Let's talk SMAC!
No fooling aside, this newsletter is being sent late after a Covid delay. I managed to not come down with Covid for two whole years since lockdown. But I broke my record this past week making it impossible to think, let alone write. I'm happily on the mend now and looking forward to another great month at SMAC. We have a special collage exhibit planned for this month. I just got off the phone with the exhibit artist, Trevor McDonald. You can find my interview with him below. He will also be our guest artist for Night Out with an Artist. It ought to be an interesting and informative night out. Trevor has traveled extensively and has a broader world view than most. So, mark your calendars for both the exhibit and the Night Out with an Artist. These are both events you won't want to miss.
Thanks to Get Floor'D at the Branson Meadows Mall for donating the tiles for our restroom floor renovation. The work is now complete! Our new restroom floor looks great. Many thanks to Julie Zetina for volunteering to mosaic the floor. And thank you for your patience while the work was being completed. Stop by to see the new floor or scroll down to March Memories, where I added a photo of the finished flooring.
I'd like to remind you to send in your notices and achievements. Have you recently won an art award or gotten juried in for a show or exhibit? We want to hear about your successes and celebrate your wins! Just send your wins to info@smac-art.org. If you have them, photos are nice, too. We are visual artists after all.
Did you know SMAC offers Figure Drawing on a monthly basis? The study and sketching of the nude body has been the standard in art education for centuries. Since its inception, SMAC has quietly offered this event for serious adult art students who want to improve their figure drawing skills. SMAC member Bruce Emeric leads a small group that meets regularly to sketch from a model. Just as in Cosplay Figure Drawing, a donation of $10 to help defray the modeling fee is suggested. If you are interested, contact SMAC at info@smac-art.org or join the private FB group to get up to date information.
We have a new member to celebrate this month. Join me in welcoming Stephenie Schultz, who joined with a family membership. Welcome, welcome, welcome. We are so glad you joined.
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...
"Inside the Box"
Trevor McDonald Solo Exhibit
April 7-20
Opening Reception for Exhibit
April 7, 6-9 p.m.
Night Out with an Artist
Guest Artist: Trevor McDonald
April 12, 7-8:30 p.m.
321: Studio! with Olivia Stephens
April 14, 5-9 p.m.
Succulent Ceramic Planter Workshop with Julie Zetina
April 20 & May 4, 6-9 p.m.
Pick Up May 11, 6-7 p.m.
Figure Drawing Group (18+)
April 21, 7-9 p.m.
Cosplay Figure Drawing
April 25, 7-9 p.m.
Follow Southern Missouri Arts Connection
Facebook Page for Class or Event Additions
Scroll Down for Details
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Echoes of the Ozarks drew Many New Faces
What an amazing opening night for Echoes of the Ozarks! Art enthusiasts came from far and wide to view the amazing art that Dana Neuenschwander and Lura Faye created. The large, collaborative artworks were the fan favorites, though everything was beyond inspiring. The songs of whippoorwills and other forest sounds, which the artists had recorded for the event, played softly in the background while the crowds meandered through the exhibit. Sales were brisk and the positive comments were flying. I'm sure this is just the beginning of Dana's and Lura's collaborative efforts. Their talents meshed so well that I can see them continuing to create together for a long time to come. More photos of the evening are included in March Memories towards the end of this newsletter.
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SMAC to host Trevor McDonald for Solo Show
In its upcoming art exhibit, SMAC will be featuring a Springfield artist, Trevor McDonald, for a solo exhibit, Inside the Box. The exhibit will run from April 7-29 in the SMAC Art Center gallery. The opening reception is on Friday, April 7, 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.
The exhibit is made up of a collection of paintings Trevor created on the insides of Cheez-Its boxes over a ten-year period. The work is his response to marketing and consumption in America. “It’s mostly autobiographical about dreams and my response to life in general,” Trevor explained. He used vintage imagery and collage techniques throughout the collection.
Each month during our 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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Night Out with an Artist with Trevor McDonald
SMAC is starting a new event to connect artists to the community, and the community to artists. This new event, called "Night Out with an Artist," will give you a chance to rub elbows with an artist and learn more about them and their inspiration or passion for art. Our second Night Out with an Artist is scheduled for April 12, 7-8:30 p.m. with guest artist Trevor McDonald, whose art is featured this month in the SMAC Gallery. SMAC will host a Night Out with a different artist every second Wednesday. Each month, you’ll hear the backstories of art and what makes an artist tick. Some of the artists you may know, while others may be new to you, but each will bring their own unique perspective to art.
The guest artist will give a short, informal talk, and then open for questions. Snacks and socializing will follow. This is a great opportunity to get your art questions answered, network and connect personally with the artist. This is a free community event, so there is no reason not to come out and have a good time with an artist. We hope to see you there!
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Explore your Creativity at 321: Studio!
SMAC will open the art center classroom to members and the community on Friday, April 14, 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!
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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Succulent Ceramic Planter Workshop with Julie Zetina
Date and Time: Thursday, April 20 & May 4, 6-9 p.m.
Location: SMAC Art Center, 7 Downing Street, Hollister, MO 65672
Experience level: No experience necessary. Open to ages 12 thru adult
Fee: $40 per person
Project Pick-up Date: Thursday, May 11, 6-9 p.m.
Spruce up your spring décor with a new unique planter that you create in this fun workshop led by artist and teacher Julie Zetina. This workshop meets two nights, each lasting three hours, with plenty of time between sessions for your tray to dry completely and be fired. In the first session, Julie will help you explore different textures and form to create a fully functional planter. The planters will be round, about 5”x5,” with legs added and a hole for drainage. At the end of the session, you’ll leave your masterpiece with Julie for the first firing.
Session two is for glazing and finishing details. Julie will demonstrate different glazes that you can apply to get the right look for you. Once the planters are glazed, Julie will take them to be fired again. Pick up will be Thursday, May 11, 6-7 p.m. All materials, instruction, firings, and transportation to and from the kiln are included in the workshop fee. Class size is limited, so be sure to sign up early through the SMAC website at www.smac-art.org.
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Join a Fun Night of Drawing Cosplayers
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The next Cosplay Figure Drawing event will be April 25, 7-9pm. 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 join us. A $10 donation to help cover the cost of the model is encouraged but not required.
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Trevor McDonald —an Artist of Many Hats
I spoke to Trevor McDonald yesterday to get a better understanding of his artistry. I discovered that his art is hard to put in a box — a neat, concise definition of what he creates, which is ironic since his exhibit is titled "Inside the Box." Some of his works are quite surreal and dream-like, like the photo of the piece above. He creates in oils, acrylics, collage, watercolor and photography.
He was born in South Africa to foreign diplomatic parents, but soon moved to Ozark, Missouri where he spent his formative years. "My parents were from Missouri, so it made sense that they would return to their home state once their service was complete," Trevor said. "As far back as I can remember, art was always what I wanted to do."
He attended Corcoran School of the Arts and Design in Washington D.C with emphasis on figure drawing. Then he returned to Missouri to complete his bachelors of fine arts at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg in 1999. In the midst of his education, he entered an exchange program and studied for a year at the University of South Wales.
He must have inherited a bit of wanderlust from his parents because it wasn't long after graduation that he moved to the Czech Republic to teach English as a Second Language. Trevor found a thriving art scene in Europe and soon became embroiled in it. His art appeared in numerous group and solo shows. "I really enjoyed the Czech Republic. It made for a good home base from which to travel." He traveled extensively through Europe and Russia, but eventually returned to Missouri to be close to family. I wondered if Trevor's travels is what inspired his art, but he didn't think that was what influenced him. "I grew up surrounded with African art," he explained. "If anything has influenced my work it would be that." Elements of African styles and motifs can be found sprinkled throughout much of his work.
The bulk of Trevors artworks evolve around line drawings and sand, which he uses to explore the concept of everything being interconnected. "I once tried to define my art through physics. I called it wave particle duality patterns," he said, "but I gave that definition up. Too much of a mouthful."
The art we will see in his upcoming exhibit is all collage work. Oils and even acrylics take a lot of room for an artist with a small studio space. "I switched to collage because I can work much faster and they are easier to store," he explained. He stores a lot of things that he can possibly use in his art. He had a stack of Cheez-It boxes that he had been saving for years, for possible art projects. He saves many personal things like fabrics that carry a sense of place and time, that he likes to incorporate into his collages. He also acquired a stack of old Czech magazines that he treats like gold.
I wondered about how the concept of Inside the Box came about. He explained that his father, who passed away a few years ago, used to sing a song called, "Matchbox to Hold My Clothes” which really started inspiring him to think of boxes, and then art in boxes. "Plus, I had all these Cheez-It boxes stacked up shouting at me to be used," he added.
The future for Trevor looks bright. He is currently working on a recreation of "Hylas and the Nymphs" by John William Waterhouse. He also has been working on another series of collages based on mythological themes. In addition, he is sorting through his line drawings and sand, and creating small oil and acrylic paintings.
If you would like to see more of his artwork, Trevor can be found at www.instagram.com/matchboxworks and www.timcdonald.tumblr.com.
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We are excited to announce that SMAC was awarded a City of Hollister Recreation grant to support city residents to participate in art classes and workshops. If you are a Hollister resident you will be able to attend SMAC art classes and workshops for half price thanks to the City's support!!! Also, stay tuned for some FREE art experiences for Hollister residents of all ages coming soon. I can't stress enough the importance the City of Hollister's favor means to SMAC. They have embraced the arts and encouraged our art center in all we do. The city has been a wonderful partner through the years in bringing art experiences to the community. A special thanks goes out to them from all of us on the board.
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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
Lacey Finchum: Board Member At-Large, Teacher
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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