ACE ArtStars

On view May 30 - June 17, 2026

Studio ACE’s Scholarship Students

The Studio ACE ArtStars Exhibition showcases the incredible talent and dedication of students in our scholarship program. Each awardee was selected for their artistic passion, creativity, and potential. Over the past year, these students received ongoing private art instruction made possible through the generosity of our donor, Chris Clevering. We are deeply grateful to Chris for the opportunities he provides and for his continued support of Studio ACE.

Under the guidance of instructor Margaret Chiaro, each student’s lessons were thoughtfully tailored to their individual interests and artistic goals. Margaret considers it an honor to work with such dedicated and talented young artists. Her goal is to provide a well-rounded art education that encourages students to explore a wide variety of media and styles while equipping them with the tools needed to discover and strengthen their unique artistic voices.

Our current ArtStars are Grace Spengler, Gabriella Musel, and Delilah Duran.

Grace Spengler, age 14, has just completed her third year in the scholarship program and will continue for a fourth year. Throughout her studies, Grace has explored a range of subjects and techniques, with a particular focus this year on acrylic painting. She developed her skills in composition, proportion, and anatomy, culminating in a series of works inspired by her love of horseback riding.

Gabriella Musel, also 14, has completed her first year in the program and will continue into a second year of study. Gabriella demonstrates exceptional patience, attention to detail, and a strong willingness to challenge herself creatively. She began the year working in graphite and charcoal, making remarkable progress by her second charcoal piece. Her final projects focused on simplifying images into planes of color to create dimension and form through acrylic painting.

Delilah Duran, age 12, brings a vivid imagination, humor, and sense of adventure to her artwork. She, too, will continue into a second year of study. Delilah is eager to experiment with a wide range of media, and her work often incorporates imaginative narratives and original characters that invite viewers into her creative world. Over the past year, she has explored graphite, charcoal, pastel, and acrylic painting.

Common Threads: The Fabric of Our Community

On view February 21 - March 27, 2026

This exhibition brings together artists whose work explores connection — between people and place, tradition and innovation, hand and material. Through fiber and textile-based practices, this exhibition honors the deep histories embedded in craft while embracing the expansive possibilities of contemporary art.

Rooted in techniques passed down through generations, many of these works pay homage to the labor, knowledge, and cultural memory woven into cloth. At the same time, the 29 artists gathered here — spanning the globe from San Diego to France — push fiber beyond expectation. Experimenting with scale, structure, and concept, they reimagine what textiles can communicate in a modern context. Thread becomes line. Fabric becomes language. Stitch becomes story.

We were honored to collaborate with two accomplished local fiber artists, Michelle Montjoy and Julie Weaverling, who played integral roles in the jurying, curation, and design of this exhibition. We are deeply grateful for their contributions to bringing this project to life, and we are pleased to share a few words from each of them below.

From Michelle Montjoy (Juror/Curator):

What a delight to see this array of works. The works selected range from the gentle gesture to the bold statement, from skillfully wonky to meticulously crafted. I resonated with works that reflect openness with the use of textiles, show the hand of the maker, and take us on a journey. It was an honor to spend time with these works, and I look forward to seeing them hung in the gallery at Studio Ace. Many thanks to Julia Fister for inviting me and Mitzi Summers for all the technical assistance.

From Julie Weaverling (Curator/Exhibition Designer):

The Common Threads exhibition features a range of fiber art forms making it an exciting project to curate. Designed to visually guide viewers from areas bursting with joyful color and bold energy to calm, muted tones and nature-inspired pieces, the progression offers moments of reflection and vitality and allows each work to be appreciated individually while contributing to the cohesive group. What is revealed is fiber arts as an emotional medium, versatile and able to express complex ideas and feelings —an art form that weaves together tradition, innovation, and human connection into a vibrant and meaningful whole.

Studio ACE would also like to extend our sincere thanks to members of the ACE Artist Council who helped bring this exhibition to life: Bob Boon, Barbara Runge, Mitzi Summers, and Larry Vogel. Common Threads reminds us that art — like community — is strengthened by the diverse voices that shape, support, and sustain its fabric.

Thank you to the Participating Artists!

Joe Valentino’s Legacy Project: What a Wonderful World

On view January 19 - February 7, 2026

At 95 years old, artist Joe Valentino continues to astonish the art community with his creativity, vision, and generosity. His newest and most meaningful work, known as his Legacy Project, is titled What a Wonderful World. 

Joe’s art is created from hundreds of tiny pieces of colored paper, meticulously cut into intricate shapes and assembled into stunning compositions. This remarkable project consists of nine individually crafted and framed works, each thoughtfully illustrating the lyrics of Louis Armstrong’s beloved song, What a Wonderful World. Together, the pieces form a powerful visual tribute to beauty, hope, and humanity. 

Why a Legacy Project? Joe Valentino created this work with a clear and heartfelt intention: to place his art in a setting where children and young people actively engaged in learning and creating art could experience it every day. He wanted his work to live in the classroom, sparking curiosity, imagination, and inspiration for future generations of artists. 

Joe has chosen Studio ACE as the permanent home for this extraordinary project. Studio ACE is a nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring, and enriching lives through Arts, Community, and Education (ACE). The values of Studio ACE perfectly align with Joe’s desire to give back and nurture creative growth. 

About the Artist — Joe Valentino 

Joe Valentino is a celebrated San Marcos–based artist known for his vibrant, imaginative paper art that has captivated audiences for decades. His work was featured on CBS Sunday Morning, where his sun-inspired pieces were selected from thousands of submissions and showcased on national television — a recognition he still treasures. Valentino’s art combines intricately cut paper with paint, each piece assembled by hand with joy, optimism, and a distinctive creative voice rooted in fantasy and warmth. (CBS 8) 

With a long and rich artistic journey that began with a background in advertising design and creative work in New York, Joe has continued to explore themes of light, renewal, and wonder through his work in the San Diego area. His pieces draw viewers into a world where color, shape, and imagination intersect.