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Zach Ridings Presents the Romantic Surrealism of Hawaii in “The Art of Life” Please join us for an exploration of Surrealism during the October Art Wall opening reception on Sunday, October 8 from noon to 1:30 pm in Forbes Hall. Artist Zack Ridings has created striking and stylistic art pieces, celebrating nature, life and love. Some of his works are as large as 6 feet by 4 feet, bringing new definition to the phrase, “larger than life!”
For artist Zack Ridings, it all started with, “the ‘Ahhhh!’ of Nature…one of the most powerful driving forces in a human’s life.” Ridings brings his appreciation of Surrealism and Impressionism to the forefront in his series of images depicting coastal and natural scenes of the Hawaiian islands. All of his works are done using a
traditional oil painting technique.
Ridings describes his inspirational process, “It all started with the way the wind moves, the [way] trees sculpt the mountains and guide the soul.” He continues, “To share these visions of strength and power of nature using what
I call a Simple Romantic Surreal style…
We end up with a beautiful figure or a face turned into a tree or resting on the ground as a mountain. The kind of things that are both enticing and calming, a true vision of Mother Nature.” Gaia enthusiasts would certainly agree!
 Over the past five years, Zack Ridings has displayed his work throughout many of the Hawaiian Islands that are often the focus of his paintings. We look forward to welcoming his visions of tropical paradise, featuring the Surrealistic elements of surprise and unexpected juxtapositions.
Contact our Art Director, Beverly Alison, for further info about this show or about exhibiting on our Art Wall.
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ZAP: An Exhibition by Artists in Eastern Zimbabwe
ZAP: An exhibition by Artists in Eastern Zimbabwe
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Zimbabwe Artists Project (ZAP) - "Working Women of Zimbabwe" This December, we are very pleased to welcome the Zimbabwe Artists Project, (ZAP), as they present the exhibition “Working Women of Zimbabwe.” The Zimbabwe Artists Project is a nonprofit organization partnering with women in Zimbabwe, buying artwork and supporting self-enterprise.
ZAP buys artwork directly, and finds a market for it in the U.S., providing a stable and consistent income for the artists. We look forward to seeing you at the Opening Reception on Sunday, December 6 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm.
Each colorful, unique piece of artwork shares a personal story from the artist in her own words — a folktale, local words/themes of wisdom and more. Embroideries, fabric paintings, and paintings on wooden boards offer a connection to a woman a world away.
 The artists featured in ZAP are subsistence farmers, mothers, and householders, as well as artists. Most women live on their own, providing for families. Some are widowed, others are single heads of households. Women’s income from agriculture is unpredictable and limited. Sales of art help women afford food, clothing, school fees, medicines, transport, seeds, and fertilizer.
Come out and support this important organization! The Zimbabwe Artists Project purchases more art locally than any other buyer, delivering cash at the time of purchase. ZAP also provides health care assistance to the artists, covering the immediate costs of urgent health care needs, and maintains an educational assistance program providing school fees for children in the area who are orphaned. ZAP celebrates the artistry and accomplishments of these talented women, and supports their efforts to become economically selfsufficient.
Contact Nancy for more information or weekday appointments at assistant@uusm.org or (310) 829-5436. Contact Beverly at balison@aol.com, for further information about the artist or about exhibiting on the Art Wall at UU Santa Monica.
— Jackie Schwab
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Zoom/Online Meeting: Norm Richey |
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“A New Way of Thinking” by Vera Arutyunyan
Vera Arutyunyan’s paintings showcase her brilliant use of texture and color through her signature style — painting with her fingers in order to “feel the colors directly.” She guides the viewer along a journey of spirituality and self-fulfillment by presenting her concepts without communicating her emotions — these are left up to the viewer. It is this interaction between artist and art seeker that truly makes Arutyunyan’s art special to behold.
Recently, Arutyunyan began painting to express her feelings of acceptance and her wide range of spiritual and personal beliefs. As an artist, she has taken a journey through her own heart and mind; at UU Santa Monica’s Art Wall, we invite you to see yourself in her paintings. Come meet and greet with her after the second service on March 29. She will be available to discuss her physical and spiritual journeys — her transitions, learning experiences, and sense of belonging to the communities that are a part of her world. Contact Nancy Thompson at assistant@uusm.org, (310) 829-5436 ext. 102 for information or appointments to discuss how the church manages the Art Wall. Contact Beverly Alison for information about the artist or about exhibiting at UU Santa Monica. **Attention Church Artists. Our annual Art Wall Show is this July. If you want to exhibit contact Diana Spears** |
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“Cover to Cover” by Gillian Renault
The February Art Wall will feature Gillian Renault’s “Cover to Cover” with an opening reception on Sunday, February 3 from 12 to 1:30 pm in Forbes Hall, immediately after services.
“Cover to Cover” chronicles the story of Renault father’s life— the highs and lows, as she describes it. The pieces are designed to encourage people to contemplate the strengths and flaws of the lives of their parents and elders, and how their lives were shaped by them. All to better understand how people can carry their elders in their psyches forever.
“I want the work to inspire people to contemplate their own relationships with parents or elders whom they [may] have lost through death or for other reasons,” Renault said. “That’s why I show it. I hope people leave the show changed, even if just a little.”
Renault’s work was featured in Atlanta, Georgia by UU’s First Existentialist congregation, at Mercer University, and at Richards Gallery at Georgia Tech University. Another similar work featuring her maternal relationship first premiered in Atlanta in 2002. These works are not for sale, as letting go of any of this art would be like cutting a chapter out of a novel or cutting years out of the artist’s own life.
Born on the island of Jersey in the English Channel, Renault is a self-taught artist who has lived in the United States since the 1970s. In 2012, with 25 years of media experience, she pivoted professionally and completed a 2-year chaplaincy program at the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe. She then was ordained as a Buddhist lay minister and is now a hospice chaplain.
To view this month’s installment after the February 3 reception, contact Nancy Thompson at assistant@uusm.org or dial 310-829-5436 x102. Accessible parking is available behind the church. Contact the art director for inquiries on art wall availability.
-- Diego Andres
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“How I Got My Vision of Humanist Community Building”
Bart Campolo is a secular minister, speaker, and writer who currently volunteers as the Humanist Chaplain at the University of Southern California (USC). He founded the Humanist Chaplaincy at USC in 2014 . Since moving to Los Angeles, Bart’s work has been focused on inspiring and equipping all kinds of people to make the most of their lives by actively pursuing loving relationships, social justice and a genuine sense of wonder.
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“How Rare, How Lovely, This Fellowship” The most important value for a religious community is the community. As a faith community, our fellowship is at the ground of all we receive for ourselves and offer to the larger world. When we begin to move other programs to the center of our shared identity, we begin to lose our unique purpose and strength.
We welcome back to our pulpit the Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels, who is a Unitarian Universalist minister working in the Los Angeles area. Growing up in Santa Monica, he received a Masters of Divinity from the Claremont School of Theology in 1998 and was ordained and fellowshipped with the Unitarian Universalist Association later that year. During his 24 years in the ministry, he has served UU congregations in La Crescenta, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, and Long Beach. Currently, he serves the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Kern County in Bakersfield, CA. He lives with his husband in downtown Los Angeles.
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月亮船 Moon Boat (arr. S. Choi) - UUSM Vocalists |
Join us for the September Art Wall Opening Reception for ZAP (the Zimbabwe Artists Project) on Sunday, September 2nd from 11:00am to 12:30pm. ZAP roots go back to 1982 when a social activist created a training center to bring badly needed income to the Weya region of Eastern Zimbabwe. The show is open every Sunday from 9:30 am until 12 noon and on weekdays by appointment. It will run through Sunday, September 30.
Please help us give a warm welcome to our April artist Vera Arutyunyan, whose show, “A New Way of Thinking,” will grace our art wall with her highly personal Abstract Expressionist paintings. Artist Opening Reception: Sunday, March 29, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Forbes Hall. The show will run through Sunday, April 26 and is open to the public on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on weekdays by appointment.
Vera Arutyunyan immigrated to the United States from Armenia with $27 and a dream to become successful. Her early career led her to express her challenges and emotions as a new immigrant, “…to be understood, [to] obtain identity and significance, to become securely existent.” The results are deeply personal and moving abstract images.