The 2010 Scene on the Strait took place August 14 in Martinez, and a grand time was had by all. Twenty of California’s best plein air painters (including Sandra Lo, above) painted and chatted with hundreds of art lovers, who sipped wine and strolled around to the live sounds of a jazz trio in a beautiful waterfront park setting on a pleasantly mild and sunny afternoon. What’s more, all this sybaritic pleasure was for a great good cause: raising money for the Carquinez Regional Environmental Center (CREEC), which restores habitat for butterflies along the Carquinez Strait. And perfectly in keeping with the day, one could see an occasional tiger swallowtail butterfly flitting about, apparently enjoying the art as well.

This year’s Scene was dedicated to the memory of Pam Glover, an artist and teacher and long-time friend and supporter of the event. A special easel was set up with her paintings and tributes to her from her fellow artists. Here, in front of the easel, her daughter Anne-Marie Glover (above left, in blue), also a painter, shares happy memories of her mother with a friend who stopped by. Below are two shots of Scene painters chatting with people who appreciate their art. One is Mamie Walters (in the hat) and Teresa Onoda (in the chair).

Proceeds from the art sales at Scene on the Strait go to support CREEC and its environmental programs. It’s a big event that takes lots of work and time, and we’d like to celebrate a few of the people who make it all possible.

Pat Glover was one of the volunteers who oversaw the silent auction.

At the center of the all-important art purchasing table were Dave Hicks, the driving force behind Scene on the Strait, and all the volunteers.

Jeff Hicks, right, made sure that everyone had plenty of beverages.

And don’t forget the band! And, of course, where would be without all the art lovers who come out every year to buy art and support our cause? Thank you, and we’ll see you next year!

“John Muir’s Almonds”

“The Bather”

“Phil’s Fish Market”

Here’s Mary, in action

Proceeds from Scene on the Strait go to support the Carquinez Regional Environmental Center, which restores butterfly habit in the Carquinez Strait and provides environmental education and work for under-served teenagers in the area. Art purchases are partly tax deductible. There will be live jazz and fine food and wine at the event. Admission and parking are free.

“Orange Sheds, Mare Island”

“Sunday Papers”

“Palm Tree”

The artist, Jerry Turner, at leisure

“Mt. Tam”

“Chocolate cake”

And Mamie herself!

Bryan Taylor: “On our first meeting, Pam immediately struck me as a dignified woman wholly dedicated to her art. Thereafter, I rarely met a serious artist or dilettante in the Bay Area who wasn’t already knowledgeable of her work as well as her gifts as a teacher. Through decades of persistent dedication to her craft her influence was felt far and wide. She has left a great legacy through her work, posterity and students and her influence will be felt through the generations to come.”

Teresa Onoda: “Monday mornings at 8:30 either I would call her or Pam would call me with a “wakey, wakey.” We’d say, “Do you want to paint today, any idea where, no, okay see you at let’s say half past 10.”  Every Monday for 15 years started that way.  We had many adventures. Most dirt roads within 60 miles in any direction were our playground. We talked on our way to the location and then not a word until it was time to go. We had a wonderful friendship and we had much in common-art, love of family and animals. We helped each other get through some rough times and laughed often. I miss my friend.”

Nikki Basch-Davis: “Pam had innocent sweetness and young-hearted humor. What I liked to do most was make her laugh. I can still close my eyes and hear her.”

Jerrold Turner: “Pam was an important teacher who launched so many artists on their careers. She brought the energy and passion of the “Society of Six” to the present day through the mentoring of Lou and Lundy Siegriest. She set an example that dedication, perseverance and the love of art are what are needed to succeed in life. And oh yeah, love of life.”

Ramona Kennon: “I was painting near Lake Tahoe 12 or 15 years ago when an older woman and her companion strolled through the site. Several of the artists I was painting with began to murmur, so I asked what the hubbub was about. “That’s Pam Glover” was the response. I returned to my painting hoping she would still be there when I finished, and I was engrossed in my work when a voice with a slight accent asked me, ‘What galleries are you in?’ ‘None,’ I replied as I turned to see the voice, which belonged to Pam.  “Well you will be,” she said, and moved on. This was my first meeting with Pam, and it was her confidence in my work that set me on the path to attain gallery representation which I obtained shortly thereafter.”

Mamie Walters: “Pam Glover was an inspiration to me from the first time that I met her, many years ago. At that time, I was a woman who was feeling the effects of growing older. I thought about the future and wondered if I could manage the rigors of plein air painting. When I saw Pam out there painting, those concerns left me and I have always appreciated her for that. I always felt good being in her company.”

Leslie Wilson: “Pam was an extraordinary artist who was a tireless supporter of open space preservation. Her enthusiasm for the great outdoors shows through in her paintings and that is her gift to all of us.”

Geri Keary: “I knew Pam for many years as an artist to admire. I loved her bright colors and unique style.”

Mary Lou Correia: “My friendship with Pam Glover spanned some twenty years. I met her at a Maxwell showing in San Francisco and was enchanted by her spontaneous color and unique style. I enrolled in her Wednesday class and I painted with her and in Jerry Turner’s class on Saturdays. I wanted to glean as much as I could. I carried many of her lessons with me when I taught my own classes. Sketching out an idea very quickly, for instance, not to render but to jot down an idea. Teresa Onoda and Pam and I had lunch several times during her illness. She complained mildly about medical decisions but continued to enjoy painting. She came to my early shows always and discussed the painting market. She always shared her knowledge and encouraged me. The last time I saw Pam was to bring her lunch and to spend some quality time and to give Anne Marie [Glover, her daughter, who was helping to care for her] a break. I prepared some yogurt and fruit for her. I drove to Orinda and couldn’t find her house. I called Pam and she directed me and she was standing in the garage waiting for me. She cut up the fruit and gave me chicken salad. She made lunch for me. We enjoyed reminiscing. She showed me some of her older paintings. I am glad for that time. I admired her drive, her passion. She was my mentor both as an artist and as a person who lived with integrity. She lived life fully.”

Pam Glover was a founding artist and long-time supporter of Scene on the Strait and the Carquinez Regional Environmental Center (CREEC), which sponsors Scene on the Strait. Now in its 14th year, Scene on the Strait is the biggest fund-raiser for CREEC; proceeds from the sale of the paintings go to support CREEC’s programs to restore butterfly habitat along the Carqunez Strait as well as provide valuable work opportunities and environmental education for underserved youth. For more information about the August 14 event at Martinez Regional Shoreline, please see this website, the CREEC website, or call 510-787-9772.

“Boating,” by Pam Glover

This year’s Scene on the Strait will be held in memory of Pam Glover, seen above, who was a founding painter and major friend of the event.

Pam, who died in April after 86 years of making wonderful art, was well-known around the Bay Area and California as a painter and teacher of art. We knew her best as a warm and generous friend and supporter.

Jennifer Mondenessi of the Contra Costa Times wrote a sterling piece on Pam this June, talking about how her “colorful works captured the Bay Area’s diverse landscape and sparked the imaginations of the many students she taught during her years as an instructor at the Orinda Community Center.” Twenty of Pam’s colleagues and students, who call themselves “the Glover Group,” are now holding a plein air exhibit at the Orinda Library. Get there and see it before it ends July 1.

One of Pam’s many contributions to the Northern California art scene was her support of Scene on the Strait, which will be held Saturday, August 14, from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. at the Martinez Regional Shoreline in Martinez. This is our 14th annual event, and Pam was there from the beginning. She appeared many years at Scene on the Strait, painting landscapes on site to the delight of spectators and selling many of her paintings as well.

All the artists who appear at the show, including Pam’s daughter Anne Marie who will be at this year’s event, donate a portion of the sale of their art to support the Carquinez Enviromental Education Center and our environmental programs to restore butterfly habitat along the Carquinez Strait.

Here are two reminders of the grand legacy Pam left us: “Springtime,” and “Happy House, Martinez.”

The 14^th annual Scene on the Strait, a unique festival that combines fine art with helping young people and saving the environment, will take place Saturday, August 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Martinez Regional Shoreline in Martinez, California.

In an era when many fine art festivals are struggling, Scene on the Strait remains one of the biggest and most important showcases for plein air or landscape painting in California and the West. Above is a sampling of what will be on display at this year’s festival—an oil painting by renowned artist Jerrold Turner.

Sponsored by the nonprofit Carquinez Regional Environmental Education Center (CREEC), Scene on the Strait has achieved a unique status because art lovers can actually see and talk with top California plein air artists while they paint a model or the landscape in a beautiful waterfront park setting.

All the proceeds from the sale of the paintings go to go to support CREEC’s widely praised environmental and youth programs in which teenagers from underserved communities get work experience by planting native oak trees and raise Monarch butterflies for release. CREEC has released countless wild butterflies on more than six acres of restored habitat along the Carquinez Strait.

While helping the environment and supporting local artists, patrons receive an added plus: Art purchases are tax deductible of 40 percent or more. Art auctions will be held, and special discounts are available.

In addition there will be a jazz trio and fine food. Parking and admission are free. Call 510-787-9772 or visit www.SceneOnTheStrait.org for the latest updates and information.

Participating artists are: Ron Arthaud, Janice Byer, Melinda Cootsona, Mary Lou Corriera, Kevin Courter, Nikki Basch-Davis, Anne Marie Glover, Geri Keary, Ramona Kennon, Sandra Lo, Douglas Morgan, Christopher Newhard, Teresa Onoda, Nancy Roberts, William Rushton, Bryan Taylor, Jerrold Turner, Mamie Walters, Norma Webb, and Leslie Wilson.

Scene on the Strait is made possible by the generous support of our many volunteers as well as Allied Waste Services, Conoco Phillips, Contra Costa Newspapers, Crockett Cogeneration, Richmond Sanitary Service, Shell Oil Products,  Tell Rentals, Southern Wine & Spirits, and Tesoro Golden Eagle Refinery.