Moraga Art Gallery announces a new exhibit, “Cadence.”

The Moraga Art Gallery ends summer with a new exhibit, entitled “Cadence” featuring paintings by two popular gallery members –Kerima Swain and Dalia Alekna — as well as a celebrated guest artist, Ruth Stanton. Over all, their display contains an array of strong and striking images ranging in styles from realistic to explicitly abstract.

Also on view:  a rich, diverse collection of original artwork by more than a score of gallery members and adjuncts displaying varieties of paintings, jewelry, photographs, glasswork, ceramics, collage, silk scarves, prints, woodworking and others. 

We welcome two new members, Jun Yan, a sculptor working in clay and metal, and a Lafayette resident, Jo Ann Lieberman, abstract painter. Their work will also be on display.

A reception will be held on Saturday, September 26, 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  Art fans of all ages are invited to view the art, chat with the artists, enjoy wine, light snacks, as well as live music befitting the gallery’s cordial ambiance and performed by popular Steel-Pan musician Harry Best. 

A detailed panoramic painting of the San Francisco skyline. The city skyline stretches across the middle ground, featuring a variety of buildings including distinctive high-rise structures that dominate the horizon. The painting captures the interplay of light and shadow on the water and the urban landscape, conveying a tranquil yet lively atmosphere.

A painter whose ties to Moraga Art Gallery reach back more than a decade, featured artist, Kerima Swain is drawn to a wide range of subjects—the snow-capped peak of Mount Diablo at sunset, rolling hills and city streets, flowers, people, and animals alike. She paints what moves her: scenes with an interesting mood, palette, or composition, and the sense of awe and wonder they stir in her.

Much of her inspiration comes from the Bay Area and Northern California, but her travels feed the work too. Visitors will find the red lanterns and steep stone steps of Jiufen in her native Taiwan, springtime on a Japanese river in Blossoms and Boats at Arashiyama, and Gondolas in Venice.Her work hovers between representation, impressionism, and abstraction, always reaching for expressiveness. She hopes each painting stirs in viewers the feeling that first inspired it.

The artwork is an abstract composition featuring a dynamic arrangement of geometric shapes and flowing black lines on a canvas. Dominant colors include vibrant shades of blue, turquoise, lime green, beige, and muted pink.

The exhibit also features member artist, Dalia Alekna who employs color and form with striking colors that harmonize seamlessly with the intricate lines and designs that characterize her style. She received her BFA and MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago and her academics were at the University of Chicago.  While attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, she had an assistantship in Printmaking…Etching. Dalia moved to California, raised a family, which took her a while to get back into art.  When she did, she exhibited her work in Valley Art Gallery for over 40 Years and joined Lafayette Art Gallery for about 20 years. She also has an etching in the Smithsonian and is in the book, “California Printmakers.”

The artwork is a serene landscape painting capturing a peaceful riverside scene. A narrow river runs along the left side, its calm water reflecting patches of greenery. Tall, leafy trees line both sides of the riverbank, their dense foliage casting gentle shadows. On the right side, a paved pathway stretches into the distance, flanked by trees and grassy areas. A single bicycle is parked against the trees on the right edge of the path, enhancing the tranquil, leisurely atmosphere.

For guest artist, Ruth Stanton, art is a way of being.  From her early days sketching in Austin, Texas, to her vibrant studio in Lafayette, Ruth has always seen the world through the lens of color, emotion, and light.  After a career in interior design, she embraced art full-time in 2018, channeling her creativity into breathtaking landscapes and portraits that feel both grounded and transcendent. Her connection to nature and people shines through each piece, reflecting her deep admiration for the beauty of California. Ruth is a member of the Bay Area Studio Artists, Vice President of exhibitions of Lamorinda Arts Alliance and has exhibited in several group and solo shows throughout the East Bay.

Visit the Gallery: Open Wednesday through Sunday from 12p-5pm.

Address: 432 Center Street in Moraga’s Rheem Shopping Center, next to Nation’s.

For more information, please visit the gallery’s website: https://moragaartgallery.com or email moragaartgallery@gmail.com or call 925-376-5407.