The goal is simple.

Bring artists together to expand their horizons and to help the arts grow with Manteca.

It is what is behind the revival of the Manteca Artist Guild.

The non-profit that, is more than 30 members strong after conducting its first meeting in January, is manning a booth at the Manteca Chamber of Commerce’s Watermelon Street Fair today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days

It’s booth No. 167 on the east side of Manteca Avenue across from Library Park and appropriately near one of the nearly 30 striking downtown murals — “Manteca Snow”, a whimsical celebration of the almond blossom season.

The monthly meetings — with the next one taking place Tuesday, June 4, at 5 p.m. at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane — are designed for socializing and collaborating.

“We just feed off each other,” said member Nancy Vossos.

Artists from various mediums share their work, experiences, and techniques.

The guild’s ranks so far consists of painters, a fiber artist, fashion designers, ceramics, glass artist, pencil drawings, digital artist and many other types. Included is  a caterer who fashions charcuterie Boards, an artistic presentation of food.

They plan to have guest speakers at meetings that take place on the first Tuesday of each month.

The group is also organizing art displays and shows.

A long grange goal is to possibly work toward getting an art gallery established that could serve as a hub for community artists.

Vossos noted the Guild is exploring a number of things.

They are working with the city, as an example, to bring more art to downtown. They may be painting the bland municipal  utility boxes that are in the public right of way.

Vossos has a working knowledge of the power of public art.

She served as membership chair for the Manteca Mural Society for four years.

The society has brought roughly 30 murals to downtown to celebrate the community’s culture, its history, is people, and its economic strength.

Vossos was the artist who painted idyllic scenes over boarded up windows on the former Mars Department Store turned billiards that is now a tile showroom.

In doing so, she turned a blighted looking building into an eye pleaser using the plywood covering the windows as her canvas.

Vossos has been interested in the arts, crafts, fashion design and fiber arts all her life.

When she retired 9 years ago, she stepped up her immersion in the arts learning how to paint, sew, teach classes and created Sew Fun by Nancy.

During her time with the mural society, she sold many of her fabric creations such as purses and aprons as thank you gifts for joining the organization.

Her creations helped raise over $2,000 that she donated to the mural society.

Membership is $20 a year for individuals and $25 for couples.

You can drop by the booth for more information or go to the group’s Facebook or Instagram page under Manteca Artist Guild.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com