Community Calendar

Author, photographer, and kayaker Chuck Graham will take guests on a tour of Channel Islands National Park in his talk at The Bunker. Through his lens, Chuck captures the amazing beauty, wildness and wonders of this precious ecosystem and brings it to life in vibrant colors, images and stories. Channel Islands National Park has long represented an evolutionary hotbed for plant and animal species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world, and its protection is vital.
After the talk, Chuck will sign and sell his latest book, "Paddling Into a Natural Balance: Stories of Kayaking & Conservation Around Channel Islands National Park."

My last costume drawing workshop went so great, I am teaching it again. I will share the tips, tricks and lessons I learned working for 25 years in animation—beginning as an assistant animator at Walt Disney Feature Animation. I returned to Portrait Painting after working as a supervising director at Netflix.
Topics include:
—Goals, State of Mind, Breaking Old Habits, Quick Sketch, Line, Rhythm, Form, and Draped Fabric.
This is a drawing workshop, but bring the materials you are comfortable working with - except no oil paints.
Bring an easel if you prefer. See the website for supplies list. The room will open at 9:30 am, please be early to set-up by 10 am. If you have any other questions, contact Rich@richwilkie.com

Enjoy a morning of quiet observation, sketching and inspired curiosity about plants, pollinators and all the natural beauty that thrives at the SLO Botanical Garden.

This experience will be guided by Mary Sturm of the Central Coast Nature Journal Club. No experience required. Participants will need to bring their own blank, lined journal and a pen or pencil.

This fun and engaging art class series focuses on creating characters and animals while introducing and developing fundamental drawing techniques in a playful manner. Building on simple shapes and basic anatomical structures, we will be trying cartoon and realistic styles, exploring faces and expression, and bringing the characters to life.
Join us for the whole 3-week series, because lessons can build upon each other! (single weeks also available separately). Runs 10 to 11:30 am. Designed for children ages 6 through 12.
Week 1 - July 23 and 24 (W/Th)
Week 2 - July 30 and 31 (W/Th)
Week 3 - Aug 6 and 7 (W/Th)

Join us at the library as we craft beautiful handmade notebooks from recycled materials. All supplies provided!

This fun and engaging art class series focuses on creating characters and animals while introducing and developing fundamental drawing techniques in a playful manner. Building on simple shapes and basic anatomical structures, we will be trying cartoon and realistic styles, exploring faces and expression, and bringing the characters to life.
Join us for the whole 3-week series, because lessons can build upon each other! (single weeks also available separately). Runs 10 to 11:30 am. Designed for children ages 6 through 12.
Week 1 - July 23 and 24 (W/Th)
Week 2 - July 30 and 31 (W/Th)
Week 3 - Aug 6 and 7 (W/Th)

Spokes Ask an Expert is a series of small-group learning sessions that bring together nonprofit leaders and staff with local experts to explore timely and relevant topics.

In this session, a people and culture expert will share practical strategies for supporting staff morale in the face of today’s challenges—from funding uncertainty to immigration-related fears—and will answer questions in a live Q&A. Learn to recognize early warning signs of declining morale, understand how ongoing uncertainty impacts teams, and gain tools to build trust and foster transparency.

The following topics could serve as a basis for generating questions:
—Ensuring staff are trained to respond effectively during high-stress situations
—Preparing for emotionally charged events, such as ICE activity
—Supporting staff through funding instability and budget cuts
—Mitigating risk of employee turnover during times of uncertainty
—Managing negativity and burnout in team culture
—Leading with transparency without increasing staff anxiety.

The Development Directors Roundtable is a collaboration between Spokes and the Association of Fundraising Professionals of San Luis Obispo County.

Spokes roundtables are facilitated, peer networking and problem-solving opportunities held monthly. At the start of the roundtable, participants introduce themselves and share some good news or something that’s “keeping them up at night.” They may also offer a “spotlight topic” for consideration during the meeting.

A hallmark of the roundtables is confidentiality. The explicit norm is “what’s said in the roundtable stays in the roundtable.” This encourages mutual support and a candid exchange of ideas.

*Please register to receive the Log-in Information.

My last costume drawing workshop went so great, I am teaching it again. I will share the tips, tricks and lessons I learned working for 25 years in animation—beginning as an assistant animator at Walt Disney Feature Animation. I returned to Portrait Painting after working as a supervising director at Netflix.
Topics include:

—Goals, State of Mind, Breaking Old Habits, Quick Sketch, Line, Rhythm, Form, and Draped Fabric.

This is a drawing workshop, but bring the materials you are comfortable working with - except no oil paints.

Bring an easel if you prefer. See the website for supplies list. The room will open at 9:30 am, please be early to set-up by 10 am. If you have any other questions, contact Rich@richwilkie.com

Featuring more than 40 photographs and spanning over 41 years (1982 to 2023), "Yosemite: Sanctuary in Stone" showcases William Neill’s extensive and longstanding dedication to the beauty of one of California’s first National Parks, celebrating everything from its grand vistas to the tiniest and most intimate details.

During this artist-directed gallery tour, attendees will learn more about the exhibition directly from the show’s solo photographer and be offered the chance to ask questions about the park, his process, his time being mentored by Ansel Adams, and more.

This offering is free for CalNAM Members, and just $5 for Non-Member Adults (which includes admission). Advance registration is required, 25 attendees maximum. If you are a member, please make your reservation by emailing Assistant Director Rachel Metz at rachel@calnatureartmuseum.org.