Current Newsletter - November, 2025
President’s Message
Hello Everybody,
I hope all is well.
Great weather and a beautiful showing of Fall colors have highlighted our fall season.
This month’s Board and General meetings, and Art Demonstration by Heine Hartwig, will take place on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Library Conference Room.
At the November 17, 2025, Meeting, we will also elect the MLAA Officers and directors at large for 2026, as per Article 8 of our MLAA Bylaws. The term of Board Members is one year. Additionally, the Board, during a Board Meeting at which a quorum is present, can vote to appoint a Board member for an additional year. Each voting member shall have one vote. The Officers will include a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers are also automatically Directors. If you are interested in one of these positions, contact Board@motherlodeartassociation.org.
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Featured Artist
I am pleased to announce that one of our premier artists, Heine Hartwig, will be our featured artist again this month. Heine plans to do another painting in just one hour, with his subject matter being “How to paint a Sunset”. This is a real opportunity to see a listed, professional Artist demonstrate his knowledge, skill, and techniques for creating beautiful and dynamic sunsets.
New Exhibition Venue
Last month, we began populating the Sonora Senior Center with original fine art from MLAA. Artists. The Center is our latest MLAA Art Venue, and we have started hanging our members' artwork for display and sale. Approximately 150 people pass by the artwork daily, offering great exposure to the artists and their Art. Some of our art currently hanging in the Senior Center is shown in the image gallery below. Participating artists are Heinie Hartwig, Diana Boegel, Sherie Drake, Beth Robinson, Kelly Telfer, and Stefany Haynie.
Board Activities in Progress
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Our New MLAA Membership Application to include our new Logo and QR Code. Please feel free to print and distribute our MLAA membership application. Click/tap here to download the printable form.
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On October 28, 2025, the MLAA received a $6,000.00 grant from the Sonora Area Foundation for our Arts in Education Program, led by Maureen Nolan and Kelli O'Brien. Last year, your MLAA funded the Arts in Education Programs for 14 of our local schools.
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We continue to populate our new MLAA Art Venue at the Sonora Sonora Senior Center with MLAA Art at no charge to the artist.
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Continuing to support local art businesses, schools, and events.Actively working on the Second Saturday Program for 2026. The next MLAA Art Party will be on January 10, 2026. The location will be the Sonora Inn.
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Planning to fill the anticipated committee openings.
In closing, the MLAA is in great shape financially and supported by a solid Management team. We have maintained all of our existing programs and events, and are planning a few new ones.
We anticipate some committee openings in 2026, presenting an opportunity to participate.
In our wonderful 75-year-old organization. For further information, please contact robertfeigen@gmail.com.
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Bob
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Robert Feigen
President
Mother Lode Art Association
MLAA Board: Officers and Directors:
President Bob Feigen
Vice President Kelly Telfer
Secretary Sheri Fleming
Treasurer Keith Kelly
Directors-at-Large Pattie Henderson, Rana Ford, Bill Heiser, Maureen Nolan,
Suzanne Dudeck, Lydia Osias
Committee Chairs:
71st Annual Mother Lode Art Show: Open
Fundraising/Membership Open (Lydia Osias, Keith Kelly, Bob Feigen)
Hospitality Patti Henderson (Sheri Fleming)
Plein Air Claire Chateauneuf
Newsletter Bob Feigen/Sheri Fleming
Programs Marilyn Zinner, Jamie Showers
Social Media Rana Ford
Sonora Photo Club Bill Heiser (Catherine Stanton – V.P., Jan Alcalde - Secretary, Marie Hetherington -Treasurer, Maureen Nolan - Art Show Coordinator), Questions can be sent to hello@sonoraphotoclub.org or Bill@billheiserphoto.com.
Student Scholarships Kelli O’Brien (Maureen Nolan/Christine Halley/Rana Ford)
Venues Bill David
Website Bill Heiser (Keith Kelly)
Local Art Businesses and Shows
Aloft Gallery is located at 105 South Washington Street, Sonora, CA. 95370. (209)288-2844.
Kinart Gallery, Unique Ceramic Art, Kinartgallery.org, Kinahalley@gmail.com, Christine Halley,
209-206-3593,
Sonora Art Studio: 14675 Mono Way, Sonora, Ca. 95370 Sonoraarts19@gmail.com Lydia
Osias – Owner 510-910-4718 losias@comcast.net
Art studios are for rent at Sonora Arts with individual studios with interlocking doors ranging
from 100 square feet ($250/mo.) to 170 square feet ($450/month). Its ok for artists to share a
studio. Access is 7 AM to 10:00 PM seven days per week. Two studios have windows and
natural light. All utilities are included in the rent. No oils, metals, or resins. Contact Lydia for
further information.
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The Sonora Art Studio features continuous art instruction in Clay, Mixed Media Paper, and
Edible Art and Watercolor classes for adults, teens, and kids.
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Art Instructors are:
Lydia Osias 510-910-4718 losias@comcast.net Adult/Teen/Kid Clay
Barbara McNair 510-333-2266 needleboo@att.net Card Making and Paper Making SONORA
ARTS,14675 Mono Way, Sonora Saturday, February 22, 2025 1:00-4:00 pm $50... includes materials
Limited to 8 students … Classes fill quickly. To register, call/Text: BARBRA
MACNAIR 510-333-2266 * Wheelchair accessible. * Easy parking. * Smoke
Free. * No perfumes, please
Linda Moreno 510-334-1671 atimeforart2024@yahoo.com Cookie Decorating, Edible Gum
Flowers, 3D Floral Cards, Iris Paper Folding Cards
Kelli Noteman 209-770-5979 Kellilovesart@gmail.com Painting, Sierra Brushstrokes,
sierrabrushstrokes@gmail.com, Water Color, Sip and Paint, and Water Color Tea
I personally recommend everyone check out Lydia, Barbara, Linda, and Kelli Art
classes.
Sally Anne Fischer Studio: 25 South Washington St., Sonora, CA. . 95370
Telfer Design 408 813-7553, Kelly@telferdesign.com, www.kellytelfer.com
Board and Committees
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Committee Chairs:
71st. Annual Mother Lode Art Show Coordinator: Open
Hospitality Patti Henderson (Sheri Fleming)
Newsletter: Bob Feigen/Sheri Fleming
Plein Air: Claire Chateauneuf
Programs: Open
Membership/Fundraising/Grants Lydia Osias, Keith Kelly, Bob Feigen
Website Bill Heiser
Social Media: Rana Ford
Sonora Photo Club: Bill Heiser (Catherine Stanton – V.P., Jan Alcalde - Secretary, Marie Hetherington, SPC Treasurer, Maureen Nolan,
Student Scholarships: Maureen Nolan
Venues: Bill David
Website: Bill Heiser (Keith Kelly)
MLAA Board: Officers and Directors
President: Bob Feigen
Vice President: Kelly Telfer
Secretary: Sheri Fleming
Treasurer: Keith Kelly
Directors-at-Large: Pattie Henderson, Rana Ford, Bill Heiser, Maureen Nolan, Suzanne An/// Fundraising?Mem, Lydia Osias
Anticipated Committee Openings
At this time, we have the following anticipated committee openings:
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Field Trips (New)
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Hospitality
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Membership/Fundraising/Grants
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Programs
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Promotions
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Second Saturdays (New)
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Social Media
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Venues
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Advertising
Aloft Gallery
Inviting Kids of All Ages to FREE Holiday Ornament Workshops
with the Artists of Aloft Art Gallery
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10 AM - 4PM, Saturdays: Nov. 29, and Dec. 6 & 13
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Join in the fun of making FREE Holiday Ornaments with the artists of Aloft Gallery on 3 Saturdays from 10 AM - 4PM or while supplies last. No experience or purchase necessary.
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Nov. 29 - Origami Ornaments with Maggie Bevier
Dec. 6 - Christmas Tree Pipe Cleaner Ornaments with Chris Halley
Dec. 13 - Gingerbread Star Beaded Ornaments with Tom Neiderer and Linda Webb
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You're also welcome in the gallery in downtown Sonora 10 AM - 4 PM anytime after Thanksgiving through Jan. 4 to enjoy our Christmas tree full of artisan made ornaments for sale and a wide variety of artisan gifts made by local artists.
