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 May 6, 2025

EAA President’s Letter
May 2025

Our future your future Wow! Is it just me or does it seem like this year is accelerating! Time sure seems to be flying by fast. In this letter I hope to share with you not only some of the upcoming activities of EAA you won’t want to miss also I want to begin to share some of the future vision we are forming for our organization and our plans to continue to nurture and grow our community programs. I also want to begin a conversation about Art…I hope you will read on.

A Sparkling Night Under the Stars First things first.

Our Board members Christine and Annette together with very special community leaders Adina Onda of Simply Adina Floral and Kristie Rocco owner of The Hidden Chateau are all working hard to make Saturday June 21st, our Summer Solstice Soiree – “Under the Stars” a wondrous, elegant, fabulous, magical sparkling Gala Event. But you will need to reserve your tickets now as seating is limited and we expect a sell-out crowd.
Tickets are $100 for members and $125 for non-members, these funds support are monthly exhibitions on Grand Ave and all our outreach and educational programming to introduce young people to art. You can reserve your tickets on our web site www.escondidoartassociation.org.
Hurry we don’t want you to miss the best party of the year!

Our Future Your Future

We have already begun to discuss our dreams, aspirations and objectives for the future of EAA. We recently had a Vision Summit of our leadership and closest advisors and legacy members to share thoughts and ideas on our future. We are unwavering in our mission to support the Escondido artist community; people like you and to reach out and introduce young people to art and support them on their journey. As I meet more of you, I constantly hear your personal stories of what art means to you, sometimes solace, sometimes self-empowerment, sometimes companionship and always creative expression. Our future is your future as we serve you and the community. I welcome your thoughts, ideas, needs, goals, dreams as we continue the process of mapping out the future for EAA. More to follow….

Conversations about Art

I recently had the opportunity to return to my home city of Edinburgh in Scotland. Amazingly at the Scottish National Galleries I happened into an exhibition of “The Glasgow Boys”. These were a group of Scottish artists who painted mostly in the period 1880 to 1940. There was also “The Glasgow Girls” group! These artists were highly acclaimed for their exciting new interpretations of portraiture and landscape and the bold new colors and styles they used. One of them happens to be my great uncle, Sir James Guthrie. But the exhibition reminded me that art and artists do not stand still. They are constantly evolving, changing, growing and pushing forward into new ideas. At EAA we want to do the same. I want to encourage, promote and nurture conversations between us about art and artists. We all learn and grow from this exploration. I share this with you because I came away from this show energized and inspired to press forward, try harder, try new. I hope you will join us in this dialogue.

New NICU Gallery Show Open

Our partnership with North Island Credit Union has delivered a wonderful new show of EAA member’s work at their gallery at 1230 Auto Parkway. Thank you for all the submissions and please visit the gallery. It’s an exciting collection of our member’s work. We are also delighted that The Writers Group led by Nancy Pace-Skinner has been using the show for inspiration of their Haiku poems. The poems are printed in a handout at the gallery and are quite wonderful. We love this sort of collaboration across art disciplines! Look for more! And when you are there be sure to thank North Island Credit Union for the show, they are great partners to EAA.

Young Adults Ignite & Unite

Finally, if you have any young adults in your family, household or friends circle we hope you will encourage them to become part of EAA Ignite. This is a new initiative to bring in new young adults to participate in art discussions, games and activities at EAA. They have an Ignite gathering each opening at the gallery starting at 6 pm. We are grateful to Mark Wassef for his work with this new group of EAA members.

I welcome your thoughts and ideas for our future together. You can email me at [email protected]. As we say in Scotland “Haste ye back”!

Adrian Stewart
Incoming President
Incoming EAA President

PS I have learned that some people read the PS first! Here is the link for a video on our upcoming Summer Solstice Soiree gala where you can see the wonderful walled garden, we will be having the event in: It’s going to be magical!
Here’s the link: Gala Video

 April 15, 2025

Escondido Art Association President’s Letter, April 2025

Dear Friend of EAA,

There is already so much news to share with you! Please read on!

This is one of my first correspondences with you since I joined EAA to serve as your incoming President and I have important news for you on upcoming events.

Firstly, a big thank you and congratulations!
What a delight it was to see so many of you at the opening of the first ever Mayor’s Art Contest, this past Saturday. The energy in the gallery was wonderful and again congratulations on all the submissions and to those awarded with honors and prizes, it is all such wonderful artwork. It is a shining example of our togetherness and mutual support of artists in our community. Wow! I hope you are proud to be a member, a supporter, a patron and a friend of EAA. I know I am honored and privileged to serve you as your President.

Open House this Friday! I hope you will join us at the Open House of our new NICU Gallery show on this coming Friday, April 25 from 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm at the North Island Credit Union Community Gallery, 1230 Auto Park Way Escondido, CA 92029. This new Exhibition features latest works by our member artists, and we thank North Island Credit Union for their on-going support of EAA and all our programs in the community. I know you will enjoy the show, it’s spectacular and please bring your friends and come to the open house this Friday. Thank you, Byron Marler, for all your work in putting this show together.

So many great community programs! As I try to step in and fill the shoes of our incredible leader Tokeli Baker I am so surprised by all the programs EAA has in this community. Our kid’s programs bringing art education and encouraging art in young people and students of all ages, our high school scholarship program, our Art Camps and our Workshops Lecture Demonstrations helping people grow their art skills and most importantly our monthly exhibitions that give access to you, all our community artists to display your work in a professional gallery in the Center of Escondido. It’s a tremendous accomplishment. EAA is the beating heart of the artistic community in Escondido.

It's a party and a Gala! One of the most important aspects of being a community based non-profit organization is our ability to raise important funds for us to continue all this work. That is why I am personally asking you to buy your tickets now, today, to our Fund-Raising Gala Event on Saturday June 21, The Summer Solstice Soiree at the wonderful and magical Hidden Chateau in Escondido. Tickets are $100 for EAA Members and $125 for Non EAA Members and you can purchase them right now on our 
www.escondidoartassociation.org website or by clicking on this link:

Get your Tickets Here!

This will be a fabulous, elegant magical party! It will take place in a gorgeous private walled Garden just a few blocks from our Gallery and you will want to bring your friends, partners, clients and neighbors. We will have food from your favorite local restaurants, local wineries with tasting and serving wine, entertainment and more. It’s a perfect way to spend the Summer Solstice evening and all proceeds go to support our much-needed programs in this, our Escondido community. Please get your tickets early we anticipate selling out! A very special thank you to Christine and Annette for all their hard work and for our lead Volunteers and Angels Adina and Kristy and many others for their support. Go Team EAA!

Next Take In! Finally, this is just a reminder our next take in for our next exhibition “Abstract Adventures” is Saturday May 3, 11 am - 4 pm at the gallery. We have a free live art demo on Thursday May 8, 2 pm - 4 pm and the opening is Saturday May 10, 4 pm – 6 pm.

Yikes! Well, I have run out of space for this letter, and there’s still more to share with you like our new Young Adults program “Ignite” and much more so please look for my next email and update. And in the meantime, if you see this tall American Scotsman in the Gallery, please say hello and introduce yourself. I’d love to get to know you and get your input. I’m honored to serve you as your new President.

In service, best regards.
Adrian Stewart
Your Incoming President of The Escondido Art Association.

 Escondido Times-Advocate. By News Desk on March 27, 2025

Escondido Art Association welcomes Adrian Stewart as new president

The Escondido Art Association (EAA) has nominated acclaimed local artist and sculptor Adrian Stewart as its incoming president. Stewart will serve alongside Tokeli Baker as co-President until June 2025, at which time he will fully assume the role upon official election by the EAA membership at the annual meeting. 

Stewart brings a distinguished background in both the fine arts and arts leadership. As an artist, he is widely recognized for his evocative paintings and masterfully crafted wood sculptures, which have been featured in numerous exhibitions. His solo exhibitions include the From the Garden to the Sea at Expressions Gallery in Escondido and a showcase at Sophie’s Gallery in Kensington.

Stewart has played a pivotal role in managing some of the nation’s most esteemed arts organizations. His leadership experience includes executive positions with The Pittsburgh Ballet, The American Conservatory Theater, The Dallas Theater Center, and most notably, his tenure as managing director of the San Diego Repertory Theater.

“We are thrilled to welcome Adrian to this leadership role at EAA,” said Tokeli Baker, current co-president. “His extraordinary blend of experience—as both a talented artist and a proven leader in arts management—makes him the perfect person to help propel our organization into an exciting new era.”

Originally from Rhu, on the west coast of Scotland, Stewart studied painting under John Brown RSW (Royal Society of Watercolourists).

“I am deeply honored to be part of the next chapter for the Escondido Art Association,” said Stewart. “This organization has a remarkable legacy of supporting local artists and fostering community engagement with the arts. EAA’s dedication to Escondido’s creative community is truly inspiring, and I look forward to working with Tokeli and the board to further strengthen and expand our impact.”

Stewart also holds business and engineering degrees with distinctions from Edinburgh University and a joint MBA/MFA from Indiana University. At Indiana University, he served on the board for the inauguration of the I.M. Pei-designed Museum of Art in Bloomington. His professional career spans three decades as a healthcare consultant, and he currently serves as chairman of the IndUSa Alliance, an initiative dedicated to advancing cancer research and immuno-engineering collaboration between the United States and India. With Adrian Stewart at the helm, the Escondido Art Association looks forward to a dynamic future, continuing its mission to nurture creativity and provide meaningful opportunities for artists in Escondido and beyond.

For more information, visit www.escondidoartassociation.org.

Original article: https://www.times-advocate.com/articles/escondido-art-association-welcomes-adrian-stewart-as-new-president/

Artist Suzanne Nicolaison collaging a chair for auction. Photo by Kati Cowan
By News Desk on April 16, 2025 By KATI COWAN

Launching Arts, Culture & Creativity Month

The arts, business and nonprofit communities came together April 1 to launch the first ever Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (ACCM) as an unforgettable experience for Escondido at Heritage Park during the weekly Farmer’s Market. The Public Arts Commission (PAC) and the Downtown Business Association (DBA) generously sponsored ACCM and this event much to the delight of those attending.

During the opening day ceremony, Mayor Dane White awarded Carol Rogers, chairwoman of the Public Art Commission and of ACCM, a proclamation from the City of Escondido declaring April 2025 as Arts, Culture & Creativity Month. Among the passionate presenters were Interfaith Lead Volunteer Coordinator Maria Espinoza and Faith Associate Tommie Morrow—offering a free children’s coloring book illustrating what they do for the community. The goal is to get youth involved. To that end the nonprofit will have a summer program where parents and their children can volunteer in the pantry to sort food and goods—giving participants an opportunity to experience what Interfaith does for the community. Exhibiting Artist and Chairwoman of Esco Alley Art Suzanne Nicolaisen, sat on the ground a few feet away collaging an old wooden chair painted in different colors.

“I love what I do,” said Nicolaisen. “It’s therapy and it feels good.” Once finished, the chair will be auctioned off with two other similarly decorated chairs as a fundraiser for the arts.

Sadry Hedayat, founder and director of the nonprofit Persian Place, demonstrated an intriguing use of Persian wood blocking on colorful fabric squares which will ultimately be sewn together to make a quilt symbolizing togetherness and warmth. Attendees were invited to make their own blocks using different materials. One was a 150-year-old authentic Persian wood block that printed a unique traditional design. An apple cut in half or a wood block depicting a fish were other implements used to create a variety of images.

Persian Place joined the California Center for the Arts Escondido (CCAE) on March 15 to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year with dance performances, music, art, an artisan market and their Fantastic Fish Exhibition. Everyone was welcome to participate in this free event that will repeat again in March 2026 and provide insight into another rich and beautiful culture. Passersby could not help but be attracted by yet another presenter’s bold and colorful abstract art frames. Artist Rich Walker showed off his work that he explained was full of life and movement.

Using numerology, Walker predicts new beginnings for Escondido with a focus on a conscious and meaningful approach to life, global consciousness and helping others.

Sitting at a table doing a Tarot Card reading was Lindsey Hawkins representing Prism and Pendulum, a metaphysical store at 156 West Grand Ave., where all items are ethically sourced. Its art gallery the Raven’s Nest showcases young artists. This month’s theme is “Feathers Fangs and Fur.”

“We are building a community of individuals who are not only artists but also spiritual healers offering meditation, sound healing, mediums and more,” said Hawkins. ” One of our artists is painting one of three differently painted and decorated chairs to be auctioned off.”

Smiling and excited to share were Valeria Vazquez and Maria Perezchica of CCAE Theatricals for young audiences. They invited everyone to attend a staged reading of the play “!Lotería: Game On!” at CCAE’s Lyric Court, 12 – 3 p.m., April 19, as part of a festive kermés—a charity fair or bazaar according to Mexican tradition. It expects to be a fun-filled afternoon of activities, ballet folklorico, live music and theatre performances. The staged reading in English and Spanish is an interactive production where two children go on a quest to rescue their father from the magical world of Lotería.

CCAE is all in for the ACCM with exciting and eclectic exhibits and activities sure to please everyone. A huge display showed off the numerous community events offered this summer and throughout April.

For instance, “Música en la plaza” every last Friday of the month, April through September with additional performances September 5, 12 and 19 is a summer long gift to the community.

Beginner swing classes are offered for $20 per class at 2 p.m. on April 26 with teacher Mercedes Moore. On another note, for the entire month of April from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays in Studio 1, performer, vocalist and sought after vocal coach Alexis Joi will present the Power of Voice Workshop Series for $300 for singers, performers and speakers sixteen and over.

There’s more!

April 14 -18 the Center hosted the Clicbitz Fashion Design Spring Camp, a weeklong creative experience for aspiring young designers ages 8-16. It offered hands-on learning opportunities in fashion design, sewing, and upcycling. Participants will explore sewing techniques and design fundamentals, culminating in unique, wearable creations under the guidance of Clicbitz lead educator, Tracey Herriot—a seasoned fashion designer, award-winning seamstress, and sustainability advocate.

To experience something “hot” attend the “Hot Glass, Cold Beer” demonstration at the Center April 18 & 19. Glass artist James Stone of Stone and Glass will dazzle spectators with his glassblowing techniques in the Cal Club Courtyard and donate a hand-blown glass cup with a complimentary drink ticket for those donating a minimum of $25 to the CCAE Foundation.

The Center’s grand finale performance for ACCM will charm all music lovers with the Música en la Plaza rhythmic Latin sounds of Tito Puente, Jr. at 7 p.m. on April 25. With all these exciting previews to look forward to the opening day ended with a VIP reception sponsored by the DBA and held at Art Hatch Complex in the Distinction Gallery on Grand Avenue owned by Melissa Walker. The reception was well attended. DBA members and business owners like Kate & Bob Carpenter of Sunnyside Café, Louisa Magoon of The Grand Tea Room, Elizabeth Leahy of Leahy Design and many others were present—as were notable artists like Brenda Gunderson Townsend of Brilliant Spectrum Art, the creator of the colorful hummingbird mural and sculptor artists Colin Jemmott and MJ Brovold, who created the “Star” sculpture that will be on display at the CCAE.

Also present was Galina Marcus, founder of the San Diego Art Directory, promoting her services as a free opportunity to all artists to connect and offer resources to one another.

While these are just some of the highlights, there is a lot more happening during ACCM.

For more information go to www.escondido.gov/1235/Arts-Culture-Creativity-Month The first ever ACCM in Escondido is off to a good start and, if abstract artist Rich Walker’s predictions come true, is headed toward greatness.

Original article: https://www.times-advocate.com/articles/launching-arts-culture-creativity-month/