The Moraga Art Gallery greets the new year with a new exhibit, entitled “Let The Light In.” On view from January 7th until March 15th, artwork will fill the gallery’s elegant space with an enticing display of creativity, and featuring landscape paintings by two member artists — Irene Needoba and Elizabeth Kennen — each gifted with a unique and thoughtful vision of the natural world.
A reception will be held on Saturday, January 17 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The public is invited to view the art, chat with the artists, enjoy wine, light snacks, and music by Lee Waterman.
The show also contains paintings, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, glassware, etchings, woodwork, photographs, prints, and much more by the gallery’s core of members. The Moraga Art Gallery’s Gift Boutique features handmade gift items created by local artists including glass items, ceramics, beautiful wooden bowls, boxed cards, small paintings, decorative pillows, cards, jewelry and other gift items.
Irene Bollweg – Needoba’s art reflects a life shaped by cultural diversity, displacement, and the search for belonging. Born in Bolivia to a Bolivian mother and German father, she grew up amid political unrest and a deeply Catholic society, sparking a lifelong exploration of identity. Often feeling like an outsider, she embraces life’s imperfection over idealized norms.
Her work draws on the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in impermanence and imperfection. Each piece expresses the contradictions of struggle, joy, and longing for freedom beyond cultural borders. Responding to climate-driven wildfires, she now incorporates water as a symbol of vulnerability, life, and unity beyond religion and politics. Through her art, Irene invites reflection on existence, environmental fragility, and human connection, affirming resilience, acceptance, and hope.
Elizabeth Kennen’s work is deeply inspired by a love of nature and wildlife, with a special appreciation for the beautiful landscapes of Northern California. She finds great joy and inspiration in the coastal scenes around Monterey and in the wildlife that visits her backyard. These moments of connection with nature fill her with positive feelings, which she strives to capture in her compositions.
What attracts Elizabeth to a particular scene is the way it evokes joy and happiness. Whether focusing on the intricate details of birds and wildlife or the sweeping vistas of the coast, they seek moments that invite viewers to pause and experience a small escape within the artwork.
Guest Artist, Edgar Tumbaga, photographer is the featured guest artist. He says “Light is in my blood stream that flows to my heart, capturing God’s majestic beauty!”
Hours: Open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 noon to 5:00 pm
Address: 432 Center Street in Moraga’s Rheem Shopping Center,
For more information, please visit the gallery’s website: https://moragaartgallery.com or email moragaartgallery@gmail.com or call 925-376-5407.
Moraga Art Gallery 