Do as they do

For more than a century, the Pacific Art League (formerly Palo Alto Art Club) has centered the creative community in Palo Alto. They operate an ambitious calendar of classes, both at their headquarters and in local organizations. Almost 40 instructors cover the gamut from drawing to painting, in watercolors, pastel, pencils, ink, acrylics and oils. Located at the corner of Forest Avenue and Ramona Street in a warm and welcoming classic Spanish Revival structure, their gallery has been a favored local showplace for 60 years.

As with other leading artist collectives, the League partners with various community schools and agencies to bring hands-on opportunities for kids and seniors to create, as well as operating summer art camps.

At the Bill Wilson Center, the Expressive Art Program provides a creative outlet for at-risk youth. A diversion in both senses of the word.

League instructor Rachel Levine partners with AchieveKids to create an inspiring art camp for children with learning disabilities. Through individualized projects in a supportive environment, the youth explore various art mediums, while building confidence, life skills and social connections. Creating a good life while creating art is a great combination.

The League opens its doors for an Expressive Art Studio Drop-In Program designed specifically for youth and teens.

Bracketing all the youth-oriented workshops and options, they also offer a free Senior Art Meet-Up, a welcoming space for seniors to connect, create and explore their artistic side.

Giving the gift of art to the community is certainly something to do as they do.

Each year, the League opens the curtains on the artwork of their own instructors. It’s a glimpse of what the teachers feel is their best, and there are some fine works in this year’s exhibit.

Lori Anderson’s “Pretty Kitty” in oil will leave you wondering if it’s really a photograph. You can practically hear her purring as you stare into those infinitely blue eyes.

Speaking of alluring eyes, green this time, Carmen Lax paints a delightful young girl’s portrait in watercolor in “So Precious.” She’s looking at something to your side, rather than right at you, but you’ll long for that precious gaze.

Rafael DeSoto lures you into the depths of the trees, landscape and water in his “Winter Pond” watercolor.

Denise Howard’s “Waiting” colored pencil rendering of antique (by today’s standards) telephones had me laughing nostalgically. I swear I can hear them ringing. Ah Ma Bell.

It takes brass to paint brass, and Halcyon Heath Teed’s pastel “French Horn” is a trompe l’oeil classic. That’s arty French for “fool the eye,” and it certainly will.

Gregory Meissner’s oil painting “April” is a landscape you may think you have seen at Arastradero Preserve, while Chela Noto’s “Lit from Within” seems like a kelp forest.

“Morning Wander,” a mixed media piece by Roberta Kiphuth is a fanciful landscape in contrasting blues and yellows you’ve only seen in a dream.

There’s more to see at the gallery. Just do as they do and see this show.

You Can Create Too: Pacific Art League hosts an extensive year-round range of art classes in a wide variety of media. For information: info@pacificartleague.org.

Extra Credit: Want to watch free live demos? Society of West Coast Artists in San Bruno holds them in-person and via zoom third Saturdays monthly 1-3 p.m. Oil portraitist Dustin Adamson is on deck Feb. 21. For info check its San Francisco Chapter calendar at: swcartists.org.

Pacific Art League Forest/Ramona Gallery, 668 Ramona St., Palo Alto. pacificartleague.org/instructor-showcase-2026, (650) 321-3891.

Bart Charlow, author and consultant, has been sketching all his life and painting for over 45 years, had a professional photography business, and leads plein air painting groups. Come along as he shares his insights about the local art scene, and bring your sketchbook. His art and story are at: bartsart.weebly.com.