SPECIAL CHAC HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW - DEC. 1 - 30 

INCLUDING WORK BY GUEST ARTISTS: GRETCHEN BARTON, CERAMIC MUSHROOMS; PAT NESS DE'FAY, ASTRAL GEMS; AND LENA BULLAMORE, PAINTINGS

CHAC will have an opening reception on Dec. 1, Saturday, from 5 to 7 pm.  Come and meet the artists, enjoy going over the wonderful display of work by the guest artists, as well as the CHAC member artists, especially chosen to suit the holiday spirit and your gift-giving considerations.  You will enjoy the Pop-Expressionism of our local guest artist, Lena Bullamore--a selected painting is shown below.  

We also want to invite you to the Dec. 15, Point Arena Hometown Holidays event, where local merchants host special evening shopping hours from 3 to 7 pm.  The CHAC gallery will be open all day from 11 am to 7 pm.

Another featured even during the Holiday shopping season is a pop-up fashion show by Hatz Gallore, with Mary Thomas, to be held in the CHAC gallery on Dec. 6, during our regular gallery hours of 11 am - 5 pm.  Please join us for this exciting fashion event.

Pop Art by Lena

Pop art by Lena

Deborah Threlkel, Abalone Queen Jewelry -Carolyn Zeitler, Woven Baskets

The October show will be on exhibit from Oct. 5 until Oct. 28. Regular gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 284 Main St., Point Arena, the little red building with the big yellow sun next door to the Redwood Credit Union.

The Coast Highway Art Collective in Point Arena ushers in the fall with an opening reception exhibiting intricately woven baskets and delicate abalone jewelry. The show features the distinctive works of local artists Carolyn Zeitler and Deborah Threlkel. An opening reception for the show is on Friday, October 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, located at 284 Main St., Point Arena. The public is invited to meet the artists and enjoy a glass of wine and small bites.

Carolyn Zeitler graduated from San Jose State University in 1976 with a degree in ceramics and weaving. She began working as a United State Forest Service fire look-out in Big Sur in 1979 and started making baskets with the native Coulter Pine needles. Her baskets evolved, as a kind of marriage combining her two loves – clay and fiber.

Deborah Threlkel, aka the Abalone Queen, began making jewelry 20-years ago. Seven years ago, when she moved to the Mendocino Coast, her focus honed-in exclusively to abalone jewelry. Threlkel creates unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry influenced by the structure, color, texture and iridescence of the shells and stones she works with. An inveterate collector, she is continually inspired to turn treasure polished smooth by the ocean into wearable works of art

  

Brenda Philips - Chris Grassano

Pottery and Oil Painting Artists

Into The Wild

Natural beauty of Mendonoma featured in new art show

A new art exhibit opens at the Coast Highway Art Collective in Point Arena on Saturday, September 1 from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring new and favorite works by local artists Brenda Phillips and Chris Grassano. Working with the theme “Into the Wild,” Phillips and Grassano explore wildlife as art and inspiration. 

Phillips is well known in the area for her beautiful functional ceramics and her technical skill with glazes. She often uses molds of animals and objects found in nature to add texture and contrast to her pieces. Creativity is a hallmark for Phillips, who created a mold of an elephant from her mother’s bookends and applied it to canisters and bowls. Using shells she has collected over time, Phillips created various molds and applied the results to larger bowls and platters, adding texture and interest. In addition, Phillips has designed a series of soup or salad bowls using fish molds she designed herself. Phillips says “my favorite design is octopi on plates, which are purple on a black background.” 

Sharing the opening with Phillips is Chris Grassano, who lives in Cazadero. Her life-like oil paintings of birds and animals are so realistic, viewers almost expect the creatures to fly or run right off the canvas. Grassano explains "My oil paintings of nature focus on the birds and animals I encounter near my home under the Redwoods and throughout the North Coast. My goal is to capture in paint, the feeling of excitement and wonder in the moment the I first see the animal. I hope my images translate my deep love of the natural world so that those who view these paintings get these same wondrous feelings.

"Tasty snacks, wine and beverages will be available during the opening reception on Sept. 1.  “Into the Wild” will be on exhibit from Sept. 1 – 30 at the Coast Highway Art Collective, 284 Main St., Point Arena, the little red building next to the Redwood Credit Union. Regular hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to relax in the garden at the front of the building while enjoying the paintings, textiles, photography, woodwork, jewelry and greeting cards inside. For additional information, see the website at  www.coast-highway-artists.com. 

Please mark your calendars and join us at this fun opening exhibit for Brenda and Chris.  Stay tuned and come back here to our home page for more examples of the artists' work and further details.

Emma Hurley & Debbe Hull Exhibit Reception

Fri. Aug. 3, was the CHAC gallery's open reception for the new August Exhibit, featuring local visiting artists Emma Hurley and Debbe Hull. It was a wonderful evening, and we had a very good turnout by local and touring art lovers. We've tried to capture some of the enthusiasm and inspiration of the artists in a short video as they walk us through the highlights of their exhibit pieces. For those who missed the reception we hope you will drop by the gallery on any Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM, during the entire month of August. The artists have set some very reasonable prices for their superb work.

AUGUST EXHIBIT - DEBBE HULL & EMMA HURLEY

 Debbe and Emma are two invited local artists who have exhibited earlier in the CHAC gallery and have been very popular with patrons of the gallery.  Debbie creates the most exotic, exciting lampwork beads jewelry that might be found, anywhere, including at the most tony, boutique shops here, or in mysterious foreign bazaars!  And all are attractively priced and within sensible budgets for gift giving.  Emma's ceramic ware exhibits all the hues of the ocean and seashore, and may be embellished with attractive drawings of maritime life. She also designs and produces marine life themed wearing apparel, and donates a portion of her earnings to marine sustainability non-profit organizations.  Mark you calendars for the exhibit opening, Friday, Aug. 3, with a reception from 5 to 7 PM.  Our receptions are always well attended by locals and visitors.  Food and beverages are provided by the gallery, and the featured artists.

Debbe Hull's Themed Necklaces

Debbe Hull's Pendant Necklaces

Debbe Hull's Lampwork Beads

 Ceramic bowl by Emma

 Ceramic pot by Emma

 Ceramic kelp cup by Emma

LS tee shirt with fish prints by Emma

 VIEW THE MICHAEL CONNOR COLLECTION

Michael is one of our newer, local member artists.  Michael is a well known American artist best known for his abstract painting projects. His work uniquely examines the relationship between form and fluidity. Come by our gallery and see some of his paintings.  The following are selected from his wide collection; those currently on display are chosen especially for this month's exhibit.

Whalalaland: Rolling. 30X48 Acrylic on Canvas

Whalalaland: Rough Waters. 30X48 Acrylic on Canvas

Into the Wild

Coast Highway Art Collective

Opening reception for two artists and a group exhibit at The White Cap Café

The Coast Highway Art Collective in Point Arena ushers in the fall with an opening reception exhibiting intricately woven baskets and delicate abalone jewelry. The show features the distinctive works of local artists Carolyn Zeitler and Deborah Threlkel. An opening reception for the show is on Friday, October 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, located at 284 Main St., Point Arena. The public is invited to meet the artists and enjoy a glass of wine and small bites.

An additional show featuring the works of all Collective member will be on exhibit during the month of October at the White Cap Café during regular café hours. The café is located at 35509 Hwy. 1 (630.46 mi) in Anchor Bay. Visit their website for more information at www.facebook.com/whitecapcoffeeandtea.

Carolyn Zeitler graduated from San Jose State University in 1976 with a degree in ceramics and weaving. She began working as a United State Forest Service fire look-out in Big Sur in 1979 and started making baskets with the native Coulter Pine needles. Her baskets evolved, as a kind of marriage combining her two loves – clay and fiber.

She has worked exclusively with pine needles for close to 40 years.  Zeitler says “My only tools are my hands and a needle. The repetitive rhythm of the stitches becomes a kind of meditation. It’s amazing that one can take a material as mundane as a pine needle and create something that celebrates its beauty and strength. There are inherent limitations to the medium that create a challenge to search beyond its boundaries for something that reflects both the tradition of craft and the innovation of art.”

In 2016, Zeitler spent three months in Japan, culminating years as a passionate student of Japanese culture, art and language.  There, she studied the language and absorbed the culture. “My new works incorporate my love of Japanese language, Japanese calligraphy, haiku, papermaking and pine needles, of course. I love this new direction. It opens up a whole new way of using color, text and designs that was not possible just using pine needles,” says Zeitler.

Deborah Threlkel, aka the Abalone Queen, began making jewelry 20-years ago. Seven years ago, when she moved to the Mendocino Coast, her focus honed-in exclusively to abalone jewelry. Threlkel creates unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry influenced by the structure, color, texture and iridescence of the shells and stones she works with. An inveterate collector, she is continually inspired to turn treasure polished smooth by the ocean into wearable works of art.

Threlkel sources the majority of the shells by beach combing the Northern California coast. She also uses vintage and exotic shells and beads from places like Tasmania, Russia and Madagascar. Each piece of jewelry is individually crafted around the shells being used. Designed to last, she gathers, sorts, drills and wire wraps abalone and shells combined with gemstones, 14k gold, gold fill and sterling silver. With no two pieces alike, the result is like a small wearable sculpture. “I love the process that brings me to a completed necklace or pair of earrings knowing that Abalone Queen jewelry will feel like you are wearing the ocean,” says Threlkel.

The October show will be on exhibit from Oct. 5 until Oct. 28. Regular gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 284 Main St., Point Arena, the little red building with the big yellow sun next door to the Redwood Credit Union.

Coast Highway Art Collective

Opening reception for two artists and a group exhibit at The White Cap Café

The Coast Highway Art Collective in Point Arena ushers in the fall with an opening reception exhibiting intricately woven baskets and delicate abalone jewelry. The show features the distinctive works of local artists Carolyn Zeitler and Deborah Threlkel. An opening reception for the show is on Friday, October 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, located at 284 Main St., Point Arena. The public is invited to meet the artists and enjoy a glass of wine and small bites.

An additional show featuring the works of all Collective member will be on exhibit during the month of October at the White Cap Café during regular café hours. The café is located at 35509 Hwy. 1 (630.46 mi) in Anchor Bay. Visit their website for more information at www.facebook.com/whitecapcoffeeandtea.

Carolyn Zeitler graduated from San Jose State University in 1976 with a degree in ceramics and weaving. She began working as a United State Forest Service fire look-out in Big Sur in 1979 and started making baskets with the native Coulter Pine needles. Her baskets evolved, as a kind of marriage combining her two loves – clay and fiber.

She has worked exclusively with pine needles for close to 40 years.  Zeitler says “My only tools are my hands and a needle. The repetitive rhythm of the stitches becomes a kind of meditation. It’s amazing that one can take a material as mundane as a pine needle and create something that celebrates its beauty and strength. There are inherent limitations to the medium that create a challenge to search beyond its boundaries for something that reflects both the tradition of craft and the innovation of art.”

In 2016, Zeitler spent three months in Japan, culminating years as a passionate student of Japanese culture, art and language.  There, she studied the language and absorbed the culture. “My new works incorporate my love of Japanese language, Japanese calligraphy, haiku, papermaking and pine needles, of course. I love this new direction. It opens up a whole new way of using color, text and designs that was not possible just using pine needles,” says Zeitler.

Deborah Threlkel, aka the Abalone Queen, began making jewelry 20-years ago. Seven years ago, when she moved to the Mendocino Coast, her focus honed-in exclusively to abalone jewelry. Threlkel creates unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry influenced by the structure, color, texture and iridescence of the shells and stones she works with. An inveterate collector, she is continually inspired to turn treasure polished smooth by the ocean into wearable works of art.

Threlkel sources the majority of the shells by beach combing the Northern California coast. She also uses vintage and exotic shells and beads from places like Tasmania, Russia and Madagascar. Each piece of jewelry is individually crafted around the shells being used. Designed to last, she gathers, sorts, drills and wire wraps abalone and shells combined with gemstones, 14k gold, gold fill and sterling silver. With no two pieces alike, the result is like a small wearable sculpture. “I love the process that brings me to a completed necklace or pair of earrings knowing that Abalone Queen jewelry will feel like you are wearing the ocean,” says Threlkel.

The October show will be on exhibit from Oct. 5 until Oct. 28. Regular gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 284 Main St., Point Arena, the little red building with the big yellow sun next door to the Redwood Credit Union.

The Coast Highway Art Collective in Point Arena ushers in the fall with an opening reception exhibiting intricately woven baskets and delicate abalone jewelry. The show features the distinctive works of local artists Carolyn Zeitler and Deborah Threlkel. An opening reception for the show is on Friday, October 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, located at 284 Main St., Point Arena. The public is invited to meet the artists and enjoy a glass of wine and small bites.

An additional show featuring the works of all Collective member will be on exhibit during the month of October at the White Cap Café during regular café hours. The café is located at 35509 Hwy. 1 (630.46 mi) in Anchor Bay. Visit their website for more information at www.facebook.com/whitecapcoffeeandtea.

Carolyn Zeitler graduated from San Jose State University in 1976 with a degree in ceramics and weaving. She began working as a United State Forest Service fire look-out in Big Sur in 1979 and started making baskets with the native Coulter Pine needles. Her baskets evolved, as a kind of marriage combining her two loves – clay and fiber.

She has worked exclusively with pine needles for close to 40 years.  Zeitler says “My only tools are my hands and a needle. The repetitive rhythm of the stitches becomes a kind of meditation. It’s amazing that one can take a material as mundane as a pine needle and create something that celebrates its beauty and strength. There are inherent limitations to the medium that create a challenge to search beyond its boundaries for something that reflects both the tradition of craft and the innovation of art.”

In 2016, Zeitler spent three months in Japan, culminating years as a passionate student of Japanese culture, art and language.  There, she studied the language and absorbed the culture. “My new works incorporate my love of Japanese language, Japanese calligraphy, haiku, papermaking and pine needles, of course. I love this new direction. It opens up a whole new way of using color, text and designs that was not possible just using pine needles,” says Zeitler.

Deborah Threlkel, aka the Abalone Queen, began making jewelry 20-years ago. Seven years ago, when she moved to the Mendocino Coast, her focus honed-in exclusively to abalone jewelry. Threlkel creates unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry influenced by the structure, color, texture and iridescence of the shells and stones she works with. An inveterate collector, she is continually inspired to turn treasure polished smooth by the ocean into wearable works of art.

Threlkel sources the majority of the shells by beach combing the Northern California coast. She also uses vintage and exotic shells and beads from places like Tasmania, Russia and Madagascar. Each piece of jewelry is individually crafted around the shells being used. Designed to last, she gathers, sorts, drills and wire wraps abalone and shells combined with gemstones, 14k gold, gold fill and sterling silver. With no two pieces alike, the result is like a small wearable sculpture. “I love the process that brings me to a completed necklace or pair of earrings knowing that Abalone Queen jewelry will feel like you are wearing the ocean,” says Threlkel.

Deborah Threlkel, aka the Abalone Queen, began making jewelry 20-years ago. Seven years ago, when she moved to the Mendocino Coast, her focus honed-in exclusively to abalone jewelry. Threlkel creates unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry influenced by the structure, color, texture and iridescence of the shells and stones she works with. An inveterate collector, she is continually inspired to turn treasure polished smooth by the ocean into wearable works of art.

Deborah Threlkel, aka the Abalone Queen, began making jewelry 20-years ago. Seven years ago, when she moved to the Mendocino Coast, her focus honed-in exclusively to abalone jewelry. Threlkel creates unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry influenced by the structure, color, texture and iridescence of the shells and stones she works with. An inveterate collector, she is continually inspired to turn treasure polished smooth by the ocean into wearable works of art.

NEW FINE ART WOOD CARVER

John Stickney

John Stickney has recently joined the Coast Highway Artists Collective, making avaliable to our Point Arena art gallery visitors a unique line of art work.

His art is focused on carving and furniture design.   All pieces are handmade and one of a kind.  He has a love for wood:  the grain, texture, and appearance, and is attracted to color, and has worked with toy dyes, and paint on wood.  He has worked on relief carvings of paintings by artists he admires, including Michelangelo, as his paintings read as sculpture. Recently, he has worked on album covers of bands from his youth.  In other woodworking, he has designed tables, beds, desks, lamps, a rocking horse, and many other architectural and interior furnishings.

Stickney works extensively in some of the more exotic hardwoods, for their color, grain, hardness, ability to take a high finish and their capacity to be carved with fine detail.   For larger pieces, he has used Basswood, Jelutong, Maple, Mahogany, and Redwood, as they are excellent for carving. Basswood, Maple and Jelutong show little grain are nearly white, allowing his exploration of color on their surfaces.  He enjoys working with Mahogany and Redwood, for their ease of carving and their inherent beauty.  

Stop in at our art gallery soon to view some of Stickney's latest pieces.

Carolyn's Table

Lady With a Blue Ribbon

Maskies

Picasso the Reader