About Alliance for the Visual Arts


Who We Are

Alliance for the Visual Arts…. but our friends call us, AVA.

AVA is a collection of Tri-Valley visual artists and their friends working together to increase the presence of the visual arts in the region. This includes arts education, shows and just general resources to help artists all over the area.

AVA isn't about replacing the local arts groups, which take the pulse of their local communities and provide shows and education for that area.  AVA is about strengthening those communities by broadcasting local events to the Tri-Valley at large and coordinating activities for a more cohesive community.

AVA believes the best way to build the arts community is by involving community members including the artists and their friends.  Artists should have a say on the best ways to grow and strengthen the community and then gather together to get the projects done.  Get involved now and help the visual arts grow.

Social Networks

"Like" us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/allianceforthevisualarts/

We wish to Extend our Thanks These Organizations for Their Support of the Arts

Click on the names to visit their websites:

            The Independent                                       Way Up Art & Frame 

            Pleasanton Art League                            Pleasanton Weekly

            Bothwell Arts Center                               The Frame Co and Art Gallery           

            Livermore Art Association Dublin Arts Collective

Bankhead Theater Harrington Gallery

In Memorium

Patricia (Pat) Claire Dowling

Patricia (Pat) Claire Dowling

Feb. 10, 1957 – June 27,2023

Patricia (Pat) Claire Dowling, 66, of Livermore, California, passed away on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones after a brief but valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. She will be deeply missed by her husband Brian, sister Nancy and two daughters, Liz, Clare, and son-in-law, Danny, and her beloved dog, Coco. The loss has left our family with an almost unimaginable sense of grief and loss. However, we are doing our best to remain grateful. For we were, and are, blessed to have been loved by one of the most remarkable and beautiful people to have ever set foot on this earth.

Pat was born Feb. 10, 1957, to Frank and Claire Hanna in Alameda, California. At a very young age, she developed a passion for ballet that took her to the heights of that profession. Over the course of many years, her skills and artistry as a dancer took her to the San Francisco Ballet and the National Academy of Dance in Illinois. While at these companies and schools, she performed and studied under some of the world’s greatest ballet teachers such as Lew Christensen, Anatole Vilzak and Lupe Serrano. Following her career at the San Francisco Ballet, she formed the Dance Repertory Theatre in Alameda, California.

She also earned a journalism degree from California State University, Hayward, where she met her husband, Brian. They were married in 1980 at the Saint Philip Neri Catholic Church in Alameda and honeymooned in Carmel, where they would spend many vacations in their 43 years together.

Pat completed her master's in education at San Francisco State University in 1983. She spent nearly 40 years teaching at a range of institutions. She spent the latter part of her career teaching English and film studies at Monte Vista High School in Danville, California. In addition to her career as a dancer and educator, in her later years, she developed an interest and expertise in painting. Her art was on display at the Livermore Valley Arts Center exhibits. She specialized in floral, abstract and other forms of still life, such as the carefully nurtured hydrangeas and roses in stages of bloom in her garden or the ballerinas in preparation for a pirouette. Every piece uses brilliant colors, reflecting her attitude towards life.

Above all, Pat was an extraordinary friend, mother and wife. She will be remembered for her kindness, selflessness and quick wit and for her compassion for those around her. Everyone who encountered Pat came away feeling better about the world and themselves. A celebration of life will be held at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at 1315 Lomitas Avenue in Livermore, California on Aug. 5 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Livermore Valley Arts Center or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Callaghan Mortuary is honored to be serving the Dowling family. An online guestbook is available for condolences at www.callaghanmortuary.com.

Linda Jeffrey Sailors - February 15, 1940 - January 31, 2022

Linda Jeffry Sailors 1940 - 2022
Resident of Dublin, CA, passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022.
Linda was born in Oakland, California on February 15, 1940 to Gunner and Lois Johnson. She grew up in Oakland and attended Oakland Technical High School. An alumnus of the class of 1958, Linda was a song girl and very much enjoyed her time as a student at Oakland Tech. She went on to attend San Francisco State University, where she studied apparel design and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in business management from St. Mary's College.
A member of the Alamo Danville Artists' Society, Livermore Art Association, and Pleasanton Art League, Linda was a talented artist, specializing in watercolor and pastel landscapes, travel scenes, and abstract pieces. Her works were prominently displayed throughout the Tri-Valley area and she was honored as Senate District 7's Artist of the Year 2013-2014, with her piece "Grapevine" displayed at the State Capital.
Linda is survived by her two children, Scott Jeffery (Kelley Henderson) and Kris Fowzer (Ron) and her grandchildren, Fallon Fowzer, Will Fowzer, and Judd Fowzer.