WHITTIER, CA – Show opening this weekend at the Whittier Art Gallery featuring One Teacher, Three Students—Four Friends.

Founded in 1934, the Whittier Art Association and Gallery has proudly exhibited such noted artists as Milford Zornes, Taro Yashima, James Cooper Wright, and Norman Rockwell. The exhibition opening this week features four southern California artists who have worked together for over twenty years.

“We have known each other for so long, it’s hard to remember exactly when it started” says ceramics instructor, Jean Bliss. “The student/teacher relationship has evolved over the past twenty years to friendships we know will last a lifetime.” Students Arlene Loyet, Wendy DeLeon, and Nadya Orloff join with Jean in the artistic ceramic showcase this week at the Whittier Art Gallery. All four artists will be present at the Artist Reception Sunday, November 4, starting at 3 p.m.

About the Artists

A southern California native, Jean has been making and teaching pottery for over 30 years. She has been local favorite of students and collectors, drawing much of the inspiration for her work from nature. Jean’s teaching philosophy draws together a wide scope from the traditional functional wares to the contemporary fine-art approaches. Jean has studied in California, Nevada, Germany, Amsterdam, and Japan. She has taught ceramics at several southern California colleges over the past 20 years, including California State University Long Beach, Cypress College, Rio Hondo College, and Fullerton Community College. Her artwork has been exhibited at numerous galleries and shows throughout California. Jean includes among her honors, three-time Best in Show at the La Mirada Festival of the Arts, and the Purchase Award at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. As an Honored Artisan in the Fullerton California Bastanchury Days, her mosaic received one of the highest bids of the community event. The three-foot-tall mosaic sheep now resides in the yard of a private collector.

Arlene Loyet, has been working with clay for 30 years. She began as an art major at San Diego state college studying painting and life drawing at Art Center in L.A. She studied with Wilson Turner, Rachael Ulay, Jasmine Taylor, and then Jean Bliss. Arlene has exhibited at Walnut Tree Festival with orchids and pots, and creates murals and mosaic tables. Ms. Loyet creates for the sheer pleasure and donates most of her pieces to charity auctions.

Wendy DeLeon studied with Dave Ramsey at Whittier High School and then at Rio Hondo with Jean Bliss learning raku firing. She is currently studying at Fullerton Community College with Jean Bliss and Stella Vogner, and has participated in studio shows and gallery sales.

Nadya Orloff, having exhausted hobbies such as macramé, oil painting, and stained glass, has turned her interest to ceramic art for the past 15 years. Ms. Orloff chose pottery, first studying under Jasmine Taylor, and currently studying with Jean Bliss. After much slurry she joined the Whittier Art Association in 1981. Together with Arlene Loyet she participated in the Walnut Tree Festival every year. When she broke her two-foot-tall bird sculpture a few years ago, Ms. Orloff began creating low to the ground desert tortoises.

The Four Friends show, like a seed planted and nurtured, culminates this weekend at the Whittier Art Gallery. The show runs Wednesday through Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. at 8035 Painter Ave. Admission is FREE. For information call (562) 698-8710.