The seismic retrofit has been completed for several months but the Pacific Art League had it’s Grand Opening Reception last night, entry fees going to support arts education!

Wherever the architects and engineers were able to retain any of this historic building’s 1921 charm I was pleased, wherever they lost hardwood floors or gallery walls uninterrupted by electrical thingamabobs  I was saddened.And while there was lots of room for more lighting improvements, all in all, I’m grateful that it will hold up better in an earthquake.

There were awards, but I didn’t catch all of them as I could barely squeeze in the overflowing galleries when they were being announced.

Mark Nardini, fabulous portrait painter (who took a crack at your truly at an LGAA demo) and PAL instructor won first place for his stunning oil, Conversation.

Deborah Maufer took second place for her photograph on metal, Mission Statement.

Many honorable mentions included Linda Reichert’s oil Palo Alto Pond,

Gerri Russel’s mixed media Remembering,

and Patricia Jones oil, Windy Day.

I was also happy to know David Stonesifers’ oil, Appel Orchars, Corralitos,

Robin Apple‘s photograph, Pink Horse,

Isaias Sandoal’s acrylic Infinity and Beyond,

As well as Ron Dell’Aquil’s photograph,Touch me Here which sold to a lovely couple from Switzerland,

And Lauren Herzog Shwartz’s mixesd media piece, Exhuberance.

Mei-Ying Dell’Aquila (pictured below in a grouping of artists and artist’s model)  also had a beautiful algegorical oil paintiing in which I somehow missed shooting.

Viewing Nancy Wong’s Peonies in acrylic.

Feathers and model sans wings.

Umbrian Fog, an expansive oil painting by Jim Caldwell.

The newly remodeled building at night.