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Profs & Pints Alameda: Creativity, Moods, and Mania
Thu, Aug 20, 1:00 AM[Profs and Pints Alameda](https://www.profsandpints.com/sfbayarea) presents: **“Creativity, Moods, and Mania,”** an exploration of how depression, mania, and everyday ups and downs influence different types of creativity, with Sheri L. Johnson, distinguished professor of psychology and director of a bipolar disorder research program at the University of California at Berkeley. [Tickets available only online, at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/alameda-creativity-moods-mania](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/alameda-creativity-moods-mania) .] Ancient quotes on creativity, moods and mood disorders abound. Aristotle wrote, “No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.” Lord Byron, describing poets, later observed, “We of the craft are all crazy. Some are affected by gaiety, others by melancholy, but all are more or less touched.” But is there really a link between moods, mood disorders, and creativity? What does modern science have to say about the subject? Explore such questions with Dr. Sheri L. Johnson, director of the CALM (Cal Mania) Program at UC-Berkeley. Her research there studies how mood—especially the highs and lows of bipolar disorder—shapes people’s lives, including their creativity, goals, and well-being, as well as what mechanisms contribute to mood episodes and recovery. She'll begin with a discussion of how scientists measure creativity in life and in the laboratory, describing what we have learned from hundreds of experimental studies on creativity and mood. Some findings indicate that happiness, at modest levels, can help foster creativity, while negative moods can interfere with it. We’ll consider how we can draw from these scientific findings to protect our own creativity. Turning to mood disorders, Professor Johnson will describe how mania was a well-documented part of the lives of major creative figures such as Lord Byron, Vincent Van Gogh, Virginia Woolf, Edgar Allen Poe, Ernest Hemingway, and Alfred Tennyson. Beyond biographical summaries, she’ll highlight findings of a country-wide study of the Swedish population which connected higher creativity to a personal and family history of bipolar disorder. She’ll also outline findings of studies designed to test why mood disorders might relate to creativity, and we’ll consider the evidence so far on whether medications for bipolar disorder help or hinder creativity among those with a history of mania. (Advance tickets: $13.50 plus processing fees. Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From a self-portrait painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1889 after slicing off his own ear (Courtald Institute of Art / Wikimedia).
Call for Art - Artist's Choice
Sun, Aug 30, 12:00 AM**Submission Deadline**: August 29th **Theme**: Annual Artist's Choice. Bay Area artists are invited to submit their favorite works for consideration to be included in this prestigious annual exhibition. This show reflects a portion of the best work being done in The Bay today. SFWA welcomes artists of all genders and identities to participate. Categories of media requested - all 2D and 3D artistic styles and genres. **Juror**: Cynthia Tom\, \(she/her\) Visual Artist \| Cultural Community Arts Curator\, Instigator & Educator\, Ancestral Pattern Shifter [](https://7t69eubab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wcwWzHnNbb-jICSvN4CKClb8jiWA-U09P5dbXUeFpmt60WtSHL2_1eIbW1vkd1bybh-VIpHrlyLzOuUwiXHXbPwrOOsVuta0vVeNVUHBq_H7IcbrDRZnr0iRPX490USBLn14BNwmAX_fyuPU_Z-g3lAyqV9a-9QYvbPWWrw47SssPeQOOhFujP1RsGBzQmtcFNII1hXWDzVLQr61WxFzcw==&c=0hdveziH5RMlgpiWpVOJNlHFaidzBtzD5ra8lufSSiWnX08_Hh92Pg==&ch=vhl6OijaUCytQxPT9UhdG-agkFQpHuRkFeDka6ifGX0hFe49dogh4A==)**[SUBMISSION LINK](https://7t69eubab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wcwWzHnNbb-jICSvN4CKClb8jiWA-U09P5dbXUeFpmt60WtSHL2_1eIbW1vkd1bybh-VIpHrlyLzOuUwiXHXbPwrOOsVuta0vVeNVUHBq_H7IcbrDRZnr0iRPX490USBLn14BNwmAX_fyuPU_Z-g3lAyqV9a-9QYvbPWWrw47SssPeQOOhFujP1RsGBzQmtcFNII1hXWDzVLQr61WxFzcw==&c=0hdveziH5RMlgpiWpVOJNlHFaidzBtzD5ra8lufSSiWnX08_Hh92Pg==&ch=vhl6OijaUCytQxPT9UhdG-agkFQpHuRkFeDka6ifGX0hFe49dogh4A==)** **FEES** Member's Fee: $30 for up to three images, non-members $40 Artists need to obtain copyright approval to use images that have not been originally created by them. **ARTWORK RECEIVING** October 2 & 3, Friday & Saturday Time: 11:30 - 3:00 **SHOW DATES** October 6 - November 6, 2026 **RECEPTION\*** October 10, Saturday- Monthly Reception 2:00 - 4:00 PM \*Open Studios Reception - Weekend of October 24 & 25, Saturday & Sunday. All exhibiting artists are invited to the SFWA Gallery, 11 -5, Saturday & Sunday. **CLOSING EVENT** November 5, Thursday 3:00 - 5:00 PM **END OF SHOW, ARTWORK PICK UP** November 6 & 7, Friday & Saturday Time: 11:30 - 3:00 \*SFWA has no storage space Artist Commission: 65% All artwork must be for sale **PRICING:** It is important to price your artwork appropriately; prices that are too high or too low impact the credibility of our gallery and the artist. **Liability** SFWA does not insure for damage or theft of any works shown in the Gallery. SFWA is a designated SF Legacy Business in recognition of serving the community as a valued cultural asset of the City for over 100 years.
8/30 SF PASTEL PEOPLE
Sun, Aug 30, 8:00 PM**The plan for our AUGUST 30th session is by** **The Band Shell in GGP.** Great trees and architecture, lots of benches, bathrooms and food/drinks nearby. Public transport should be easy. **At 1pm** I'll meet you at the first fountain in front of the bandstand - come say hello then find a spot to draw. **At 3:30 pm** we'll meet at the fountain to share and enjoy everybody's work. **Bring layers!** Fog and wind are *always* a possibility, dress in layers. Bring your [pastels](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mfj0y76y996UhKqXsHtCc57et62fikry/view?usp=sharing), [paper](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d--XtZPmC2EuxaOtL9h4oo1faUgL9Q8s/view?usp=sharing), a [board](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jig4iyOTJoQL6BMCj_A2ym-XX_Wg96d1/view?usp=share_link) (suggestion in blue links), tape, something to sit on, baby wipes as well as water and sunscreen/hat. **NOTE**: this meetup is **FREE** and no teaching. I do suggest you **sign up** so that you receive any updates about the event.
Embarcadero Fish!
Sun, Aug 30, 5:30 PMAtabey's Treasure is another temporary installation from Burning Man by Puerto Rican artist NiNo. Learn more about the piece here: https://www.bigartloop.org/atabeys-treasure Sharon will be leading this Meetup while Steph is out of town. Gather to share around 12:15/12:30 Dress warm and bring a chair. Parking is NOT free along the Embarcadero on Sundays so keep an eye on parking rules to avoid tickets!
🐋 Special Invitation Meetup #2: Paint the Moby-Dick Marathon!
Sun, Sep 13, 1:00 AMThe Bay Area Plein Air Painters Meetup group has been specially invited to be part of this extraordinary 24-hour **[Moby-Dick Marathon](https://maritime.org/md2026/) at the [Maritime Museum](https://maritime.org/)!** Come capture the beautiful afternoon light, Aquatic Park Cove, the historic museum, and the unique energy of the marathon as Moby-Dick is read aloud by inside. It’s a rare opportunity to paint, explore, and be part of a truly memorable San Francisco tradition! **Meetup 2** **September 12** **6:00–9:00 PM** Maritime Museum, 900 Beach Street, San Francisco Our designated painting area is the 3rd-floor veranda overlooking Aquatic Park Cove. You may also paint from outside the building. Watercolor and pastel painters are welcome to paint inside the museum. Artists working in other mediums, including oil and acrylic, are preferred to set up outside or in less sensitive areas of the building to help protect the historic terrazzo floors. Please bring a tarp or floor covering whenever possible. Pack in, pack out, leave your area clean, and dispose of paint water outside the museum. Come for the evening light, stay for the atmosphere, and be part of this wonderfully unusual painting experience! Bring your easel and paint the magic! 🐋🌅🎨 **Disclaimer** By participating in any Bay Area Plein Air Painters meetup, you acknowledge and agree to the following: • Participation is entirely voluntary and at your own risk. You are responsible for your own safety, belongings, and well-being at all times. • Bay Area Painters, its organizers, and hosts are not liable for any injury, accident, loss, or damage that may occur before, during, or after any meetup or related activity. • Outdoor painting locations may involve uneven terrain, weather changes, traffic, wildlife, or other natural and environmental conditions. Please use your own judgment and take appropriate precautions. • Participants are expected to respect public spaces, private property, and fellow artists, and to follow all local laws and regulations. • By attending, you consent to possibly being included in group photos or social media posts unless you clearly opt out. • The group is intended as a supportive, respectful, and non-commercial community space for artists to connect and paint together. By joining this meetup, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to this disclaimer.
Wednesday-Plein Air Coyote Point Beach
Wed, Aug 19, 4:30 PMThis location offers a rich variety of inspiration: • A view-filled shoreline where you can paint the bay, boats, and distant hills • Open skies perfect for capturing light, atmosphere, and movement • Windsurfers and sailboats adding dynamic energy to your compositions • Planes flying low overhead from nearby [San Francisco International Airport]()—a unique and exciting subject to sketch If you feel like exploring, the park also features the whimsical “Magic Mountain” playground and [CuriOdyssey](), a small science center with native wildlife. Maybe an oportunity to do animal sketches. There are plenty of paved paths, picnic tables, and shaded spots to set up your easel and enjoy the day at your own pace. **Good to know:** • Parking is $6 per car and • Free parking for ages 62+ Bring your painting gear, something to sit on, and whatever makes you comfortable. All levels welcome—this is a space to create, connect, and enjoy the outdoors together **Painting Essentials** ■ Pochade box / small board ■ 2–3 small panels or sheets (8x10 or smaller) ■ Limited palette (4–5 colors) ■ 3 brushes (large / medium / small) ■ Palette knife **Quick Tools** ■ Sketchbook or loose paper ■ Pencil or charcoal ■ **Minimal Cleaning** ■ Small water/solvent container ■ Rag or paper towels **Carry & Comfort** ■ Backpack ■ Wet panel holder or wax paper ■ Water bottle, snacks ■ Hat, sunscreen, light layer Disclaimer Participation is voluntary and at your own risk. You are responsible for your safety, belongings, and actions during all meetups. The organizers are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage. By joining, you agree to respect public spaces, fellow artists, and local laws. You may appear in group photos or social media posts unless you opt out. By joining this meetup, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to this disclaimer.
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