CLEARLAKE ? Park Study Club hosted a jovial event Saturday at El Grande Inn in Clearlake. The club”s annual Wine Tasting and Art Show provided guests with an opportunity to socialize while supporting the many good deeds of one the area”s oldest civics clubs.
This year”s gallery display featured pieces from five area artists including Cindy Machado, whose son Joseph Machado is a past recipient of one of the club”s educational scholarships.
Club member Jeannie Vierra shared with crowd words of appreciation extended by Machado for the opportunities made available to her son with the assistance of the club. “This letter comes with much gratitude for the Tom Wallace Vocational Scholarship that you awarded my son Joseph Machado,” Vierra relayed from a letter written by Machado. “This scholarship was a great motivation for my son to continue his education. Thank you so much!”
Machado”s display featured pieces from her inspirational collection entitled the “Perceptive Series.” In her biography, Machado wrote, “The overflowing beauty of Lake County feeds my soul, expanding my hunger of creative writing to now encompass photography. Within these artistic endeavors, I can only attempt to capture what the Great Master has created.”
Featured artists also included Wilma Galli, of Lincoln; Jack Cornell, of Clearlake; Theresa Maraganis, of Clearlake; and Silver Foxx Windchimes and Gifts, of Lakeport.
Galli, whose art is form of therapeutic release, displayed acrylic pieces painted on canvas board. “Strength Be With Me” was an overwhelming sea of green depicting a valiant willow tree amid a luscious green meadow. Other pieces illustrated a life”s lonely journey and the majestic world abound.
Maraganis, who is a psychology major at Sonoma State University, said she intends to use various means of art as therapy with her future clients. Her display featured work in vibrant, lively colors. Jack Cornell”s Pastels featured soft and gentle natural scenery and landscapes. “The scenery here is incredibly awe-inspiring and encourages me to participate in its beauty every time I go out in it,” Cornell”s biography read.
Merl and Robin Briggs, of Silver Foxx Windchimes and Gifts, displayed several home d?cor pieces that would surely conjure magical music when touched by nature”s breeze.
A never-ending flow of wines from local vineyards also highlighted the event. Ployez, Tulip Hill, Six Sigma and Shannon Ridge were well-represented with a few of their finest selections.
Sales Manager Joey Luiz, of Shannon Ridge, said the 2007 Reserve Barbera was a favorite for the night. “It”s a heavy, full-body red,” he said. “Shannon Ridge has won tons of awards with our Barbera.”
The event also featured a silent auction and raffle. Dr. Tom Hewlett held quite a few lucky tickets and walked away with four or five raffle prizes. Sarah Fortino was also quite lucky and claimed three raffle prizes and a silent auction item.
Park Study Club is one of the oldest clubs in the Clearlake area, founded in 1942 during the war. The non-profit club is dedicated to raising funds for scholarships and the Hugh O”Brien Foundation for leadership training for local youth. For membership information, please call Sharon at 994-1807.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
