The Chula Vista Art Guild celebrated both its 70th anniversary and a new partnership with Southwestern Community College on June 6 with a reception and opening of an art exhibit held at the college’s art gallery.
Dignitaries from Chula Vista and San Diego County were present to honor the event.
“We thank the Chula Vista Art Guild for service to the community,” San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox said, further noting that June 6 was officially declared Chula Vista Art Guild Day.
“It’s important to have a lively arts community,” Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas added. “It brings interest and economic development to Chula Vista.”
Salas mentioned that there will soon be an arts manager for the city of Chula Vista to develop a master plan to promote all types of art in the city. On a personal note, Salas said that her mother was an amateur artist who belonged to the Chula Vista Art Guild.
The art show was juried. Honorable mentions were given to Katarzyna Lappin and Teri McMurray, third place to Bobbie Tatreau, second place to Susan Osborn and first place to Teresa Teran.
Teran explained that she is new to painting and began her art in response to dealing with the aftermath of her father’s death. Her award-winning painting is of Teran’s grandfather.
Lappin painted a landscape in the spirit of the founders, including well-known California impressionist Alfred Mitchell, who started the Guild in 1945.
Guild exhibition chairman Gene Clement put up the show along with Vallo Riberto, SWCC gallery director. The art in the exhibit is eclectic, including oils, pastels, acrylics and watercolors. Tatreau used a medium called scratchboard.
Much of the art reflects the world of Chula Vista and San Diego County, including a harbor scene, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, the mall, “Beach Chat,” “Sunset in IB” and family members of the artists.
As the only art guild serving the South Bay, Chula Vista Art Guild has an important role in bringing the arts to the community. The Guild provides free or low-cost activities, such as monthly art demonstrations, art exhibits and workshops that encourage creativity and innovation. It encourages interest in the arts and new opportunities for community artists of all mediums and ages. The support of the city of Chula Vista and County of San Diego is instrumental in bringing these events to the community.
“Our newly formed partnership with Southwestern Community College opens exciting possibilities for both organizations and for our community’s young emerging artists,” Chula Vista Art Guild President Carol Nottley explained.
The Guild is pleased to form a relationship with SWCC from which students can benefit; the group presented a scholarship and art supplies to a SWCC student this spring.
The Chula Vista Guild Art exhibit is open through June 20 in the college’s art gallery (building 401). The college is located at 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista. The gallery is located on the west side of the campus near Mayan Hall. The gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
