Meet the Artists

JOE VILLELA

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Guided by his mother, a teacher in arts and crafts, Joe developed a keen interest for the arts from an early age.
Through out his high school and college years he was deeply involved in designing promotional materials for the school’s functions and painting scenery for school plays.
His work won first place at regional (Rio de Janeiro) contest and second place in the Brazilian National Arbor Day Visual Arts Contest in 1959.
After graduating from the Oberg Institute for Graphic Arts (Rio de Janeiro) in 1958, Joe focused in obtaining his formal education, graduating from college in Brazil and obtaining a Bachelors of Science degree at Michigan State University and a Master Degree from Purdue University.
After a successful career as an executive for a major medical device company, Joe relocated to Oceanside, California and since 2000 he is dedicating full time to his art.

Membership:
Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, California
Artist Alliance, Oceanside Museum of Art. Oceanside, California.
Del Mar Art Center.
San Diego Visual Arts Network
Escondido Arts Partnership (EAP)
Awards:
Best of Show at Bank of America Art Exhibit. Oceanside - July 7,2003. Work: “African Mother”
First Place at Bank of America Art Exhibit. Oceanside. CA - August 29, 2003. Work: “Still Life (Last Harvest)”
Third Place at Bank of America Art Exhibit. Oceanside. CA - October 28, 2003. Work: "Rainforest Friends".
First Place at Bank of America Art Exhibit. Oceanside, CA – February 2004.
Work: “Passion of Christ – Mission San Luis Rey”.
Second Place at Bank of America Art Exhibit, Oceanside, CA- June 2007 – Work: “Hope”
Shows:
53rd. Annual Open Juried Award Show at the Carlsbad/Oceanside Art League (COAL). August 2003. Work: "Antipasto"
Dominick Frascella Art Show and Competition, Corona, CA. November 2003. Works: "Motherly Love" and "African Mother".
Grumbacher Juried Show. Corona Art Association. Corona, CA. March 2004.
Works: “Antipasto” and “First Day of Class”.
Hill Street Cafe and Gallery, Oceanside. November 2003.
Works": " Spare a Quarter?", "Antipasto" and “Last Harvest".
The Flying Bridge Restaurant, Oceanside. December 2003/February 2004. Works: "Oceanside Pier", "Last Harvest", "Oceanside Harbor", "Antipasto".
H.B. Turner Gallery, DelMar, CA . 1st. place "Equine Exhibit" 2016
Several of his works are in private international collections.

Mary Villela

Born in Garden City, Michigan, Mary moved to Brazil in 1966 where she had the opportunity to study ceramics with several local artists.
Returning to the U.S.A. in 1989 she enrolled in ceramic classes at the University of Utah.
While living in Utah, Mary worked for Sandy City Parks and Recreation as Program Coordinator for the Off-Track Children’s Program. She taught Arts and Crafts to children, managed the Children’s Summer in the Park Program and 4th of July Children’s Art Activities.
Retiring in 2000 Mary moved with her husband to Oceanside, California.

In 2019 Mary and Joe relocated to Saint George, Utah and started the Studio V.  where they presently work.
Mary is presently working full time on hand-built artistic ceramics.

Membership:
Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, California.
Artist Alliance, Oceanside Museum of Art. Oceanside, CA.
Shows:
Oceanside Museum of Art