State of the Art Presence – December 2025 / January 2026

GET READY for a creative month at our gallery and art center. We’ll continue to feature the “Gathering of Angels” show and offer exciting hands-on activities. Our Gift Gallery is also stocked with unique, one-of-a-kind gift ideas.

A Season of Giving—Be sure to stop by our extraordinary Gift Gallery. It is a treasure trove of distinctive, exceptional art pieces—from paintings and ceramics to sparkling jewelry—it’s your ultimate starting point for holiday shopping!

Community Exhibit Continues: A Gathering of Angels—We continue to present the ethereal arrival of divine beings with “A Gathering of Angels” in the main gallery this month. Local artists and gallery members are participating in this annual event, which has become a beloved winter tradition in our community. Come ready to be captivated by original artworks depicting angels, saints, and ephemeral entities of all kinds. It’s a truly special show.

  • Monthly reception: Join us for our monthly reception on Saturday, December 6, from 1:00 to 4:00pm.
  • On display through the end of the month: The exhibition runs until December 28.

Member Artist: Hand painted whimsical lamps, frames, and mirrors of Carol Branan—Carol is a local artist whose current interest is refurbishing old lamps and small pieces of furniture, turning them into art! Growing up on a fruit ranch in California, she spent her days exploring her grandma’s winery. Now she finds unattractive or broken lamps, takes them apart, rebuilds them, repairs them, and uses her skills as an artist to breathe new life into them with color, pattern, and design.

Messy Hands: Fluid Art Ornaments with Brenda Mills Brannan—Join artist Brenda in making simple but beautiful Christmas bulbs for your Christmas tree, or to give as gifts. She will be providing two quick demonstrations: Fluid Acrylic Paint and Alcohol Ink, then will guide you through the process.  All necessary supplies will be provided. Fee: $5, limit 12

Book of the Month: My Year at the Good Bean Cafe by E. A. Luetkemeyer—“My Year at the Good Bean Café” is a quirky work of metafiction, a story about itself and its own creation, that explores the nature of identity, the process of becoming, the imponderable intelligence of the Universe, and the magic of art in all its manifestations.

January Happenings—January is packed with exciting events! Find fine art at a discount during our annual “Studio Sale,” and join our Messy Hands class to create Rock Painted Talismans with Melody Blore. The Third Saturday event features an Artist’s Sharing Circle; look for details and other activities on our website at art-presence.org or on our Facebook page.