Marina Martins-Juncker, The Creator Cameo
Tiffany Schmierer, Accumulated View, 3D sculpture
The Greater Bay Area Open (GBAO) is a fine art only competition and exhibition presented by the Los Gatos Art Association (LGAA), designed to promote fine art and artists from the greater Bay Area. Starting in 2015 and held biennially, the GBAO is now in its sixth showing and has moved to even-numbered years.
This exhibit brings an exciting and dynamic association between the LGAA and NUMU, New Museum Los Gatos, host to this collaboration.
Spanning twelve Bay Area counties, from Sonoma to Monterey, this juried event draws artists to compete for awards and recognition but also brings exposure to respected jurors, galleries, and art collectors from the region. The GBAO embraces artistic excellence, accepting both two-dimensional and three-dimensional fine art into this premier venue.
Patty Benson, Have a Nice Day?, Oils
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Suodaba Adel
Tom Altemus
Shalu Attri
Silpa Baby
Bradain Bello
Patty Benson
Kenneth Bishop
Julianne Bonnet
Khen Brezel
Claudia Browne
Susan Butler-Graham
Saikat Choudhury
Robert Claus
Susan Costes
Jonathan Crow
Christine Crozier
Lynn Dau
Ulysses Duterte Jr
John Eames
Sara Eberhart
Katherine Filice
Patrice Gelband
Fiorenza Gorini
Susan Grabowski
Kathryn Greenwald
Annie Haines
Cheryl Hansen
Sanjay Heera
Bill Heiderich
Arom Ju
Jeff Key
Mila Kirillova
Leslie Landers
Shay Lari-Hosain
Lorraine Lawson
Wendy Levine
Christina Lim
Oleg Lobykin
Hana Lock
Carolyn Lord
Diana Losch
Ed Lucey
Margaret Luo
Melissa Mandegarian
Marina Martins-Juncker
Lina Melkonian
Tanya Momi
Lawrence Montgomery
Clayton Moraga
Eva Olsen
Julie Opatovsky
Patricia Pierce
Jimmy Pollock
Jaladhi Pujara
Cynthia Riordan
Manuel Rodriguez
Michael Rogan
Tiffany Schmierer
Bonnie Joy Sedlak
Nancy Sevier
Meghna Sharma
Sahba Shere
Siana Smith
David Stonesifer
Thalia Stratton
Renée Switkes
Lee Tavrow
Nina Temple
Michelle Tidwell
Byron Tripp
Victoria Veedell
Maurice Walcott
Diane Warner-Wang
LaRhee Webster
Barbara West
Eileen Wong Cervera
Douglas Woodman
Carol Worthington-Levy
Ran Wu
Lucia Znamirowski -
Honorable Mention 3D Sculpture: Lynn Dau
Third Place 3D Sculpture: Bill Heiderich
Second Place 3D Sculpture: Nancy Sevier
First Place 3D Sculpture: Jeff KeyThird Place Acrylics: Arom Ju
Second Place Acrylics: Annie Haines
First Place Acrylics: Sahba ShereHonorable Mention Mixed/Other: Patrice Gelband
Honorable Mention Mixed/Other: Marina Martins-Juncker
Honorable Mention Mixed/Other: Diane Warner-Wang
Third Place Mixed/Other: Lorraine Lawson
Second Place Mixed/Other: Saikat Choudhury
First Place Mixed/Other: Sara EberhartHonorable Mention Oils: Patty Benson
Honorable Mention Oils: Michelle Tidwell
Third Place Oils: Fiorenza Gorini
Second Place Oils: Tom Altemus
First Place Oils: Jonathan CrowThird Place Photo/Digital: Diana Losch
Second Place Photo/Digital: Kenneth Bishop
First Place Photo/Digital: Shay Lari-HosainSecond Place Watercolors: Nina Temple
First Place Watercolors: Jaladhi PujaraFounders Award: Leslie Landers
Penelope O’Neill Memorial Art Award: Eileen Wong Cervera
EXHIBITION THEME
Breaking Through
"A point at which a significant change occurs”
For an artist, “breaking through" is a moment or event that marks a significant shift in the creative process, perspective, or direction. It’s like a new turning point or a realization that opens up new avenues for exploration. In the search for inspiration, a breakthrough might originate with an external event, such as experiencing a new culture, meeting a mentor, or going through a personal challenge. It could also be prompted by an internal shift—perhaps a change in how artists view their work or the world around them.
This moment doesn’t always have to be dramatic or grand; sometimes it’s a quiet passage that leads to new layers of creativity. For example, artists might realize they’re more interested in abstraction than realism, or they might discover a new medium that completely changes the way they approach their craft. That’s when the internal compass realigns, pushing them toward new ideas, new techniques, or a deeper connection to their own expression.
In essence, breakthroughs are catalysts that break down creative blocks and can open fresh channels of inspiration. They are milestones where artists feel that they’ve unlocked something – an emotional truth, a new technique, or a different way of thinking—that propels them forward in their artistic journey.
IMPORTANT DATES
Applications Open: Mon, Apr 14, 2025
Entry Deadline: Fri, Jun 13, 2025
Jury Notification to Artist: Mon, Jun 23, 2025
Art Intake Day: Sun, Jul 27, 2025, 11 AM-2 PM
Reception Day: Thu, Jul 31, 2025, 6-8 PM
Exhibition Dates: Fri, Aug 1, 2025 through Sat, Oct 4, 2025
Art Removal Day: Sun, Oct 5, 2025, 11 AM-2 PM
ABOUT THE LGAA
The Los Gatos Art Association (LGAA) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the education, enrichment and support of the arts community. Our mission is to promote creative expression in the visual fine arts by fostering high standards, extending appreciation, and encouraging cooperation and camaraderie among artists. Membership is open to all artists and art supporters.
ABOUT THE JURORS
Kristin Lindseth Rivera
Kristin Lindseth is an internationally exhibiting sculptor, printmaker and educator. Her sculptures are figurative and symbolic works and are each one of a kind. She works in both wood multimedia constructions and in metal. Her work has been represented in over 200 exhibitions regionally, nationally and internationally. Her sculptures and intaglio printmaking are included in private collections in Sweden, Germany Spain, France, England, United Arab Emirates and Greece. Recently she has completed a series of 18 wood multimedia constructions and carvings in response to the California wildfires of Fall 2020. This body of work is titled San Ardo Refuge, and has been exhibited in four solo shows in museums and art centers.
Photo by Marcus Lyon
Daniel Garcia
Daniel is native to the Bay Area and has been a San Jose resident since he was three. Daniel's entrepreneurial journey began as a fashion photographer in the 1980's. After a decade of running his own photo business, he moved into nonprofit work focusing on college student's spiritual formation. Feeling a strong desire to bring his two passions together, the artist and serving the community, Content Magazine began. As the Cultivator of Content Magazine, Daniel leads a high-quality magazine that reflects the diversity and creativity of the people of South Bay.
GBAO 2025 is supported by generous sponsors, The Law Office of Timothy A. Lundell, Esq.,
Groves Family and in-kind support by The Agency.
