Creature Comforts: The Art of Pets & Animals

Studio ACE presents Creature Comforts: The Art of Pets and Animals, a juried exhibition celebrating the profound presence of animals in our lives—wild and domestic, real and imagined. This show explores the deep connections we share with our animal companions and the creative inspiration they provide. We are honored to welcome internationally-collected Oceanside artist Michael Summers—creator of ACE’s beloved Be Kind mural—as our guest juror. 

As Michael shared with us:

“I’ve loved and been inspired by animals for as long as I can remember, so I was truly honored to serve as one of the jurors for ACE Gallery’s Creature Comforts exhibition. 

Animals possess a unique ability to mirror our emotions and inner lives, making them powerful and deeply relatable subjects in art. Their expressive qualities invite us to anthropomorphize—to see reflections of ourselves in their gestures, behaviors, and personalities. The incredible diversity of animal life offers a near-limitless source of artistic inspiration, both visually and emotionally. 

Our relationship with animals—particularly domesticated ones—has shaped the course of human history. The bond between humans and dogs, for instance, dates back thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years. Across cultures and throughout time, animals have carried symbolic and narrative weight: from ancient fables filled with talking creatures to the 32,000-year-old Löwenmensch (Lion-Man of Hohlenstein-Stadel, one of the oldest-known examples of figurative art), we see a long tradition of blending the human and the animal in the realm of imagination. 

The breathtaking biodiversity of our planet continues to spark awe, wonder, and a profound emotional connection—one that artists are uniquely positioned to express and celebrate.”

We are deeply grateful to Michael, as well as to Larry Vogel and Barbara Runge, who helped facilitate the jurying process. Barbara and Larry, along with Julie Weaverling, also curated and installed the exhibition, which features 56 artists and 59 artworks. Special thanks to our former Gallery Coordinator, Wanda Brown, for her contributions, and a warm welcome to our new Coordinator, Mitzi Summers, who has gracefully taken on the challenge of organizing an exhibition in a brand-new gallery space. We hope you enjoy the show!

For inquiries about artwork in the exhibition, please call (760) 730-5203 or email gallery@studioace.org

On view July 21 - September 5, 2025.

ACE Art Stars 2025

Studio ACE’s Scholarship Students

The ACE ArtStars exhibition highlights the exceptional work of Studio ACE’s scholarship students—young artists selected for their passion, dedication, and emerging talent. Over the past year, these students have received ongoing private instruction made possible by the generous support of donor Chris Clevering. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chris for his continued commitment to arts education and to Studio ACE.

Each student’s lessons with instructor Margaret Chiaro were individually tailored to nurture their unique interests and artistic development. Margaret is honored to guide such enthusiastic and gifted young artists. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes a well-rounded art education, encouraging exploration across media and styles while equipping students with the technical tools to discover and refine their creative voices.

Featured ArtStars:

Lily Musel & Grace Spengler

Lily Musel began studying with Studio ACE at age 12 and is now 18. As our longest-participating scholarship student, Lily has explored a wide range of media and techniques. She has since found her artistic voice in oil painting, with a particular focus on Amazonian wildlife.

Grace Spengler, age 13, brings a vivid imagination to her art. Now entering her third year in the program, Grace continues to experiment with subject matter and techniques. Over the past year, she has focused on acrylic and oil painting, exploring a variety of brushwork styles and approaches.

On view June 20 - July 12, 2025.

Below is a selection of those works.

Watercolor Journey : The First Step

This show features the paintings of my students from the weekly watercolor class provided and sponsored by Studio ACE.

As their instructor, I am incredibly proud of each and every one of these accomplished artists. They support and attend this class each week with dedication, continuously developing their own unique styles and skills in watercolor.

Many of these artists began with no prior experience in the medium, each bringing their own story of how they found—and stayed with—this class. Their individual journeys are noted in months or years next to their names. What they have achieved is truly inspiring, and now they take that important first step in sharing their amazing work with you!

Many thanks to ACE’s Executive Director and Founder, Julia Fister, and her wonderful staff— Wanda Brown, Michelle Kaskovich, Tey Lin, Erick Perez, and Mitzi Summers— whose efforts made this show a reality and gave these artists a space to shine. Special thanks also to fellow artist and instructor Margaret Chiaro for her help and expert eye in hanging the show so beautifully.

To my amazing and talented group of artists: thank you for inspiring me, sticking with me, and making every week so enjoyable. 

Congratulations!

Kene Lohmann, Watercolorist and Arts Instructor

On view April 21 - June 13, 2025.

Participating Artists:

Mary Backer

Annette Berg

Kim Collins-Pelch

Gayle Hamilton

Melinda Jones-Boback

Dan Kasperick

Jeanne Landon-Myer

Julie Mendes

Suzie Qattan

Rebecca Roehm

Corinna Stocker

Eileen Turk

Madeline Uebelhor

Ranka Vukmanic

H₂O: The Water Show

After overcoming a flooding disaster, ACE Gallery is excited to announce its grand reopening! To mark this significant moment and transform tragedy into triumph, we proudly present H2O: The Water Show—a juried exhibition that celebrates the profound influence of water on life and art.

Water is not only a vital resource but also a powerful force of nature, embodying life, renewal, and the interconnectedness of our world. This exhibition features artists from diverse mediums, each exploring water’s beauty, energy, and duality in both reality and imagination. From tranquil rivers to stormy seas, and from water’s nurturing presence to its potential for destruction, these works serve as a dramatic reflection on water’s role as both muse and metaphor, inviting thought and conversation.

Join us in celebrating resilience and creativity as we dive into the depth and wonder of water, commemorating its presence on the walls, not the floor.

A heartfelt thank you to Wanda Brown, whose unwavering dedication made this exhibition possible. We are deeply grateful for her invaluable efforts in bringing this vision to life.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to our esteemed jurors—Margaret Chiaro, Larry Vogel, and Barbara Runge—for their expert judgment and thoughtful curation. Their sharp insight and steadfast dedication have played a pivotal role in shaping H2O: The Water Show into something truly exceptional. Special thanks to Julie Weaverling for her excellent eye in laying out the show. We are grateful to you all for helping bring this vision to life!

On view March 17 – April 18, 2025

Small Art BIG Impact

ACE is proud to present its first juried show, with artwork selected by juror Julie Weaverling.

It’s an honor to have been invited to be juror for this inaugural juried exhibition at ACE Gallery. I am grateful for the opportunity to support the wonderful work being done by Studio ACE.

My aim in selecting work for the exhibition was to not only present works of excellence but also to offer the viewer a way into the many stories represented by the art. The diversity of the work ranges from traditional to abstract to mixed media painting, varied photographic process works, collage and book arts, as well as sculpture created with distinct materials.

The exhibition is designed to allow your eye to travel around the room catching glimpses of color and shape that draw your eye and create a journey.

Studio ACE and I believe that Art Creates Community. This exhibition reflects that idea with a group of fine and meaningful artworks. Congratulations to all of the artists selected and also to those artists not selected but who were brave enough to submit their work.

— Julie Weaverling

On View September 7 – October 26, 2024

ACE Art Stars

Studio ACE Scholarship Students 

The ACE ArtStars Exhibition showcases the work of three of ACE’s scholarship program students, Lily Musel, Grace Spengler, and Hollis Holder. Over the course of the last year, these students were granted ongoing private art instruction at Studio ACE, made possible through the generosity of Chris Clevering, a long-time patron and advocate of Studio ACE. The three ArtStars featured in this exhibition were selected based on their artistic passion and talents, and all are students of instructor Margaret Chiaro, who tailored their private lessons to their specific interests and needs. Studio ACE would like to extend deep gratitude to Chris Clevering for his support of this program and for the opportunities he has provided through his ongoing support of Studio ACE. 

About the ACE ArtStars 

Lily Musel, the longest running participant in the program, started at age 12, and is now 17. Lily has explored many media and techniques over the years, but presently has been painting in oil with a focus on wildlife. She is extremely dedicated and never afraid to make changes to improve her technique, execution, and aesthetic. Lily is currently building towards a solo exhibition that will take place at the end of her senior year of high school.

 Grace Spengler is 12 years old and has a vivid imagination. Her work started with the 5-eye head (a human anatomy facial proportion), which she then turned into a series of imaginary portraits in acrylic. From there, she focused on the color and temperature of light in a series of still life studies, finishing with a study of her long-adored “Gilda”, a small stuffed flamingo featured in her work. Grace’s choice for her final project was to expand on her learned techniques in a pop-art inspired portrait of Gilda as Taylor Swift. 

Hollis Holder is also 12 years old and has an eye for detail. She is very astute in her understanding of realism and has chosen to explore human anatomical proportions. Hollis also started with the 5-eye head and turned the proportional study into an imagined self-portrait. Her practice then turned to a focus on hands over the course of her study. Working in graphite, charcoal, pastel, acrylic, and oil, Hollis has a great work ethic and isn’t afraid of a challenge. 

On View July 20 - August 24, 2024

Brendan Kerr: Triptychs and Media Explorations

Brendan Kerr explores media that can express how he sees the world as an artist seeking to connect and share his experiences.  For the current exhibition, Brendan has focused the centerpieces of his show on multimedia triptychs, works of art presented in three parts.  

Through his particular lens, he begins with a photograph, finding inspiration in his surroundings and the landscape of San Diego.  He then provides another interpretation through oil or acrylic painting.  Lastly, he entwines the elements of nature’s design into an original weaving.  

Photography, painting, and fiber art are mediums where visual, tactile, and sensory relationships are explored.  Brendan Kerr’s work seeks to inspire art aficionados and art makers alike.  His goal is to share his creativity to forge connections within the community and burgeon the creative spirit.

Also, a musician with perfect pitch, Brendan plays bass guitar and enjoys playing numerous gigs as a band member of Jungle Poppins.

www.brendankerrvisualarts.com

On view June 15 – July 13, 2024

Personalized Pedagogy: Finding the Individual's Artistic Voice

Every artist is unique and needs a caring and stimulating atmosphere that supports risk taking and invites the sharing of ideas.    

As a teacher, I aspire to guide the individual's natural curiosity to direct his/her creative process.  For students to formulate their own artistic purpose, they need the opportunity to learn the foundations of technique, media, and self-discipline.  Personalized lesson plans that also reinforce the foundations of art expand individual discovery and growth.  Given the opportunity for input, students generate ideas and set goals that make for much richer exploration. As an instructor, I am here to help the individual find and strengthen their own artistic voice.

Teaching provides me continuous learning and growth. My hope as an educator is to instill a love of art, experimentation, and expression in my students, as I share my own passion with them.

To my students in this current exhibition…

With my deepest gratitude, thank you for the opportunity to get to know you and assist in your artistic endeavors.

Margaret Chiaro

Participating Artists:

• Tina Bertrand

• Kash

• Brendan Kerr

• Ethan Marr

• Shelby Marzoni

• Cathy Shaheen

• Lynne Tufts

• Jean Wall

On View April 26 – June 8, 2024

Share The Love

It has always been my dream to create a community art space where all would feel welcome and have access to affordable arts experiences. From a 600 square foot space that opened in 2018, Studio ACE has now grown to over 2100 square feet of space that houses the ACE Studio Classroom, the ACE Art Shop (carrying the work of local artists), and now the ACE Gallery! Truly, it was a labor of community love to get to where we are today!

While the purpose of the ACE Gallery is to exhibit work by students and professionals alike, its main purpose is to help support the arts programming for Studio ACE. Studio ACE provides low-cost, high-quality art classes for students of all abilities and ages, from toddlers to seniors, including free arts programming for neurodivergent children, teens, and adults. ACE also partners with a number of programs to benefit under-resourced communities, and participates in local fairs and festivals, providing free family-friendly art projects to complement the theme of each event. Proceeds from the sale of all artworks exhibited in the ACE Gallery will not only benefit the exhibiting artists but will also directly help ACE to continue to fulfill its mission to enrich lives through Arts, Community, and Education.

For ACE Gallery’s inaugural show, we chose to invite artists who have helped bring ACE to where it is today, and who will help propel ACE into its bright future. We have an amazing community of artists who have most definitely shared their love with ACE, and we want to thank them for it, and share the love right back! Exhibiting artists were asked to submit artwork that has a specific meaning or value that they want to share with the viewers; most are personal experiences translated into artwork. Some of the artists in this exhibition have been with ACE since its beginning and some have only recently begun sharing their talents and artwork with us. Artists included in this show are:

• Bob Boon - Volunteer since 2018

• Wanda Brown - Operations Manager for Studio ACE since 2023

• Margaret Chiaro - Arts Instructor and Volunteer since 2018

• Theresa Fullmer - Volunteer, Arts Instructor and Volunteer Coordinator since 2019

• Michele Gorcey - Shop Vendor since 2022

• Yolanda Gutierrez - Shop Vendor and Arts Instructor since 2022

• Blake Kern - Shop Vendor since 2020

• Mikey Kettinger - Arts Instructor since 2023

• Quantal Langford - Arts Instructor and Shop Vendor since 2019

• Kene Lohmann - Arts Instructor since 2018

• Melissa Nabulsi - Shop Vendor, Volunteer and Social Media Coordinator since 2022

• Kathleen Ossiander - Volunteer since 2022

• Erick Perez - Shop Manager since 2024

• Barbara Runge - Volunteer since 2023

• Allison Taylor - Arts Instructor since 2019

• Larry Vogel - Volunteer since 2023

Besides thanking the wonderful artists listed above, I also want to thank all of ACE’s staff, with special thanks to Lindsey Dezelan, ACE’s Lead Arts Instructor and Studio Manager since 2022, for coordinating the corresponding student art show, and Mitzi Summers for all her behind the scenes work.

A big thank you also goes to local Oceanside artist Michael Summers who painted the most amazing mural and permanent artwork at ACE, Be Kind, which you can find in our classroom. It guides us every step of the way.

The biggest thank you goes to Kay Colvin, ACE’s new Gallery Coordinator, for making this exhibition come together. Her contributions have been invaluable. As for anything that may look a little off, well, you can blame that on me!

Julia Fister

Founder & Executive Director

Studio ACE

On View February 24 – April 13, 2024