Participating Artists

2-D ARTISTS:
Joseph Abbati, Adam Caldwell, Mary Graham, Susan R. Kirshenbaum, Calvin Lai, Jeff Long, Stephen Namara, Diane Olivier,
May Shei, Julianne Wallace Sterling

SCULPTORS:
Isidoro Angeles, Konrad Dunton, Sandy Frank, Tebby George, Kim Larson, Catherine Merrill

2-D & 3-D:
Doug Andelin, Christine Cianci

Drawn From Life

Exhibition
Jan 8-Feb 8, 2026

This curated annual figurative exhibition of painting, drawing, and sculpture is drawn from a group of prominent Bay Area artists.

The work in the exhibition reflects today’s narrative, expressive phase of The Bay Area Figurative Movement, as each artist continues to draw on the living world to express our stories, reaching beyond academic achievement and accuracy.

These artists might be responding to inspiration from models or sharing their personal struggles and tensions of the universe that surround our lives. As artists, teachers, and curators, we are shedding light on our world of life drawing, painting, and sculpting, which continues to grow and maintain a large following of dedicated artists.

Drawn from Life pays tribute to all artists who are working from life. Five pieces will be shown as mini-shows by each artist.

Exhibition Dates:
Jan 8-Feb 8, 2026
Wed - Sun
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Opening Reception:
Sat, Jan 10. 2026
4:00 PM -7:00 PM
Live music by the Travis Geyer Trio, talks by curators & gallery director, and refreshments
Free event: RSVP

Closing Party:
Sun, Feb 8, 2026
3:00 PM -6:00 PM
Talk by exhibiting artist Stephen Namara, live model drawing with Peter Williams, and refreshments

As a New Year begins, Sausalito Center for the Arts celebrates figurative art in ‘Drawn From Life’ exhibit.
- By Jonathan P D Farrell

The group exhibition of select Bay Area Figurative Artists begins at Sausalito Center for the Arts (SCA) on January 8.

The exhibit’s curators, artist Susan R. Kirshenbaum and sculptor Catherine Merrill, mentioned how the Figurative Movement of the Bay Area is in ‘an expressive phase.’

Kirshenbaum explained, “each artist continues to draw on the living world to express our stories.” “These prominent Bay Area artists are moving forward,” said Kirshenbaum. “They are no longer seeking academic achievement and accuracy.” “These artists might be responding to inspiration from models or sharing their personal struggles and tensions of the universe that surround our lives,” said Kirshenbaum.

Speaking on behalf of the group and speaking as an artist herself, (also in the exhibit) Kirshenbaum noted. “As artists, teachers, and curators, we are shedding light on our world of life drawing, painting, and sculpting, which continues to grow and maintain a large following of dedicated artists.”

While figurative art is ancient, The Bay Area Figurative Movement specifically gained momentum in the 1950s. It was during the midpoint of the 20th Century that a movement in art in California was changing.

When artists David Park, Richard Diebenkorn, Joan Brown and others pulled away from abstract expressionism to create representational art they incorporated recognizable figures. The art scene changed. Thus, their work reaffirmed what humanity had always been doing, expressing the world around them.

“Basically, reiterated Kirshenbaum, the theme of this exhibit is that the Figurative Movement continues.” “Artists are building a new narrative, expressing the pulse of today,” she said. “The exhibit pays tribute to all art that draws from life itself,” said Kirshenbaum. “Artists extract from what they see and experience,” she added.

For Merrill, sculpting is truly a tactile and sensory experience. Use of a live model is crucial. Merrill has dedicated herself to sculpture for decades. Merrill’s passion and commitment is just as passionate as it was when she entered art school at the Kansas City Art Institute under Ken Ferguson.

Pulling together this year’s exhibit was extensive and thorough.

“The important factor of our selecting of this year‘s artists was visiting each of the artists at their studio said Merrill. “We took into consideration all of their works,” Merrill said.

She admitted that it was very time consuming. “But we wanted to build a rapport with each artist as they work (day to day) in their studio; viewing all of their work, seeking out a cohesive quality,” Merrill added.

As curators, (and participants) both Kirshenbaum and Merrill are pleased that SCA has the ability to expand, utilizing the venue space in multiple ways. “SCA’s scale lends itself, said Merrill, to allow more works to be shown for each artist, sort of like a series of ‘mini-galleries’ as if it were within one large exhibition.” “So what the audience will be able to enjoy at this exhibit is 18 separate solo shows, in a sense,” exclaimed Merrill.

“How a gallery space is created and laid out is so important,” Merrill said. Each of the 18 artists in the exhibit will feature five pieces of their work. Kirshenbaum considers it as having 18 live “mini-shows” for each of the participants. Paintings, mixed-media, free-standing sculptures, as well as 3-D designs and unique installations to demonstrate the Figurative Movement as it inspires the artists.

As the nation faces adversity with governmental forces beyond the control of the ordinary/everyday citizen, Merrill sees the important role art has in people’s lives.

“The tremendous upending of day to day life since 2020 when this decade began as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, has made life unprecedentedly unpredictable,” said Merrill.

“I consider these days, dark times,” she said. “That’s why art is so important; it helps to bring out joy,” Merrill said. “Even in dark times!”

“The ability for people to make art, said Merrill, especially at home, no matter what’s going on around them, creatively is so empowering.”

Since its inception, and especially since being hosted at SCA three years ago, both the Figurative Art exhibit and SCA itself have defied expectations. “It’s been such “an exciting experience; said SCA Executive Director, Shiva Pakdel, nothing was as expected.” (And, that’s been a good thing!)

And, as always, when SCA invites artists to submit their work, (in essence an application to participate,) “the response is overwhelming,” (yet, wonderfully so) said Pakdel.

“We hope that in the future, The Bay Area Figurative Artist exhibits will make Sausalito Center for the Arts its permanent venue,” added Pakdel.

‘Drawn from Life: The Bay Area Figurative Movement Continues’ pays tribute to all artists who are working from life. Five pieces will be shown as mini-shows by each artist.