Alicen Harrad
Alicen Harrad, December Artist of the Month
Alicen Harrad grew up in New York loving art and music but found the highly competitive public schools stressful and dull. In her junior year of high school, she registered in the arts program thinking it was an easy way to get enough credits to graduate. This flippant decision became the turning point in her life.
Design and painting classes were surprisingly intense, and participating in an award-winning choir and theater group proved technical and demanding but rewarding. The art room became a safe haven where talent was nurtured, encouraged, and appreciated and where “square pegs” could excel. She felt right at home.
As an education major at the Philadelphia College of Art, Alicen continued painting and exploring classes such as ceramics and photography. She also started teaching in Philly’s inner-city schools and later taught in Montreal; Washington, DC; and Los Angeles. Marriage to Mark brought her back to New York where, as a local community center director, Alicen had the joy of introducing art, music, dance, and theater to hundreds of children, including her daughter, Remi. It was also an opportunity to hire, train, and guide many young people who later became amazing teachers. Living and working in the old, established neighborhood of Yorkville in a program attended by generations of children and their families created a personal bond and a highlight to her life.
Alicen discovered PebbleCreek while surfing the internet during the dark days of Covid. Sunny landscapes and cozy houses were beckoning, but it was the art center that won her over. In eight weeks, she sold their home of 40 years, bought a villa online, packed up a few worldly possessions, and faced the unknown territory of Arizona.
Going from city life to a western pace has been an adjustment for the Harrads, but both are excited to meet so many wonderful neighbors and to see the incredible growth of Goodyear. It has also been quite a novelty to live in a house with so much space! Alicen is rediscovering painting, sewing, and selling sock dolls, and trying a variety of classes with other artists and instructors in a setting far exceeding her expectations. The bold colors, broad strokes, and play on light in her paintings reflect this new adventure.
Alicen is truly grateful and honored to be named artist of the month. Acceptance and recognition by such a talented and inspiring group not only validates her impulsive decisions but makes her feel home once again.
Alicen’s paintings can be seen in both clubhouses and the Creative Arts Center.
2025 Fall Art Show Winners
Professional
First: Peter Jeziorski, “Homeward Bound”
Second” Candis Kloverstrom, “Eric”
Acrylic
First: Alicen Harrad, “Riot of Pink”
Second: Viki Nickels, “Iridescent Orbitals”
Third: Micale Dawson, “PebbleCreek West Lake”
Honorable Mention: Betty Jean Kennedy, “Ristra”, Jane Myers, “Inner Child in the Garden of Hope”
Colored Pencil
First: Donna Mjund-Gustafson, “The Old Red Barn”
Honorable Mention: Donna Mund-Gustafson, “Did Someone Say Treat?”
Mixed Media
First: Sylvia Armstrong, “Textures in Motion”
Second: Diana Horton-Smith, “Pattern Drifts”
Third: Sylvia Armstrong, “Echoes of Desert Heat”
Oil
First: Cynthia Lavin, “Deep into Warm and Cool”
Second: Duane Langston, “A Kiss for Big Brother”
Third: Roxana Cafaratto, “White American Pelicans”
Pastel
First: Marsh Lyons, “In the Valley”
Honorable Mention: Mark Pajari, “Stella”
Watercolor
First: Hilary Fiscus, Picacho Peak at Sunset”
Second: Mary Dohmeier, “Saguaro Beauty”
Third: Joan Trost, “Jewels of the Pantry”
Honorable Mention: Kathy Sork, “Kentucky Derby”
Three Dimensions
First: Judy Parker, “Jewels”
Emerging Artist
First: Sylvia Smith, “Vibrant Vessels”
Second: Rick Richter, “Out for a Swim”
Special Challenge
First: Michael Dawson, “Avila Beach Resort”
Second: Peter Jeziorski, “Red Tulips with Dew Drop”
Third: Candi Kloverstrom, “Around the World Sermons”
Honorable Mention: Marielle Ramsey, “Sedona Rocks”
The Art Club adds fun and social activities to almost every event, such as the Oct. 31 club meeting when members dress up for Halloween.
December Is a Busy Month for Artists
While there are fewer art classes in December, holiday events and the Creative Arts Center Holiday Fest will be keeping PebbleCreek artists busy as usual.
There are two classes scheduled:
Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Painting Fall Aspens in Acrylic with Ann Osgood. One of the art club’s popular instructors returns to share how to paint aspens with exciting bursts of color and intriguing bark and leaves.
Dec. 10 and 17, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Painting in Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor with Edward Sprafkin. Bring your current project or choose one of the instructor’s photos to hone your skills in the fundamentals of painting. After a live demo Ed works one-on-one with each student.
Members Only Events!
Membership in the art club brings many special benefits, including social activities and workshops. In December, these include:
Friday, Dec. 5, First Friday Lunch. Join fellow artists at Eagle’s Nest Restaurant. A chance to catch up on the news before the holiday crunch. Reservations required.
Thursday, Dec. 11, 9:30 a.m. to noon. Sketching Workshop. Join fellow Art Club members and sharpen your sketching skills in this free workshop led by Betty Jean Kennedy.
Thursday, Dec. 11, 1 to 4 p.m. Jingle Jingle Holiday Helpers. Get into the holiday spirit as we decorate glass ornaments (supplied by the art club) for the Kare Bears Open House. Bring your acrylic paints, markers, beads and decorations for an afternoon with holiday treats and music. Please register for this worthy cause.
Friday, Dec. 12, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Holiday Lunch—an Art Club tradition! This year our celebration—when the Artist of the Year is announced—will be held at a private home. The $30 buffet lunch will include entrée, salad, dessert, and wine will be served. Please register and read about the funds we will be collecting for a local youth charity.
Cynthia Lavin won first prize in the oil category for her painting “Deep into Warm and Cool.” She said of the 24×36 inch painting, “I love bringing to life the range of colors, organic shapes, volume, and abstract qualities of succulents.”
Thank You, PebbleCreek Artists for Another Great Fall Art Show 2025
Emily Grotta
Once again, PebbleCreek residents and guests were amazed to see the extraordinary talent shown in the work of their friends and neighbors in the PebbleCreek (PC) Art Club. Several professional artists who live in the community displayed their works in the Fall Art Show, as well as artists ranging from first-time entrants to those who have developed as artists during their time in PebbleCreek.
Winners recognized by the judges included some who have never won a prize before as well as those whose talents are well documented. (See “2025 Fall Art Show Winners.”)
The Art Show would not be possible without the extraordinary work of the Art Show Committee under the leadership of Sylvia Armstrong, president of the PC Art Club. The members who began their work in January are Debby Bolton, Mary Dohmeier, Kim Harris, Hilary Fiscus, Erika Grande, Emily Grotta, Kim Harris, Diana Horton Smith, Betty Jean Kennedy, Laura Fischer, Donna Mund Gustafson, Viki Nickels, Loretta Pruett, and Cheryl Wagner. In addition, every participating artist and other club members volunteered to make the show run smoothly.
This annual event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, who serve so many of our PebbleCreek neighbors:
Platinum: Dr. Wheeler—Canyon Trails Family Dental and Market Street Dental Studio
Gold: Arete Financial, Desert Sage Landscaping, SW Golf Carts, The Burkhardt Team@Realty One Group
Silver: Catitude Arts—Bonnie Lewis, Free Spirit Vacations, Osborne Jewelers, Pino’s Contracting, Rapid Roofing, Roanoke Rental
Bronze: Argent Solar Electric Inc., B. Factor Insurance, Carnation Spring Cleaning Services, Glendale Sports Massage, Integrated Therapy
Donors: AquaZona Kinetico of Phoenix (Jen Pratt), Bacchus Wine and Debauchery, Bonnie Lewis pet portrait, Lux Tasting—Cooper’s Hawk Restaurants, Rio Harris, George and Maggie Philippon, Total Wine & More
Patrons: The Pruett Family, The Gustafson Family