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Thank You for Celebrating with GCAC!

We would like to thank everyone who joined us at Grand Central Art Center this past Saturday night to celebrate the 2012-2013 Season Opening Reception.

Martin Durazo, Claudia Huiza, Mary Leigh Cherry, Tony de los Reyes, John Spiak, Nancy Popp, Deb Klowden Mann

Martin Durazo, Claudia Huiza, Mary Leigh Cherry, Tony de los Reyes, John Spiak, Nancy Popp, Deb Klowden Mann

It was a wonderful evening celebrated by friends of GCAC, both long time supporters and individual’s visits us for the very first time.

Patrons enjoying Tony de los Reyes exhibition.

Patrons enjoying Tony de los Reyes exhibition.

Along with the three exhibiting artists, Tony de los Reyes, Constantin Hartenstein and Erin Morrison, we were joined by many institutional colleagues for the successful event, including: Sarah Bancroft, Orange County Museum of Art;  Julie Lee, Bowers Museum; Jocelyn Tetel, Skirball Cultural Center; Tyler Stallings, Sweeney Art Gallery at University of California, Riverside; Leslie Ito, California Community Foundation; Cassandra Coblentz, Independent Curator; David Michael Lee, Coastline Community College Art Gallery and Chapman University Collection; gallery owners Mary Leigh Cherry of Cherry and Martin Gallery in Culver City and Deb Klowden Mann of Gallery KM in Santa Monica; writers/critics Liz Goldner, Julie Friedman, Bill Bush; numerous collectors and patrons; plus outstanding artists including:  Nancy Popp,  Matthew Moore, Carrie Marill, Martin Durazo, Micol Hebron,  LG Williams, Nobuhito Nishigawara, upcoming GCAC Artist in Residence  Saskia Jorda, among many others;  and students and educators from across southern California.

LG Williams, Julia Friedman, Erin Morrison, Saskia Jorda, Matthew Moore, Carrie Marill, Mary Leigh Cherry, Tony de los Reyes, Bill and Inez Bush

LG Williams, Julia Friedman, Erin Morrison, Saskia Jorda, Matthew Moore, Carrie Marill, Mary Leigh Cherry, Tony de los Reyes, Bill and Inez Bush

If you missed the evening, we invite you to visit Grand Central Art Center in the coming weeks to see these three remarkable exhibitions for yourself.   We also thought you might enjoy a few more images of the reception activities below.

The evening also included the opportunity to visit CSUF MFA  Grand Central Art Center residents who opened their studio spaces to the public for the evening.

Patrons enjoying the studio and artwork of CSUF MFA student and GCAC resident Sara Dehghan.

Patrons enjoying the studio and artwork of CSUF MFA student and GCAC resident Sara Dehghan.

Patrons enjoying the studio and artwork of CSUF MFA student and GCAC resident Sara Dehghan.

Patrons enjoying the studio and artwork of CSUF MFA student and GCAC resident Sara Dehghan.

With the season kicked off, we are now focused on our community, educational and outreach programming.  Many announcements will be made in the coming weeks, so keep posted as additional programs and events are confirmed.

The first day of the official new season started on the right note, with a day long visit to Grand Central Art Center, arranged by Joe Forkan, Associate Professor of Foundations and Drawing, for his California State University Fullerton MFA and BFA drawing and painting students.   Joe spent quality time with his students talking about the light qualities of Southern California, encouraging them to view the world in person instead of through a lens, and explaining how to create depth within a work of art.   He used his skill to demonstrate his thoughts on canvas, sharing with his student’s techniques that this skilled artist uses in his own outstanding work.   With this shared knowledge, the students dispersed across the Grand Central Art Center 2nd Street Promenade and began to create their own works, capturing elements of the downtown Santa Ana urban landscape.

Joe Forkan's CSUF Class

Joe Forkan’s CSUF Class

Joe Forkan's CSUF Class

Joe Forkan’s CSUF Class

Joe Forkan's CSUF Class

Joe Forkan’s CSUF Class

This is the environment in which Grand Central Art Center exists and thrives.   It is a balance of education, outreach, shared experience and inspiration for our CSUF campus, GCAC Resident, Santa Ana, Orange County, national and international communities through contemporary art.   It bridges generations, cultures, ethnicity and gender, celebrating the diversity in humankind – developing programming that connect us with one another and help us to understand the world around us in deeper and more meaningful ways, through exhibitions – artist in residence, public programs and engagement.

We look forward to having you connect with us!