The Porterville Art Association held its reception for artists entered in the judged show that is now hanging in the gallery on the afternoon of Sunday, June 11th. The number of people attending was amazing. If you didn't make it you really missed a good party. Vedra was away so I read the comments that judge Glen Hill made about the different winning art works. Glen also had some very nice remarks
about our gallery and the quality of artists represented in the show. Ellen Sprague won the "Best of Show" with her "Sunflowers" painting. Manuel Abod was our "Featured Artist" and we combined his reception with the show's. Manuel won the "Peoples Choice Award" with his "Closing the gate" painting. Manuel sold one painting before the afternoon was over and Nancy did a wonderful job with
the refreshments as usual. Thanks Nancy.

By-- Carol

Thongthip Champaheing again won the $300 art scholarship we sponsor through the Porterville Collage. Nancy presented it to her for the association.

Several sales have taken place during the last month and several more are pending. We congratulate these artists. Perhaps this will inspire some of us to work more.

GOURD CLASS AT VALERIE TYRRELL'S
Sat. July 8th. Noi Thomas will hold a gourd class for all levels of expertise. Description of the class is: Wood burning geometric. Carving using liquid inlay,dye, ink and acrylic on gourds. Cost of the class is $50.00. For reservations call Noi at 550-561-4452 or Valerie Tyrrell at 559-781-6364

Virginia Wilson will have a show of her photographs at the Arenas Gallery. Virginia's show called " A Journey" will start on June 25nd and run through July 22nd. Arenas Fine Art Gallery in Montgomery Square, 208 W. Main in downtown Visalia is the gallery. A reception for Virginia was on June 25th.

George Tanimoto will have a show there starting on Sept. 9th. We will have more information on this later.

Rebecca Grayson will conduct art classes this summer. Her children's classes will run from July 17th through July 21st. 9 AM to 12 PM for beginner to intermediate. Call Rebecca for more information at 782-8714. An adult class will start July 15th.

THIS AND THAT

Bob Bottoms had a very nice article in the Fresno Bee and George T. wants to know who he paid to get it in there! George also wants payment for the NICE things he said about Bob in the same article.

Vedra and Lawanda are both back after vacations . Don Hensley and family are off on a 2 week vacation.
Pearledna is out and bouncing around, not slowed down a bit from her surgery.

Steven Ball is recovering from back/neck surgery a month ago. We wish him well and we miss seeing his face at the gallery.

Bill Tungate is our new Vice President. I asked him for a bio for the newsletter. This is what he sent.

I was born in San Francisco and raised in the small peninsula community of San Carlos. I graduated from high school in 1965 and attended Chico State College. I was then drafted and served as a Medical Corpsman in the Army in Vietnam. I came home in 1972 and discovered wildland firefighting and later received anappointment with the U.S. Forest Service and eventually came to the Sequoia
National forest in 1984. As of June 30th. after 32 years, I will be officially retired.

I have always been an artist at heart and can't remember a time when I wasn't involved in it in some way. I got my first serious training in high school but didn't major in it in college. I enrolled at PC evening classes with Tom Howell and Darryl Nelson and thank them for the support they gave me.

I joined the Porterville Art Association in 1992 because I felt the need to associate with a community-based group of art-oriented people. I was accepted by the group immediately and was surprised at how easy it was to participate in the group's activities. I continue to be amazed at the commitment of PAA's members and at the quality of the artwork I see on our gallery's walls.

This group has come a long way since I first joined. We have attained non-profit status and our membership has practically doubled. We have members from all over the valley. We have our own gallery where we can display our work.

I am looking forward to the year ahead and having quality artists for you at our
meetings and workshops.

Bill