Local artists, painters, poets, authors.
Chula Vista, Bonita, TJ, National City, IB, South San Diego.
Building a vibrant & collaborative community of artists.
Pages and Canvas.com
The Vision
"Pages and Canvas" is a central resource for South Bay artists and events. Art has the power to inspire, to challenge, and to transform. The website includes lists of upcoming art events, interviews with local artists, and recently published books by local authors. Young artists and school groups are especially encouraged to announce their upcoming events, exhibits and fundraisers on this website.
To the left--The Vagabound is a bi-annual publication of paintings and poetry created by the students of Southwestern College in Chula VIsta, CA. It is edited by student Jose Zuniga.
This website was created by Jeff Bettger. His other websites are
JeffBettgerPoetry.com and TheTowneLocalBonita.com
Art Exhibit at the Chula Vista Mall!
Local Art Exhibit!
The San Diego Art Society’s “Art Through The Glass” initiative transforms storefront windows into vibrant galleries, creating a unique platform for local artists to showcase their creativity in high-traffic areas throughout San Diego. This innovative approach supports artists by providing unprecedented exposure, engages the community by making art accessible to everyone, beautifies our urban landscape, and potentially boosts the local economy.
We believe art should be an integral part of our everyday environment, not confined to gallery walls. “Art Through The Glass” brings this vision to life, enriching the daily experiences of San Diego residents and visitors alike. For more information, go to
https://www.sdartsociety.com/art-through-the-glass/
Art Grants!
City of Chula Vista
The Performing and Visual Arts Fund Grant (PVAG) is an annual grant program that supports cultural arts within the City of Chula Vista. Artists and organizations are encouraged to apply for funding to bring more arts projects to our communities.
For more information, go to
Eastlake Art Therapy Club
Local Art Therapy Club Helps Eastlake High Students
I asked the students to tell me more about the club.
How long has the club existed?
This is our second year. We started the Art Therapy Club last year because we wanted to give students a space to be creative and have an outlet for their emotions, especially during stressful times!
How often does it meet?
We meet twice a month, usually on Thursdays. It’s a good balance because it gives us enough time to work on different projects, but it’s not too much to juggle with other school activities.
Do any other local schools have a similar club?
Not that we know of. We haven’t heard of any other schools
around here having a club like this, especially one that focuses
on art as a way to help with mental health.
What are the benefits of the club?
The club gives students a safe space to express themselves in
school without pressure. It helps people relax, reduce stress,
and connect with others who might be feeling the same way.
It’s a great way to work through emotions through art!
What do the members enjoy most about the club?
Members really enjoy working on fun projects together. It’s a
chill, creative space where we can bond with friends, try
new art techniques we may not have tried otherwise, and just
unwind from the usual stress that school may cause.
The program is administered by Erica Fojtik,
SUHSD Visual Arts Chairperson
Art For Every Level!
Chula Vista resident, Marvin Souders, loves to paint.
Beginning only a few years ago, he has completed
over 100 paint-by-number projects. Each one bright
and beautiful! Flowers, landscapes, animals, and
farm scenes each provide new challenges.
The most wonderful thing about art is there exists a
starting point for everyone. The important
thing is to just start! Marvin's paintings now
grace the walls of business offices and friend's
homes. Each priced under $50, email me at
Jeff@PagesAndCanvas.com if you would be
interested in purchasing one from Marvin.
Local Writers Win National Awards!
The journalism program's visit to the National College Media Convention last week turned out about as well as one could dream. The Southwestern College Sun and El Sol Magazine both earned the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award, the Pulitzer Prize of college media. It is considered North America's most prestigious journalism award. Southwestern College has earned 23 Pacemaker Awards since 2003.
El Sol Magazine was named National College Magazine of the Year by the College Media Association, its third consecutive year as America's best. El Sol also won the Best of Show competition from ACP. El Sol has won four of the five national awards for college magazines. (The fifth will be announced in the spring.) Alexa Lima is the Editor-in-Chief of The Sun. Nicolette Luna is EIC of El Sol. Diego Higuera was a finalist for National College Reporter of the Year. Camilia Gonzalez won second place and a cash prize for Profile Feature Writing. Southwestern's journalism website, swcsun.org, was ranked #3 in the nation by CMA and #7 by ACP.
Southwestern's journalism program received the CMA Diversity Initiative Award for its conscientious efforts to cover underrepresented members of our society. The Editorial Board was honored with the CMA Louis E. Inglehart First Amendment Award for Defense of Free Speech.
The following students won national championships for their writing: Nicolette Luna, Alexa Lima, Emily Esparza, Briana Nunez, Liliana Anguiano, Emily Ingco, Julio Rodriguez, Juan Estrada. These students were finalists: Diego Higuera, Iyarie Murguia, Camila Gonzalez.
These students won national championships in design: Morgan Jacobson, Juan Estrada, Yanelli Robles, Zeke Watson, Alexa Lima, Laney Norman, Diego Higuera, Alfonso Camacho, Ivan Medida, Nicolette Luna. Robert Navarro and Edmundo Godina earned national awards for editorial cartoons. Emily Esparza won a national award for photography.
The academic advisor for student publications is
Max Branscomb, Ed.D., Professor of Journalism
Southwestern College
The Magic of art!
One in a million! Yesterday I was invited to read a poem at the opening reception for a new exhibit at the Front Porch Gallery in Carlsbad at noon. One of the other invited poets, Mary Anne Trause, explained that her poem had been inspired by the work of local Kumeyaay artist Johnny Bear Contreras. I was thrilled to tell her that the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center was having a reception for Mr. Contreras later that day at 4:00pm to celebrate HIS new exhibit in Bonita. This was a one in a million chance of happening, as she could have picked any artist as the inspiration for her poem on that day. Mary Anne was unable to attend the Bonita event, so she asked me to present her poem to Mr. Contreras, which I was happy to do. Upon receiving it, Mr. Contreras said he was touched that his art had inspired another artist and asked me to read it out loud to the reception attendees. In the time I have been writing poetry, I have seen many examples of art being more than words on a page or paint strokes on a canvas. Somehow, it is magical! It brings together people from diverse backgrounds and cultures in the most unexpected ways!
Photo--Wendy Wilson (Director of the Bonita Museum), Johnny Bear Contreras (holding his tribute poem), Jeff Bettger.
Newly Published Books by Local Authors
Postmorten-- Pre-order now
Written by Courtney Lund O'Neil--Bonita, CA
Read Courtney's new interview in the Artist/Authors Interview section above!
Congratulations on your Starred Review from Publisher's Review!
Available now on Amazon!
South Bay resident Dr. Alejandro Cabrero is one of the contributors to this exciting
new book "Life Changing Leadership" As described by Amazon, "Life-Changing Lessons from Military Leaders who know what it’s like to undergo intense mental and physical challenges and lead a team under pressure. This book features stories from leaders who have had to find the internal drive and motivation to lead a team – even when the odds were stacked against them. "
Dr. Alejandro Cabrero was born in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico and grew up between the cities of Mayaguez and Aguadilla on the western side of the tropical island. After graduating from Ramey High School, he promptly joined the United States Navy in 1994, completed boot camp and advanced electronics field training before reporting to his first ship, USS ESSEX (LHD 2), in San Diego, California. Throughout a 25-year military career, Dr. Cabrero progressed through the enlisted ranks, achieving the rank of Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer before transitioning to the officer ranks as a Mustang. He completed his career as a Lieutenant Commander having the privilege of serving on seven naval combatant ships, three training commands, and one tour in Naval Station Rota Spain.
Dr. Cabrero holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Point Loma Nazarene University, and a Doctor of Education Degree in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. He resides in southern California with his wife and painter Karla Preciado, two children Gabriela and Erick, and two pups Maggie and Daisy.
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16th Annual Summation is now available!
Get yours now!
The new volume of "Summation--Anthology of Art and Poetry" is now available through
the Escondido Arts Partnership. Under the direction of Robt O'Sullivan, original paintings
are juried and then local poets are asked to create poems that are inspired by those paintings.
Poetry inspired by other art is called Ekphrastic poetry.
For Nature LOVERS--all 365 Species of Hummingbirds Painted!
https://www.gaminiratnavira.com/books
Exciting news! The long-awaited Hummingbird book, featuring Gamini Ratnavira's stunning artwork of all 365 species is available. Each painting is meticulously crafted with Turner acryl gouache on premium watercolor paper. Originals will be released post-book launch. https://www.instagram.com/gaminiratnavira/shop
Gamini is a Master Wildlife Artist, devoting over 50 years to his profession. He works in oils, acrylic, acryl gouache, watercolor and bronze. His paintings depict rare and unique endangered species from the over 55 countries he has traveled to while attaining a bird list in the 4000’s. He combines his sketches and photography to compose his paintings and occasional sculptures, often dreaming the compositions.
My friends Gamini and Lisa live in Fallbrook and own the Hidden Forest Art Gallery. While this website is dedicated to South Bay artists, this work is so spectacular, I had to make an exception.
Poetry Corner
Sharing Art
by Jeff Bettger
Of all the things to share
Art is the best thing
It has no time or place
It has no mask or pretense
We practice and refine
Our skills and techniques
Art is how we display
The best inside of us
Karla Preciado and Lupita Shahbazi
A Look Back to COVID
Aug. 20, 2020 A Curbside Art Exhibit in Jeff Bettger's front yard!
With art galleries closed, artists were left without a place to display their work.
Jeff Bettger created an outdoor art show for friends and neighbors to enjoy!
Children were given beginners water color paint sets. It was a great opportunity for
the public to view art and to talk with the artists. "Where there is art, there is a way!" Jeff's work is the merging of paintings and poetry. Ekphrastic poetry is poetry that is inspired by other art forms, such as paintings. www.JeffBettgerPoetry.com
--Pictured from left to right: Jeff Bettger, Wendy Gracia, Rosario Glezmir, Karla Preciado.
The Eric Hoffer Award
Jeff Bettger has been asked again to serve as a judge for the International Eric Hoffer Book Award. He will be judging the Outstanding Business Book category.
Feedback
-- The website great. It was a wonderful idea, to have many artists artwork and there stories.
--Chula Vista and South Bay artists need more exposure. We need like an art colony, like many cities in United States.
--I wanted to express my appreciation for what you’re doing with Pages & Canvas. It’s exciting to see the effort being put into building such a vibrant and collaborative creative community in Bonita and the surrounding areas.
-- It looks great! Love the way you are featuring artists.