working light to dark, building up translucent washes of color.
March: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
April: Peggy Magovern, pencil artist. Demonstration on approach, subject matter, method and inspiration.
May: Review of the Guild website and members’ “Show & Share” their artwork.
June: Members share images (print images, books) of their favorite artists (alive or passed) and their artwork inspired by those artists.
July: Members visit the Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, for a docent-led tour of the show Sight Unseen: International Photography by Blind Artists.
August: Portrait artist Seema Mahboob, presented her work in oil, watercolor, and charcoal and provided a demo of her process to create a portrait.
September: Guild “Annual Art Supplies Garage Sale” to raise proceeds for the guild general fund and members to “Show & Share” their artwork.
October: Colleen Gianatiempo, multi-media artist, shared her artistic journey to become a professional artist, and provided a demo of her creative process using acrylic and everyday objects to create a collage.
2022
January: Terry Enlow, photographer. Digital photography presentation.
February: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
March: Aissa Markey, collage artist, leads blind contour drawing and collage activity.
April: Members share historical artists or friends’ work that inspires their own work.
May: Lucy Beck, photographer. Demonstration of her creative process and technique with live flowers.
June: Members share artwork by family members.
July: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
August: Martin Biro, fine art painter and silversmith. History of silver, value, vintage, and restoration presentation.
September: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
October: Members’ annual “Art Supplies Garage Sale”. Proceeds benefit the LJ-EBAG general fund.
2021
January: Elizabeth Kennen, watercolor artist. Watercolor pencils presentation.
February: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
March: Lisa Fulmer, artist, marketing consultant. How to research, develop, implement, analyze ideas, and make a realistic marketing plan presentation.
April: Members share historical artists or friends’ work that inspires their own work.
May: Marylynne Nicholson, oil/acrylic artist and art instructor. Present what she loves to paint and tips, and techniques for beginning a painting.
June: Jeslyn Kate Sebold, Block Print artist. Presenting in a “cooking show style” format, demonstrating the start of carving each block and sharing finished pieces.
July: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
August: Tess Felix, contemporary artist using ocean plastic debris found among coastlines, presentation.
September: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
October: Samantha McNally, watercolor artist. Watercolor technique and subject matter presentation.
2020
January: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
February: Nancy Roberts, Artist, Art Instructor - Acrylic paint techniques.
March: Members share favorite artist(s) that inspire their work.
April: No meeting.
May: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
June: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
July: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
August: Members “Show & Share” their artwork.
September: Tesia Blackburn, artist and teacher. Demonstration on the use of Golden products, techniques, and color.
October: “Silent Auction” of members’ artwork. Proceeds benefit LJ~EBAG and the community program.
Visit the Newsletter page for previous Monthly Meeting activities and presenters.