The Seguin Art League gets a New Building!

After years of looking for a permanent location for their non-profit organization, we have some exciting news to share! The Mandell Family of Houston graciously made it possible for the Seguin Art League to purchase the building at 104 S. Austin St. across from the old courthouse in Seguin. The Mandell Building once housed a family owned mercantile called Mendlowitz Brothers and was the Klein Opera House at the turn of the 20^th century. “I hope this building will bring happiness and prosperity to the Art League as it did for my family” said Leonard Mandell as he handed over the keys to the building.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the community of Guadalupe County and Seguin.” Said Robin Roberts Walker, president of the Seguin Art League. “Our building committee has worked for years to find the right property in Seguin and though this is a huge undertaking, our organization is excited to start renovations and repairs.” The two story building will immediately need work on the roof, the façade and the interior will have to be brought up to modern standards. “With help from the community, we will begin the process of creating an art center with gallery spaces, classrooms and meeting areas.” The Seguin Art League committees will be busy in the following months creating a master plan and most importantly, strategizing on fundraising.

The Mandell Building - new home of the Seguin Art League!

SAL worked closely with the Main Street director Kyle Kramm and former director Mary Jo Langford in identifying possible locations for the art league. “We are thrilled that at last this downtown property will be given a chance to serve our city and the surrounding communities. The Seguin Art League is the perfect fit for helping to bring art lovers to downtown Seguin.” Langford said. Current director Kyle Kramm added that “The City of Seguin and the Main Street program are excited for this announcement. The addition of the Seguin Art League downtown will insure that the heart of our community will serve as a cultural center and a destination worth visiting."

The community will be able to follow their progress and participate in fundraising efforts to help save the building by logging onto www.seguinartleague.com.

YULEFEST Time!

It's time once again for our annual YuleFest fundraiser! Join us at the Coliseum on Sunday, December 7th for arts & crafts and plenty of gifting items for the holiday season!

Winners Announced: Fantasy Show

We had a great turnout for our annual Fantasy show this year! From paintings to fiber art to sculpture - we thank everyone who submitted work to the show. Congratulations to our winners!

1st Place                       Howard Crunk           Kinsasha Boy

2nd Place                     Donna Maske             Koi

3rd Place                      Debbie Zengerle        The Same Hat/The Same Family

Honorable Mention     Prudy Kinsel              Diversity of Technique #2

Honorable Mention     Sandra Elbel Taylor   Calypso

Howard Crunk with his sculpture Kinsasha Boy

Donna Maske - "Koi"

Debbie Zengerle - "The Same Hat/The Same Family"

Prudy Kinsel - "Diversity of Techniqeu #2"

Sandra Elbel Taylor - "Calypso"

Thanks To: 

Guadalupe Regional Medical Center, Michele Rumbaut, and United Way for sponsoring this event.

Show Chair: Katie Salzmann 

Hanging crew: Howard Crunk

Hospitality: Kathleen Elbel and Sandra Taylor

Our judge for this event was Hithia Davis. Hithia is a screen printing artist who has been applying her technique for over 12 years. Most of her imagery focuses on people and everyday life situations. She graduated from Texas State University as a Fine Art major with a focus in Printmaking.

Winners Announced: As I See It

We had a some really great work submitted this year at our annual "As I See It" photography show, and a great turnout to the show opening! And now… the winners are…

City/Sea/Landscape category: 

Katie LcLean of Bastrop took home 1st place for "Somber Reflection" 

Julie Kinsey took honorable mention for "Homestead at Golden Hour". 

Animals & Wildlife category:

Mary Styblo was awarded 1st place for "Oh, Really?" 

Daryl Styblo took honorable mention for "Great Blue Heron".

Plants & Insects category: 

Dan Kinsey received 1st place for "Wheat Church" 

Leslie F. Jenke took honorable mention for "Pipervine Swallowtail Butterflies Mating".

Portraits & People category: 

Katie Salzmann was awarded 1st place for "AB - Chicago" 

Dr. Henry Moore took honorable mention for "The Littlest Dancer". 

Artistic/Conceptual category:

Donna Maske took home 1st place for "Memory Vest" 

Julia Kinsey received honorable mention for "Pueblo Light & Shadow". 

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to all who entered, participated in, and came out to support the show!

  

 

Calling All Photographers!

It's that time of year again! We are calling for submissions to the annual "How I See It" photography show, so gather up your best photos and get them to us! The show is open to both members and non-members. Here's all the details:

- The show runs Sept 6 - Oct 19th

- $10 per entry for members / $15 per entry for non-members.

- Up to three entries per artist.

- Entry forms and money MUST be postmarked by August 30th. (Entry form here)

- Each of our categories will have a $100 prize for first place, and two honorable mentions. We have five great categories this year:

          1. City- / Sea- / Landscapes

          2. Animals & Wildlife

          3. Plants & Insects

          4. People & Portraits

          5. Artistic/Conceptual

- Artwork must be delivered to the Selig Room, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center, 1215 E. Court Street on Saturday, September 6, between 10-12 noon. 

- Artist Reception will be on Thursday, September 11, 2014, 6 - 7 pm in the Selig Room.

> Download your ENTRY FORM HERE <

If last year's show was any indication, I know this one is going to be a great show! I encourage anyone to take a chance and enter, even if you haven't ever entered a show before. We love seeing familiar artists as well as new ones - and we look forward to seeing you and your work there!

"Our Best To You" - Winners Announced!

A big congratulations to our two winners from the "Our Best To You" members only show! 

Liz Romero won for the beautifully realistic drawing entitled "Cabbage" and Karen Roberson for her wonderfully rustic and well-detailed mosaic "Fancy Feet". We had a great turnout for this show in everything from fibers and sculpture to paintings, drawings and photography. Thank you to everyone who submitted your work. Keep on creating! 

Liz Romero with her winning piece "Cabbage"

Karen Roberson with her winning piece "Fancy Feet"

Hi from Your New Blog Manager!

Howdy Everyone!

I just thought I'd take a moment to introduce myself. I'm Sarah Treanor, and I will be taking over managing the blog for SAL since Alicia has now departed from Seguin on new adventures. We are wishing her well!

A bit about me, I'm a fine art photographer and writer originally from Corpus Christi. Formerly a graphic designer in Dallas, I left the corporate world a few years ago to pave my way as an artist - my biggest passion. I have been blogging for about 4 years now, so I'm looking forward to bringing my knowledge and writing expertise here to the SAL blog.

You will notice that I am doing a bit of a face lift to the look of the blog, but all information will be organized the same as it has been. Should you have any questions for me, do feel free to write to me at sarahtreanor@gmail.com

Looking forward to bringing you all the latest and greatest about our wonderful Seguin Art League!

Cheers,
Sarah

High School Show Runs Until May 24

Thirty-one artists from LaVernia and Seguin High Schools entered 48 pieces of artwork including clay sculpture, mixed media, drawings, and paintings in the 5th Annual High School Art Show. Prize winners present are shown at the left.

Awards were announced at the opening reception held May 9. The following won Honorable Mention:

• Junior at LaVernia High Rachel Henkes for her acrylic painting "Happiness is Measured in Hands."
• Junior at Seguin High Dillon Hammons for his acrylic painting "Palo Dara Canyon."
• LaVernia junior Alisen Saenz for her chalk drawing "Lil' Cowboy."
• Seguin senior Carrigan Herring for her plaster and acrylic "A Mother and Daughter Moment to Remember."
• LaVernia sophomore Kailee Wegehaupt for her charcoal drawing "Wrapped in the Moment."

Place ribbons went to the following:

• Third to Seguin High senior Seth Anderson for his pastel "McAdory."
• Second to LaVernia junior Logan Parker for her "Stud in a Bucket."
• First to LaVernia senior Reagan Roswell for her acrylic "Overwhelmed."

Click here to see photos from the reception and winners with their work. When the page of photos appears, you can click on any photo to see the caption and start a Slideshow.

Student artists must return to the Selig Room at the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center, 1215 E. Court St., on May 24 between 10 AM and 12 noon to pick up their art. If anyone cannot be there at this time, arrange with another artist, friend, or family member to pick up your artwork. Anything not retrieved on May 24 will be disposed of.

Attention! All High School Artists

All artists in 9th through 12th grades are invited to show their favorite work of 2013-2014 in the 5th Annual High School Art Show hosted by the Seguin Art league.

No entry fee is required, and each artist can enter up to two pieces in any medium. Artwork must be ready for display. Frames or canvasses of two-dimensional pieces must be wired and ready to hang. Deliver your artwork to the Selig Room, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center East Campus, 1215 E. Court St., on Thursday, May 1, between 4 and 6 PM with a completed entry form for each piece. Click here to print all instructions and entry form. The show will hang from May 2 through May 24.

Artists, teachers, families, and guests are invited to the awards reception from 6 to 7 PM Friday, May 9. Refreshments will be served, and cash prizes will be awarded to First ($100), Second ($75), and Third Place ($50) winners plus one or more Honorable Mentions ($20). (The artist or parent must be present at the reception to receive a cash prize.)

You may offer your work for sale if you wish. The Seguin Art League charges a 25% commission on any artwork sold. You must pick up your artwork on Saturday, May 24, between 10 AM and 12 noon. Artwork not picked up will be disposed of.

At the left is a place winner from LaVernia High in the 4th Annual High School Art Show that had entries from Seguin, Navarro, La Vernia, Floresville, and Marion high schools, a Seguin home school and Lifegate Christian School. LaVernia and Marion took First, Second, Third and six Honorable Mentions. A Lifegate student also won Honorable Mention as did three Seguin High seniors.

Guests Pick Winners in "Brushstrokes"

Guests at the opening reception for the new show "Brushstrokes" each received a ballot and got to vote for their favorite painting. Here are the three they liked best:

The winning artists are

• First Place, Carrie Davenport for her watercolor "Iris."
• Second Place, Mary Zoboroski Cannon for her acrylic "Hill Country Blue."
• Third Place, John Lenker for his oil "Morning Across the Lake."

A variety of other paintings also received guest votes, and all continue to hang through April 19 in the Selig Room at GRMC East Campus, 1215 E. Court St. To volunteer as a docent, call Janelle Hanneman.

SAL to Visit Wimberley Art Community

You are invited to this year's first "Artistic Day Trip" -- this time to Wimberley.

Anyone interested in visiting the varied and beautiful community of Wimberley should meet by 9 AM Wednesday, Mar. 12, in the Walmart parking lot in Seguin. We can group together to take as few vehicles as possible.

We will eat lunch in Wimberley and see as much as we choose, including art galleries, a Bonsai tree nursery named Jade Gardens, chainsaw and stone carving shops, antiques and curios, and of course, plenty of shopping.

Casual clothes and comfortable shoes are suggested. Call Kathy Lehmann (830 779-5101) or Janelle Hanneman (830 401-5999) with any questions. Lets enjoy the day and be inspired!

Entries Due for New Show "Brushstrokes"

All artists 18 years and older are invited to submit paintings in any media, including watercolor, acrylics, and oils, for our new show "Brushstrokes."

Click here for all the instructions and an entry form you can print and complete. Entry fees are $10 per piece for members and $15 per piece for non-members. Entry forms and fees must be mailed to SAL, P.O. Box 445, Seguin TX 78156 by Monday, March 10.

Deliver your entries between 10 AM and Noon Saturday, March 15, to the Selig Room, GRMC, 1215 E. Court St.

The opening reception will be Thursday, March 20, 5-7 PM, and everyone present will select artists to receive $100 first, $75 second, and $50 third place prizes.

Docents will be needed beginning Monday, March 17. The show will hang until pickup time between 10 AM and noon on Saturday, April 19.

Kids Art Show Closes with Gala Reception

Middle School Winners in the 6th Annual Elementary and Middle School Art Show with Pres. Robin Roberts-Walker and Dr. Al Burns

Elementary School Winners Present

Family, friends, and area art lovers crowded into the Selig Room at GRMC on Feb. 16 to see 89 pieces of artwork by 70 artists, 35 from middle schools and 35 from elementary schools. The artists came from Marion, LaVernia, Navarro, McQueeney, and these schools in Seguin: Briesemeister, Barnes, Saegert, Weinert, Rodriguez, Koennecke, Patlan, Jefferson, and a home school.

Alligator Dental and pediatric dentist Al Burns, DDS, sponsored this year's show and helped present cash awards to the winners present. The entire list of winners includes the following 1st through 8th graders:

Middle School Winners

• 1st place Noah Hinojosa, “Largemouth Bass,” 8th grader at A.J. Briesemeister
• 2nd place Bryan Valadez, “Paul the Octopus,” 6th grader at Saegert
• 3rd place Justin Ablin, “The White Squirrel,” 7th grader, home-schooled
• 4 Honorable Mentions --
  · Roman Ruiz, “La Flor Naranja,” 8th grader at Barnes
  · Tabitha Pruski, “The Hand,” 6th grader at Lavernia
  · Matthew Gibson, “Spirograph,” 7th grader at Marion
  · Abigail Perez, “The Muscle Box,” 6th grader at Saegert

Elementary School Winners

• 10 Special Achievements Awards --
  · Logan Busskahl, “The Human Doll,” Vogel 3rd grader
  · Tessa Pruski, “Sunset,” LaVernia 4th grader
  · Brian Nevarez, “Lily Padz,” McQueeney 3rd grader
  · Katalina Adams, “The Heart of Glory,” Rodriguez 1st grader
  · Aiden Wittlesey-Adams, “Bush Under the Bridge,” Jefferson 3rd grader
  · Peyton Silvius, “Sorbet Hibiscus,” Rodriguez 5th grader
  · Daniela Ablin, “Platapus,” Weinert 5th grader
  · Kari Sanchez, “Red Roses,” Patlan 5th grader
  · Angela Styblo, “Ocean Life,” Koenneke 5th grader
  · Alexander Ablin, “Raindrops in Winter,” Weinert 3rd grader

Click here to see photos of the artwork and the reception, including the craft project led by member Donna Maske that will continue in Central Park on Saturday, Feb. 22, as part of ArtsFest. To view the photos in a slideshow, click the down arrow V at the far right, and click Slideshow. The Play, Pause, and Stop controls will appear at the bottom of the screen.

70 Artists Enter Show

The 6th Annual Elementary & Middle School Art Show is open daily through Saturday in the Selig Room in the East Campus of GRMC, 1215 E. Court St. Seventy area artists in grades 1 through 8 have one or more pieces of art in the show, sponsored this year by Alligator Dental.

The Awards Reception is Sunday, Feb. 16, from 3 to 5 PM, and refreshments will be served. The artist or a family member must be present at the reception to receive a cash prize. The public is invited.

Call for Entries to 1st-8th Graders

The 6th Annual Elementary and Middle School Art Show will be held Feb. 8 through Feb. 16 in the Selig Room in the East Campus of the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center, 1215 E. Court St.

Special Notice: Guest sponsors for this year's show and reception will be Dr. Al Burns, DDS, and the staff at Alligator Dental with offices in Seguin, New Braunfels, San Marcos, and Victoria! We all appreciate their participation and look forward to their part in our awards reception.

This year the student work will hang only one week, so put the dates on your calendar. The Awards Reception will be on the last day, Sunday, Feb. 16, from 3 to 5 PM. Awards and prizes will be presented beginning at 4 PM. The artist or a parent must be present at the reception to receive a cash prize.

Students must deliver up to two pieces of artwork to the Selig Room on Saturday, Feb. 8, between 10 AM and 12 noon and take their work home with them beginning at 5 PM immediately following the reception on Sunday, Feb. 16.

Click here to print instructions and an entry form you can complete and bring with you when you submit your art.

SAL members are urged to invite all the artists we know in the appropriate age group and then be sure to attend the awards reception. Here's a look at many of the winners from last year: