- AUGUST 2025 -

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JOIN THE FUN!

Become a Conroe Art League member.  JOIN NOW!

GALLERY HOURS

We are open Tuesday through Saturday

11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Docent Shifts are 11:00 - 1:30 and 1:30 - 4:00

Sip N' Shopoccurs the first Friday evening of the month from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.

DATES WORTH NOTING

August 13th - New Member Orientation

August 24th - Try It Watercolor with Terri Harris

September 7th - Fall Judge Show Deadline to Enter

MEMBER WORTH NOTING

We’d like to take a moment to send our heartfelt well wishes to Rod McDougall, who recently underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery. He is now home and beginning physical therapy as he continues to heal.

Rod’s dedication to CAL is deeply appreciated—he serves on the board and generously gives countless volunteer hours to support our mission. Please join us in wishing him strength and a smooth recovery.

SUPPORT THE ARTS

Help CAL provide a growing number of diverse programs, classes, exhibits, and workshops. 

Make a donation to CAL and have the opportunity to win this acrylic painting, Hush 2, made and donated by Brenda McDougall.

"Hush 2 reflects my personal journey of self-discovery through color, texture, and emotion.  As a lifelong artist from North Texas, I use a blend of acrylics, alcohol inks, oils, and texture to tell stories that are both intimate and universal."

For each $10 donation one ticket will be entered into the raffle. Tickets may be purchased online or in the gallery at 127 Simonton Street, Conroe, where you can also see the item in person.

The winning ticket will be drawn on September 6th, at the Artist Reception.  You do not have to be present to win.

I am a self taught artist who has been painting full time since 2008. Although my subject matter varies, my main aim is to create beautiful paintings that evoke an emotional response in the viewer so that they can make a connection with my work.

In this floral painting, I used a lot of palette knife and applied the paint thickly, not trying to make a very realistic painting but rather trying to create a loosely painted semi abstract still life with rich colors and textures."

GALLERY FAVORITES

Be sure to stop by the gallery and vote on your favorite art piece in the July Member Show.

The Juan Cantavella Award of Excellence went to Jan Saunders for Peonies.

The Juan Cantavella Award of Distinction went to Joseph Davenport for Ghost Riders in the sky.

The Juan Cantavella Award of Merit went to Evgenia Garza for Guardian Angel.

DONATE TO THE JC AWARD

If you would like to see this program continue, please consider donating to the JC Award fund.  Each month all visitors to the gallery vote on their favorite piece of art.  The art receiving the most votes will win $400.

 This link can be used for making donations:  https://www.conroeartleague.com/Donations

 

Pick up a pencil case, tote bag, or sketch book next time you're in the gallery. Remember, all proceeds go to fund the Juan Cantavella Award to help keep the prizes alive.

EVENTS

Participate, Share, and Celebrate the Arts

CAL FALL 2025 JUDGED SHOW

Get your entries ready!  It's time for the CAL Fall 2025 Judged Show  which will be hosted on the CAFE (Call for Entry) platform as in the last few years.

Registration Opens:  July 7, 2025

Registration Closes:  September 7, 2025

Awards Announced:  October 11, 2025 at the CAL General Meeting

The link to the show is available on on the Conroe Art League website, CAL Fall 2025 Judged Show tab HERE.

COURTYARD SCULPTURE PROGRAM

The third quarter sculpture show is now in place. Each sculpture must be at least 24" tall, able to withstand outdoor weather, and not present a danger of any kind.  There is no fee but you must work one docent shift.  To propose a piece contact Bob Heintzelman at rdheintz@hotmail.com.  You can read about the program here and the registration information is included on the Take-in/Out page

The sculpture on display this quarter is "Directional Dilemma” by Randall Cade.

It's a striking sculpture that adds great artistic accent to the CAL courtyard. 

ARTIST IN ACTION - SIP & SHOP

 

This monthly event is free and is open to the public.  The entire downtown area stays open late every first Friday of the month.  Join the fun and show off your art!  Any CAL member artist may participate.  Work on your art in the gallery from 5:00 to 7:00 and may bring samples of your art for sale.  All sales go through the CAL system with 20% going to CAL. 

To sign up, find the date on the calendar and click that link. The next event will be September 5th. For questions please email Tina Hobbs at tinahobbs.tinamade@gmail.com.

ARTIST IN ACTION - IN PLEIN AIR

 

Painting on location brings a fresh, special quality to the work—and AIA members cherish the time spent outdoors. All members are welcome, and there’s no fee to join.

Next outing: September 10 – Contact Pam for location details closer to the date.

To join the group and get updates, text your name, email, and cell to Pam Markham at 936-661-0800.
Suggestions for future spots are always welcome!

PICK UP YOUR PANELS

Each year, CAL members generously donate their time and talent by creating original artwork on 12” x 12” panels, which are then auctioned to support our Student Awards Show in May. In 2025, we raised over $13,500, all awarded to graduating seniors in Montgomery County to help further their art education.

Panel pick-up began August 9th at the general meeting. Panels will be available during regular gallery hours.  Just sign the register at the docent desk to check one out.

Deadline to return completed panels: December 23.
Early submissions may be turned in to the Gallery Manager—please, no wet work.

SEPTEMBER TAKE-IN/OUT

CAL wall and pedestal take-in is Tuesday, September 2nd, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Deadline to register is 6:00pm on Monday, September 1st.  Please register for those only here.

Jewelry/Bins/Cards Take-In/Take-Out is Monday, September 1st , from 10 am to 1 pm. Deadline to register is 6:00pm on Sunday, August 31st. Register here for those items.

GET INVOLVED

In order to host special events like the Lunar New Year, Fine Art Market, and Christmas on Main we need you to get involved. To be a part of the special event team contact Debra Riley at gallerymanager@conroeartleague.com

We have a new “Volunteer Hub” on the website listing immediate needs for special event volunteers.  See how you can help out here.

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

The next session, led by Debra Riley, will be held on August 13th at 11:30am in the gallery. Please go to Calendar to register

If you are not able to attend, the next one will be September 10th held by Bev Hall.

MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING

The next general meeting will be held on

 Saturday, September 6th at 4:00 pm. 

DEMO ARTIST

September’s demo artist will be Shanti Colan; she will demonstrate Woodcut Printing with Chine Colle.

STUDENT RAFFLE

The next student raffle will be held at the  general monthly meeting.

Support Montgomery County high school seniors and the student art awards by making a donation to participate in the drawing.

Purchase your tickets in person while there.

 
ARTISTS RECEPTION

The reception will be at 6:00 pm September 6th after the general meeting and artist demo.

Feel free to enjoy light snacks and refreshments with the artists showing, as well as other friendly CAL members.

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Jennifer Vahlbruch is participating in two events at Ardest Gallery this month: the curated group show Intersections, running through August, and World Photography Day on August 23.

You can also find her work at Studio 114 with Shauna Marie Martin at Sayers Yards on August 9 and 16.

Jennifer was recently featured in Voyage Houston, where she shared insights about her artistic journey—a wonderful opportunity and recognition of her work.

 
 

Bob Heintzelman was juried in to a sculpture show in St. Joseph's in Missouri. He went on to win second place in the peoples choice awards for 2025.

 

Jeff Lung is now a resident artist at the Art Machine Gallery! Located in suite 215 of the Silos at Sawyer Yards in Houston, TX.

Catch him there this Saturday, August 9, from 12pm to 5pm for our Second Saturday open house.

Carol Scheferman's 'On The Half Shell’ oil painting, was juried into the ‘Fresh Ideas’ show in Lewisville, TX. It runs from 8/16 to 9/15.

'Girl With Blue Scarf’ was juried into Lake Granbury’s Fall Show. The show runs from 8/30 till 10/26.

Jimmie Shealey had an 8x8 painting selected for exhibition at the MEAM (European Museum of Modern Art) in Barcelona, one of only 150 artists chosen from nearly 2,000 submissions. 

Additionally, Jimmie’s work was one of just ten pieces invited to submit a larger work for display at MEAM’s new inaugural exhibit location, Espacio Jovellanos in Madrid, on view August through September.

As part of this honor, Jimmie has also been invited to join MEAM’s permanent online artist gallery, where past works will be showcased.

 

We love to brag on our members accomplishments but we can't do that if we don't know about them.  Please send any news about your artistic achievements, milestones, etc., to gallerymanager@conroeartleague.com.

NEED EXTRA CASH?

How about helping CAL as a substitute docent?  Send request to the docent coordinator and include your phone number.  Subs must be fully trained and able to process sales transactions.  Please email the

 docentcoordinator@conroeartleague.com.

 
 

We welcome models of all ages and sizes. Be sure to tell your grandchildren, children, and friends we are always in need of models for both the Wednesday drawing and the Friday portrait groups.

For more info, please contact Vickie Nash at vickienash.artist@gmail.com or Juan Cantevella at juancantavella@yahoo.com

WORKSHOPS

Learn new tips and tricks within a few days

     Dynamic Still Life

         with Pastels

          Carolina Dalmas

coming September 2025

Dynamic Still Life

         with Pastels

          Carolina Dalmas

coming September 2025

Register

    Guilding the Depth:         Mastering Metal Leaf

        with Jimmie Shealy

coming November 1-2, 2025

Dynamic Still Life

         with Pastels

          Carolina Dalmas

coming September 2025

Register

 Constructing the Human Head Lomis Method

               with Ken Roy

November 9, 2025

Dynamic Still Life

         with Pastels

          Carolina Dalmas

coming September 2025

Register

     Weave Some Magic

                 with

               Cynthia Reid

January 17-18, 2026

Dynamic Still Life

         with Pastels

          Carolina Dalmas

coming September 2025

Register

        Get Your Glow!

                 with

               Carla Gauthier

     February 13-15, 2026

Dynamic Still Life

         with Pastels

          Carolina Dalmas

coming September 2025

Register

Weave Some More Magic

                 with

               Cynthia Reid

March 21-22, 2026

Dynamic Still Life

         with Pastels

          Carolina Dalmas

coming September 2025

Register

Beyond the Snapshot:

Creating Fine Art through Photography

with Carol Fox Hendricks

coming May 2026

Register soon

    Decisive and Intentional                        Painting

               with Dan Graziano

September 25-27, 2026

Dynamic Still Life

         with Pastels

          Carolina Dalmas

coming September 2025

 
Register

CLASSES

Grow where ever you are on your art journey

 

CLASSES FOR KIDS/TEENS

 

Homeschool Art Education

with Rebekah Billings

Third Grade and Up

Classes Resume Sept 3rd

CLASSES FOR ADULTS

Creative Canopy

with Jennifer Claussen

Where ideas bloom beneath the trees

Sept & Oct Sessions

Watercolor Painting with

Gary Hernandez

Leave your mark; let Gary help. 

Learn more

Drawing Classes

with Gary Hernandez

Come and take in Gary's tips of the trade.

Learn more

Oil Painting Classes

with Gary Hernandez

Come visit with Gary and other classmates and brush up on your skills.

Learn more

Ceramics

with Carol Berger

Learn some helpful tips, whether beginner or advanced, Carol has a few for you. 

Learn more

Inktober Group

with Cynthia Reid

Unlock Your Inner Creative

Learn more

Portrait Painting

with Juan Cantavella

A small class to focus on the details required in successful portraiture. Offered 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month.

 
Learn more
 
 

Oil Painting with

Juan Cantavella

Get lessons from a Signature member of the Oil Painters of America.  Now offered Saturday at 9:00am - 12:00 pm.

Learn more

Sculpting 101

with Donna Rodgers

Beginner sculpting class.

Learn more
 

 Watercolor and Acrylics with Carrie Allbritton

Classes will be held Monday 1 - 3 pm

Learn more

Expanding Watercolor Skills

with Cynthia Reid

Thursdays 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Learn more

The Artist's Way

with Cynthia Reid

Coming January 8, 2026

Learn more

GROUP ACTIVITIES

 

Still Life Group with

Terri Harris

An opportunity for artists to practice their art-from-life skills, there is no instruction, and any experience level is welcome. 

There is no fee for this group.

 
Join Us

Painting from life

Juan Cantavella portrait group will be held on the 1st and 3rd Friday mornings at 10:00am.  Contact Juan at juancantavella@yahoo.com.

Join Us
 
 

Live figure drawing

Participants can use any medium, there is no instruction, and any experience level is welcome. The fee is $10 per to have a live model each session.

 
Join Us

RENT THE MADELEY FINE ART GALLERY FEATURE WALL

 


Adult members are able rent the Feature Wall in the gallery for a $100 fee and 2 docent shifts.  You can find the application on line here. How to show in the Gallery

Studio 127 has reopened. Come take advantage of the facilities.

Also check out the CAL Community 

This group is open to all members as well as non-members and is a great way to stay engaged in all things art.

Check us out on Facebook. Click icon above.

ART EVENTS TO ENJOY AROUND DOWNTOWN CONROE