Honor for Art History : Club celebrates next year’s 50th anniversary of its founding with an exhibit of works by some of its 200 members.

In October, 1943, a small group of San Fernando Valley artists met at the home of Roland A. Pennoyer to form the first art club in the Valley. Pennoyer was elected presi dent, and the San Fernando Valley Art Club began. Its purpose is to encourage the creation of art, promote educational and social relationships among artists and contribute to the public’s appreciation of art.

Next year, the 200-member club will mark its 50th anniversary. But the “50th Anniversary Celebration Exhibit” begins Saturday at Artspace Gallery in Woodland Hills.

More than 50 paintings by current club members are on view in the show, juried by Scott Canty, the gallery’s curator. As with the club’s first exhibit in February, 1944, some artists have been awarded prize ribbons for their work. Three artists/judges not associated with the club determined the awards.

During the first years of the club, exhibits were held at women’s clubs in North Hollywood and Van Nuys, the North Hollywood Public Library, the bygone Rathbun’s department store in Panorama City, Griffith Park and other locations. Historical notes written by club board member Catherine Vavra in 1975 mention that as far back as 1946, the club president, Charles W. Hulett, “continued to work toward an art center for the Valley.”

Such a development has yet to be realized, but the art club presents two shows a year at the Sumitomo Bank in Sherman Oaks. Each month, the State Office Building in Van Nuys displays a member’s work in its cafeteria. And Cal State Northridge’s University Club continues to serve as a venue for club members’ art.

Club President Elaine Bedigian, a fine artist by avocation, a graphic artist by vocation, has been a member since 1985. She is “on a soapbox to bring awareness of the arts in the Valley,” she said.

“The camaraderie of the people in this group makes it cohesive and fun. For people just beginning to make art, the club offers lots of encouragement.”

In the present exhibit, Lorraine Strieby won Best of the Show for her watercolor collage “Cactus Patch.” The piece was inspired by the terrain along her jogging route in Chatsworth. Strieby, a past president of the club, has one other work in the show, “Street Magic.” Its quaint buildings, cobblestone streets and dreamy atmosphere represent her feelings and observations during her trips to Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

First place went to Mark Pulte for his realistically detailed yet ultimately abstract watercolor “Kufaru”--Swahili for rhinoceros.

“I like to try and give some kind of illusion in my work, something to exercise the mind and the eye,” he said. “I want people to be able to look at it for a long time without getting bored.”

Pulte, a free-lance commercial artist, particularly likes networking with other artists in the club and the monthly demonstrations by artists.

Charlotte Jones was awarded second place for her oil-on-canvas landscape “Between the Trees.” Eve Jordan received third place for “Ceremonial” and honorable mention for her “Celebration,” both watercolors.

William Conte’s realist painting “Cousins” garnered an honorable mention. His still life “Survivor, Santa Monica Mountains” evokes a warmth and respect for kinder, gentler times. It depicts a vintage record player, hat, violin, a small part of a piece of sheet music and a torn picture of Babe Ruth.

While not an award winner, Kevork Skadjian’s oil-on-canvas “Meditation” is a moody and moving combination of portrait and landscape.

WHERE AND WHEN

What: San Fernando Valley Art Club “50th Anniversary Celebration Exhibit” at Artspace Gallery, 21800 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills.

Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday through Oct. 17. Awards presented during opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. At 2 p.m. Sept. 19, conversations with the artists will take place in the gallery.

Added exhibit: Beginning Sept. 29, “Beyond the Color Line: Reflections on Race,” a program of video art presented in conjunction with L. A. Freewaves, a video festival for Southern California artists, will accompany the exhibit.

Price: Free.

Call: (818) 716-2786.