Santa Paula Art Museum — Introducing Jem and Gabriel, upcoming events

We’re delighted to introduce Jem Morris and Gabriel Islas as the newest additions to the Santa Paula Art Museum team! As Museum Educator, Jem Morris is leading SPAM’s ArtSPARK school tour program, monthly Free Family Days, our busy partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, and much more.

Jem grew up in Artesia, California, and her early interest in the arts eventually led her to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where she obtained her BFA in painting. “I cannot reiterate enough the importance of the arts within a community,” says Jem. “We need a healthy form of catharsis now more than ever, and I hope my role as Museum Educator can contribute to the ever-growing art community here in beautiful Santa Paula.”

As our new Curator of Creativity, Gabriel Islas is head of SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center. He’ll be curating and facilitating our fine art classes for all ages, overseeing our education programs, helping to establish our new art library and clay studio (coming soon), and more.

Gabriel was born and raised in Oxnard, California. His love of painting and the outdoors led him to Academy of Art University in San Francisco where he obtained his BFA with an emphasis in painting. “The Cole Creativity Center is bursting with potential,” says Gabriel. “I am so excited to bring a range of high quality fine art classes to the Santa Paula community.”

Painting Pet Portraits (Ages 16+)

Four-part course begins Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 11 AM to 2 PM

$140 per person for all four sessions

From Picasso and Matisse, to Kahlo and Hockney, some of the most famous artists in history painted portraits of their beloved pets—and now you can too! Join Jem Morris inside SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center to learn the ins and outs of painting pet portraits, including preliminary drawing, color theory, and painting techniques. All skill levels are welcome and all materials are provided. Advance registration is required.

Spooky Live Figure Drawing (Ages 16+)

Thursday, October 27, 2022, from 6 PM to 8 PM

$25 per person

Before you head out for Halloween, head inside the Cole Creativity Center for a spooky (and clothed) edition of our popular Live Figure Drawing classes. Teaching artist Jem Morris will start the class off with a short introduction, followed by lots of free sketching time with a costumed model. All skill levels are welcome and basic materials are provided. Advance registration is required.

Landscape Oil Painting Bootcamp (Ages 16+)

Friday, November 11, 2022, from 9:30 AM to 4 PM

$85 per person

Learn the basic building blocks of successful landscape oil painting during a one-day bootcamp taught by award-winning SoCal artist Sharon Weaver. Sharon will provide step-by-step instructions, giving you the foundation for painting any scene with confidence. All skill levels are welcome and all materials are provided. Advance registration is required.

See all upcoming classes

Free Family Day: Día de los Muertos

Sunday, October 30, 2022, from 12 PM to 3 PM

Free for all ages

Celebrate Día de los Muertos across three different locations in downtown Santa Paula on Sunday, October 30. Visit the Santa Paula Art Museum, the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum, and Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery. Hours and activities vary by location. At SPAM, kids are invited to create their own calavera mask, Folklóricoheadpiece, and papel picado!

Volunteers Wanted

Interested in supporting the Museum and its educational programs? Become a docent at the Santa Paula Art Museum! Docents support SPAM staff in a variety of ways, including greeting visitors at the front desk, staffing special events, assisting with Free Family Days, and much more. (Plus they’re the greatest group of people you’ll ever meet!) Reply to this email to get started, or follow the link below to fill out the volunteer contact form on our website.