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Pacific Art League
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
6 reviews for Pacific Art League
For those who have been to Pacific Art League (PAL) over the years and had disappointing experiences, I'd like to share encouraging words.
They've been struggling over the past few years due to mismanagement of funds by a previous team, however with an awesome determination, they seem to be making their way out of the hard times and the results for the patron are very promising.
Some time ago they engaged some excellent consistent volunteer talent for hanging the shows in the downstairs gallery (sometimes in the Norton as well) and the presentation of monthly exhibits is so much richer for this keen, trained pair. Striking is a term that can be applied in each instance and very appealing to the eye.
Installments compliment and play off each other rather than vie for attention and it's a joy to let your eye be drawn to a painting and then again to another so that your eyes dance around the room with delight, each time resting on the latest discovery.
In the "craft" category (a term I personally loathe since in all art, there is the "craft" of execution that must be mastered and the "art" that reflects the artist's inspiration and intent), the offerings have improved significantly, both in quantity and quality. This is now a location I would highly recommend as a place to venture when you want something special as a gift, or feature in your home.
If you wisely join the flow of people who venture out on the first Friday of the month for Palo Alto's Art Walk, make sure to stop in to Pacific Art League to meet the artists and let your eyes roam beyond the walls to the shelves and cases that offer wonderful three dimensional possibilities for purchase.
This is a nonprofit organization, so when you purchase a piece of art from PAL a portion goes to the organization and the rest to the artist, so you are doing a good thing by spending your money here rather than in some sterile department store that offers one-of-a-million trite items.
BTW, the downstairs gallery, classroom and bathroom are wheelchair accessible. With your patronage, there's the possibility they'll be able to extend this capability to the upstairs classrooms as well in time.
If you're art gallery hopping keep in mind that the Pacific Art League is an art school. All the work is done by students so don't be too hard on them. For some reason the student artwork sells at an exuberant price. Some of it is good yet the majority of it is just average. The gallery space is divided into a main gallery, then the studio space (where more work is posted), and the Elizabeth Norton Studio upstairs. You have to climb four sets of stairs to get to the Elizabeth Norton Studio although the work seems to be of higher calibre.
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Really old building that is home to one of the oldest Palo Alto Art Clubs. Has two galleries [one upstairs and one downstairs] that occasionally show worthwhile artwork. Also has two drawing/painting studios, and a printmaking studio. Overall it's a decent place for some weekend chinese brush painting for amateurs, so that all would get Pacific Art League about two stars...
However, there is one amazing instructor: JIM SMYTH. He has been my painting guru for years [since I was 12!] and has taught me everything I know about oil, charcoal, still life, life drawing, and everything else art related. I have seen Jim transform struggling painters into people who can actually EXPRESS and CAPTURE what they are trying to communicate [instead of making some ridiculous joke of a work and calling it 'subconscious self-expression']!
I HIGHLY recommend everyone to take a class from Jim, or even go to the Provence Workshop that he teaches with his wife Brigitte Curt [also a terrific painter] every summer in France.
Jim's website is: http://www.classart.org
As for Pacific Art League- they're worth your time only as long as they have Jim.
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The class that I signed up for here was cancelled more than 8 weeks ago and I have yet to be refunded. I have called many times, and been told the same story ('money should have been reimbursed by now') . . . very frustrating.
People thought this was:
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Pacific Art League is lovely. The people who work there are extremely nice and helpful and they always have great exhibits - currently showing a breast cancer exhibit that is very moving.
I haven't tried any of their classes yet, but plan to soon and will update when I've had a chance to check them out.
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Conveniently located right off of University Ave. & Ramona, right next to Hukilau, PAL is the place to go for after work art classes for busy professionals or retirees looking for a leisure hobby. I took the 10 week DSLR Photography class here and enjoyed it for the most part. Our classes were held in the upstairs gallery and it was a bit crammed. The building is old and the wooden floor squeaks when you walk on it. I think for Photography class it would be more useful to go out and shoot rather than sit around in a classroom settting and talk about it. I'd try a painting or drawing class there... just to see how it is.
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