Venture Gallery at Portola Plaza invites you to join us for an all-new show of artwork by our 30 local artists, opening September 13 and running until mid-November 2016. Our Featured Artists for this exhibition are Tamara Selyangina and William Eatmon. Please stop by and enjoy the beautiful new artwork in our gallery, including paintings, jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, fused glass, and greeting cards.

Tamara Selyangina is watercolor artist who was born in Russia and grew up in Eastern Siberia near Lake Baikal. After spending a decade in Europe, she has been living in Monterey for a little over seven years. She loves watercolor because of the subtle nuances that can't be achieved in any other medium. For her, it means pleasure, freshness, and freedom. The spontaneity, speed of execution, and happy accidents of watercolor work make the process magic and exciting. The focus of her art includes breathtaking coastal scenery, beautiful local nature, street scenes of Monterey, and the wharfs.

William Eatmon has always enjoyed producing art in many forms along with constantly designing and fabricating science and engineering projects. For his vocation, he chose science and engineering and had a long, rewarding career in the aerospace industry. Over the years, he was not constricted by the need to earn money from his art so he had the opportunity to experiment, resulting in a number of unique techniques and styles. Since retiring from his formal engineering career in 1998, he has settled on the mediums of oil and acrylic painting, focusing on everything from the realistic to the abstract with an emphasis on larger abstract paintings, impressionism, and pointillism. Cosmology, earth science, and quantum physics largely influence his artwork.

Crafted, a handcrafted gift shop at 800 Lighthouse Ave, is beginning to present classes for children! In the first class, held around the end of September, shop owner Raecine Melendez will teach kids age 9-12 how to create a small glass terrarium they can take home. The fee is $20, which includes materials and light refreshments.

This will be a small class of no more than eight students, held in the back room of the shop. It’s intended as a fun way for children to exercise their creativity and meet other kids in the community.

Raecine would like to see how many people might attend before she schedules the date. If your child would be interested, please contact Raecine at craftedstore@yahoo.com or 831-277-0100.

Bay of Pines Organic Restaurant is now hosting Wine & Paint Parties, both public and private! Book your Wine & Paint Party to celebrate birthdays, girls' night out, family reunions, class reunions, or more! Please call the restaurant for reservations and pricing, 831-920-3560.

The Portola Hotel & Spa is excited to announce its newest Wine Experience for Two Package in partnership with 10SPAN Vineyards. Experience this relaxing getaway, running September 1 - December 16, 2016.

Portola’s Wine For Two Package includes: a nautically inspired guest room; two 10SPAN wine flights with an artisan cheese plate at Jacks Restaurant & Lounge; complimentary 24 hour fitness center; heated pool, jacuzzi, and poolside cabanas; and complimentary wi-fi.

Sourced from vineyards along California’s Central Coast, 10SPAN wines showcase the best of Monterey County and Santa Barbara County. The region’s cool ocean breezes form over the Pacific Ocean and follow through to the coastal mountains to cultivate distinct microclimates. These microclimates are home to a vast range of wildlife, including Bald Eagles and California Condors.

Please note that terms and conditions apply to all hotel deals. Based on availability. Blackout dates apply. Subject to change without notice. Must be 21 or older to book this offer. Starting rate of $219.

September is National Sewing Month! To celebrate, Bella's Studio will be offering all fabrics and notions at 20% off during the entire month of September 2016. Come and check out the great selection at our retail shop!