Four delectable delights not to be missed at McGroarty Arts Center

McGroarty’s second annual Art Fair takes place on Saturday, March 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.  This free event will feature arts vendors, live entertainment, a bake sale, and other refreshments.  Eighteen artisans and arts organizations will be selling artwork, including paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and woodcrafts; this year, Tierra del Sol and the California Center for the Arts Eagle Rock will be among the participants.Live musical performances will take place on an outdoor stage as follows:• Beachcomber Kate – 11 a.m.• Refugio Instrumental Blues Band -  11:45 a.m.• The Honey-Lulus - 12:40 p.m.• The Viva Vinson All-Star Trio - 1:30 p.m.These days, William Hartdegen enjoys working in acrylic paints and drawing a variety of subjects, including various scenes inspired by McGroarty’s splendid natural setting; although for most of his life, he was just too busy working as a structural engineer and raising a family to devote much time to his artwork.  Since 1999, however, Hartdegen began taking classes at McGroarty and discovered a new passion, namely art.  The Chef, his painting in the current exhibit, is a portrayal of his grandson, who is a professional chef.  Hartdegen worked from various photos to capture the essence of his grandson, bringing his family into the picture, with flavorful panache.A native Californian, Nancy LaCroix-Toyne has several paintings in the current exhibit.  Besides “Good Morning”, an oil painting that focuses on an inviting cup of Joe, LaCroix-Toyne has also depicted an enticing breakfast scene entitled Caution Contents Hot, and Red Vines licorice in her other artworks.  For thirty years, the artist has worked as a mechanical designer involved with theme park rides and special effects, as well as products and manufacturing equipment.  Actively involved in McGroarty’s arts community, LaCroix-Toyne has previously participated in the center’s various other exhibits, and has successfully sold her paintings to patrons in the U.S. and various other countries.View the list »
Egg Pan Hob, an oil painting on paper, is among the newest paintings by artist Danielle Eubank.  On exhibit in McGroarty’s upstairs gallery space, the painting ties in perfectly with the food-related theme of “Bite Me.”  Although the subjects of Eubank’s paintings are varied, she has become particularly well known for her waterscapes.  Having spent countless hours studying the ocean, including her experiences as an expedition artist aboard the Phoenicia, a replica ship built much like a 2600-year-old trading vessel, Eubank possesses invaluable insight about the mystery and majesty of the sea.  She will soon begin working on a series of large-scale paintings related to water, with Los Angeles as a direct tie-in.

Arts & Exhibits newsletter

“Bite Me”, the current exhibit at McGroarty Arts Center continues through Saturday, March 23rd. Curated by Danielle Eubank, the show includes the work of forty-two local artists who share their perspective on a variety of food-related themes--social, political, economic and cultural, to name a few. Eubank, a successful visual artist in her own right, was impressed by the extensive response of artists eager to participate in the show, as well as the overall community’s enthusiasm. For some, the exhibit has been a great opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve learned at McGroarty; over the last few decades, since the center was founded in 1953, a variety of classes in the performing and fine arts have been offered. Even as Eubank presses forward in her own artistic endeavors—her artwork is included in this year’s Pasadena Showcase House, and she’ll be painting at the Henley Royal Regatta this July—she’s made time to teach a couple of classes at McGroarty this spring, including Plein Air Painting and Drawing, and one in oil painting. McGroarty’s lush outdoor surrounding makes the plein air class particularly suitable, she explained. On Saturday, Eubank plans to be on hand to meet with visitors to the arts center and further discuss the pieces in the exhibit.
“Choosing this (food-related) theme was the best idea,” she said. “It really gave the artists something to sink their teeth into.”

Related topics

Advertisement
View the list
  • Egg Pan Hob, an oil painting on paper, is among the newest paintings by artist Danielle Eubank.  On exhibit in McGroarty’s upstairs gallery space, the painting ties in perfectly with the food-related theme of “Bite Me.”  Although the subjects of Eubank’s paintings are varied, she has become particularly well known for her waterscapes.  Having spent countless hours studying the ocean, including her experiences as an expedition artist aboard the Phoenicia, a replica ship built much like a 2600-year-old trading vessel, Eubank possesses invaluable insight about the mystery and majesty of the sea.  She will soon begin working on a series of large-scale paintings related to water, with Los Angeles as a direct tie-in.
  • A native Californian, Nancy LaCroix-Toyne has several paintings in the current exhibit.  Besides “Good Morning”, an oil painting that focuses on an inviting cup of Joe, LaCroix-Toyne has also depicted an enticing breakfast scene entitled Caution Contents Hot, and Red Vines licorice in her other artworks.  For thirty years, the artist has worked as a mechanical designer involved with theme park rides and special effects, as well as products and manufacturing equipment.  Actively involved in McGroarty’s arts community, LaCroix-Toyne has previously participated in the center’s various other exhibits, and has successfully sold her paintings to patrons in the U.S. and various other countries.
  • These days, William Hartdegen enjoys working in acrylic paints and drawing a variety of subjects, including various scenes inspired by McGroarty’s splendid natural setting; although for most of his life, he was just too busy working as a structural engineer and raising a family to devote much time to his artwork.  Since 1999, however, Hartdegen began taking classes at McGroarty and discovered a new passion, namely art.  The Chef, his painting in the current exhibit, is a portrayal of his grandson, who is a professional chef.  Hartdegen worked from various photos to capture the essence of his grandson, bringing his family into the picture, with flavorful panache.
  • McGroarty’s second annual Art Fair takes place on Saturday, March 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.  This free event will feature arts vendors, live entertainment, a bake sale, and other refreshments.  Eighteen artisans and arts organizations will be selling artwork, including paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and woodcrafts; this year, Tierra del Sol and the California Center for the Arts Eagle Rock will be among the participants.Live musical performances will take place on an outdoor stage as follows:• Beachcomber Kate – 11 a.m.• Refugio Instrumental Blues Band -  11:45 a.m.• The Honey-Lulus - 12:40 p.m.• The Viva Vinson All-Star Trio - 1:30 p.m.
View the list
Suggested by the author:

, Arts & Exhibits Examiner

Christine Zeiger, a voracious reader and mother of three, is a former New Yorker who grew up in Harlem. An alumna of the University of Arizona, she worked briefly in the entertainment industry before embarking on a career in journalism. She has been a freelance writer for the Los Angeles Times,...

Advertisement

Today's top buzz...