Let's talk SMAC!
We've finally reached the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer — and it's a very good time to be proud to be a part of the Ozarks! Some of our members are in Washington D.C. right now getting ready for the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival. This year, the festival is celebrating and featuring the Ozarks with music, speakers, and artisans. Curtis Copeland, head of the Ozarkian Hilcrofters Society and a regular attendee at Figure Drawing Nights, will be speaking. A lot of musicians are in the lineup offering Ozark Mountain music like bluegrass and gospel, as well as regional artists, whose music has more of an infusion of styles. More excitingly, our very own SMAC members Lura Faye and Dana Neuenschwander are playing roadies for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, who are playing at the festival!
You may wonder why I bring this up. The answer: PRIDE. I am proud of the Ozarks culture getting to be center stage to the nation this year. I'm proud of all the artists and artisans who live and create in this region. And I'm proud to be a part of SMAC, where artists can connect with other artists and the community, a place where local talent can have a voice and share their work. I see the Ozarks as a seed bed, rich in inspiration and creativity, on the verge of exploding outward, touching other parts of the nation. I am honored to call it home, and I hope you feel the same way. It's a great day to be alive and creating in the Ozarks.
In other SMAC news, we are unfortunately having issues with our website. We have been unable to load events and classes recently. We are in talks with our website platform to fix the issue. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. If you are having a problem registering for a class on the website, please call during our business hours and we can handle the transaction over the phone. In the meantime, we are also looking towards rebuilding our website, bigger and better, on a different platform.
We have new members to celebrate this month! Join me in welcoming Brad Hyman and Shelly Ingram. 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...
Mango Lemonade Stand Workshop
July 1, 10-12 a.m.
"Quietus of Potential"
Amy Joy Hill Solo Exhibit
July 7-30
Opening Reception for Exhibit
July 7, 6-9 p.m.
Night with an Artist
Guest Artist: Amy Joy Hill
July 7, 8-8:30 p.m.
Next Gen Creators: Weaving Workshop
July 15, 10-12:30 p.m.
Spray Foam Texture Workshop
with Meike Anton
July 20 & 27, 10-4 p.m.
Figure Drawing
July 21, 7-9 p.m.
321: Studio! with Olivia Stephens
Last Event!
July 24, 6-9 p.m.
Cosplay Figure Drawing
July 25, 7-9 p.m.
Joy Sandwich Happening
July 28, 6-7 p.m.
Follow Southern Missouri Arts Connection
Facebook Page for Class or Event Additions
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Mary Arneson's Poetry in Paint was deemed a Success
The last week before their show opening is always busy and stressful for an artist having a solo exhibit. For Mary Arneson, that was truer than for most this past month getting ready for her exhibit Poetry in Paint. Some of you may not realize Mary was temporarily incapacitated with a broken wrist on her right arm a month and a half before installation for her exhibit. Being righthanded, you can imagine her production came to a screeching halt — right before crunch time. As soon as she could use her hand again, time was limited, so she didn't waste a second. Calling upon the Lord for help and guidance to make her way through what still needed to be done, Mary's brushes flew across the canvases. I imagine there was a fair share of paint flying too. In the end she finished just in time. Opening night was spectacular. The crowds came through in waves. There were many new faces, artwork being bought, and interest in membership. Mary's art was breathtaking and spoke to me and many others. The evening rounded out with Mary giving an artist talk and answering questions. A perfect evening with perfect friends.
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Summer Drink Stand Workshop highlights Art & Business
What says summer better than kids with lemonade stands. Instructors Tenille Blair-Neff (SMAC) Nissa Pierson (CRESPO Organic Mango) teamed up to help your child make their summer entrepreneurial pursuits a success with a fun and artsy business workshop for kids ages 5-12 on Saturday, July 1, 10 a.m.- noon. The class will cover all the do’s and don’ts for a successful lemonade stand and plant seeds to encourage little ones to develop sharp entrepreneurial skills! Most importantly, kids will get to make their own lemonade stand art.
Your child will learn the basics of making lemonade, including three beverage recipes: Basic Mango Lemonade (sparkling and plain), Strawberry-Mango Limeade, and Garden-Mango Lemonade. They will also receive a workbook filled with all they need for their successful lemonade stand, including price calculators, sales trackers, and comment cards! They will also be given safety tips and stranger-danger knowledge, as well as simple advertising tips to ensure the prosperity of their summer lemonade stands!
If that isn’t enough, they will also receive a Crespo Organic Kick T Shirt, lemons, a lemon reamer, and mangoes to make their lemonade business stand out from the rest. They will leave as artists and with the knowledge that art, food, and business are all deeply connected in the same space!
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SMAC will host the Solo Exhibit Quietus of Potential
In its upcoming art exhibit, SMAC will be featuring the art of Amy Joy Hill in a solo exhibit titled Quietus of Potential. The exhibit will run from July 7-29 in the SMAC gallery. The opening reception will be held in conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk on Friday, July 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.
Amy Joy uses alcohol inks to explore potential cut short by whatever means, be it from death or simply a choice that takes a person down a different path. What does potential become when it is half realized? And how does the viewer perceive it? These are questions Amy Joy poses through her artwork. “There is a sense of tension and longing for completion,” she explained. “Hopefully this will allow the viewer to realize unearthed potential.” Her goal for her exhibit is inspire people to be more intentional and hopefully usher forgiveness and healing into areas that were developing but found a premature end.
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 Christian Action Ministries (CAM), which opened its first food pantry in 1985 at 2400 State Highway 165. It has since opened a second food pantry in Forsyth, and a mobile outreach to Bradleyville, Cedarcreek, Protem, Rockaway Beach, Merriam Woods, Hollister and Branson. Last year, CAM assisted more than 40,000 residents of Taney County and distributed more than two million pounds of food.
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Artist Amy Joy Hill discovered a Passion for Inks
Our solo featured artist in the gallery for July is Amy Joy Hill. She was an exception to the norm, having grown up with family who encouraged her artistic bent. Her mother taught painting with oils and even her grandparents were artists, though it was more as hobbyists. "Art was always a part of my world," she said. "I can't imagine a life without art." After high school, Amy Joy earned a degree in Education, "because that was the stable thing to do,” and started teaching soon after.
After teaching for a number of years, Amy Joy became a missionary to South Korea. She stayed on the mission field for five and a half years. While there, her brother was diagnosed with leukemia. "My family is close, and I took the news really hard," she said. "I processed my emotions about it in my art journal."  When she got back to the States, she was like an untethered boat, drifting through life. Of course, she worked, but Amy Joy just didn't know what to do with art.
"I was lacking inspiration and direction and was struggling with Imposter Syndrome," Amy Joy said. Personally, I haven't met an artist who hasn't gone through this at one time or another during their artistic journey. So if you have experienced this, don't feel like you are alone. She coped with the support of her friends and family. "They were so supportive during this time," she said. "Their prayers and support made such a difference."
One day, while visiting her family, her mother brought out her latest art find--a set of alcohol inks. Neither her mother nor Amy Joy had ever used alcohol inks before, so they decided to play around with the set and experiment. They both loved playing with the pigments, but it was Amy who became enthralled with this new product. Her passion for alcohol inks was born and a passion to create was reignited. If you spoke with Amy Joy today, you would never know there was a time of self-doubt. She is a bundle of joy and an inspiration to be around. All it took was love, support, prayer — and alcohol ink!
Which brings us to her upcoming exhibit, Quietus of Potential. Amy Joy explained that “quietus” is a synonym for death or regarded as a release from life. As we were talking about this idea, I imagined a tamper snuffing out candles, or the act of tamping down a campfire. "It's all about choices," Amy Joy said. "If we choice one path, the potential for the other is snuffed out." How often do we have a idea or dream and for one reason or another choose not to pursue it. The potential for that dream dies. Amy Joy wants people who see her exhibit feel inspired to be more intentional in their choices. "Hopefully, my art exhibit will allow the viewer to realize unearthed potential," she explained. "Even possibly help usher in forgiveness and healing."
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Next Gen Creators: Weaving Workshop
Need to replace your potholders? Have your student make them for you! In this Weaving Workshop, your student will learn basic weaving techniques and use a loom to make a potholder. If time and materials permit, students can make more than one. Your student might enjoy this relaxing workshop so much that he or she may want to explore more weaving projects, such as basketry or large loom weaving. Thanks to a generous grant from the City of Hollister Parks and Recreation Department, Hollister students may attend the workshop at half price.
Instructor Lacey Finchum is an artist, author, and educator who is inspired by nature and self-discovery. She is passionate about encouraging people to try new things and follow their dreams. As an educator, she has taught students of all ages through private and public venues. Her mission is to help students explore new concepts and materials so that they may find the areas they are most passionate about.
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Meike Aton teaches Spray Foam Texture Workshop
One of our newest members, but a regular artist at the First Friday Art Walks, Meike Anton will be teaching a two-day Spray Foam Texture Workshop at her studio in Springfield. Meike Aton Art Studio & Gallery is located at 1200 E Woodhurst Dr K-300 Springfield, MO. The workshop will be on Thursday July 20 and Thursday July 27, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days. The tuition for this long-awaited workshop is $190 for early birds. After July 14, the tuition raises to $220.
On the first day, you'll learn to manage the material. It's a challenge! Day two, you will paint your textured image with acrylic paints. Meike will supply the spray foam, gloves, and gesso. You will need to wear old clothes and shoes, since it will be messy. You will also need to bring five canvases of various sizes, (12x12", 20x20", 20x24" and 30x40"), acrylic paints (primary colors and white), brushes, and a 2" cheap bristle brush. To register for this workshop, simply send a check to her studio address.
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Last Chance to Explore your Creativity at 321: Studio!
Hello readers! This portion of this fantastic newsletter has been written by Olivia Stephens. Thanks for letting me take the reins for a moment, Lynnette!
You read that title right, SMAC will open the art center classroom one final time to members and the community on Monday, July 24, from 6-9 p.m. for 3 2 1: Studio!’s final event. After having hosted several different activities, I will be hosting the most popular activity again: a Zine Night. A zine — pronounced “zeen” (think magazine) — is a small, homemade book or magazine usually devoted to specialized, specific, and often unconventional subject matter. In other words, a zine can be about whatever you want! It’s very easy. There will be snacks, supplies, and friends all around. If you don’t want to make a zine, don’t fret, you can work on anything you’d like during this time. Just want to spend the evening in community with other creatives? That’s great, too. All are welcome!
Come any time between 6-9pm Monday, July 24th to send 3 2 1: Studio! off with a bang. This event, as always, is free and open to all ages, though children are required to be supervised by an adult. I hope to see you there!
Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming (and author) :)
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Join a Fun Night of Drawing Cosplayers
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The next Cosplay Figure Drawing event will be July 25, 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. This past month Batman modeled for the sketchers. I wonder which character will show up this month.
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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Joy Sandwich - A Happening in Collaboration with Stuart Semple
We are very excited to announce that SMAC, in collaboration with Stuart Semple, is participating in "Joy Sandwich," a series of new happenings around the globe. Our local happening will take place on Friday, July 28, from 6-7 p.m. This is a fun, totally free event and is open to the public.
Starting at Glastonbury Festival held in Somerset, England in June, Stuart Semple is collaborating with communities around the world in over 30 locations, including a series of happenings, titled "Joy Sandwich" from South America, Europe, UK, USA, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Canada and just about everywhere in between.
These participatory events will take place across galleries and museums, hackspaces, coffee shops, public spaces, tattoo parlors, private homes, backyards, community centers and university campuses.
Each happening will be led by the hosting community and will evolve in its own unique way. The happenings themselves are top secret until the day, but expect to explore ideas of joy, connection community and rebuilding. Full list of locations and dates available at www.stuartsemple.com/happenings
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We are excited to announce that our 12-month Artist in Residence program is back for 2023-2024 and is made possible by a grant from the Springfield Regional Arts Council (SRAC) and Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Our Residency program, which commences in September, is designed for emerging artists who need time and space to develop their voices. Residents gain invaluable experience working in a community environment, teaching classes, sharing their technical knowledge and expertise, and managing many jobs around the studio. SMAC provides a supportive creative community, while appreciating the need for privacy and independent work.
Benefits
- Private 10’ x 10’ studio space
- $200 monthly stipend for materials
- Paid teaching opportunities
- Solo exhibit with opening reception in September 2024
Responsibilities
- 12 month time commitment
- Operations support with gallery/studio space open hours (10 hours per week)
- Communication support for Art Center events and programming
Requirements
- All applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents
- BFA, BA, MFA, or MA highly recommended, but not necessary
- background check
Application Process
- Statement of Interest
- Artist Statement
- Resume
- 10 digital images of work
- 2 professional references
Artist-in-Residence Selection
- 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
Important Dates:
- Application deadline: July 16, 2023
- Notifications: July 31, 2023
- Move in date: September 3, 2023
- Residency Start date: September 3, 2023
- Move out: August 31, 2024
- Solo Gallery Exhibit: September 2024
Email application materials to info@smac-art.org before the July 16th deadline
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June Memories...
Left to right: Mary Arneson catches up with Julie Ross at the opening reception.
Left to right: Kim Cooper stops by during First Friday Artwalk to take a gander at Mary Arneson's exhibit.
Tryg Arneson looks on while his wife Mary explains the ordeals of painting with a cast to Tami Bandy.
Center: Mary Evelyn Tucker was the only one to catch the camera as people were piling in for Night Out with an Artist (part of the exhibit opening night celebration).
Left to right: Tenille Blair-Neff, Mary Evelyn Tucker and Jennifer Smythe took a moment to plan future events during the opening reception.
Mary Arneson talks about her exhibit with art collector and friend, Glenn Skaggs.
Mary Arneson talks to friends and new faces during Night Out with an Artist.
An artist's rendition of Batman during a short-timed drawing session at Cosplay Figure Drawing.
 Artist honed their skills at the Cosplay Figure Drawing event.
Noah Beyer as Batman made a grand appearance at the Cosplay Figure Drawing event.
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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
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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