From July 1st - October 1st, the Painted Piano Project will be displaying 3 pianos in downtown Lodi!

The painted piano project is a collaboration between Sayla Music Academy, the Lodi Arts Commission, and the vibrant arts community of Lodi. Pianos are donated to Sayla Music Academy and artists are picked to paint them with exciting patterns and themes of iconic local imagery. Local organizations sponsor the pianos which allows the artists to receive compensation and for them to be placed in public with the help of the Lodi Arts Commission.

This years sponsors are the Hutchins Street Square Foundation and Friends of the Library.

Once finished, pianos are then placed in public throughout the downtown area for anyone to play! This project is an exciting way to enrich downtown Lodi with a harmonious collaboration between artists and musicians!

We would like to introduce one of our artists and tell you a little bit more about them! 

Abbey Teravskis

Tell us about yourself:

Hi I’m Abbey. A daughter, sister, friend and recent auntie to my first nephew. City born and country raised. I love urban lights and cozy café chats. Yet have a pull deep inside for mountain heights or ocean shores. Recently combined the two during a few days stay in San Clemente where I caught a charter with my dad to backpack on Santa Rosa Island, a part of the Channel Island National Park. The ride to this island was one of the most inspiring and exhilarating memories. One can never understand true beauty until you meet it face to face. In this case, dolphins nose diving, whales surfacing and white shores broken in shadow. It was truly a painting fresh from the Master’s canvas. Yes, I am a Christian. The love of Christ, the beauty of His creation compels me. His love has completely changed me and there is not a breath I take apart from His sustaining grace. The true beauty in this world is not of sea or Sierra, pinnacle or pine, rather, that a broken heart can be whole. 

In Japan there is a custom to break a vessel then piece by piece assemble it again with melted gold, thus making the piece twice if not ten times more valuable. As a broken vessel I can testify my Lord can mend and not only mend but restore tenfold the beauty, the love, the hope of wonder to life. To today. To a new morning rise, the quiet breath intake and first sip of coffee. The mercy of my Creator is from everlasting to everlasting. May the canvas of my life reflect His grace.

How long have you been an artist? What are some other projects you have worked on?

For all my life. Or so it seems. Ever since I can remember, no paper within my reach has stayed free from scribbles for long. I would doodle away as others played board games, while waiting in long Disneyland ride lines, or on trips to coast or crest. The most memorable projects include two murals, a forty day challenge of one completed painting a day for roughly forty days and live painting three nights during the annual Christmas concept at my church (FBC Lodi).

What inspired you to become an artist?

My grandma, my cousin, and ultimately the Lord. The beauty of His creation has often brought me to tears - I recently heard a quote from a Blue Angel “Boss” ~ “you can chase perfection, and although you will never reach it, along the way you will discover excellence.” I want to trace my Creator’s brush so closely that one flows into the shadow of the other.

Describe the themes and style of your art. Do you gravitate towards one style or medium? What is your favorite medium to create with?

Currently I’m gravitating toward nautical and patriotic. I’ve worked with a vast variety of different mediums including oil paint and pastels, soft pastels, charcoal, pen and ink, acrylic, colored pencil and watercolor. A dream of mine is to create pieces that incorporate each of these unique mediums. My favorite medium, or painting for that matter, is the one I’m currently working on or using.

Who are your biggest artistic influences?

Winslow Homer who created Impressionism in America without knowing that it was simultaneously being created in Europe. Degas for his individuality. He sketched on pink paper and gave bronze statue dancers tulle skirts.

Tell us about your painted piano design. What inspired it?

This piano is a tribute to the wall of “I love you” in Paris, France. Although I never saw it while visiting a few years ago, I did get to walk over the love lock bridge. What I found most intriguing about the original wall, is that the artists scattered red pieces throughout the piece - symbolizing that true love is not complete without a broken heart. To love is to be ever open yet ever anchored. To soar, yet remain. It is the perfect parity. This piano is not only for sweethearts, but for all who love. Who have loved, are loved, and know the loss of love. The patriotic theme of this piece establishes the love of country. I truly believe America is the home of the free because of the brave. This tribute is reminiscent of the friendship France held forth by presenting the twin Statue of Liberty to the United States. Paris has the first wall of “I love you”. This is my gift to you Paris, France.

What are your aspirations as an artist? What are your dreams as an artist if anything were possible?

To keep creating as long as there is breath in my lungs and strength in my heart. For it is from the heart that art flows. My dream would be to walk in the footsteps of Michelangelo (although not in the same artistic style) who, after painting one day, uttered “ancora imparo” which means “I am still learning”. He was 87 years old at the time.

Tell us about your other hobbies and passions! What do you enjoy besides art

I love ballet! It was always a dream to learn, and now at the age of 24 have finally taken the first steps and have discovered a true love of dance. I love hiking with my dad and our weekly “adventure movie nights” when we watch anything from Jack Ryan to Mission Impossible. Coffee chats with friends are a weekly staple and sharing an enthusiasm for chocolate with my mom is no small secret. Family times include some of my favorite memories. Catering for larger groups or close gatherings are moments to cherish and inspire me to plan future fetes (celebrations).

How can we find more of your art? (website, social media, upcoming shows etc.) Is there anything else you want us to know?

You can follow along with this creative journey on Instagram ~ abbeyisabella.artist or Facebook ~ Abbey Teravskis. I’m currently taking an unofficial creative break off social media till October 2024 when I’ll be revealing new studio developments and exciting new pieces.

You can check out Abbey’s piano in the plaza outside the Library in downtown Lodi from July 1st - October 15th! 

From July 1st - October 1st, the Painted Piano Project will be displaying 3 pianos in downtown Lodi!

The painted piano project is a collaboration between Sayla Music Academy, the Lodi Arts Commission, and the vibrant ats community of Lodi. Pianos are donated to Sayla Music Academy and artists are picked to paint them with exciting patterns and themes of iconic local imagery. Local organizations sponsor the pianos which allows the artists to receive compensation and for them to be placed in public with the help of the Lodi Arts Commission.

This years sponsors are the Hutchins Street Square Foundation and Friends of the Library.

Once finished, pianos are then placed in public throughout the downtown area for anyone to play! This project is an exciting way to enrich downtown Lodi with a harmonious collaboration between artists and musicians!

We would like to introduce our first artist and tell you a little bit more about them! 

Zara Edwards

Tell us about yourself:

Hi! My name is Zara Edwards and I am a 21 year old college student from Lodi, California! I am currently a student at CSU Stanislaus and majoring in Studio Art. I grew up in Lodi with Mom and Dad, as well as my two younger siblings, Andrew and Emma. After graduating from high school in 2021 I attended UCSC for 2 years, but ultimately decided to finish my higher education closer to home. Upon moving back I met my current boyfriend Jackson, and we now live together and have 2 cats. My cats Banjo and Roby are my biggest muse.

How long have you been an artist? What are some other projects you have worked on?

I have been an artist my whole life. Throughout my childhood I would spend all my free time drawing and sketching. It wasn’t until last year, 2023, when I decided to move home for college, that I decided to pursue it further. When I transferred from UCSC to CSU Stan I ended up changing my major from environmental studies to studio art. While I’ve been finishing up my general education credits at Delta, I had a ceramic Koi Fish Vase I made be featured in their student showcase at the Horton Gallery. I would say the painted piano is by far my favorite piece I’ve created and I am eager for whatever future projects may be in store.

What inspired you to become an artist?

I know ever since kindergarten I’ve always preferred art as a subject. In middle school is when it really started to consume my free time. I would spend hours watching youtube drawing tutorials and making fan art of my favorite youtubers and celebrities. I think having access to a platform like youtube when I was beginning to get into art really motivated me to stay committed. It gave me a look into how so many artists not only used their art in different ways, but also the various techniques they would use to create said art. If I could credit 2 specific youtubers for inspiring me to become an artist, as well as my personal style, it would be “shmoxd” and ”kaseygolden”.

Describe the themes and style of your art. Do you gravitate towards one style or medium? What is your favorite medium to create with?

I would say my personal style is definitely reminiscent of children’s picture books. I like to keep it whimsical and saturated with color. Since I have just begun to have the pleasure of trying so many different mediums in college I’m not sure if I could pick a favorite. Before, my answer would have been markers. Now, maybe printmaking, however I fell in love with sculpture and ceramics at Delta. I think this answer will forever be ever changing depending on what new skills I’ve learned.

Who are your biggest artistic influences?

My biggest muses are definitely my cats Roby and Banjo. As for artists, Laurel Burch, Jim Davis, and Tony Segale.

Tell us about your painted piano design. What inspired it?

My piano design is for Sayla Music Academy, inspired by their iconic moon girl mural. Seeing the moon motif, and it being a music school, I immediately thought of “Hey Diddle Diddle the Cat and the fiddle the Cow jumped over the moon”. So it showcases the girl playing guitar on the moon front and center, with two cows jumping over it on either side of her. Since I wanted to maintain the illusion that they are all in the night sky, I surrounded it with stars and bats playing various instruments. The left side of the piano features Sayla Music Academy's school street building and the right side of the piano features the schools Locust street building. Underneath is a representative of the Sayla Music Academy courtyard, which is actually located in between the two buildings. The courtyard scene features a band of cats playing music under the moonlight. If you look closely on the right side of the courtyard, you can even see “the dish ran away with the spoon”. They are sitting on a bench enjoying the band. The pig and horse with wings represent the founders Carol Ann and Chase Loeb. I wanted the piano to feel dreamy, hence the night sky motif across the entire piano.

What are your aspirations as an artist? What are your dreams as an artist if anything were possible?

My aspirations are ideally to work in set design or product advertisement. I enjoy big scale projects and would especially love to design a set for a play one day.

Tell us about your other hobbies and passions! What do you enjoy besides art?

Along with art I also love playing music, such as the ukulele. One of my favorite pastimes is to drive down to the beach and look for sea glass. But most nights, me and my boyfriend like to take our cats on a walk around the neighborhood in a stroller then come home to watch RuPauls Drag Race.

How can we find more of your art? (website, social media, upcoming shows etc.) Is there anything else you want us to know?

You can find more of my art on instagram @zaras.era.art I am planning to open an online store to sell some of my prints on clothing, totes and postcards, so that will be coming soon.

You can check out Zara’s piano in the plaza outside the post office in downtown Lodi from July 1st - October 15th! 

From July 1st - October 1st, the Painted Piano Project will be displaying 3 pianos in downtown Lodi!

The painted piano project is a collaboration between Sayla Music Academy, the Lodi Arts Commission, and the vibrant ats community of Lodi. Pianos are donated to Sayla Music Academy and artists are picked to paint them with exciting patterns and themes of iconic local imagery. Local organizations sponsor the pianos which allows the artists to receive compensation and for them to be placed in public with the help of the Lodi Arts Commission.

The sponsor of this piano is the Hutchins St. Square Foundation.

Once finished, pianos are then placed in public throughout the downtown area for anyone to play! This project is an exciting way to enrich downtown Lodi with a harmonious collaboration between artists and musicians!

We would like to introduce our first artist and tell you a little bit more about them! 

Miranda Pelletier

Tell us about yourself:

My name is Miranda Pelletier and I was born and raised in Lodi. I have a small side business called Scent of the Pine Design, where I do custom art such as watercolor pet portraits, chalkboard signage, calligraphy, etc. I've been with my husband, Boston, for 11 years and we have a dog named Rue and two cats, Tux and Kirk. We both love the outdoors and nature which is what inspired my idea for the piano project.

How long have you been an artist? What are some other projects you have worked on?

I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. I have photos of myself around 5 years old painting on my easel in our backyard. I've done everything from pet portraits to calligraphy to a nursery mural for my niece to custom wedding invitations/signage. I've also been a knitter for about 7 years and I've been sewing since high school.

What inspired you to become an artist?

Being an artist has always been something that comes naturally to me.

Describe the themes and style of your art. Do you gravitate towards one style or medium? What is your favorite medium to create with?

I'm very inspired by music and nature. I love to do pieces that incorporate lyrics and the feeling of a certain song. My main medium would have to be painting, whether it's acrylic, watercolor or gouache and ink. Right now, I've really loved working with acrylics on different surfaces.

Who are your biggest artistic influences?

Oh, it's such a long list but I'll just name a few. Obviously the classics, like Carravagio. Charly Malpass and Phoebe Cornog are both muralists based in California. Justin O'Neal, Dongni Hou, Yuliia Fomina, Francisco Fonseca and Dan Lee are all artists I've found through Instagram and they're all incredible in their own way.

Tell us about your painted piano design. What inspired it?

Mainly nature but this quote by John Muir was the main inspiration:
"Wonderful how completely everything in wild nature fits into us, as if truly part and parent of us. The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing. The trees wave and the flowers bloom in our bodies as well as our souls, and every bird song, wind song, and tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song, our very own, and sings our love."
This quote in particular means alot to me since it was read at our wedding ceremony. It also made me think about how nature makes it's own music and how music is inspired by nature itself.

What are your aspirations as an artist? What are your dreams as an artist if anything were possible?

The big dream is to have my art be a career and my main source of income. I would love to become a muralist, even on a small scale. I never want to stop doing custom signage for businesses (like restaurants, cafes and wineries) whether it's chalkboards or windows or anything just a little out of the box!

Tell us about your other hobbies and passions! What do you enjoy besides art?

I love to knit and sew as well! I mostly make garments and bags for myself but I would love to sell my bags on a larger scale one day.

How can we find more of your art? (website, social media, upcoming shows etc.) Is there anything else you want us to know?

My most current work is on Instagram under @scentofthepinedesign.

You can check out Miranda’s piano in the plaza outside Hutchins St. Square near in downtown Lodi from July 15th - October 15th! 

written by elizabeth Chan
09/01/2023

We were recently notified that the front porch of the School Street building would be undergoing repairs that are needed to enhance the structural integrity of the wood floors. And while our initial notification ended up being a false alarm, we are looking forward to actually starting this project in the next week. We recognize that this may be inconvenient for those of you attending lessons within the School Street building. We are working as quickly as we can and hope to make this as easy as possible for our students. Here's what we need you to know:

• Construction will start on Tuesday, September 5, and will continue for approximately ten days.

• Entry to our School Street building will be through our back door. Signs will be placed along the gate and alleyway, directing our students to the back entry.

• Check-ins and lessons should happen as normal, with a few exceptions. Some students may be moved to a different classroom than normal and others may have to move to a different day or time. We are currently trying to reach out to students who may need to have an alternative solution.

• It may be loud in the building. Since we cannot guarantee when and how the contractor makes noise, you might find you have some competition for attention. Please let your teacher know if the noise is too distracting or if you have an issue.

• Our administrative team is working hard to make things as comfortable and smooth as possible. If you have a question or concern, please call or email our front desk!

We want to thank each of our students and community members again for their continued support and patience as our school grows! Keep on practicing!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Chan
Director of Operations