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

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