Dorsi Diaz Designs

02/10/2026

12/03/2025

Can you help us today for Giving Tuesday? Our goal is to bring magic to you once again, in our 34th Annual Children's Book Illustrator Show at the Sun Gallery (March - May, 2026)

Our goal is to raise $20,000 (the amount we would normally receive from the City of Hayward's yearly grant)

From our esteemed former Executive Director, Valerie Caveglia, who started this fundraiser for the Sun:

"The City of Hayward removed all funding from it's Community Agency Funding program for non-profits, which meant that there was NOT going to be a Children's Book Illustrator Show or probably any show for that matter at the Sun Gallery because that was the bulk of their funding and they wouldn't have enough money to operate.

The Children's Book Illustrator Show was so special. School kids from all over came to visit and get art lessons based on the illustrator's work. Adults came and brought their kids and grandkids. Somehow, this show always brought great joy to the whole community.

I contacted Dorsi Diaz and Carl Gorringe who are the leaders of the Sun Board, and told them that I wanted to do a fundraiser for the Book Illustrator Show. This SpotFund is what evolved. The overarching goal is to raise enough money to completely underwrite all expenses for the show, including things like utilities and stipends for a curator. A far-reaching goal is to make enough money to pay the art teachers when the kids come for field trips, so the field trips would build an income base for the gallery."

So that's it in a nutshell. We need help so that we can continue to bring dreams and aspirations to the City of Hayward through this magical exhibit. Dreams that reach far beyond all of us, in ways we can't even imagine!

We need people's time, talents, and/or treasures. All these things are valuable to us. We have so many cool projects that are underway, including our new habitat garden in front of the building!

Thank you!

-Dorsi Diaz
President of the Board (2024 to present)
Executive Director (2014-2024)
Curator (2014-2024)
Sun Docent and Teacher (2010-2023)
Former Volunteer (2008-2010 to......)

*spotfund is the easiest place to create beautiful and free online fundraisers. It takes just minutes to start raising money today.

10/17/2025

Wow that is so beautiful 🩰💦

Ballerina fountains by Malgorzata Chodakowska (Polish in Germany) 😍

05/16/2025

Hi everyone, it's been awhile!! Say friends, if you don't already know, I'm back at the Sun Gallery. I've been the President of the Board since Nov. 2024. A new role for me in the Art World!

We have a really great summer planned at Sun Gallery and Makerspace including Summer Art Camp for kids ages 5-13.

You can register below and take advantage of our BUY 2 WEEKS, GET THE 3RD WEEK FREE SPECIAL!

www.SunGallery.org/camps

01/29/2025

Hi everyone it's been a while and there's been a plot twist. The former board of the Sun Gallery and Makerspace was recalled on Nov. 17, 2024 and a new Board of Directors was elected, including me as the new President of the Board.

Right now we have just announced a Call for Art for our 60th Anniversary Member's Show. (like and follow at the bottom to get more deets, you can still join as member to enter)

Then we will be having our 12th Annual Art of The Art of Climate Change exhibition at the Sun Gallery later this year and will be looking for established and emerging artists.

Please follow our new page (our old FBs password got hijacked and we had to start anew, sigh)

Thanks and it's good to see you all again. -Dorsi

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572148006192&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Art gallery

03/28/2024

"C**t Cathedral" is on display at the Sun Gallery in their 11th Annual Climate Change Exhibit: Climate Justice: World Peace & Security. The artist is Jon Kerpel ,who uses recycled and upcyled materials to create all of his art pieces.

The show opens next week on Thursday, April 4th at 11am - 4pm. Our Artists Reception is the following Saturday April 13 from 1-4.

Jon's work has been part of the Oakland Museums Exhibits, and is also currently on display at the American Embassy in Taipei, Taiwan.

03/06/2024

2nd CALL FOR ART: Sun Gallery Call for Art: Climate Justice: World Peace & Security

“The strong link between climate change and international peace and security can no longer be denied or ignored.” - Kwaku Afriyie, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation of Ghana

Dear Sun Gallery Members and Artists at large:

At this time the Sun Gallery's curatorial Committee is announcing a Call for Art for our April – June Exhibition titled Climate Justice: World Peace & Security

This is Sun Gallery’s 11th Annual Exhibit on climate change, the environment, and social justice.

We expect many responses to this exhibit, so please apply early.

Inspiration tags: Inspiration tags for the exhibit: Earth, Water, Human Rights, Humanitarian Crisis, Environment, Peace, Justice, Security, Land, Property, United Nations, Feelings, Anxiety, Sadness, Chaos, Climate Refugees, Animals, Children, Plants, Landscapes, Humans, Climate Change, Nature, Arctic, Fire, Floods, Habitat, Global Warming, Tipping Point, Methane, Beauty, Extinction

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IMPORTANT DATES: (PLEASE BOOKMARK)

Dates of Exhibition: April 4th – June 1, 2024

The deadline for consideration of your work for our postcards and press release is 9 am Friday, March 8th, and the final deadline for consideration of your work in the show is 9 am Friday, March 15th.

DROP-OFF DATES FOR ART: Sunday, March 17 from 12-2 and Monday, March 18 from 12-2

Artists Reception to be held April 13, from 1-4, 2024

PICK-UP DATES FOR ART: Sunday, June 2 from 12-2 and Monday, June 3 from 12-2

Artwork will be juried for entry digitally or by photo at no cost to the artist. We are calling for art submissions for this exhibit, and as always look forward to the creative ways our members choose to address the show's theme.

Artwork can be any media including, but not limited to, painting, sculpture, glasswork, ceramics, drawing, and assemblage. The submission of multimedia pieces is also encouraged, including photography, digital collages, short films (5-10 min.), and soundscapes.

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Artists will be notified continuously if their art has been selected for this show. If your work is chosen to be part of the show you will be sent a contract and inventory list:

• If you are a Sun Gallery member, the show fee will be reduced for this special environmental show to $45 (for up to 3 pieces) Additional work can be submitted for a fee of $10 per piece, as space allows

• The fee for non-members is $65 and includes all of the above (3 pieces), and membership for the Calendar year 2024. Additional work can be submitted for a fee of $10 per piece, as space allows

• New members may also opt to join for the regular member price and have only one piece displayed for free (only for this show)
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College and High School Entries: The Sun Gallery welcomes entries from both College and High School students.

- College Student Memberships are a discounted rate of $20 and include 1 piece displayed for free ($10 extra for each piece over 1)

- High School students are not required to be a member and the entry fee will be waived but only one entry per student, please (as space allows)

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The fee includes a set of 10 postcard invitations and a hanging fee for up to 3 pieces not to exceed 10 sq. feet in wall area. You can pick up the invitations at drop-off, or if you want them mailed to you, please add another $5.00.

**Artists chosen for this show will automatically be eligible to have up to 2 of their pieces displayed at the O'Lague Galleria at Hayward City Hall in a follow-up show on climate change. There is no additional fee for the O'Lague Show and it will be offered at no charge should you choose to participate. It is not required that you show in the O’Lague Galleria, but if you choose to be in that exhibit also it will be required that you can personally bring and pick up your work to and from the Galleria at the upcoming announced dates and times.

** Submission of Works: Please email your contact information along with the JPEG images of your submissions. Please name your files as follows: firstinitial.lastname.title.jpg. We need 300dpi images for press releases and postcards, so if you have digital images that size, or larger, please send them.

Please send us your photos, either by email to [email protected] , subject line: Climate Justice, or by regular mail to 1015 E St., Hayward CA 94541.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Curator at [email protected] , attention: Dorsi Diaz

Please make checks payable to Sun Gallery. Artists must identify their work with a label attached to the FRONT of their art with the name, title of the art piece, medium, and price. This info will be used for the wall labels. All wall-mounted work must be wired and ready to hang, matted and framed, or edges gallery wrapped and finished.

We reserve the right to refuse to accept work that arrives damaged, is too fragile to be exhibited, or was misrepresented in submission. You must bring or mail a completed inventory sheet with the same info as above, and a signed contract with your fees.

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A one-page artist statement or bio will be displayed in a show binder if you supply us with one. Sun Gallery does not provide art insurance on your work. The Gallery will take every precaution to ensure the safety of your pieces, however, we cannot be held responsible for theft or damage to your work while on the gallery premises

Each artist, if they wish to have it, needs to provide their own insurance.

Sun Gallery will keep a 30% commission on any sale of artwork. No artwork will be removed from the exhibition during the show.

Thank you, and we look forward to receiving your submissions!

Sun Gallery
1015 E St. Hayward
510.581.4050
[email protected]

sungallery.org
Gallery Hours 11-4 pm Thursday - Sunday

(Artwork below by Karol Hilker)

03/01/2024

SAVE THE DATE! TOMORROW SAT. MARCH 2, 2024: Sun Gallery Panel Discussion:

What Does It Take to Create a Children's Book and Get It Published?

2024 Children's Book Panel

In partnership with the Sun Gallery, award-winning authors/illustrators and publishers will be holding a panel discussion on how to create a children’s book and get it published.

Topics such as “How do I get started on making my children’s book become a reality?” to “How do I self-publish my book now that’s it done?” will be discussed, along with a Q & A time for participants to ask questions.

Dr. Marlena Uhrik Ed.D, author, and 15-year-old Illustrator Aiden Huddleston, will talk about the book they collaborated on, “The Magic of Making a Difference”, that went on to become a #1 Amazon bestseller. Illustrator Patrick Lugo will share his journey with “Lucy Veloz: High Flying Princess”, his latest book in a string of hits that delight both children and adults as well. The lesson of the story: Princesses don’t always need to be saved!

The show also celebrates long-time Sun Gallery friend Marc Vicente's book “Who Wants to be Friends with a Dragon? a charming story about being accepted for who you are.

Returning to Sun Gallery is author Jan Renee, who shares her journey about “The Little Clay Pot” now in its second printing, with new illustrations by illustrator Kailyn Sissom.

Also returning to the gallery this year is Fran Quittel, author of “The Central Park Lost Mitten Party”, which celebrates the rich history and beautiful architecture of America’s first urban public park in New York. The storyline is a gleeful nighttime party with lessons about the things we lose.

Moderator and Sun Gallery Curator Dorsi Diaz will lead the discussion. Admission to this special event is free, but a $5 donation is welcomed.

A panel discussion and Q & A will be held on March 2, 2024, from 2-4 during Sun Gallery’s 33rd Annual Children’s Book Illustrator Show, now on display at the Sun Gallery until Saturday, March 16. Light refreshments and snacks will be served at the Panel.

The public is invited and all aspiring authors and illustrators are urged to attend this free event.

Teachers can also book a classroom field trip at the gallery or in the classroom. Ages TK - high school welcome!

The Sun Gallery is a 501c3 non-profit organization located at 1015 E St. in Hayward. The gallery is open Thursday-Sunday and admission is free.

You can reach Sun Gallery at 510-581-4050 and visit our website at www.sungallery.org for more information on programs and exhibits.

02/01/2024

Hi everyone! I know it's been a long long time but I am still here and creating! This is a fun show at the Sun Gallery that you should check out! It's FREE and please bring your kiddos!!

The 33rd Annual Children's Book Illustrator Show is now open at the Sun Gallery! We are having our artist's reception this Saturday, Feb. 3 from 1-4, and authors and illustrators will be doing book readings and signings, as well as be on hand to chat with show-goers. Please bring your children, this is an opportunity for them to speak with published authors and illustrators, it's an enchanting experience for all!

In addition, we have a gorgeous API exhibit inside the Ken Cook Room plus a Jazz band performing during the day in the courtyard! It's going to be a fun day so stop by and see us!

www.sungallery.org
Sun Gallery
1015 E St.
Hayward, Ca.
94536
510-581-4050

12/05/2023

2nd Call for Art

33rd Annual Children’s Book Illustrator Exhibit at

the Sun Gallery in Hayward, California



Exhibition dates are: January 25 – March 16, 2024
2nd CALL FOR ART FOR THE 33RD ANNUAL CHILDREN's BOOK ILLUSTRATOR SHOW AT THE SUN GALLERY

The Sun Gallery, Hayward, is delighted to announce its 33rd Annual Children’s Book Illustrator Exhibition from January 25 through March 16, 2024. The Gallery is a wonderful space, and the exhibition is very prestigious. The exhibit is always extremely well attended by both adults and students via school field trips.

If you have illustrated and you would like to be considered for the exhibition, please drop off a copy of your book for consideration. The book doesn't need to be recently published, as there is always a new audience of kids, but you need to have the art from the book available to show. If your book is not yet published but will be by show time, please send us 3 jpeg images from pages of your upcoming book. We are also sending this call to publicists, so if you represent illustrators close to the San Francisco Bay Area, please pass this on!

Featured books are available for purchase during the exhibition with 30% of book sales going towards our Children’s Programming for 2024. You can also exhibit art that is not for sale. If your art is for sale and does sell, the gallery receives 30% of the sales price. There is no display cost for your work to be in the exhibit, we only request that you please join as a member of Sun Gallery for the 2024 year at a nominal cost of $25 This nominal fee helps us pay for admin costs and postcards plus mailings related to the exhibit.

A reception for the illustrators and book signing "party" will be held on Sat. Feb. 3 from 1-4.

The Sun Gallery favors illustrated works that closely tie the images to the text. Sketching and storyline art are highly welcome, as it shows the progression and making of your book. Original art is preferred, so please plan for some of your original artwork to be part of the exhibit (Glicee prints in moderation please) We are sure you will know which works are the most appropriate. We will normally display 4-6 pieces of your art in the exhibit, so plan on a minimum of 4 of your pieces being needed. If you are unable to provide any of your original artwork, please contact the Curator, Dorsi Diaz, to discuss alternatives.

Please drop off the book(s) or mail them to: (in the mail slot)

Sun Gallery
1015 E St
Hayward, CA 94541

Attention: Dorsi Diaz, Children’s Book Illustrators Exhibit

Once we’ve received the book, it is then reviewed. At that point, if your work is selected, we will then get in touch with you to schedule delivery of the original illustrations (prints are also acceptable & work ideally needs to be framed, also wire hangars on the back are a must) To be considered for the exhibition you have to be published (self-published is okay as long as the book has been on sale), and copies of the book have to be available for sale during the exhibition either directly through you or through your Publisher/distributor.

I do hope you'll consider being a part of this exciting exhibition, and we look forward to working with you.

You may email us with any questions to Dorsi at [email protected]

It is our goal to have the artists in place by the last week of Dec. 31, 2023 - so jump on this opportunity quickly!

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DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY AND VISIT OUR HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE THIS FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY WITH A

HOLIDAY POTLUCK PARTY ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 9TH FROM 4-6!

06/29/2023

Call for ART for EVERYTHING except the kitchen sink!! (well almost)
Steampunk, Art and Tech!!

What's YOUR vibe gonna be?

1. Pick one or pick all and submit your favorite art: charcoal, watercolor, acrylic, ANY medium of ANYTHING (including landscapes/people/characters/design…OR….

2. Go full STEAMPUNK with costumes, furniture, sculpture, traditional painting .....OR….

3. TECH, think software installations, LARGE or small digital format printing, and reproduction, Ai created art, robotics, cell, laptop, software/hardware/program installations. ANYTHING TECHIE.

4. OR A COMBINATION OF PART OR ALL OF THE ABOVE! THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER, LETS GET THOSE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING!

HAVE FUN WITH IT AND GET YOUR SUBMISSIONS IN!
THIS EXHIBIT WILL BE PART OF THE BIG GRAND OPENING OF OUR MAKERS/CREATORS/ARTISTS SPACE with a new NEW LASER PRINTER plus the latest & greatest CRICUT cutting machine (with 30 functions including engraving, oh my!), sewing machines, 3D PRINTERS, and on the horizon, a CNC cutting machine!! We will be offering classes & demos for ALL of the above!!

Come be part of the CREATIVE REVOLUTION at the Sun Gallery where ART MEETS TECH MEETS STEAMPUNK!!

On August 12 from 1-4 we will be having a fabulous kick-off and ribbon-cutting ceremony with City officials, our sector 6 community, and ANYONE and EVERYONE that wants to come and check us out!

We’re looking for more people to bring into the Sun Gallery fam, so if you are interested in being part of this exciting adventure, either as a volunteer/intern or Board Member please email us at [email protected] and copy [email protected]
See the FULL CALL FOR ART AT our NEW WEBSITE!!

www.sungallery.org