East County Art Association

Oil Painting Workshop with Vira Ustianska- Our Relationship with the Ocean
2026-07-11 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | East County Art Gallery, 124 E. Main Street, El Cajon, CA, 92020, United States
Our Relationship with the Ocean
Saturday, July 11 | 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
East County Art Association
124 E Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020
The ocean has inspired artists for centuries, not only as a subject to paint, but as a source of memories, emotion, and quiet reflection.
In this workshop, we will explore ways to capture the feeling of the sea through color, composition, and simple studies. We will begin with small sketches to develop ideas and explore atmosphere before moving into a larger painting inspired by ocean light, open space, and the ever-changing character of the water.
Whether you are painting from a favorite coastal memory or simply drawn to the beauty of the ocean, this workshop offers an opportunity to slow down, observe, and create with intention.
Artists of all experience levels are welcome. Beginners will be guided through the process step by step, while more experienced artists can focus on strengthening their use of color, simplifying forms, and creating paintings that tell a visual story.
Two Sign-Up Options:
1. Materials included for $100.00- Materials will be included in the workshop. Bring yourself.
2. Bring Your Own Materials for $75.00- Bring your own Paints, brushes, palette, palette knife and anything else you need for the workshop. Perfect deal if you already have your own oil painting supplies!
All levels welcome
Limited spots available. No Refunds. If you have to miss a workshop, please email or call to reschedule for another workshop from the same artist/teacher in the future.
The ocean is more than a landscape. It is a place of freedom, reflection, wonder, and connection. Join us for an afternoon of creativity inspired by the sea.

ARTIST TALK & BOOK SIGNING Richard C. Ybarra
2026-07-18 11:00 - 13:00 | CA
ARTIST TALK & BOOK SIGNINGRichard C. Ybarra – By The Numbers: COVID-19 Reflections
Join photographer and author Richard C. Ybarra for a special Artist Talk and Book Signing as he shares the inspiration, concepts, and production process behind his book, By The Numbers: COVID-19 Reflections. Through powerful photography, personal reflections, and historical documentation, the book captures the emotional, social, and statistical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020–2023.
During this engaging presentation, Richard will discuss what he learned throughout the creation of the project, the challenges and rewards of producing a photographic memoir, and how the book evolved from an idea into a published work. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the author, ask questions, and purchase signed copies of the book.
Saturday, July 1811:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 East County Art Gallery124 E Main StreetEl Cajon, CA 92020
All are welcome!Come explore the stories, images, and experiences behind this remarkable photographic journey.

Kim Hannan- Artist Talk- The Art of Reinvention
2026-07-23 14:00 - 15:00 | East County Art Gallery, 124 E. Main Street, El Cajon, CA, 92020, United States
Kim Hannan- Artist Talk
Date: July 23 —- Time: 2-3PM
The Art of Reinvention: Staying Bold Through Change
An Artists’ Talk with Kim Hannan
A crowded market doesn’t mean you’ve lost your voice. Modern technology isn’t the end of the artist’s story. And retirement doesn’t mean retreat.
Join fine art painter and photographer Kim Hannan for a candid look at creative reinvention – plus a rare peek behind the curtain into her inventive mixed media process.
The East County Art Association is excited to have Kim Hannan lead a unique artist talk about her work and the creative process behind it during her solo exhibition this July, Stories Worth Telling in Gallery 2.
Join us for an attention-grabbing talk at the Gallery!
Location: 124 East Main Street, Downtown El Cajon

Colored Pencil Realism Workshop- All Skill Levels
2026-07-25 11:00 - 15:00 | East County Art Gallery, 124 E. Main Street, El Cajon, CA, 92020, United States
Colored Pencil Realism Workshop- Instructor: Ron Spagnola

July 25, 11am- 3pm
Join instructor Ron for an immersive four-hour workshop designed to strengthen your colored pencil skills and bring your drawings to life. This class focuses on the essential techniques of transferring an image onto drawing paper, along with an in-depth exploration of color blending and thoughtful color combinations. Participants will work toward completing a full drawing while developing a strong foundation in realism.
Ron will guide you through blending methods and color layering techniques to achieve bright, rich, and vibrant results using colored pencil. Whether you’re refining your approach or exploring realism for the first time, this workshop offers a supportive and engaging environment to grow your skills.
The class is open to participants ages 15 and up and welcomes all skill levels. While prior experience in sketching, shading, and color mixing is helpful, it is not required.
The workshop runs from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and includes several breaks, giving you time to relax and enjoy coffee or tea at the in-house café, Diver’s Cup.
Recommended Materials to Bring:

Colored pencil set
Blending pens
Eraser
Artist drawing paper pad
Small cloth
Sketching pencil
Ruler

Come ready to learn, experiment, and create a finished piece in a focused yet relaxed studio setting at the East County Art Association!

The Story of Mata Ortiz Pottery- A Solo Exhibition by Fine Artist Ross Adcock
2026-08-05 08:00 - 2026-08-29 17:00 | East County Art Gallery, 124 E. Main Street, El Cajon, CA, 92020, United States
The Story of Mata Ortiz Pottery
A Solo Exhibition by Fine Artist Ross Adcock
August 5 – August 29, 2026
Join us at the East County Art Association Gallery for an inspiring solo exhibition featuring the remarkable work of fine artist Ross Adcock. The Story of Mata Ortiz Pottery celebrates the rich artistic heritage of Mata Ortiz, Mexico, while showcasing Ross’s own distinctive contemporary artwork inspired by craftsmanship, culture, and tradition.
Experience an extraordinary collection of authentic Mata Ortiz pottery alongside original fine art that reflects the beauty, precision, and timeless artistry of this internationally celebrated tradition.
Reception
Friday, August 14, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Handcrafted Excellence
Authentic Mata Ortiz pottery is recognized worldwide for its exceptional artistry and traditional techniques, including:

Hand-coiled construction without the use of a pottery wheel
Locally sourced natural clays
Intricate hand-painted geometric, animal, and traditional designs
Natural mineral and clay-based pigments
Open-air firing methods
Extraordinary craftsmanship with every piece individually created

Appetite-Kaitlyn Fusco Solo Exhibition Gallery 1
2026-08-05 08:00 - 2027-09-02 17:00 | CA
Appetite- Solo Exhibition by Kaitlyn Fusco

Exhibition Dates: August 5-August 29th, 2026
Reception: August 8th, 2026
The East County Art Association is thrilled to announce Appetite, a solo exhibition of food fine art paintings by Kaitlyn Fusco this August in Gallery 1. Her work highlights the concept of vision becoming our final source of satisfaction, when smell fails and taste becomes uncertain. Through paintings of food and drink, this exhibition explores how perception shapes hunger. Without smell or taste, the viewer is left with only sight.
Can an image alone make you crave what you cannot taste? As they, say the eye eats too.
We cordially invite you to an extraordinary ordinary evening of delight! Live music, light refreshments- especially created for this exhibition, and tasteful art- a visual feast! Join us for a truly special experience and meet the artist behind the vibrant, and bold colored paintings, Kaitlyn Fusco.
Reception: August 8th, 2026
Time: 5-8pm
Location:
East County Art Association Gallery
124 East Main Street
El Cajon, 92020

Esther's Colorful Imagination- Esther Beish- Solo Exhibition- Gallery 2
2026-09-02 08:00 - 2026-09-26 17:00 | CA
East County Art Association Presents
Esther’s Colorful Imagination
Reception: September 19th, 5-8pm
Exhibition Dates: September 2-26. 2026
Step into a world of vibrant color, expressive brushwork, and joyful imagination as the East County Art Association proudly presents an exhibition by acrylic painter Esther Beish.
Known for her bold palettes and dynamic compositions, Esther brings a playful spirit and heartfelt passion to every painting. Her diverse collection moves effortlessly between abstract explorations, captivating animals, breathtaking desert landscapes, and the ever-changing beauty of the sea. Each work reflects her love of color, movement, and the simple wonder found in the world around us.
Whether you’re a longtime art enthusiast or simply looking for an inspiring afternoon, this exhibition offers something for everyone. Join us for a delightful celebration of creativity, conversation, and community, and discover why Esther Beish’s colorful vision leaves a lasting impression.

Unconventional Surfaces Exhibition
2026-09-02 08:00 - 2026-09-27 17:00 | CA
UNCONVENTIONAL SURFACES
The East County Art Association Gallery invites you to another year of celebrating the unconventional, the out of-the box thinking, the art on shoes, skateboards, surfboards, textiles, and other extraordinary mixed media created by local artists. This is the exhibition where you will see the unexpected. Join us for a creative reception with refreshments, music, and meet the incredible artists of this show!
Exhibition Dates: September 2-26th 2026
Reception Date: September 19, 4-7pm
CALL FOR ART- Deadline August 12, 11:59pm PST
*SUBMIT up to 6 pieces, accepted up to 2.
Presentation is everything! If your artwork is a 3-dimensional piece, please think of how you hang, mount, or stand them. All surfaces the artwork is attached to will have to look refined and presentable as well.
Submission page will open soon.

!NKED GROUP EXHIBITION || ARTIST CALL
2026-10-01 08:00 - 2026-10-31 17:00 | CA
The East County Art Association invites you to join us for our inaugural
!NKED Exhibition during the month of October!
EXHIBITION DATES: October 1-31st 2026
SUBMISSIONS OPEN IN JULY

In the Spirit of INKtober, this exhibition revolves all about art inspired by black and white line work in inks, graphite, ball-point pen, marker, and other tattoo art- inspired work. The Gallery invites artists to explore the world of inking and traditional and contemporary tattoo art with bold designs, quality line work, exploring the variety of ink pen tip widths, textures, depths and designs that can be achieved with ink as the highlighted media!
RECEPTION DATE: October 17th 2026
TIME: 5-8PM
The Inked reception will feature several invited local tattoo artists who will have their work on display in the exhibition. Some tattoo artists will offer paid on-the-spot small tattoos for the night. There will be live activations of inking stations, where you can create your own inked piece of art with the possibility of being featured in the Inktober Show in Gallery 2 in November. The evening will include live music, refreshments, open bar and the coffee shop will be open as well.
ARTIST CALL
Calling All Artists to participate with your black and white ink drawings, ink watercolors, graphite line work, ball-point pen designs, inked mixed media pieces. Other media may be used as long as 80% of the piece is inked and black and white.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
1. Max size limit: 20x20in
2. Submission fee:
– Non-member: $25.00 , additional artwork $15.00
– Members: $20.00, additional $10.00
3. All work must be framed, unless on canvas (1 inch thick or more)
4. ALL work must be for sale
5. Gallery Commission 30% // Artist 70%
6. Artwork Submission Deadline: September 16th, 11:59pm PST
7. Artwork Notification: September 21st via email
8. Artwork Drop-Off Date: Saturday, September 26th & Monday September 28th – 11am-2pm
9. Artwork Pick-up: October 31st 11am-2pm, November 2, 11am-2pm

Cartoon Dazed- Jose Ortiz Solo Exhibition- Gallery 2
2026-10-07 08:00 - 2026-10-31 17:00 | East County Art Gallery, 124 E. Main Street, El Cajon, CA, 92020, United States
East County Art Association Presents
CARTOON DAZED

Exhibition Dates:
October 1 -31st 2026
An Inktober Exhibition by Jose Ortiz
The East County Art Association proudly presents Cartoon Dazed, an Inktober exhibition by artist Jose Ortiz in Gallery 2.
Step into a world where imagination blurs the line between simplicity and complexity. Inspired by the spirit of Inktober, Ortiz transforms ink on paper into mesmerizing visual landscapes filled with intricate linework, vibrant color, and imaginative storytelling. Each composition is meticulously crafted with elaborate patterns that echo sacred geometry, mandala-like forms, and flowing organic structures, inviting viewers to slow down and discover new details with every glance.
Balancing playful cartoon-inspired imagery with highly detailed design, the exhibition creates a captivating dialogue between whimsy and precision. Bold colors weave through intricate black ink drawings, producing dynamic compositions that feel both meditative and energetic. Every artwork reveals hidden connections, layered symbolism, and visual rhythms that reward curiosity and celebrate the limitless possibilities of the imagination.
Cartoon Dazed invites visitors to become immersed in a colorful universe where every line has purpose, every pattern tells a story, and every piece offers a fresh perspective that will surprise, inspire, and leave you… Cartoon Dazed.
At the East County Art Association Gallery
124 E Main Street
El Cajon, CA 92020
Opening Reception
October 9 | 4:00-6:00 PM

Earthly Gardens Solo Exhibition- Dr. Marie Ramos
2026-11-04 08:00 - 2026-11-28 17:00 | CA
