The Market Street Group of artists will escape the shadows of Kettner Street with an open house celebrating its 25th anniversary. The event is scheduled from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11 in Studio 247 of the gallery, located at 2400 Kettner St. Visitors are welcome by appointment only on Feb. 12. “The story of the Market Street Group is a unique one and kept secret for a long time,” said longtime supporter and painter Dr. George Wahab. “It deserves to be uncovered and brought to the public’s attention.” The cooperative venture has been a haven for serious San Diego artists, some of whose works have been recognized internationally. But it has been somewhat of an exclusive studio for 18 dues-paying practitioners. Special artwork featuring past and current members of the art community’s leaders will be on display, including Sebastian Capella, Ilse T. Hable, Ken and Stephanie Goldman. To recognize the encouragement of Capella to form the studio, a scholarship in his name will be awarded to an Athenaeum School of Art student. Emerging artists, too, will be offered a limited number of free one-month studio privileges. Capella is known by many as a “modern 17th-century master.” He was educated classically with lengthy and thorough academic training at the School of Fine Arts in Valencia, Spain. He resides in La Jolla and has taught oil painting classes for the last 30 years. “The Market Street Group was founded to provide live models and an environment to expand artist talent in this shared studio,” said Wahab. “It was originally located in the old artist district of Market Street in the mid-1980s.” Members Ron Spelman, Stehenie Goldman and Wahab have served as presidents of the San Diego Portrait Society, San Diego Museum of Art, Artist Guild and have been on the board of trustees of the San Diego Museum of Art. Most of the painters belong to the San Diego Art Institute and Museum for Living Artists. Carol Prior, who serves as an “unofficial” public relations director, said painters come occasionally from Mexico. Prior explains there are no titles in this tight co-op group. “You might call George (Wahab) our vice president of finances,” she said. “We don’t have a president. And, really, I’m just a painter. “We have live models three days a week so everyone can improve his or her figure drawing, portrait or full face,” Prior said. “The artists can set their own scenes in the 2,000-square-foot studio and it might take them two days. There’s a relaxed environment. But it’s amazing how long it has lasted. Usually these type of things die after a few years.” For more information, call (619) 702-2130, or visit www.marketstreetstudio.com.
