Colors that make the world feel vibrant and alive grace the walls of the Colusa County Arts Council studio in Colusa.
The work of renowned artist and instructor Joella Guaraglia-Wheeler opened on Thursday at a well-attended exhibition, and will remain on display for the next month.
Guaraglia-Wheeler is the wife of Colusa native Bill Wheeler. The couple moved back to Colusa about five months ago, after living for many years in New Mexico and Oregon. The couple last lived in Texas, where Guaraglia-Wheeler taught at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts.
“I was born in San Francisco; Bill was born in Colusa,” Guaraglia-Wheeler said. “After 50 years, we are back in California at last.”
Guaraglia-Wheeler said her love for art began as a young girl in the cities and was influenced by her mother, who loved galleries and museums.
“My mom drove me to everything she could,” she said.
Guaraglia-Wheeler is a graphic designer by trade, but is now retired. As a fine artist, she concentrates in mixed media and paints in vibrant layers of texture and color.
Those who attended Thursday’s opening said the exhibit is one of the best the Arts Council has ever offered.
In addition to Guaraglia-Wheeler’s paintings, the artist’s small sculptured dolls, made from re-purposed plastic bottles, are also on display.
Sharon Reische, Arts Council executive director, said Guaraglia-Wheeler’s pieces are for sale and that the Arts Council is looking forward to hosting a series of classes taught by Guaraglia-Wheeler, although the dates have not yet been determined.
“Her work is just fantastic,” Reische said. “She is going to first teach a class on how to make the dolls. We hope there will be others.”
The Arts Council studio is open from 3-6 PM on Tuesdays, and from 10:30 AM to 1 PM on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Visitors are welcome. There is no charge for admission. ■