The Lamorinda Arts Council presents a gallery filled with artwork from 36 members of the Lamorinda Arts Alliance (LAA) during December. Their in-person and virtual exhibit is on view in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. Meet the artists at a reception in their honor on Saturday Dec. 4 from 3 – 5 p.m. where light refreshments will be served. Also enjoy jazz by the Nika Rejto Duo with Robin Lewis playing seven string guitar and Rejto on flute and vocals. Expect to hear jazz tunes including Brazilian Samba, the American songbook and original music.

The LAA’s “Inspired by the Greats” theme provides local artists the opportunity to pay tribute to influencers they count as “great.”  Stanton explains, “An influencer could be an architect, artist, musician, photographer, sculptor, literary figure, teacher, or friend.” Tama said, “The style of an artist, their brushstroke, their use of color makes a big impression upon me and often guides the decisions I make in my own artwork. That’s how I can be inspired by someone who is a creative force. The same can apply to photography, ceramics or any art form.” According to Tama, “Photographer Annie Leibovitz’s new book, ‘Wonderland,’ shows how she uses color in stunning ways that I find intriguing.”

The 80 pieces of original art in the exhibit showcase many types of media including printmaking, stoneware, welded steel, photography, collage, mixed media, oils, acrylics, watercolors, and colored pencil. Each artist is displaying a statement describing who has inspired and influenced their work. If holiday shopping is on your mind, all artwork in the gallery for sale can be purchased online through the Lamorinda Art Council’s website.

Participating artists include Donna Arganbright, Karen Baden Thapa, Joe Bologna, Alys Briggs, Donna Brown, Margie Caldwell-Gill, Helen Chu-Hirschberg, Suellen Cox, Kelley Dean-Crowley, Susan Erickson, Judith Feins, Sylvia Fones, Carla Gelbaum, Jennifer Granat, Marc Ellen Hamel, Marian Harris, Denise Hillman, Kim Homes, Victor and Natalya Kolyvayko, Melchia Kutches, Karen Leoni, Pam McCauley, Samantha McNally, Alix Mitgang, Irene Needoba, Chelsea Pickslay, Wenda Pyman, Anne Morrison Rabe, Adrienne Rogers, Judith Rohrer, Maria SantoStefano, Ruth Stanton, Charlene Steen, Sharon Tama, Charlynn Throckmorton, and Nancy Vachani.

Lamorinda Arts Alliance is an organization of local artists and friends who reside or work in the area. Its purpose is to provide coordination, education, and service to promote and increase knowledge, appreciation, and practice of the arts, and to enhance the cultural development of Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and the surrounding communities. The group seeks to foster a better understanding of art within the community and encourage the exchange of ideas for the mutual benefit of all members through its programs, exhibits and other activities within the community. Learn more about LAA at  www.laa4art.org.

The Lamorinda Arts Council curates monthly exhibits at this gallery; for more information go to www.lamorindaarts.org. This exhibit runs Dec. 1 through 30 during normal Library hours in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library at 26 Orinda Way. Hours are Mon. – Thur., 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Fri. – Sat., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., closed Sun. and closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31. Call 925.254.2184 for more information about the Library or visit www.ccclib.org/. Email the curators with questions at gallery@lamorindaarts.org.

This exhibit runs December 1 through 30.