We are featuring fine art oil paintings by local artist, Park Merrill.

Park Merrill had a long career as an illustrator and graphic artist for painting conceptual designs for satellite systems and other high-tech space programs, including the Hubble Space Telescope. Since retiring, Mr. Merrill has developed his fine art skills and a style he calls "Soft Impressions of California." His works are images from California's past and present.

Park Merrill, a native Californian, was born in Fortuna, Humboldt County, in 1938. From an early age, Merrill showed signs of an artistic nature. After high school, Merrill attended Humboldt State College for a year and a halt, taking many art courses. Wanting a more intensive art education, he attended the four-year professional art school, Art Center College of Design, located in Los Angeles at that time. Art Center is one of the three most prestigious art schools in the country.

After graduating from Art Center in 1963, Merrill worked as an illustrator and graphic artist, ending his career with 27 years at Lockheed M.issiles & Space Company in Sunnyvale. During that time, he painted conceptual designs for satellite systems and other high-tech space programs such as Star Wars, Space Station Freedom, and the Hubble Space Telescope.

Since his retirement, Merrill has developed his fine art skills and a style he calls ''Soft Impressions of California." These images are from California's colorful past and present. Painted in oil, they combine pastel Colors with soft edges. "This has been the most exciting work I have done to date,'' says Merrill, and it is his hope that the art-viewing public will agree.

This little GEM of a show will offer a gift-giving array of small paintings, ceramics, hand-painted tree ornaments and more.
Special Guest Artist, Ruthellyn Whittington, will display a variety of her artwork. Plus, whimsical birdhouses, created by Cambria’s own crafty artisan, Richard Lee as well as ceramic art by Dancing Dog Clayworks.

Come in and do some Holiday shopping!.

The Cambria Center for the Arts will open the new year with a group show featuring images of iconic Cambria, as well as several little-known farms and backroads near this enchanting village.

The public is cordially invited to view the submitted art -- and meet the artists -- at an Opening Reception, to be held Saturday, January 6 from 4:30 - 6:00pm at the Cambria Center for the Arts in Main Street. Enjoy festive refreshments and the company of local creatives as you browse the gallery.