Let's talk SMAC!
I had a memory on Facebook today of a photo my husband had taken of me standing at the door of 7 Downing Street. We had just left Castle Rock Realty, where SMAC president Tenille Blair-Neff signed the lease for the building. The SMAC Art Center was just a twinkle in our eyes, but we had big dreams and high hopes. That first lease signage was three years ago and a gargantuan leap of faith. Two weeks later we started hearing news of a new deadly virus. The government was considering lockdown and times were scary. The SMAC board's first thought was, "Oh no! What have we done, signing that contract." No one knew what was going to happen, but we decided to move forward with our plans for an art center. Our landlords put on a new roof and then renovations started in earnest by the end of March, when lockdown began. Covid protocol slowed the work, but we finally opened our doors that July, with our first Members Exhibit. How quickly time has flown since then!
Thinking back on that time made me realize all success takes a leap of faith. Maybe your leap is stepping into a genre you've never tried or submitting your work to a new exhibit or making a proposal for a solo show. Whatever it is, I can assure you it will share one trait with all other leaps. It will take you out of your comfort zone and move you into uncharted territory. Success comes from leaning into your leap even when the outcome is unclear and even when fear and self-doubt want to sideline you. As we close out the first month of the year, most of us have decided what we want to accomplish this year. You have dreams and goals. What leaps will you need to make to get there?
That's exactly what the SMAC Board addressed at its annual Vision Retreat this month. We made goals for the organization and looked at the leaps we would need to make to bring our new dreams to fruition. We are always looking for ways to improve and be better. One way is to add more board members. If you are interested in making that leap, leave a message at SMAC
This month we are also celebrating member awards. It's about me and I don't usually like to tout myself here. But I'm excited that the Missouri Arts Council is featuring a second SMAC member in a row. You can read about it below. I also had a chance to sit down with Kim Cooper this month to talk about her art and upcoming exhibit. Be sure to check it out below.
We have a new member to celebrate this month. Join me in welcoming Amy Hill. Welcome, welcome, welcome. We are so glad you joined. Members renewing are Sharon Green and Andi Snethern. 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...
"Back in Black--a Color up for Grabs
Kim Cooper Solo Exhibit
February 6-28
Opening Reception for Exhibit
February 6, 6-9 p.m.
3 2 1: Studio! with Olivia Stephens
February 24 5-9 p.m.
Cosplay Figure Drawing
February 28, 7-9 p.m.
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Members Show draws Unexpected Crowd
SMAC didn't know what to expect crowd-wise for the January Member Show opening night. It was the beginning of the seasonal hiatus when the area practically rolls up the sidewalks for lack of tourists. So, we were pleasantly surprised when the traffic kept flowing into the gallery all night long. There was so much to see, so many different styles and genre, from photography to sculpture and everything in between. In some ways it felt like coming home. There were lots of artists and community that came out to support the show. I saw familiar faces, who've been missing for a while, and new faces just stepping into their art or showing up to community events. It's during these times of hiatus when community feels more like family.
That was reflected in the reception's atmosphere. I know I say this each month, but I think this opening night was the best yet. Kudos to all the volunteers who made it happen, from the installation beforehand to the cleanup afterwards. You all are the best. And if you've never made it to an opening night, put it on your calendar for this coming month. Oh, and don't bother with dinner beforehand, the food is always awesome. Check out January Memories below for more photos of the night.
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SMAC presents the Work of Kim Cooper
SMAC will exhibit the work of area artist Kim Cooper in her solo show titled Back in Black – A Color Up for Grabs. The show will run from February 3-25 in the SMAC Art Center gallery. The opening reception is on Friday evening, February 3, from 6-9 p.m. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. Attendees may view the exhibit, tour the private studios and enjoy complimentary refreshments. The Vintage Paris Coffee kiosk will also be on site.
Kim's art is best described as abstract, using a lot of geometric shapes and lines. Having worked 30 years in commercial art, she appreciates design and the use of basic colors. “My favorite artists from the 60s and 70s inspire my use of geometric designs,” she explained. “I’ve always been drawn to their use of color and line.” Cooper hopes the people who visit the exhibit will come away with a broader sense of what art is. Scroll down to read a more in-depth article about Kim and her art.
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 the fine work of Elevate Branson, which addresses the root causes of generational poverty to create lasting change. They provide resources, relationships and a network of support that provides hope, dignity and purposeful work.
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Kim Cooper, Abstract Artist Extraordinaire
I met Kim Cooper three years ago, pre-Covid. She had wanted to get involved with other artists and start to get her art into the community. Pandemic obstacles put her dreams on hold for a while, but she eventually resurfaced. First by participating in the First Friday Art Walks in Hollister, becoming a regular. Then by joining SMAC and submitting a proposal for a solo show, which will be the first totally abstract exhibit SMAC has ever hosted. I caught up with her last week to discuss her art life and her show. I discovered an extremely intelligent and thoughtful artist.
While growing up in Iowa, art was always the direction she wanted to pursue, "There are a lot of ways to be creative," Kim said, "But it was always painting for me. That and design." She took a lot of private art classes through her school years. And then went on to graduate from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Since then, she has done a lot of commercial design and art. For the last 30 years, Kim has worked at Perfect Signs in Branson West as a graphic designer and has been painting windows of businesses throughout that time as well.
Her background in commercial graphic design influences her work. "I like to use standard colors, straight out of the can," she said. "That's a commercial sign business thing. I don't like to mix colors." The cans of paint she uses are water-based housepaint. Only her blacks, the focus of her show, are different. She is also greatly influence by the artists who were popular when she was growing up in the 60s and 70s, which heavily used geometric shapes and lines. It's easy to see this influence in her work, which is reminiscent of art in those decades with a contemporary flavor.
Kim came up with the idea for her exhibit Back in Black--A Color Up for Grabs while listening to Back in Black by rock band AC/DC. "The song talks about black being good, like when you are in the black financially, instead of the red," Kim explained. "I thought about how our perception of a color - any color, not just black - has changed throughout history." She thought this would be worth exploring. Kim has always used a lot of black in her paintings. "I use black and white to add depth and dimension," she said. But with the 13 new paintings she has created for this exhibit she has been more intentional in her use of black. It can pull you in or push you out. It can lighten your heart or make you somber. It all depends on what the color represents to you. It has been all these things and more throughout history. "At one time, black wasn't even considered a color," Kim added.
But don't go into her exhibit expecting to find black canvas in the vein of Mark Rothko. Black is best understood in context with other colors. Kim's paintings are a lot about perceptions. She uses basic geometric shapes, lines and colors with contrasting white and black to give the perception of depth and layers. "This will be a really fun exhibit," she said. "As they leave, I want visitors to my show to feel like they've broadened their perception of what art is.”
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Olivia Stephens hosts 3 2 1: Studio!
SMAC will open the art center classroom to members and the community on Friday, February 24 from 5-9 p.m. for 3 2 1: Studio! This is a great opportunity to connect with other artists or try your hand at something new. 3 2 1: Studio! is an open studio, a set time when people can use the art center as a place to create their own work. You may bring your own supplies or use those available onsite. SMAC Artist in Residence Olivia Stephens will be there to answer questions and direct you to the supplies you need. There is not a group project in an open studio. SMAC provides you with a place to create and the supplies with which to do it. Maybe you've always wanted to paint or make a collage or use pastels. Open studios are great for trying new things. Maybe you just want to work on a current art piece in community. Maybe you are stumped on one of your pieces and want another set of eyes. All these and more are great reasons to join us at 3 2 1: Studio! Olivia's first open studio in January was a big success, so monthly open studios are here to stay. Thanks to everyone who came out to make January's time such a success. So, come open your mind and create with new and old friends. If you are an artist, bring whatever you are working on. If not, just come as you are. Olivia will help you get started. This is a free event and open to members and the community alike. All ages are encouraged to attend, though children are required to be supervised by an adult. Mark your calendars! You won't want to miss this fun opportunity.
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Practice Sketching at Cosplay Figure Drawing
The next Cosplay Figure Drawing event will be February 28, 7-9pm. It is always the fourth Tuesday of the month, unless notified of a cancelation, like January when we were expecting a bad snowstorm that night. If improving your drawing skills is among your resolutions for this year, 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 join us. A $10 donation to help cover the cost of the model is encouraged but not required.
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SMAC Board Member featured by MAC
SMAC board secretary Lynnette Horn was selected to be one of four Missouri Arts Council’s (MAC) featured artists for January. The feature appears on MACs website, www.missouriartscouncil.org. MAC Communications Director Barbara McRobie said, “We create Facebook posts throughout the month highlighting our featured artists.” MAC also sends emails with additional information about the artists to their entire list of subscribers.
When I received the call, that I was chosen to be featured, I was totally surprised. This is the second month in a row that a SMAC board member has been chosen for this honor. SMAC board vice president and local muralist Christine Riutzel was chosen for December 2022. "Having two SMAC artist featured in a row is a complete coincidence," Barbara explained. The artists are chosen from all branches of the arts, not just visual art. MAC features artists who demonstrate a high level of skill in their particular field of art. Usually, these featured spots go to artists in the larger cities where there is a higher number of artists per capita. So I’m especially excited to show the rest of the state that art is alive and well in Southern Missouri.
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January Memories...
Far left and right: John and Linda Doonan visit with friends at the Members Exhibit opening reception.
From left to right: Al and Julia Zetina watch as Luis Cortes and Jennifer Smythe color at the reception.
From left to right: Carol Ramirez shares a coloring page with Anthony Hunter, while Bruce Emeric looks on.
Opening Night brought new and old visitors alike.
The gangs all here. Sitting from left to right: Luis Cortes, Jennifer Smythe, Jimmy Tucker and Shelby Winzenried.
Time to connect with friends. Left to right: Glenn Skaggs and Jenny Judlin. But where is Aliana? There she is. I recognize her fingers above their heads.
From left to right: Olivia Stephens chats with Christine Riutzel, while hubby Lucas Riutzel watches.
From left to right: This art discussion looks quite serious between Bruce Emeric and Luis Cortes.
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Do You Know Your SMAC Board?
All the board members can be reached by leaving an emailing a message to our general mailbox, info@smac-art.org.
Tenille Blair-Neff, President & Programming Chair
Christine Riutzel, Art Center Coordinator, Vice President & Public Art Chair
Lynnette Horn, Secretary & Communications Chair
Anthony Hunter, Treasurer, Cosplay Facilitator
Mary Evelyn Tucker, Gallery Coordinator
Lacey Finchum, Board Member At-Large, Instructor
Jennifer Smythe, Board Member At-Large, Instructor
Julie Zetina, Board Member At-Large, Instructor
Andrea Rosser-Pate, Board Advisor, Policy Chair
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