n e w s l e t t e r
p r e s i d e n t 's n o t e
South Hill Artists ✫ January 2026 Newsletter ✫ Issue 81
Happy New Year!
A Warm Welcome to all SHA Members!
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Happy New Year, South Hill Artists!
As we begin another year together, I want to thank each of you for the creativity, enthusiasm, and generous spirit you bring to our group. You all are what make SHA so special— the energy that keeps us going—
and I truly love creating alongside such a talented,
creative and inspiring group of artists.
In the year ahead, I can’t wait to explore new techniques,
experiment with fun ideas, and be part of all the
great workshops we’ll have.
May the months ahead be filled with curiosity, growth,
and plenty of artistic adventures—both individually and together.
Here’s to a bright, creative and joyful New Year!
I can’t wait to see what we create and share in 2026!
Warmly,
Doreen Koch Allen​
SHA President – South Hill Artists
“I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream.”
~ Vincent Van Gogh ~
Our Next Workshop Will Be With Artist​​
Susan Strohm!
Thursday, February 5th, 2025
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Transform the Unfinished into the Unforgettable!
Born and raised inTacoma, Washington, Susan Strohm has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember. After earning her nursing degree from Seattle University, she balanced a career as a registered nurse with her lifelong passion for art.
A self taught artist, Susan began painting in oils during high school, later exploring acrylics after college. While living in Texas, she took a short evening watercolor class that broadened her creative perspective. After marrying, raising two sons, and working in various nursing
positions, Susan eventually returned to her beloved Pacific Northwest, where she has lived for the past 25 years.
Back home, she began teaching painting workshops from her studio and regularly participating in local art shows, including the Puyallup Fair and the Proctor Arts Fest. In recent years, she also enjoyed crocheting and selling colorful hats in a Proctor area shop — one of which appears in her bio photo.
Today, Susan’s focus is on semi-abstract mixed media work, blending texture, color, and form to express her love of experimentation. Her paintings have been shown and sold throughout the Tacoma, Puyallup, and Sumner areas.
Examples of Susan's Work
Transform the Unfinished into the Unforgettable!
Work on either a standard wide canvas or watercolor paper. In this demo, Sue will guide you in transforming one of your unfinished paintings into a semi-abstract mixed media piece. You’ll learn how to energize your work with acrylics, experiment with tearing new shapes, and develop rich, deep values. Get ready to dive in —
Suggestions: Bring any work you have that you have given up on, collage materials, or starts you would like to finish. Use your old ideas- this project will work with florals, buildings, waterfronts & landscapes you want to jazz up or tear up!
Workshop Meetings are Held the 1st Thursday of the Month Excluding:
July ✩ August ✩ December ✩ January
The First Presbyterian Church of Puyallup
412 West Pioneer Puyallup, WA 98371
Please send all correspondence, inquires and payments to the address below:
SHA - South Hill Artists
PO Box 731762
Puyallup, WA 98373-0019
Come join the fun!
Member's Corner​​
Do you know of an art show, competition, workshop, class,
or exhibition that may interest other SHA members?
To include information in the newsletter, please send the
information to the email below by the first of the month.
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sha.southhillartists@gmail.com​​
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The email address that generates the SHA newsletter
is not monitored. Please send email inquiries to:
SHA Membership Information
Membership to South Hill Artists - SHA offers individuals numerous opportunities to create, learn and gather in a supportive and creative atmosphere.
Throughout the year there are scheduled live workshops, where one can
paint and create alongside an experienced professional artist.
Twice per year SHA holds a weeklong art camp workshop in Eatonville, at an affordable cost to its members. Members will receive an email newsletter, announcements, an invitation to join the private SHA Facebook group,
and participate in various social events.
A paid SHA Membership entitles you to participate in all these activities, September through August. Payment of dues is required 30 days prior to participation in art exhibits and shows. SHA members are encouraged to volunteer and support SHA activities, events, and chartered objectives.
Membership dues are $50.00 for the 2025-2026 SHA year.
When joining SHA, please download and fill in the SHA Membership Form.
Send the completed form with your check to the address below.
Membership dues can also be paid at the monthly demo meeting. Current members need to renew their membership in the month of September every year. Also, please update your contact information when
joining or renewing your SHA membership.
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Please Send Your Payment To:
Facebook Group
Our Facebook group is a private group for South Hill Artist members. We should think about using it more to share items that may be of interest to our members. Things to share could be books, artists you have learned about, new project ideas, photos of what you are doing, new art tools or supplies that others might not know about, etc. Think of ways you can contribute to our Facebook group!
Handmade Greeting Cards
SHA is also collecting handmade greeting cards to send to members
who may be going through a difficult time or facing illness.
If you’re able, please consider bringing a few card donations for SHA to have on hand.
Please Note:
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Posts, information, or details for the website and newsletter
need to be received by the 1st day of the month - to be included that month.
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The email address that generates the SHA newsletter is not monitored.
Please send email and inquiries to:
