Big changes for Bravo School of Art

On September 3, 2018, after 9 years in our bright Barracks 19 studio classroom in Arts District Liberty Station,  we moved Bravo School of Art to a new studio in South Park; the historic community of San Diego close to the eastern edge of Balboa Park.

Bravo continues to offer hands-on art, craft and DIY classes, workshops and camps for adults and children to learn to create and make art. Our new home is a retail space on a block with restaurants, a yoga studio and lots of people walking by. We’ve added programs for the community to pop in and make art on demand AND to purchase art supplies and handmade goods.

Our tenure in Liberty Station had been incredible and I couldn’t have done it without the community’s support and interest in art classes. Thank you!

It was time for a change, and though we’d considered moving from the Arts District for a few years, our landlords at the NTC Foundation made the decision for us by deciding not to renew our lease, to “re-purpose” Bravo’s studio, and turned it into 3 artists studios. 😦

For nearly 30 years, until she retired in January 2017, my friend Maureen Ceccarelli’s Studio Maureen occupied this same retail shop on Beech Street that we now occupy. I’m happy to continue the legacy of creativity. On this block between 30th and Dale Streets, there’s a yoga studio, a gym, a surf shop, a Juice bar, a brewery with fab food, coffee and beer, and a homeopathic store. In the next block are two great restaurants; Buona Forchetta and Kindred.

We love our new digs! We have a smooth clean concrete floor, our own bathroom and a cool sink with 2 faucets. The front door and 2 store front windows receive great Northern light. We have an air conditioner/heater and a sky light!

Bravo School of Art is thriving in our Beech Street Studio!! Pop in and visit any time.

Creatively,

Lauren Becker Downey
Director/Instructor/Artist
619-223-0058

Smash it! Break it! MOSAIC ART exhibition

Katherine’s Glass on Glass Mosaic

Join us at Bravo School of Art for an Opening Reception of this ground breaking exhibition of Mosaic work by students from Lauren Becker Downey’s mosaic classes.

For the last 15 years, students studied at Bravo School of Art • Art Academy of San Diego •
Grossmont Adult School • Coronado Adult School • Craft Center at UCSD.

The Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) is holding their 2016 American Mosaic Summit in San Diego from April 4 – 8, 2016.

Let’s kick off this great week with a show of San Diego Mosaic Art by the following Artists:

Seymour Rettinger • Jenny Lisenbee • Judith Hunter • Mike Kelly • Maryon Kinsella • Andrea Woods • Melody Camas • Cathy Haven • Dawn Ivy • Mary Ann Thiem • Katherine Porter • Karin Rask • Andrea Johnson • Sara Feldman • Barbara Vent • Kimberly Baker • Margo Garay • Sherri Necochea • Peggy Fischbeck

In conjunction with Arts District Liberty Station’s monthly Friday Night Liberty. An evening of art exhibitions and performances.

2690 Historic Decatur Rd, Studio 206, second floor
Barracks 19 • Liberty Station • San Diego, CA 92106

Sara • Mosaic student

A New Year is just around the Bend

As I wrap up the year, getting the studio ready for new classes to come, I am reminded of what a great year 2015 has been here at Bravo School of Art. We welcomed several new instructors and many new classes. Some students discovered our great art curriculum for the first time. And so many familiar faces returned to explore their creativity in our studio classroom.

This summer, 2 instructors who live out of town, came to teach classes over several days. The student’s work coming out of each of these was amazing! Daily immersion in ART MAKING is really fun. I recommend it.

Sean P Callahan demonstrates Watercolor Pet Portrait

Expressive Mixed Media Painting student

Throughout the year, many students learned new ways to paint.

James Dingman paints by intuition

…and others learned that the art of Kokedama brings relaxation and peace.

Kanako Yamada demonstrates Kokedama

Teen artists learned about drawing the figure in our new portfolio program. So many new classes… Beginning Embroidery, Paper Flower Wall, Macrame, Children’s Textile Summer camps, and so much more.

Enjoy the remaining days of 2015 and make plans to create with us in Bravo’s studio classroom. Our new schedule of classes is ready for enrollment. Please visit our website today and I’ll see you next year!

Watercolor Immersion: Under the Sea, Pet Portrait and Landscape

Sean P Callahan brings his watercolor expertise from Key West, Florida to San Diego for a three-day workshop for students of all levels. Learn the very basics while producing undersea paintings, pet portraits and landscapes, all in a very comfortable, stress-free environment. Explore watercolor washes, monochromatic painting, color choices, composition, how to approach drawing issues, use of salt and spray bottles to create textures and movement, how to paint lifelike eyes in animals by layering colors and lifting and capturing a pet’s personality, dry brush, and wet washes, how to paint skies, textures on buildings, and grasses.

With demonstrations, assisted painting and critiques, this unique hands-on experience is not to be missed. Be encouraged to jump off the dock as you and other students take this watercolor journey together. This is meant to be a fun and comfortable experience that provides understanding of watercolor and the confidence to paint beyond the class. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned painter, Sean tailors the class to you and your comfort level. Pre-registration required. Materials list provided upon registration.

$262 Bravo member / $298 non-member

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 31, August 1 & 2, 10am – 4pm

Register Now

See Sean in his new introductory video

Art Supply Garage Sale ’15

Pick up some gently used or new art supplies at Bravo School of Art’s 4th Annual Art Supply Garage Sale.

Items for sale may be books, markers, pencils, stamps, beads, tools, paper, paint, fabric, brushes, glue, tiles, ephemera, canvas and more… Find some great deals!

Beware! The San Diego Half Marathon is running through town on March 8. Traffic and road closures may slow you down. Persevere! We’ll be waiting for you. Here’s a link to a road closure map.

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is that day between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s a day to get out, shop locally and support a small business… like us!

Enjoy your turkey leftovers and then come down to Bravo School Of Art. We’re located in Barracks 19 in the NTC Arts & Culture District at Liberty Station. Check out the art, buy a piece of art, make some art and enjoy art class registration specials.

The resident artists of Barracks 19, located in the heart of NTC Arts and Culture District at Liberty Station will be in our studios all day.

See artists working in their studio and buy their art for yourself, your friends and family. Check out Lovejoy, Seven Stitches, Paper Ammo, Chi Chocolate and more. Try your hand at Painting Wine Glasses or create some Rustic Holiday Gift Wrap! Pre-registration necessary.

Give the Gift of Creativity with a Gift Certificate, available in any amount. Get a jump on your holiday shopping at Barracks 19, the creative center of the NTC universe.

Dia de los Muertos at Liberty Station

Celebrate the Day of the Dead at Liberty Station. Bring out the whole family for this special event featuring open artist studios, galleries, shopping and entertainment throughout NTC Arts & Culture District at Liberty Station. It’s the only place to be! Meet artists in their studios in our historic barracks buildings and see their newest works, take home your favorites or commission a piece. All month, many altars to honor the dead have been created. You may see one in every building.

• Galleries, museums and artists’ studios open to the public.
• Live music and performances throughout the day
• Sugar Skulls
• Face Painting
• Altars

Please contact individual businesses for exact times

Saturday November 1, 2014
1:00 pm – 8:00 pm

NTC Arts & Culture District at Liberty Station
2690 Historic Decatur Rd
San Diego, CA 92106
858-405-8888 or 619-223-0058

For more information, visit NTC Arts & Culture District’s Facebook page

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BARRACKS 14
Nancy Tokos, Portraits4All Fine Arts Studio
has a new ground floor location next to Stone Brewing & Point Loma Tea. Stop by to see this Working Artist Studio and celebrate with us. Selected original gallery paintings 25% OFF. Everybody loves a portrait.

BARRACKS 15
Yellow Book Road Children’s Books • Ground Floor
Dia de los Muertos books to celebrate! Ongoing craft projects for children. Open from 10am – 4pm.

BARRACKS 16
Casa Valencia Galeria • Ground Floor
In the entrance of the gallery, you’ll find one altar for the great actor “Cantinflas”. He was one of the biggest comedians in Mexico who acted in the film, Around the World in 80 Days. With this in mind, celebrate the life of Mario Moreno “Cantinflas” with mariachi.

Women’s Museum of California • Ground Floor
Dia de los Muertos Retablo Workshop: Honoring the Women of our Past. A Retablo is a small devotional folk art painting, sculpture or multi-media piece, traditionally using iconography derived from traditional religious art. Come out and design a Dia de los Muertos Retablo with your favorite Women from History and appreciate what marks they made in this world. 2pm

Inspirations Gallery • Studio 204 and San Diego Writers, Ink • Studio 202
Visit their Day of the Dead Altar on the second floor. Also see The Four Seasons, an exhibition featuring work by local artists inspired by fall leaves, summer heat, spring blossoms and winter snow! Open from 5 – 8pm.

BARRACKS 19
Adele Richert of Atelier de Voyages • Studio 202
Open Studio with Dia de los Muertos Altar.

Bravo School of Art • Studio 206
Dia de los Muertos Community art project. See free mosaic and other instructor art demonstrations. Art class registration specials.

7 Stitches Ethnic Jewelry • Studio 203
will host a mini Altar for Frida Kahlo and offer an assortment of Dia de los Muertos related Skull Jewelry for Him and Her. Natural materials, Fair Trade and one-of-a-kind items.
Also, Alter will be for sale!

La Onda Arte Latino • Ground Floor
will have a “Dia de los Muertos” art exhibit, merchandise and an altar dedicated to folks who have died from AIDS.

BUILDING 201
Solare Ristorante • Ground Floor
Dine at Solare before or after you enjoy your tour around the NTC at Liberty Station’s art studios, galleries and museums. Solare’s is an authentic Southern Italian restaurant with a focus on farm-to-table ingredients and dishes. The Executive Chef, Accursio, was just named San Diego’s Best Chef and Solare was also named San Diego’s Best Italian Restaurant. You will love the food, dining in their eclectic rooms or just hang out for a drink at the full bar or patio.

Pachis, An Art Studio For Kids • Studio 102
Kids get creative with Día de los Muertos arts and crafts including a scavenger hunt and make your very own Día de los Muertos altar! Learn about Día de los Muertos folk tales, stories and songs with Songbirds Music. Traditional Mexican pastries and hot chocolate will be served. This is a fun, memorable and hands-on 2-hour celebration that children 1 to 12 years old will enjoy. Space is limited so please pre- register today at mypachis.com/special-workshops. Class begins at 10:00am. $35 per child, $20 per sibling.
* Children 1-3 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
• Children 4 and up may be dropped off for the celebration, but parents are encouraged and welcomed to stay.

Expressive Arts Institute • Studio 204
Featuring Woman + Studio. Embrace your creative potential with this fun, no experience workshop for women. 5 – 7:30pm.

BUILDING 202
New Americans Museum • Suite 101 & 103
presents a Dia de los Muertos Deconstructed Altar Installation. A traditional altar installation in honor of Rita Hayworth curated by Dr. Jose Guadalupe Flores of Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, and Rita Hayworth expert, Dr. William Nericcio, Director of MALAS at San Diego State University, with collaborating artists and volunteers from both sides of the border. Both galleries will be open to allow guests to explore both the traditional and spiritual side of the Dia de los Muertos tradition, immersing themselves, literally into the altar, as well as taking away an educational experience. With this installation the museum hopes to demystify, and de-trivialize the sacred ritual of altar making on Day of the Dead, while celebrating the beauty of Latin American cultures. Visit us at the New Americans Museum in Building 202!

San Diego Watercolor Society • Suite 105
Hurry… Will be your last chance to catch the 34th International Exhibition!

September’s Friday Night Liberty

Friday, September 5, 2014
5:00 – 9:00pm

NTC Arts & Culture District @ Liberty Station
Gallery Openings * Art Studios * Dance & Music Performances

Go Back to School at NTC during Friday Night Liberty with free performances, hands on art making, open studios, galleries and museums!

See the Entire Program Here!

Find FNL on Facebook

Home ~ Bravo’s soundtrack

If you’ve ever had the idea that you’re not creative; that you can’t possibly make art that’s any good, listen to the lyrics in Phillip Phillips song. This is what I’m saying to you. Come to Bravo. Take a class or two. Feel free to create, to make mistakes and to learn and grow. Make this place your home.

…Settle down, it’ll all be clear.

Don’t pay no mind to the demons

They fill you with fear.

The trouble it might drag you down.

If you get lost, you can always be found.

Just know you’re not alone.

Cause I’m gonna make this place your home…

Friday Night Liberty on Saturday in July

Join us on Saturday, July 5th during NTC at Liberty Station’s popular gallery and studio walk. Friday Night Liberty on Saturday, this will be a special daytime version of the First Friday event.

FIG @ Bravo • Figurative Inspiration Group’s Drawings and Paintings of the Human Figure exhibition continues. 17 award-winning artists gather each Tuesday at Bravo to draw and paint from the model. Meeting weekly for almost a decade, FIG members take a unique approach to figure drawing. Also see free mosaic and other art demonstrations. Art class registration specials.

Bring out the whole family for this special holiday event featuring open artist studios, galleries, shopping and entertainment throughout NTC at Liberty Station’s Arts & Culture District in Point Loma. It’s the only place to be! Meet artists in their studios in our historic barracks buildings and see their newest works, take home your favorites or commission a piece. Watch a Mosaic demonstration at Bravo School of Art. Experience the Women’s Museum of California’s exhibition of California’s Summer of the 60’s and 70’s; Women Who Changed Our World. Attend a book signing at Yellow Book Road from 1 – 3pm. Join the students of Theatre Arts School of San Diego for an hour of solo musical theater performances from 1:15 – 2:15pm.

• 20+ Galleries, museums and artists studios.

• Celebrate Barracks 19 5th Anniversary (cake!!)

• Live music performances throughout the day in the arcades

• 4 Food Trucks