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GILBERT SUN NEWS | NOVEMBER 7, 2021
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Gilbert museum showcases artists from the region professional art development and grow our online presence,” Finter said. Opat, who volunteered as the rofessional artist Mary Opat website coordinator, redesigned has four oil paintings on a desand updated GVAL’s website on ert theme at Gilbert Visual Art a new theme recently. The site League’s fall member show and sale. wasn’t getting much traction beShe depicts the Arizona desert at cause updates were not regular twilight and colorful splashes of its and the newsletters would reach flora by day. members sometimes about three A total 115 works by 30 member months late. artists are on display until Nov. 20 She watched online videos and in the Gallery 4 within HD SOUTH, taught herself the techniques of reHome of the Gilbert Historical Mubuilding a website. seum, and through Feb. 1 online at “I find it really challenging and it gval.org. The show is not juried. sparks my creativity in a different Opat has a college degree in art education and commercial art, but Show chair Peter Eobbi demonstrates expertise in displaying the art at Gallery 4, not just on the walls but way from making art. I’m really enjoying it; I like learning,” she said. she continues to learn and benefit on screens. (Courtesy of Peter R. Eobbi) Born in a small town in Iowa, from the league’s programs and Opat received encouragement for connectivity. her artistic bent during school “I just really enjoy the camaradeyears. When her father purchased rie and the educational value and a set of paints and roll of canvas so forth, but everyone just really for her, a whole new world opened, lifts each other up and supports she said. each other,” the San Tan Valley resiAt the University of Central Misdent said. “It’s a great group.” souri, she had a good professor and During the pandemic, the GVAL mentor in the fine arts program – had a spurt in membership and is the dean of the School of Arts. at 65 this year. It is the largest re“Although abstract painting was corded by the nonprofit, founded becoming popular, he insisted that in 2003. Besides the East Valley, his students study the masters and members come from Queen Creek, spend many hours drawing from Phoenix, Fountain Hills, Apache life,” she said. “I’ll always be grateJunction, San Tan Valley and Sedoful for his solid instruction and the na. high quality of work that he deNewer members are also youngmanded.” er and not limited to retirees, He offered her a job in the graphthereby bringing in a mix of ages, ic arts department. Although cirskill levels and experiences. cumstances took her elsewhere, “Our growth is the result of a team effort,” said Donna Finter, The Gilbert Visual Art League’s fall member show is at HD South until Nov. 20. (Courtesy of Peter R. Eobbi) his faith in her as an artist bolstered her confidence and gave her who, together with Deepika Halare available in a hybrid format, online Jane Bradley creates a monthly news- hope that a successful art career was dankar, is active on social media on behalf of the league, and posts frequent- and in person, attendance is even better. letter, Art Vine, that reaches more than possible. Those out of town or who need to be 400 people and organizations. The webOpat’s artistic aspirations were placed ly on Facebook and Instagram. Also, during the pandemic, monthly quarantined may also attend this way. site, gval.org, is up to date and attractive on hold when she married, raised six children and worked in the corporate demonstrations were first presented The hybrid format is successful due to due to Opat’s skills and efforts. “We hope to gain artists from more through Zoom. Initially, attendance was the technology work of Dani Kahn and locations as we continue to offer virtual see GVAL page 25 sparse, then it picked up. Now that they John Priddy, Finter said. BY SRIANTHI PERERA GSN Contributor
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