Let's talk SMAC!
This past month I've done a lot of thinking about my creative journey. Sometimes I paint nonstop, creating one piece after another. Yet, at other times I don't. August has been that way for me. I barely glanced in my studio. When this has happened in the past, I would feel guilty for not creating. Do any of you feel that way? Then I spoke with Olivia Stephens who is having an exhibit at SMAC in September. She talked about the ebb and flow of the artistic journey. I could easily relate to that. Our artistic flow is not one continuous stream, but like waves coming to shore making progress towards the beach then receding back into the ocean only to come back again. So instead of slapping ourselves with "would've, could've, should've" when we are not creating, let's embrace those times for what they truly are--the natural flow of a long journey. It's a time to fill up your well of inspiration, to process emotions and gain new experiences. All of which will be infused into your art. Maybe not this year but somewhere along your path. Now I'm not saying that you should wait for inspiration to make art, but to learn to recognize your natural flow. To make each day intentional whether you are in the ebb or the flow. It's all part of the wondrous creative journey. No more guilt.
At the last board meeting we unanimously voted in Jessica Farmer as a new board member at-large. We are thrilled to have Jessica join us. Her enthusiasm for art and business savvy are welcome additions to the team. I also want to congratulate Valerie Clark for being selected for SMAC's 2023-24 artist in residence. Her residency starts this month, so next time you are at the SMAC Art Center be sure to drop by her studio to say hi.
We have a new member to celebrate this month. Join me in welcoming Darlene Tipper. Welcome, welcome, welcome. We are so glad you joined. Renewing members are Debbie Fall and Heather Erickson. We appreciate you all. And remember to let us know if any of you win a current award, honor or are in an upcoming exhibit. We want to celebrate with 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
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At a Glance...
"Weird as Ever"
Olivia Stephens Solo Exhibit
September 1-30
Opening Reception for Exhibit
September 1, 6-9 p.m.
Night Out with an Artist
Guest Artist: Olivia Stephens
September 1, 8-8:30 p.m.
Figure Drawing (18+)
September 15, 7-9 p.m.
Artist Alley
September 16, 10-6 p.m.
Free Open Studio
to create 3"x3" Art
September 25, 6-9 p.m.
Open Call for Artists
"3"x3": Post-It Note Show"
Drop off Deadline: October 1, 1-5 p.m.
Cosplay Figure Drawing
September 26, 7-9 p.m.
Fall Pumpkin Glazing Workshop
with Julie Zetina
September 28, 6-9 p.m.
"3"x3": Post-It Note Show
October 6-28
Opening Reception
October 6, 6-9 p.m.
Artist Call for Photography
Submission Deadline: October 11
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Facebook Page for Class or Event Additions
Scroll Down for Details
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Missing the Mark Show didn't Miss the Mark
It was standing room only during the opening reception for Olof Pierson's solo exhibit, Missing the Mark. Considering the heat index that night, that's saying a lot. My favorite pieces were the sentinels standing along the outer wall of our building and the spoonbill's inside. The takeaway from the show for me was to never shy away from trying new things. Olof had never sculpted wood before preparing for his show, but he forged ahead and created some astounding pieces. You would never have known he was new to the medium of wood. The art was thought provoking and evocative. Bravo, Olof, for an excellent show. For more photos of the evening scroll down.
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SMAC to feature Local up and Coming Artist
SMAC will present the work of local up and coming artist Olivia Stephens in a solo exhibit, Strange as Ever, at the SMAC Art Center September 1 - 30. She has been SMAC’s Artist in Resident for the past year, a position made possible through grants from Community Foundation of the Ozarks and Springfield Regional Arts Council.
An opening night reception for the exhibit will be held on Friday, September 1, 6-9 p.m. Coffee will be available at the Vintage Paris kiosk inside the center, as well as other snacks and refreshments. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.
“The theme of my show,” Stephens said, “is about finding my passion again.” She had experienced post-graduate burnout after completing her fine arts degree from College of the Ozarks. “It’s a love letter to my little me who used to get up Saturday mornings to create art. And it’s a love letter to future me, who is working hard to keep art always in her life.” These “love letters,” are the culmination of work she created during her residency, which ends August 31.
In addition, 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 Faith Community Health, a Christian faith-based charitable clinic offering income-based health services in Branson.
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Olivia Stephens embraces the Weird Side
Recently, I caught Olivia Stephens during a rare quiet moment in her busy schedule to talk with her about her art journey and her exhibit, Weird as Ever. We started off the interview discussing the latter first. "I used to work at Silver Dollar City. One of my coworkers if asked how he was would always say, 'Weird as ever,'" Olivia explained. "The phrase resonated with me." She knew she wanted to use that phrase for something.
"Growing up I was always the weird kid, an old soul," she said. Color and levity have always been important to her. "Seeing humor in small things has saved my life on many occasions," she added. "It doesn't mean life can't be serious. It's just how I look at it."
She was a creative child eager to make with whatever whimsey crossed her mind. Saturday mornings she would wake up excited to create.  If she didn't have standard art materials, she would make with junk and trash, and bits and pieces that she had hoarded away for just the right creation. It was fun and it was play. Her passion for making remained through high school. So, she decided to choose art as her major in college.
Yet, somewhere along the way to her degree, art became a chore. Olivia no longer felt like she GOT to create but HAD to create to get a grade. By the time she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of the Ozarks she was suffering major burnout. She took a job with the forestry service, not ever expecting to do art again. But the embers of her creativity hadn't died out entirely. When she heard about SMAC's new artist in residence program, those embers flickered a little brighter. She wanted to know if art could have a place in her adult life, so she applied and was awarded the residency.
"SMAC saved me," Olivia admitted. "Having a space dedicated to making art was huge. I just wanted to play and get back to basics and the residency allowed me to do that."
So, coming full circle to my original question: "What does Weird as Ever mean?" Olivia explained, "The exhibit is a love letter to little me who used to get up Saturday mornings to create art." She rediscovered her wonderfully weird and whimsical inner child this year in the residency. "I thought I had lost the tenacity for being odd," she added, "But it was just put away." Her weird flag is flying high and strong as ever. But that explains only one aspect of the show.
"It's also a love letter to future me, that I'm working hard to keep art in the heart of my life," she said. Olivia discovered she could apply the tools she learned in college to her play and still have joy in creating. She has proved to herself that she really does want to create art and knows now that she can do it. "I want art to be part of my life forever. It might ebb and flow but it's feasible and sustainable."
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SMAC'S Artist Alley needs Artists
The SMAC Art Center has space allotted in its Classroom for eight vendor tables on Saturday, September 16, 10-6 p.m. Vendors must be SMAC members and not have a private studio at the center already. The fee is $20 for a 6-foot table for the day. Register online at ALLEY.
Setup will be Friday, September 15, from 6-9 p.m. The tables will be arranged around the space prior to setup. None will be reserved, first come, first served. Tear down and pack up will be through the back door. Please have your items packed and ready for loading off of the back dock. Parking at our back dock is for loading and unloading only. Once you are done, please move your vehicle so others may use the spot to unload or load their merchandise.
All vendors are responsible for their own transactions. SMAC will not extract a commission from sales. Artists may retain 100% of the money they make. It is up to each vendor to be compliant with Missouri State Sales Tax. If you do not have a license to sell in Hollister, you may apply at city hall for a nominal fee. SMAC will provide a courtesy cash till for making change.
SMAC is not responsible for lost, broken, damaged or stolen goods. No animals are allowed inside the SMAC building during this event except for service animals. All vendors must vacate the building by 7 p.m., along with all personal items and merchandise.
And lastly, when choosing which art you want to sell during this event, keep the dimensions of the small space in mind.
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Free Open Studio--Let's make Art!!!!
Have you been wanting to get involved in SMAC's 3"x3" Post-It Note Show but have never had the time? Well, mark your calendars for Monday, September 25 and make the time. Come hang out with other artists at the SMAC Center from 6-9 p.m. to create 3"x3" art. Bring your own supplies or use SMAC's. You'll have so much fun you'll have your ten required pieces to enter.
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Call for Artists for SMAC's 3"x3" Post-It Note Art Show
It's time once again to get ready for SMAC's annual 3"x3" Post-It Note Show. This is our yearly fundraiser where every piece is sold for an affordable price, just $5 each. All art sales will be split equally between SMAC and the artist. We are seeking miniature art that is presented on a standard size (3” x 3” square) sticky note, canvas, wood or paper of any color. Mixed media is welcome. Keep in mind we hang with sticky tack so keep pieces a light weight. We will not make special exceptions for hanging difficult pieces.
Each participating artist has until Sunday, October 1, to create a minimum of 10 pieces of art. Dropoff at SMAC is from 1-5 p.m. that day. Each piece must have the artist's name written legibly on the back along with their phone number or contact information.
The show will run from October 6-28. The opening night reception is on October 6, 6-9. SMAC will sell early bird tickets for $10 a ticket for anyone who wants to shop during the hour before the doors are open to the public. Sales are first come, first serve, and many have wanted to get in early to make sure they claimed their favorites. Cash at the door is the preferred method of payment for early bird tickets.
Any unsold art may be picked up Saturday, October 28, 12:30-5 p.m. Any unsold art not picked up after two weeks of the show closing becomes the property of SMAC.
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Join a Fun Night of Drawing Cosplayers
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The next Cosplay Figure Drawing event will be September 26, 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 Rosie the Riveter came to model for the drawing enthusiasts. 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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Glaze a Ceramic Pumpkin with Julie Zetina
Get ready for fall with this fun ceramic glazing workshop with Julie Zetina on Thursday, September 28, from 6-9 p.m. First you will get to choose a ceramic pumpkin that Julie had hand thrown. Each pumpkin will have unique and slight variations due to the hand throwing process.
Then Julie will guide you through a series of glazing possibilities and techniques. Once you know your options you may glaze to your heart’s content. Your pumpkin will be unique to you and may or may not resemble the example shown. Once done, the pumpkins will be kiln fired and returned to the art center for pickup on Thursday, October 5, between 6-7 p.m.
The workshop fee of $55 covers all materials and is nonrefundable. If you are a Hollister resident, you will receive a 50% discount ($27.50) thanks to a generous grant from the City of Hollister Parks and Recreation Department. This workshop is for adults and children 8 and up (under 12 must have an adult chaperone. Register at PUMPKIN, but don't wait long. Class size is limited, and registration closes September 27.
***The pumpkins in the above graphics show mere examples. Your pumpkin will be unique to you.
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Art of Photography: Artist Call
for the November Exhibit
Details at PHOTO
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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
Jessica Farmer: Board Member At-Large
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