Let's talk SMAC!

Connection. It's been heavy on my mind past this month. I had several creatives seek me out this month because they don't have connections to get their creative endeavors out there. Do you ever feel like that--pouring out your creativity, yet not knowing where to go from there? I know I've experienced it in the past. Any time I wasn't in my studio working on a new painting I felt guilty. I didn't think being out among people, especially not artsy people, was where I needed to be. Like many artists, I'd prefer to stay cloistered in my studio. But, as the pile of unsold finished artworks stack along every wall and counter, the next step chants in my head. Connections, connections, connections.

This is why SMAC is so important. Our mission is to connect artists to the community and the community to artists. You never know when a chance meeting in one of our classes or events leads to a commission or a strategic partnership. Everyone you meet is a potential strategic partner--someone who likes the art you create and remembers your name, so when they encounter someone who has a need or desire for what you do, they will recommend you. Reciprocating makes community. If you run into someone who needs what your partner provides, connect them. In this way, the community stays strong, we all benefit, and the economy is healthy.

While connections are important, it's not easy for some of us. For some of us creatives, introvert is our middle name. It is hard to step out of our comfort zone and meet new people. So here is my tip for creatives: Plan ahead, create a 3 second sound bite, a 30 second sound bite and a minute sound bite, describing who you are and what you do. In that way you are prepared for chance encounters. As an example, here's what that looks like for me. "Hi, I'm Lynnette Horn, a local artist." If they show interest, I move on to the 30 second spiel. "I paint realism with acrylics on canvases. I attempt to capture the divine fingerprints in nature and people." At this point that may have filled their curiosity and they move on. But if they come back with questions, then move onto your longer description and of course answer their questions. I'll save you from my longer example. Also have cards available and photos of your work on your phone, always. Just these simple techniques will keep you from floundering for words to say when you are out and about.  I hope you try this. You can practice at the opening reception for the June exhibit, Poetry in Paint.

A quick note, Night With an Artist is being moved to the exhibit opening night reception. It begins at 8 p.m.

We have a new member to celebrate this month. Join me in welcoming Meike Aton. Welcome, welcome, welcome.  We are so glad you joined.  Renewing her membership this month was Margaret Barnett. We appreciate both of you.  

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

At a Glance...

"Poetry in Paint"
Mary Arneson Solo Exhibit
June 2-July 1

Opening Reception for Exhibit 
June 2, 6-9 p.m.

Night with an Artist
Guest Artist: Mary Arneson
June 2, 8 p.m.

321: Studio!
With Olivia Stephens
June 6, 6-9 p.m.

Next Gen Creators: Surreal Collage Workshop
June 10, 10-12:30 p.m.

Figure Drawing
June 16, 7-9 p.m.

Next Gen Creators: Tie Dye and Marbling Workshop
June 24, 10-12:30 p.m.

Cosplay Figure Drawing
June 27, 7-9 p.m.



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Whimsical Sculptures charm Visitors

SMAC will host the Solo Exhibit Poetry in Paint
 
For June, SMAC is presenting the latest artworks of Mary Arneson, for a solo exhibit Poetry in Paint. The exhibit will run from June 2 to July 1 in the SMAC Art Center gallery on historic Downing Street in Hollister. The opening reception will be held in conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk on Friday, June 2, 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.

“Poetry is everywhere you look,” Arneson said. “Movement in the trees, movement in the water and movement in people.” Her goal for her exhibit was to capture that poetry on canvas. She was inspired by a quote from Leonardo di Vinci, “Painting is a poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is a painting that is felt rather than seen.” It inspired Arneson to seek out the poetry in nature and capture it on canvas, so that it is both seen and felt.

Arneson is a self-taught artist who lives on a ridge in the Ozark Mountains north of Forsyth. She draws inspiration from the many species of birds and wildlife that surround her. She paints what she sees, feels and loves--all aspects of nature. If you would like to know more about Mary and her art, scroll down to an interview I did with her about her artistic journey.

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 Branson Humane Society. The Humane Society aids in the alleviating of distress and suffering of animals, and promotes humane treatment through protection, placement and public education.
 

Mary Arneson's Art: A Journey from Constrained to Open and Free

I caught up with Mary Arneson last week to discuss her upcoming exhibit. Having interviewed her for the newsletter before, I wanted to discuss how her art has been evolving. Her style has slowly been changing in the last four years that I've known her, and she's the first to admit that when she started painting, she hadn't a clue. As a self-taught artist, every attempt to create art was a journey of discovery. She found out what worked and what did not. At first, she painted on glass. “The thought of painting on canvas was too intimidating,” Mary explained. “This fear takes over when we try new things.”  Eventually, she ventured out into the world of canvas, "But just a small canvas, mind you. A big canvas, with all that white space was even more intimidating," she said.

Mary found out that it wasn't as scary as she thought it would be. So she kept painting on canvases, but never larger than an 8 by 10 inches. "I thought I had to make my paintings as realistic as possible," Mary said of her style. Whether fauna or flora, she has always gravitated to a subject matter that can be found in nature. This made for exact, precise brushstrokes. "I created small, detailed paintings for 16 years," she said.  She continued to want to do more, and grow beyond her comfort zone. Even though larger canvases were overwhelming to her, Mary eventually gave it a try. “I fell in love with the bigger canvases," she said. 

The larger surfaces allowed for more experimentation. She wanted to grow beyond her meticulous brushstrokes. Mary wanted to convey the energy and emotion of her subjects, and to pour more of herself into her work. She began working on loosening her brush strokes and not always refining the edges of her subject matter.

She grew and changed with each new painting. She learned that a bird can be a bird without defining every feather, that the details don't always tell the story of the painting, but sometimes it's the bold brushstroke or flash of color that speaks more loudly. This was part of the journey of discovery--learning to convey emotion with a brush stroke. Though her paintings changed in style, her love for God's creation has been the undercurrent in all her work. Early in her artistic career, Mary found painting easy at times, but at other times, hard. "It struck me that I needed to paint with someone. I didn't need to paint FOR God - He doesn't need my art - but to paint WITH God." 

There are many things I admire about Mary, but I particularly admire the way she dives into art. She wants to learn and explore everything. Her learning journey will never end. Once she was comfortable with open, broad brushstrokes, she found a video on YouTube from Bruce Marion Studios teaching palette knife painting. Her serendipitous encounter with palette knives hit at the moment when she was ready to learn more. She began to play and explore all that she could do with palette knives. "I'm a lot freer with my paints now," she said.

I asked her how she would describe herself in this current stage in her journey: “I'm a contemporary artist with a touch of realism." That is who you will see opening night of her exhibit, Poetry in Paint. Each piece of art on display is a stanza of poetry tapping out the rhythm of God's pulse. As Mary put it so well, "Being an artist is a never-ending journey. All we can do is put out there what is inside of us and hope that the people who see it will be touched."

Next Gen Creators: Surreal Collage Workshop

Next Gen Creators: Tie Dye & Marbling Workshop
 
Tie dye is always a crowd pleaser! Get your student registered early for this Tie Dye and Marbling workshop because it will fill fast! The workshop is scheduled for June 24, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the SMAC Art Center, for ages 6-15. Your student will be able to tie dye his or her own white cotton t-shirt that they bring from home. Afterwards, your student will learn how to water marble by creating their own stationery and a scarf or bandana. Water marbling is a form of printing that uses ink or paint floating on water. The fee is $35 — or $17.50 for Hollister residents. Thanks to a generous grant from the City of Hollister Parks and Recreation Department, Hollister students may attend this workshop at half price. Click on MARBLING to register.

Join a Fun Night of Drawing Cosplayers

• Private 10’ x 10’ studio space
• $200 monthly stipend for materials
• Paid teaching opportunities
• Solo exhibit with opening reception in September 2024

• 12 month time commitment
• Operations support with gallery/studio space open hours (10 hours per week)
• Communication support for Art Center events and programming

• All applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents
• BFA, BA, MFA, or MA highly recommended
• background check

• Statement of Interest
• Artist Statement 
• Resume
• 10 digital images of work
• 2 professional references

• Application committee will include one SMAC board member, one artist (non-board member), and one business leader/community leader
• Committee will have up to 30 days for a final decision after application deadline

• Application deadline: July 16, 2023
• Notifications: July 31, 2023
• Move in date: September 1, 2023
• Residency Start date: September 1, 2023
• Move out: August 31, 2024
• Solo Gallery Exhibit: September 2024

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
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