Let's talk SMAC!
I'm starting to see photos of spring daffodils in my Facebook newsfeed lately. It can't be that time, yet! What happened to winter? It just flew in on a cold wind and headed right back out again. Not that I'm complaining. Everyone feels renewed when we first see signs of spring in nature. I wonder if other people are like me and start thinking of painting in pastels when spring is upon us. Baby pink and robin's blue and pastel yellow, Oh, my! I could go on and on because spring colors make me so happy, but that's not what you want to read. You want exciting news, so here it is...
Drum roll please, SMAC is starting a new monthly free event to get up close and personal with a different artists each month, Night Out with an Artist. Get the answers to your deepest art questions. Have fun getting to know an artist, socialize and nosh your heart out. You'll find all the details down below. Lura Faye, one half of the collaborative team who will fill our gallery this month, will be our first guest artist. I hope you'll join us to make this event one of our best.
Also, SMAC wants to celebrate your achievements. If you've recently gotten into an exhibition or been awarded a special honor for your art, we want to hear about it. Send a photo (if possible) and a brief description of the event or award to info@smac-art.org. We would love to include it in an upcoming newsletter!
We’d like to say thank you to Castlerock Real Estate Investments for their recent donation. Along with that, we also have new members to celebrate this month. Join me in welcoming Jay Albin, Stephenie Schults and Becky Seger. Welcome, welcome, welcome. We are so glad you joined. Member renewing is Jane Ballard. 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...
"Echos of the Ozarks"
Dana Neuenschwander & Lura Faye
Collaborative Exhibit
March 3-25
Opening Reception for Exhibit
March 3, 6-9 p.m.
Nature Print Ceramic Tray with Julie Zetina
March 9 & 23, 6-9 p.m.
Night Out with an Artist
March 15, 7-8:30 p.m.
3 2 1: Studio! with Olivia Stephens
March 21, 5-9 p.m.
Cosplay Figure Drawing
March 27, 7-9 p.m.
Follow Southern Missouri Arts Connection
Facebook Page for Class or Event Additions
Scroll Down for Details
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We saw Black in a New Light
Is that title an oxymoron? It may be, but it was so true at the opening reception for Kim Cooper's exhibit, Back in Black, and throughout February for everyone who visited the gallery. I was especially drawn to the black-on-black art pieces. They were like fine onyx etchings. The depth perception Kim achieved in her work was intriguing. If you missed the exhibit, you might be able to catch a few of these pieces in the upcoming Hollister First Friday Art Walks, in which Kim participates. I'd love to share stories of opening night with you, but unfortunately, I was unable to make it. I've asked others for photos of the night. You'll find more photos in the February Memories section.
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Artists focus on the Ozarks in Upcoming Show
In its upcoming art exhibit, SMAC will be featuring two native Missouri artists, Dana Neuenschwander and Lura Faye, who are collaborating to bring the Ozarks backwoods to life in their art show Echoes of the Ozarks. The exhibit will run from March 3-25 in the SMAC Art Center Gallery. The opening reception is on Friday, March 3, from 6-9 pm 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.
Dana, a painter, and Lura, a sculptor, combined their passion for Missouri forests for this collection with both two- and three-dimensional works, some individual and some collaborative pieces. The collection has acrylic paintings, mixed media and sculptural pieces, with intense colors and lush textures. “We want the viewers to feel a sense of child-like wonder as they wander through the show,” Lura said. Dana added, "I hope that they can practically hear the rustling of leaves, see the dappled lights and feel the velvety moss.” To read more about this exhibit and the artists' collaboration, scroll down for the whole interview.
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. House of Hope connects their clients to resources so they can make positive changes that will move their lives forward.
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Forest Textures and Colors inspire Artists
I caught up with Dana Neuenschwander and Lura Faye on a Saturday last month, while they were prepping for their upcoming exhibit, our first collaborative exhibit at the SMAC Studio. Dana, who received her master's in fine arts from Fort Hays State University, is a two-dimensional visual artist, skilled in a multitude of mediums, though most of her work for this exhibit is in acrylics. Lura Faye, who received her master's in studio art from Drury University, is a three-dimensional visual artist, skilled in varied sculpture mediums.
Both live and teach in the Springfield area where they met in 2018, at the IdeaX Factory. Dana explained that IdeaX was a collaborative space where artists could come together. Both Dana and Lura had been drawn to the idea of working with other artists, bouncing ideas back and forth. The factory was divided up into 8 ft. x 10 ft. sections for teams of artists to create art installations. Dana and Lura were on the same team. They had a month to design and complete their space, and their work had to tie into the other installations.
After the event was over, they kept in touch off and on, but it wasn't until lockdown that they became close friends. "During lockdown, we were so starved for a connection with another person," Lura said. So, they started meeting up at different locations.
"We chased sunrises," Dana said. "We'd find a different place to park each morning, roll down the windows to chat and sip on coffee, while we watched the sunrise. Dana has painted every one of those lockdown sunrises, too, Lura pointed out. "It was such a lovely time together," she added.
The time spent together sealed their friendship and renewed their desire to collaborate, which they did for a submission into the Enchanted Heart Tactile Show in Springfield. Friendship came easy since they have so much in common: both are artists, teachers, and both grew up in the Ozarks with deep roots and appreciation for the forests that surround them. Dana grew up in Springfield into a family well established in the area since 1850. Faye grew up on the Current River. "I've been in the forest my whole life," she said, as she recollected fond memories of spending summers in a cabin on the river. They both confess their greatest inspirations come from being in the forests of the Ozarks, whether it is hiking, camping or sitting still, listening to the sounds of the animals.
Now Lura is looking towards retirement in May, after 27 years of teaching. Dana will continue on as a part time adjunct professor at Ozark Technical College for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, this future season for Lura will give her more time for her own art, as well as more opportunities to create with Dana. Be sure to check out their exhibit Echoes of the Ozarks in the SMAC Gallery throughout March.
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Explore your Creativity at 321: Studio!
SMAC will open the art center classroom to members and the community on Tuesday, March 21, from 5-9 pm 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. 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! Last month people tried their hand at weaving, sculpting, colored pencils and more. Everyone who attended said they had a great time. So, come make new art discoveries, creating 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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Celebrate the Ides of March with a Night Out
SMAC is starting a new monthly event to connect artists to the community, and the community to artists. This new event, called "Night Out with an Artist," gives you a chance to rub elbows with an artist and learn more about them and their inspiration or passion for art. The first Night Out with an Artist is scheduled for March 15, 7-8 pm with guest artist Lura Faye. SMAC will host a Night Out with a different artist every second Wednesday going forward. Each month, you'll hear the backstories of art and what makes an artist tick. You may know some of the artists, while others may be new to you, but each will bring their own unique perspective to art.
The artists will give a short, informal talk then open for questions. Snacks and socializing will follow. This is a great opportunity to get your questions about art answered, network and connect personally with the artist. This is a free event for the community, so come out and have a good time with an artist. We hope to see you there!
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Nature Print Ceramic Tray with Julie Zetina
Looking for something to get your creative juices flowing for 2023? Check out this great ceramic workshop with artist Julie Zetina. You will create a unique tray and learn to use bits of nature to press designs into it. This workshop meets two different nights, each lasting three hours, with time between sessions for your tray to dry completely in order to be fired.
In the first session, March 9, Julie will teach you to hand build your ceramic tray. Once the tray is set aside to dry, she will show you how to use winter scavenged bits of flora for printing. You’ll have the opportunity to practice printing before you print on your tray. But once you are ready, you can let your creativity fly. Julie with have some dried plants to use during the workshop, but she encourages you to make your tray even more meaningful by foraging your own dried plants, maybe from your favorite hiking trail or park.
Session two, March 23, is for glazing and finishing details. Julie will demonstrate different glazes that you can apply to get the right look for you. Once the trays are glazed, Julie will take them to be fired again. Pickup from SMAC will be March 30, 6-7 pm. All materials, instruction, firings, and transportation to and from the kiln are included in the workshop fee. But, as previously mentioned, you are encouraged to bring you own dried plants and bits of nature. To register for this workshop, click NATURE.
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Join a Fun Night of Drawing Cosplayers
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The next Cosplay Figure Drawing event will be March 27, 7-9pm. It is always the fourth Tuesday of the month, unless notified of a cancelation. 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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February Memories...
Jim and Kim Steele celebrate with Kim Cooper opening night.
Many came out to see the exhibit during the opening.
Openings are a great time to catch up with old friends.
From Left: Kim Cooper with Joe and Barb Hirsh.
Carla Bradley joins the fun at 3 2 1: Studio night.
Friends take a moment from sculpting at 3 2 1: Studio to smile for the camera.
A lot of people chose scupting at this month's 3 2 1: Studio!
Artists are encouraged to bring their own projects to work on, as Anthony Hunter and Tenille Blair-Neff are seen doing here.
Jennifer Smythe had a fun class painting dandelions. Looks like everyone was gearing up for spring.
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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, programing chair
Christine Riutzel, Vice President, Art Center Coordinator & Public Art Chair
Lynnette Horn, Secretary & Communications Chair
Anthony Hunter, Treasurer & Cosplay Facilitator
Jennifer Smythe, Board Member At-Large & Instructor
Julie Zetina, Board Member At-Large & Instructor
Lacey Finchum, Board Member At-Large
Andrea Rosser-Pate, Board Advisor, Policy Chair
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