December 4, 2023

Club members and guests ushered in the holiday season in fine style at our December meeting, surrounded by the always-impressive Christmas decorations at The Athenaeum. As usual, a highlight of the evening was the opportunity to catch up with old friends and colleagues and enjoy the chance to meet some new ones, including the many guests who joined us.

The theme of the night was beautifully captured in a well-received performance by The La Cañada High School Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Jeff Brookey. It was a lovely way to celebrate this holiday time of year as we prepare to bid farewell to a memorable year and put out the welcome mat for 2024. Happy New Year!

 

Bob and Beth Altman with Jim and Marty Childs
Kimberly Covey and Beth Altman

Norman and Sossie Sarafian
Kathleen Swaydan
Jo and Chris Butcher
Bob Altman, Jim Childs, and William Covey
Jo Butcher, Judith Epley, Kimberley Covey, Marty Childs, Ann Jones, and Nancy Stone
Stan Jones, Olga Moretti, Willian Covey, Bob Altman, and Jim Childs
Sheri Morton with new member Patricia DiGennaro and Membership Chair Jo Barbera
The La Cañada High School Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Jeff Brookey
Dr. Jeff Brookey and Performing Arts Program Chair James Stauffer
Kathleen Swaydan, Robert Farley, Stan Jones, Sheri Morton, Jo Butcher, Olga Moretti, Jo Barbera, Ligia Molina, Jim Stauffer, Lorelli Embry, Jim Childs

 

 

October 2, 2023

Our 110th Season got off to a sparkling start with our first dinner meeting at the Athenaeum. The evening started with the exhibit of varied works by our own Susanne Belcher, and the creativity on display was something to behold. The presentation of the art was beautifully arranged, as always, by chair Jo Butcher.

The evening continued with the first presentation of new Performing Arts Chair James Stauffer, a delightful homage to the music of Cole Porter from pianist Dr. James Lent and baritone Ross Chitwood. Their polished and enthusiastic performance of some great American standards was a treat for the audience..

Of course, a highlight of the evening was the opportunity to meet and greet Club members new and longstanding in the beautiful surroundings of the Athenaeum. We’re already looking forward to this year’s Christmas decorations!


Susanne Belcher next to the introduction to the exhibit
A beautiful setting for an extraordinary exhibit.
One of Susanne Belcher's extraordinary abstract paintings..
Another of Susanne’s vivid, colorful painting
Some distinctive labels for wine bottles inspired by Susanne’s designs
Susanne’s art translates to fabric, as seen in this lovely scarf.

Susanne is a well-known collage artist, and this one celebrates her life-long love affair with Los Angeles.
Susanne Belcher and Michael Belcher
Susanne Belcher and Petra Wright
Susanne Belcher and April Brandenberg
Two paintings from Susanne’s extraordinary collection

 

Baritone Ross Chitwood delighted the audience with his performance of selections by Cole Porter

 

Pianist Dr. James Lent and Ross Chitwood brought new life to Porter standards from The Great American Songbook

Performing Arts Program Chair James Stauffer, Olga Moretti, Ross Chitwood, and Dr. James Lent.

Susanne Belcher
Susanne Belcher and Ingrid May
Susanne Belcher and Sheri Morton
Jessie Duffy and Jo Butcher
Sheri Morton reviewing one of Susanne’s many creative portfolios
Salina Cortez and Ligia Molina
Stanton and Ann Jones, Judith Epley, and Jim Childs
Ligia Molina, Olga Moretti, and Nancy Stone
Pat Gennaro, Ingrid May, Olga Moretti, and James Stauffer
Zbigniew Nyczak, Louise Lewis, Ewa Nyczak, and Patricia Ferber
Guy Gardner, Linda Gardner, GailYamashita, Robert Farley, and André deToledo
Carole Gillin Blum, Les Blum, Michael Belcher, and Phil Brandenburg
Ingrid May and Jo Barbera

 

Susanne Belcher and Jo Butcher
June 5, 2023

The Fine Arts Club’s 109th season closed out in amazing fashion with our June 5th event at The Athenaeum.  Members and guests were treated to an extraordinary exhibit of works by the master glass artist Thomas Schlanser, beautifully presented through the efforts of Visual Arts Exhibit Chair Jo Butcher.  The evening continued with a lovely performance by the gifted and much-acclaimed classical harpist Anya Garipoli.  Of course, the principal delight was the opportunity to mix and mingle in such beautiful surroundings with other members and the many guests who joined us for the occasion.

This event also marked a changing of the guard for the Club, with Co-presidents James F. Childs, Jr. and Robert Farley stepping down and Olga Moretti stepping in as President.  Also stepping down is Performing Arts Chair Mary Cronin, who has coordinated the appearances of our musical artists for the last several years.  James Stauffer is assuming that role and we are looking forward to more great musical performances.  Additional information on Club officers, chairs, and committees can be found on our Members page (password required).

Great thanks to Jim, Robert, and Mary for their years of service.  Congratulations and best wishes to Olga and James in their new roles as we usher in our 110th Season.


A beautiful ‘Achieve’ bowl offers a guide to life in the form of ABCs.
A favorite client of Schlanser’s studio is the U.S. State Department.  Here is one of the glass boxes crafted with the Presidential Seal.
A curved vessel displays King Solomon’s song of praise to a ‘Woman of Valor’.
This platter inscribed with the text of ‘Hear, O Israel’ is one of the many pieces in the artist’s Judaica collection.

The Fine Arts Club of Pasadena is proud to have one of the artist’s custom pieces.  It is seen here with a distinctive bud vase, and one of the classics Schlanser has captured in book form: Whitman’s O Captain! My Captain!
The Fine Arts Club of Pasadena is proud to have one of the artist’s custom pieces.  It is seen here with a distinctive bud vase, and one of the classics Schlanser has captured in book form: Whitman’s O Captain! My Captain!
The elegant simplicity of a white bowl with cutouts, on a crystal base.

Mr. Schlanser has a number of beautiful vases among his designs.  Here he is seen with his Wisteria vase, which was a highlight of the June exhibit.
Mr. Schlanser placing
the ‘Achieve’ bowl for the exhibit.
 

We are happy to be able to share the video of Mr. Schlanser’s acceptance speech.

Anya Garipoli performed four works by varied composers, including Grandjany, Fauré, Lizotte, and Garner.
Ms. Garipoli introducing her harp to the audience.  She is committed to bringing the harp into the 21st century by forging a new artistic identity for the instrument.
 
Ms. Garipoli with outgoing
Performing Arts Chair Mary Cronin.

Mr.Schlanser flanked by outgoing
Club co-presidents James F. Childs, Jr. (l)
and Robert Farley (r)
   
Jo and Robert Barbera

 

Ligia Molina, guest Karlyn Carson, Jessie Duffy, and  Sheri Morton
 
Lorelli Embry, Andre de Toledo,
and Gail Yamashita
 
Marion Grayson and Glady Kabateck
 
Nancy Stone with Linda and Guy Gardner
Ligia Molina and Jo Barbera
 
Sheila and Randy Sinnott
 
Howard and Carol Kazanjian, Patricia Vick, and Betty Bamberg
 
Guests Maureen Robinson and Carla Barnes with Barbara Widdess and Jo Butcher
Guests Steve Johnson and Marissa & Dan Harper with member Ann Jones

 

Salina Cortez and guest Ava Pulvers
Robert Barbera and guest Renee Worsfold