This March, the South Pasadena Arts Council (SPARC) presents Artistry Unveiled, a monthlong celebration of Women’s History Month featuring a powerful solo exhibition, hands-on workshops, poetry, and a closing night of music and art — all centered at the SPARC Centre Gallery.
At the heart of the month is “Unleashed,” a solo exhibition by painter Anna Berlly, on view throughout March.
After 25 years in television production and marketing, Berlly picked up a paintbrush — and has not put it down since. Influenced by artists such as Joan Mitchell, Tracey Emin, Willem DeKooning, and Cy Twombly, her work blends abstraction and figuration, structure and destruction. Working in oils and acrylics, she creates bold, emotionally charged paintings that explore the human figure with movement, color, and unapologetic force.
In her artist statement for Unleashed, Berlly describes painting as rebellion and release — an act of letting go, of painting over fear, of dismantling perfection in order to build something more alive. Her women emerge imperfect, messy, strong, vulnerable, and fully present.
Exhibition Events:
- Opening Reception: Saturday, March 7, 4–7 PM
- Gallery Hours: Wednesday, March 18 & Wednesday, March 25, 3–7 PM
- Closing Celebration: Saturday, March 28, 6–8 PM
The Closing Celebration will feature a live performance by South Pasadena singer-songwriter Sophie Reynolds, whose intimate lyrics and warm melodic sensibilities blend pop, folk, and singer-songwriter influences. The evening will also include a raffle and silent art auction benefiting SPARC.
Facing Fear Through Art
Saturday, March 14 | 10 AM–1 PM
$65 – Materials and light refreshments included
Art therapist Stefanie Schamber and painter Anna Berlly lead a discussion and acrylic painting workshop exploring fear-based creative blocks and how to move through them. Supported by The Hive, South Pasadena, this beginner-friendly experience invites participants to reconnect with their artistic voice through guided reflection and self-portrait creation.
The Art of Calm
Saturday, March 21 | 10 AM–1 PM
$65 – Materials and light refreshments included
Coinciding with the first day of spring, this discussion and meditative floral arranging workshop features author Chantal Donnelly, whose book Settled: How to Find Calm in a Stress-Inducing World explores regulating the nervous system to create balance and resilience. Following the conversation, participants will engage in a mindful floral design experience celebrating renewal, creativity, and seasonal change.
Poetry in the Afternoon
Thursday, March 18 | 4-6 PM
As part of Women’s History Month programming, SPARC’s monthly Poetry in the Afternoon gathering will spotlight two featured women poets: Hanna Pachman and Christine Jordan.
Hosted by poet and literary organizer Aaron Hernandez, this ongoing series celebrates poetic voices while fostering a vibrant literary community. On the third Thursday of the month, the series features readings by invited poets followed by an open mic welcoming attendees to share their own work or simply listen and connect. The March edition continues that tradition while honoring the creative contributions of women writers.
Through painting, dialogue, poetry, music, and immersive workshops, Artistry Unveiled celebrates women as artists, thinkers, storytellers, and community builders. SPARC invites the public to participate in a month of bold expression, reflection, and creative empowerment.
All events take place at:
SPARC Centre Gallery
1000 Fremont Avenue, Unit 120
South Pasadena, CA
(Entrance located at the back of the building, accessible from the parking lot)
For more information and to enroll in the workshop offerings go to the SPARC website.
