Let's talk SMAC!
I'm writing this New Year's Day with the sounds of Rose Bowl football game in the background. It wouldn't be the same if football wasn't playing in the background today. That's how traditions go. We find comfort in doing the same thing every holiday, whether it is your favorite foods for a family dinner or sharing a kiss with you partner at the stroke of midnight. There is comfort in knowing that these traditions don't change. I can't say the same about other traditions, also known as habits. Are you satisfied with your art habits? Are you satisfied with your skill level? How about your involvement with SMAC?
If you are satisfied with your art, your skills and your involvement, then keep doing what you are doing. If not, maybe it's time for a change. You know if you keep doing what you've been doing--what's comfortable--you'll get the same results--dissatisfaction. The SMAC board held a day long retreat this past week to discuss what went well and what needed improvement for the new year. I left the retreat with renewed excitement for SMAC's future and a plan to change some of the habits we do as an art group.
Starting immediately the classroom is open to all members Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during open hours (12:30PM-5PM) when there is not a class. So, grab another member or two and come down to the center to create together. There is always at least one private studio artist on hand during open hours, who can help you with any art questions.
We have now set up an infrastructure to plug volunteers into the group. Volunteers need not be artists, just want to keep art in the community. In the past, I'd mentioned that Julie Zetina was going to head up our volunteer program, but it wasn't until our vision retreat that the procedures were finally outlined. Julie will act as a clearinghouse for all volunteers, connecting them to the areas where they can help. Click HERE for the online volunteer form. Julie will connect with you to learn your interests, and then forward your information to the appropriate board member. They in turn will contact you to get you plugged in and trained, if needed.
Thanks to the forms on our new website, which has been up and running since last quarter 2023, we can more readily connect helpers to the areas where they are needed. Many of you have already experienced the new online form for submissions for the January's Member's Show. For a few, the change to online submissions was a step out of their comfort zone, but even with back-and-forth phone calls to walk those few through the process, the streamlining of work and time saved was phenomenal. We aren't stopping there. We will continue to shore up vague communications and streamline procedures. You can also count on more painting classes this year. I'm expecting 2024 to be our best year yet.
All of these changes, along with operating in an increasingly inflated economy, have and will continue to affect our bottom line. All of our expenses went up in 2023. We really took a hit but instead of offering less, we are offering more. After much discussion, we agreed on a membership fee increase, the first in our nine years as a non-profit. We will be raising membership fees for students/artists/seniors from $25 to $35 a year. Non-artist membership will go from $40 to $50 a year and family membership from $75 to $85 for a family of four or less ($10 for each family member over four). The raise won't take effect until February 2024, so now would be a good time to renew to lock in the lower rate.
December was a stellar month for new members. Join me in welcoming Elain Deyo, Jennifer Hernandez, Mary Swanger, Joeaux Robey and Linda Wise. Welcome, welcome, welcome. We are so glad you joined. Members renewing are Sharon Green and Anthony Hunter. We appreciate you all.
Thank you all for being a part of SMAC. We can't do this without you! So now it's time to grab a cup of coffee, sit back and let's talk SMAC!
--Lynnette Horn
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At a Glance...
"5th Annual SMAC Members Show "
January 5-27
Opening Reception for Exhibit
January 5, 6-9 p.m.
"Mountain View" Landscape Painting Class
with Peggy Dyke
January 18, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Figure Drawing (18+)
January 19, 7-9 p.m.
Cosplay Figure Drawing
January 22, 7-9 p.m.
"Highlander" Animal Painting Class
with Peggy Dyke
January 25, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Annual Members' Meeting
January 28, 2-5 p.m.
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Proceed Without Certainty got People Talking
Our December exhibit Proceed Without Certainty, which included several pieces of digital art, sparked a lot of discussion about AI. The exhibit by artist Jewel Mason was beautiful and thought-provoking. Jewel used a variety of mediums and tools to create her work including digital software to create some of her pieces. Using digital tools is an art industry standard that is not the same as AI. However, the current art world debate about the use of AI as a tool for creating art was sparked at SMAC. This led the board to explore an overall policy for SMAC gallery about the use of AI.
We had clearly stated no AI submissions allowed for the prior photography exhibit but had no such policy for any other exhibit. AI is fairly new to the art world, and with anything that copies existing images, comes with a lot of legal issues. With those battles being played out in the courts, what do we as an organization do? We allow mixed media that often takes magazine images and imbeds them into a piece of art. Conceptual artists often use objects they didn't create as elements in their art pieces, too. Think of the artist Maurizio Cattelan's banana with duct tape that sparked controversy at the 2019 Art Basel Miami Beach or Marcel Duchamp's revolutionary "ready made" sculpture "Fountain" which scandalized the art scene in 1917. Granted many of you would not consider those pieces as art, but the art world does.
During the SMAC board retreat, the discussion was hot over establishing an AI policy. Some didn't want to allow it and others did, considering it just another artist tool. After much debate consensus was reached. SMAC will allow AI in submissions, but it must be clearly identified in the labels. We also want to know the source of the AI at the time of submission. We don't want to stifle an artist's creativity or desire to use new technology tools. At the same time, we do want to give the viewing public the proper information they need to make a solid purchasing decision.
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SMAC will host Fifth Annual Members Show
SMAC will host its fifth annual Members Show January 5-27. With art that ranges from landscapes to abstracts and more, the 27 participating local artists create an engaging gallery experience for the community.
The opening reception is on Friday evening, January 5, from 6-9 p.m. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. During the reception, attendees can meet many of the participating local artists, who will be on hand to share their process and answer questions, tour the private studios and enjoy complimentary refreshments. The Vintage Paris Coffee kiosk will also be on hand.
The local artists who are participating in this year’s Members Show are Mary Arneson, Meike Aton, Jane Ballard, Tenille Blair-Neff, Valerie Clark, Luis Cortes, Elaine Deyo, John Doonan, Linda Doonan, Peggy Dyke, Bruce Emeric, Debbie Fall, Zachary Fitz, Sharon Green, Rachel Hernandez, Lynnette Horn, Anthony Hunter, Gala Keller, Robert Langford, Judy Reynolds, Christine Riutzel, Joeaux Robey, Melissa Ryan, Beth Schulz, Mary Swanger, Mary Evelyn Tucker and Julie Zetina.
Each month during their exhibits, SMAC highlights one of the many local non-profit organizations that serves the area. This month SMAC is drawing attention to House of Hope, which offers services to the homeless in the Branson area, including a warming center for freezing nights. They connect their clients to resources so they can make positive changes that will move their lives forward.
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Learn to paint a Wintery Landscape with Peggy Dike
Learn to paint a wonderful wintery landscape at Peggy Dike’s Mountain View painting workshop January 18, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Peggy will demonstrate how to use the brushes and acrylic paints, and then will lead you step-by-step to complete this wintery scene by the end of the workshop. You will be amazed at how much you can accomplish. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate painter you’ll come away with more skills to add to your painting arsenal. You’ll not only learn Peggy’s techniques, but you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of value, shadow and principals of design. The fee is only $55, but thanks to a grant from the City of Hollister Parks and Recreation Department, Hollister residents only pay half ($27.50). With Peggy’s step-by-step instruction you will be able to complete this painting during the workshop using a quick wet-on-wet technique. A 20”x16” canvas, paints and pattern are provided, along with brushes to use during the workshop.
About the Instructor: Peggy has been an art instructor for more than 30 years, teaching acrylics, oils and graphite drawing. She loves sharing her passion and knowledge for art with others. Her own art has a unique western style, depicting animals, Native American life and cowboys. When Peggy isn’t painting or teaching, she is raising and training horses on her and her husband’s ranch in Nixa.
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Join a Fun Night of Drawing Cosplayers
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The next Cosplay Figure Drawing event will be January 24, 7-9 p.m. It is always the fourth Tuesday of the month, unless notified of a cancelation. If improving your drawing skills is on your to-do list, this event is for you. Each session, a model comes dressed in a different cosplay costume. Poses are timed, starting off with short periods in the beginning to get you warmed up, then, poses gradually get longer so that you have time to focus on details. Of course, you don't need to be a gamer or a comic fan or cosplayer yourself to enjoy Cosplay Figure Drawing. It's a perfect way to learn to draw clothed figures in a plethora of poses.
Practicing drawing with a live model also creates muscle memory so that your skills improve and helps your mind translate three dimensional objects into two dimensional representations. This can't be learned by practicing from photos. This family-friendly drawing event is perfect for all ages, though we ask that children be supervised by an adult. It's also a safe zone, where you can explore drawing without feeling intimidated by more experienced artists. Everyone who wants to learn how to draw has to start somewhere, even if it is stick figures. What better way than in a safe, encouraging environment. I hope you'll join us. A $10 donation to help cover the cost of the model is encouraged but not required.
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Highlander Painting Workshop with Peggy Dyke
Have you jumped on the Scottish long haired bull bandwagon yet? Everywhere you look you will see these cute burly bulls in today’s home décor. Why not paint your own? Peggy Dike has come up with a fun acrylic painting workshop, Highlander, to paint this décor trend. Join in on the fun January 25, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Learn to paint long fur and much more at this exciting workshop. Peggy will demonstrate how to use the brushes and acrylic paints and will lead you step-by-step. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate painter you’ll come away with more skills to add to your painting arsenal.
The fee is only $55, but thanks to a grant from the City of Hollister Parks and Recreation Department, Hollister residents only pay half ($27.50). With Peggy’s step-by-step instruction you will be able to complete this painting during the workshop using a quick wet-on-wet technique. A 20”x16” canvas, paints and pattern are provided, along with brushes to use during the workshop.
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Annual Members Meeting
Sunday, December 28
2-5 p.m.
Appetizer Potluck
(Members Show art pick up)
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November Memories...
Artist Jewel Mason poses with friends at the opening reception for her solo show, Proceed without Certainty.
Foreground: Joel Neff gets the kids, Eros and Dante (facing forward), settled in at the opening reception. The receptions draw all ages, some for the gallery show, some to catch up with friends and color on the tables.
Jewel Mason poses at her exhibit signature wall during the opening reception.
The Vintage Paris kiosk getting busy at the opening reception.
Mary Evelyn Tucker makes a great model if Vintage Paris wants to do advertising.
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Do You Know Your SMAC Board?
All the board members can be reached by leaving an email message to our general mailbox, info@smac-art.org.
Tenille Blair-Neff: President, Programing Chair
Christine Riutzel: Vice President, Art Center Coordinator, Public Art Chair
Lynnette Horn: Secretary, Communications Chair
Anthony Hunter: Treasurer, Cosplay Facilitator
Lacey Finchum: Board Member At-Large, Teacher
Jessica Farmer: Board Member At-Large
Jennifer Smythe: Board Member At-Large, Social Media Coordinator, Teacher
Mary Evelyn Tucker: Board Member At-Large, Gallery Chair
Julie Zetina: Board Member At-Large, Teacher
Andrea Rosser-Pate: Board Advisor, Policy Chair
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