Our Mission & Purpose
Celebrating visual arts in the Santa Clarita Valley since 1989.
Our Foundational Mission
The Santa Clarita Artists Association (SCAA) is a dedicated non-profit fine art organization whose core mission is to promote the Visual Arts within our community, while actively educating and encouraging our members to develop their unique artistic talents.
The Santa Clarita Artists Association (SCAA) is a dedicated non-profit fine art organization whose core mission is to promote the Visual Arts within our community, while actively educating and encouraging our members to develop their unique artistic talents.
Our Organizational Purpose
As outlined in our official SCAA bylaws, our association serves as a vital community pillar through a clear, multi-faceted purpose:
As outlined in our official SCAA bylaws, our association serves as a vital community pillar through a clear, multi-faceted purpose:
- Artistic Education & Encouragement: To act as a trusted local source of artistic education, promotion, and encouragement for the community and its members.
- Professional Resource Sharing: To provide transparent information and guidance regarding the artistic, technical, financial, and promotional aspects of the visual arts.
- Public Art Coordination: To coordinate high-quality public displays of SCAA members’ original art, working closely with both public and private entities to elevate artistic awareness across our valley.
- A Supportive Environment: To create a welcoming, collaborative environment that inspires and supports local artists to share their ideas, knowledge, personal experiences, future aspirations, and milestones.
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Serving the Santa Clarita Valley
We bring our mission to life through active community enrichment and educational programs:
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Our Roots: A Living History
We are currently gathering historical records and vintage photographs from our founding members to showcase SCAA's full 35+ year journey. If you have archival photos or stories to share, please contact our Board of Directors! In 1989, a small, passionate circle of local artists began meeting in one another's homes to share creative techniques, critique works-in-progress, and build a supportive neighborhood network. As our membership flourished over the decades, our display spaces expanded far beyond living rooms. While our permanent storefront venue, the SCAA Gallery, found its current home on 6th Street in Old Town Newhall in 2016, our members' fine art can also be discovered at the Canyon Theater Guild, City Hall, the Old Town Newhall Library, and various local pop-up exhibition venues. |
Meet Our Team
SCAA Governance & 2026 Board Leadership
Meet the dedicated volunteers guiding our creative community for the current calendar year:
Meet the dedicated volunteers guiding our creative community for the current calendar year:
TOBI BECK
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PATRICIA THAYER
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CAROL SCHILANSKY
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HOWARD MARCOVITCH
Logistics & Facilities |
KAREN MARTINEZ
Membership Chair |
GARY
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MERESSA NAFTULIN
Plein Air Chair |
EILEEN
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ANAHID
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TOBI
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OPEN
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SCAA Governance & 2026 Board Leadership
SCAA Governance & 2026 Board Leadership
Meet the dedicated volunteers guiding our creative community for the current calendar year:
Meet the dedicated volunteers guiding our creative community for the current calendar year:
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Tobi Beck President pro Tem |
Patricia Thayer vice president |
Carol Schilansky recording secretary |
[ Click Here to Download the SCAA Association Bylaws (PDF) ]
📁 [ Click Here to Access Member Forms & Logo Kits ]
📁 [ Click Here to Access Member Forms & Logo Kits ]
Our Mission
Since 1989 the Santa Clarita Artists Association has supported and encouraged local artists to create, share and grow their skills as visual artists. Today we have 150 local artist members at all skill levels from the novice to the professional. Many of our members exhibit their art in Santa Clarita and throughout California.
SCAA serves the Santa Clarita community in several ways. In our monthly general meeting, professional artists give art demonstrations in oil, pastels, watercolor and other media. Our meetings are open to the public and are a great way to learn about the creative process. In addition, every fall SCAA hosts the Art Classic and Gala which is both an art competition and fundraiser for our scholarship program. Each May, SCAA awards 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place scholarships to talented high school seniors in the Santa Clarita Valley who are pursuing a career in art.
The SCAA Gallery, on 6th Street, is the home of the Santa Clarita Artist Association and is a hidden gem in the heart of Newhall. In our Gallery, art is on view throughout the year that highlights our members in a variety of media. In addition to the 6th Street Gallery, SCAA artists work can be seen at the Canyon Theater Guild, City Hall, the Old Town Newhall Library, and other venues around town. On behalf of all our SCAA members we hope you will become a member or patron and support the arts in the Santa Clarita.
SCAA serves the Santa Clarita community in several ways. In our monthly general meeting, professional artists give art demonstrations in oil, pastels, watercolor and other media. Our meetings are open to the public and are a great way to learn about the creative process. In addition, every fall SCAA hosts the Art Classic and Gala which is both an art competition and fundraiser for our scholarship program. Each May, SCAA awards 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place scholarships to talented high school seniors in the Santa Clarita Valley who are pursuing a career in art.
The SCAA Gallery, on 6th Street, is the home of the Santa Clarita Artist Association and is a hidden gem in the heart of Newhall. In our Gallery, art is on view throughout the year that highlights our members in a variety of media. In addition to the 6th Street Gallery, SCAA artists work can be seen at the Canyon Theater Guild, City Hall, the Old Town Newhall Library, and other venues around town. On behalf of all our SCAA members we hope you will become a member or patron and support the arts in the Santa Clarita.
2026 SCAA Board
Naomi Young PRESIDENT Open for New President Contact Naomi 2026 |
Pat Thayer Vice President 2026 |
Carol Schilansky RECORDING Secretary 2026 |
Buck Burns Treasurer 2026 |
Karen Martinez Membership 2026
Bruce Mc Farland NEWSLETTER EDItor 2026 |
Tobi Beck Gallery Chair co-Chair/OPEN 2026 
Gary Friedman Program Chair- Monthly Meetings 2026 |
OPEN Art Classic Chair 2026
OPEN Fundraising Chair 2026 |
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Meressa Naftulin Plein Air 2026 |
Team Marcovitch Events Technical Director 2026 |
Cheri Marcovitch Sunshine 2026 |
Laurie Morgan Canyon theatre Exhibits 2026 |
Zony Gorden Workshops 2026 |
Kristen Baladi HISTORIAn 2026
OPEN aRT festival CHair 2026 |
Patty Haft Publicity 2026
OPEN Grant Writer 2026 |
Anahid Baghdasarian Scholarship 2026
Jane Mick Spring Art Show at Le Chene 2026 |
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Exhibit Venues
Canyon Theatre Guild. Main Street, Newhall Contact if you are interested in exhibiting at the Canyon Theatre please contact Laurie Morgan at [email protected] |