HVAA’s Alison Wieman served as event chairperson and is also the school liaison that works tirelessly with school districts to ensure all high schools feel welcome to have their students participate each year. A panel of judges had the difficult task of choosing this year’s top high school artists from 98 entries, a new record. “We awarded a total of $5,000 to these talented high school students,” Wieman said.

Daniel Morales is an art teacher and Art Club advisor at West Valley High School in Hemet. This is the twelfth year he has been involved with the Evening of Art. His students entered a dozen pieces of art in several categories. Two of his students took home top prizes. Noemi Martinez placed first in the Other 2D category, while Ethan Arevalo took fourth place. Ethan also earned second place for his Digital Art submission.

“I am proud of all my students who submitted artworks and look forward to next year,” Morales said.

West Valley High School Fine Arts Department Leader and ceramics teacher Joe Hameister has been at the school for 29 years where he has taught art, ceramics and tech theater. He has focused on ceramics for the past five years and was very pleased to see three of his students take the top three prizes at the event.

“I am very proud of the talent and effort all the West Valley students put into their artwork this year,” Hameister said. “This is the third year that HVAA has had a 3D category and WVHS has taken first place all three years.”

First through fourth place ribbons and cash prizes were awarded in five categories this year. Several of the students are past winners. Winners for painting were Valeria Hernandez, Hemet High, first; Jasmine Martinez, Hemet High, second; Alexia Leon, Tahquitz High, third; and Raiyah Ledwick, Hamilton High, fourth.

Valeria is a senior this year and used pastels and colored pencils to complete her “Pose” piece. “I’ve always done art,” she said. She entered two paintings in the HVAA competition, and her mother said she was about to toss the first-place winner but thankfully thought better of that idea. Valeria won second place finishes in two categories last year.

Other 2D winners were Noemi Martinez, West Valley High, first; Yadira Antonio Vengas, Hemet High, second; Samira Sumlin, San Jacinto Leadership Academy, third; and Ethan Arevalo, West Valley, fourth.

This is the first time Samira has entered an art contest. The 14-year-old freshman said the inspiration for her “Eye Contact” came about when she thought about doing public presentations at school. “I get anxious when people are staring at me,” she said.

A senior this year, Ethan named the painting of his grandmother “Preserved” because he surrounded her portrait with pressed flowers, deeming it a mixed media piece. “My grandma loves flowers and now her beauty is preserved in my art,” he said. “My inspiration was just how much I love her.”

Digital Art is a new category this year. Winners were Addison Marshall, Hemet High, first and fourth; Ethan Arevalo, West Valley, second; and Giuliana Gonzalez, Academy of Innovation, third.

Addison is a freshman who likes to do a lot of traditional art as well. She appreciates the teachers and family members who have always guided her through her artistic journey. The 15-year-old’s winning works were “Loyal Knight” and “Armored Duck.”

The Photography category was well represented by Kira Smith, Academy of Innovation, first; Molly Franks, Hemet High, second; Emily Franks, Hemet High, third; and William Archer, Hemet High, fourth.

Ceramics (3D) covered a wide variety of subjects. Top winners were Kah Layzjah Dixon, West Valley, first; Izabell Garcia Plazola, West Valley, second; Cayce Bellomy, West Valley, third; and Michelle Rocha, Hemet High, fourth.

Hameister said Kah plans to take Ceramics 4 next school year when she’s a senior. “Drawing and painting are the main things I like to do,” she said. The 16-year-old said she has grown up around artists, musicians and other creative people. Her “Kraken’s Cradle” was a real crowd pleaser for guests, not just the judges.

Other student submissions on display captured the attention of art lovers who took time to explore those that were set up around the space on tables and walls. Works by HVAA members were also on display and available for purchase, including works by 2025 Photographer of the Year Earl McNeese and 2025 Artist of the Year Betty Pilley. This month’s Featured Artist Pamela Flinn Schanuel, who joined the nonprofit, volunteer-led organization in 2020, showed several works as well.

Pia Ray, representing Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson’s office, presented HVAA with a certificate of recognition for hosting the Evening of Art and showcasing local talent and creative expression. On behalf of the California State Assembly, he thanked them for their “dedication to promoting the arts in our community” and wished them continued prosperity and success. All student winners also received certificates from Jackson thanking them for their creativity, dedication and contribution to the vibrant arts community in the San Jacinto Valley. He expressed his best wishes for continued artistic growth and success.

Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez provided certificates to the students that read, “Your artistic vision enhances the cultural spirit of the County of Riverside and inspires those around you. We wish you ongoing success in your artistic journey.”

Hemet Mayor Linda Krupa and Hemet Council Member Jackie Peterson were among those in attendance. Peterson said her mother was an artist who earned a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute but was unable to finish due to personal obligations. When her children were grown, Peterson’s mom started taking art classes again and eventually started teaching. Peterson said her own creative interests lie in writing and photography.

Watercolorist Vicki Moran credits HVAA with her current art career. After taking art in high school, she put her passion on hold to raise a family. After retiring from a career in book publishing, she began taking classes at HVAA and reignited her interest. She has gone on to exhibit her award-winning work at various locations. She chose to demonstrate how she creates her impressive watercolor portraits, which she began doing in 2020. Other Artists in Action were Jenny Gagnon, gourds; Laurence Bellocq, jewelry; José Pachelo, clay sculptor; Miyoko Whittelsey, watercolor; and Patty Greco, Japanese fish painting. Chairs were positioned around each workstation and al of them readily answered questions about technique, inspirations and more.

Hemet Valley Art Association’s mission is to encourage and develop the appreciation, study and practice of the fine arts and to further educate, inspire and enrich the lives of others through its programs, exhibits and activities.

Another goal of the Evening of Art is to give the community the opportunity to learn about all the local talent that the valley has to offer. With a variety of classes available for all ages and skill levels, the Hemet Valley Art Association welcomes everyone to visit the Downtown Hemet gallery at 144 N. Harvard St. For more information, 951-652-4592 or www.hemetvalleyart.com.

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Student Achievement Awards were presented in a variety of media with first place winners receiving $500 each, second place winners earning $300 and third place finishers taking home $200. All three from the painting category are Hemet High School students. They are Chrissie Bugendyment, “Hills Burn in California, first; Valerina Hernandez, “Lost in the Forest,” second; and Jazmine Martinez, “Man and Moth,” third.

For the first time, an “Other 2D” category was offered. First place went to Ethan Arevalo from West Valley High School for “Pier Reflections,” second place to Valerina Hernandez from Hemet High for “Bumble Bee,” and third place to Alexia Leon from Tahquitz High School for “The Long Summer.”

Awards for best in photography were given to Lillian Gutierrez from the Academy of Innovation for “The Vivid Platter” as the first-place winner, Natalie Manquez from Tahquitz High School for “Journey Through Peaks” as second place, and Dazy Delong from Tahquitz High School for “Interlude” as the third-place winner.

The ceramics category brought out even more creativity and those who took home the top honors were Damien Ascencio from West Valley High School for his “Tooth and Brain,” first place; Nadir Landin from West Valley High for “Moon Rocket,” second place; and Paula Terrazas from Hemet High for “The Bloom and the Burial,” third place.

All student art that was entered into the competition was on display as well as the works of HVAA members, including those by HVAA 2024 Photographer of the Year Art Majerus and 2024 Artist of the Year Betty Pilley. There were also five art demonstrators. There was an artist using watercolor/mixed media, one whose specialty is custom painted gourds, a full-fledged basket weaver, a clay modeler, and an artist demonstrating pour painting. There was seating available at each of their stations, and they willingly shared their techniques with guests who had questions.

The always popular array of raffle prizes piqued the interest of many ticket buyers. Baskets of goodies from art supplies and gardening tools to wine and cheese hampers satisfied a wide variety of interests. Proceeds from the raffles, silent auction and ticket sales will help fund next year’s Student Achievement Awards.

Sponsors Valerie Drummer, State Farm Insurance, and Steve Kosta, Century 21 Masters, were an integral part of this year’s event. The members of HVAA are grateful for their support of the nonprofit organization whose art center and gallery is in Downtown Hemet at 144 N. Harvard St. Classes for children and adults of all skill levels are offered throughout the year. All winning art pieces by students will be on display at the art center through the month of April.

For more information, 951-652-4592 or www.hemetvalleyart.com.

Sheryl Cooley contributed to this article.

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The nonprofit organization provides services and support that empower individuals with disabilities to explore opportunities, make informed choices, and achieve greater independence. Its vision is to see a community that offers equal opportunities, values diversity, and encourages all individuals to contribute, fostering a culture of respect and belonging.

The artworks are a result of EXCEED’s Art in the Park project, which originated during the pandemic, with funding through the City of Hemet’s Community Development Block Grant. It has continued with added sponsorship from the Soboba Foundation. The art sessions, facilitated by Nancy Espensen, provide clients in the nonprofit’s various programs a unique opportunity to explore their creativity, collaborate on projects with their peers, and foster a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

The public art show is a culmination of a year’s worth of classes that explore many different styles of art and some of the artists who are best known for their unique approaches. This allows clients to learn a little art history as they take advantage of learning exciting new techniques and exploring different media.

Projects reflected the entire year, with the first flowers of spring to the first snow of winter and several holiday-themed pieces in between. Forty-five different sessions were represented on tables, display panels and even hanging from the ceiling.

MaeDean Williams, a client with the Community Integrated Services program, likes participating. “It keeps me busy,” she said. “All of them were fun to do.”

Artist Elaine Morris said she likes doing all the projects, especially the “Blackbirds, Whitebirds.” Participants built the foundation of their birds, using Styrofoam balls and dowels. They shaped the wings and tail feathers with wire, crafting a variety of birds. Plaster strips were applied to cover the bodies and wings, adding structure. To complete their creations, they painted and embellished them with feathers, beaks and expressive eyes. Nicole Yoder also enjoyed the bird building project. She said the end result surprised her as she just created what came to her mind.

“It’s exciting to learn something new,” Morris said of the classes.

Espensen loves when the artists find inspiration from the processes that go into creating each piece. She was particularly happy with the way the Chihuly Tower turned out since it involved a collaborative effort from two different groups each week. Inspired by American artist Dale Chihuly, who has many Tower installations throughout the world, the seven-foot-tall sculpture greeted guests as they arrived.

“We worked on it for weeks, intertwining other projects in between,” she said. The tower is currently on display at the Hemet Public Library lobby. Other pieces of art will be displayed there sometime in May.

The colorful artwork features oversized flowers that were made by melting more than 100 pieces of plastic and attaching them to a PVC pipe. Lights were incorporated to illuminate the piece. Espensen and Sandra Aldridge, who handles EXCEED’s marketing and resource development, chose the joint project that was originally 10 feet tall. It took about six classes to complete.

One of Espensen’s personal favorite projects was leading clients through their “Flowers by Imagination” project, which took three sessions to process. After taking a workshop that was inspired by Sandrine Pelissier’s multi-step technique, she was eager to introduce it to her clients. “I enjoyed watching them watch the experience,” she said.

Another detailed project was the abstract Triptych pieces that allowed the artists to design their own pieces. They were instructed to maintain consistency in materials across three panels. Exploring various painting techniques, they experimented with different brush strokes to add texture and movement. Small squares of parchment paper were provided to create stamped shapes, adding another dynamic layer to their artwork. A final touch of glitter brought their creations to life.

Margaret Taylor’s favorite piece was the “Guitars” project because she likes music. Individuals received a piece of sheet music of romantic Latin songs along with various collage papers. They tore the sheets into small pieces and arranged them randomly on watercolor paper. Using tempera paint, they brought their backgrounds and guitar to life, while exploring contrasting colors and color schemes. Finally, they placed the cut-out guitar onto the paper, completing the creative masterpiece and allowing the instrument to “pop out” from the colorful background.

After exploring images of caves from around the world, participants began their artwork by sponge painting different shades of brown and tan onto their boards to create a textured earthy background. Once the paint dried, they added glue to the page and sprinkled sand on top, giving the surface a tactile, realistic feel. To finish, the artists used markers to draw their own cave symbols, imagining what their personal cave artwork would look like. Andrea Fonseca explained that her “Cave Drawings” art was inspired by a storm, depicting a tornado and the people running away from it or hiding from it. She said it was actually a happy story because everyone stayed safe from the storm.

“A notable outcome from the art sessions has been the personal growth of our clients,” CEO Lee Tisler said. “As they gained confidence, those who previously struggled with social interactions began to engage more with others, enthusiastically sharing their artwork and explaining their artistic processes and unique creations.”

This was evident at the art show where the artists proudly shared their works with family members and other guests during the three-hour celebration of talent, creativity and self-expression.

“I’m so impressed by them,” Espensen said. “I altruistically want their spirit to come through. I want them to express themselves and not have anyone interfere with their creation.”

For more information, www.weexceed.org or 951-766-8659.

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The Hemet Sunset Rotary is presenting a Festival of Frights-The Zombie Apocalypse, Oct 19 from 6 pm to 11 pm, upstairs at the Hemet Public Library. Tickets are $25 and are available by calling 951-708-1355. The event features music and dancing, a costume contest, scary karaoke, food vendors, silent auction, cash bar and dance contest. This is open only to those over 21. There is a special $50 VIP Graveyard starting at 5 pm. 

A non-profit organization can earn money by selling tickets to this event. For more information, call 951-708-1355.

Hemet Sunset Rotary meets every Wednesday night at the Diamond Valley Arts Center on Harvard Street at 5:30 pm. Visitors are welcome and they are always looking for new members. They are a part of Rotary International. Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end. Rotary works tirelessly to eliminate Polio.

For more information call 951-708-1355. 

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In the year since the purchase of the building was completed, the lobby has been returned to its art deco theme of the 1930s, and the sound, lighting and projection systems have been upgraded to accommodate a wide variety of events. Yet, the surfaced has only been scratched in a project that will take much more before Hemet’s vintage movie house can reclaim its heritage as the proud centerpiece of the downtown district.

John Loomis of Thirtieth Street Architects, the man who designed the Hemet Public Library, has taken on the project, with a creative design plan for the building. Much of the project will entail updating of plumbing and electrical infrastructure, as well as bringing the facility up to modern air conditioning standards and building codes. Enlarged restrooms with handicap access is a top priority as is handicap seating in the auditorium. The exterior will include a recreation of the pointed neon marquee that majestically crowned the theatre in the 1950s

Still, much of the theatre will remain the same. The charming auditorium with the vintage art deco decor will retain its look, so nostalgic to residents that grew up watching movies amid the yellow and turquoise walls. With first time visitors, it is fun to watch their stunned reaction as they walk into the most adorable old movie house they have ever seen. Performers are blown away at the acoustics, designed for movie showings, but equally effective for live concerts.

Already, hundreds of supporters have donated to the project. Volunteers maintain the facility and provide customer service and security during events. Sponsors help finance the entertainment, keeping concert prices affordable. Businesses and residents donate gift baskets that are raffled to raise money for the building fund. Members of the “Century Club” will have their names permanently enshrined in the lobby, honoring their contributions to the future of the Historic Hemet Theatre. Dozens of local groups have made donations to the cause.

In just a couple of years, HHT will turn 100 years old. The foundation is hopeful that a major portion of the renovation can be accomplished by then. Businesses and individuals that would like to support the project, can contact the Ticket Office.

Meanwhile, HHT’s popular series of live concerts continues this month with Tribute to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac by Gypsy (Saturday 8/17), Young Guns of Country – Tribute to the Superstars of Country Music (Friday 8/23), and Tribute to Madonna featuring Blonde Ambition (Saturday 8/31).

Show tickets $22 presale / $25 day of show. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm.  Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the Ticket Office, (951) 658-5950.

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