Looking to improve your artistic skills? We are excited to offer a beginners' watercolor painting class for adults at the Library next month!

The class will run from 5.30 - 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, November 2 at the Library.

Instructor Veronica Morgan is an experienced artist and teacher whose artworks have been featured and won prizes in many local venues, including Tulip Time, Windmill Island Gardens and the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. Veronica will guide participants in the essential elements of watercolor painting and each of them will create a watercolor landscape painting to take home.

This class is free, and all materials will be provided, but in order to offer the best instructional experience, space is strictly limited. We will be creating a waitlist and may add a second program date if there is sufficient interest.

Please call the Library at 857-8241 during business hours, or email info@sdlibrary.org to reserve your spot. Please include your full name, email address and phone number in your request.

September 8 - September 29
Opening Exhibition: Thursday, September 7, 4 - 6pm
We invite you to join us, September 7, for the opening reception of our September pocket gallery showcasing various acrylic paintings by Carolyn Jeffers.
South Haven Center for the Arts, 600 Phoenix Street, South Haven, MI 49090
About the artist:
Carolyn Jeffers started painting and taking many art classes in middle and high school. In the mid nineties, after taking some time away from art, getting married, and starting a family, she attended a decorative painting class that her friend was teaching and fell in love with the art process all over again. After this she joined the Michigan Grapevine Decorative Painters chapter, and went to state and national painting conventions. Dabbling in watercolor before ultimately deciding that she was more suited and comfortable with acrylic. Carolyn Jeffers says "I will continue painting as long as I am able and/or creating with my hands as that is one of my joys in this life."

From a September 7, 2023 John Leben press release:
This apocalyptic painting is a sobering vision of what our world may look like in 50 years if we don’t get a grip on Global Warming.  Conceived and created in 2023, "It's Come to This" has hit the art world by storm.  Right out of the gates it has been accepted at three major art exhibitions this Fall.
The biggest version of this piece, a massive seven foot tall by 10 foot wide triptych is destined for the Fountain Street Church for Grand Rapids ArtPrize running September 14 - October 1.
The same digital painting, in a smaller 36x36 inch size, has coincidentally been chosen for exhibit at two other area shows; the 94th Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition at the Muskegon Museum of Art, September 28 - November 8 and the 2023 Holly Palmer Memorial Art Exhibition of Michigan Artists at the Holland Area Arts Council October 6 - November 11. For the first time ever, I am offering Limited Edition prints of this new work before the original piece starts its exhibition tour this Fall.  Square Format Limited Edition Prints are now available online in various sizes, media types and framing options.  To own the first print in the edition before ArtPrize even begins is a highly coveted collectors item.  After all, true collectors love when the art on their wall tells a unique story.  Edition numbers will be assigned in the order the purchases are made.

Shop “It’s Come to This”
Please note:  The large scale triptych will be available for purchase after ArtPrize at the beginning of October.  Please contact me directly at jleben@lebenart.com to discuss pricing and installation options for your space.

Carrie Andrews is the Featured Artist at J. Petter Gallery this Saturday, September 2.
Join her and explore the gallery from 4 till 6 pm. Refreshments! Wine! Cheese! Art!
J. Petter Galleries, Saugatuck Annex,
403 Water Street, Saugatuck Michigan.
https://jpettergalleries.com/events

Holly Willson will also be exhibiting her art at Brave art Studios And Gallery in Allegan Michigan the month of September.
Email at artist at hollycwillson@gmail.com

Thursday, September 7, 2023
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, September 8 & 9, 2023
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Free entry

Calling all art lovers and collectors!
Do you have some old paintings collecting dust in storage? No room for a sculpture? Or an old art book that you no longer read? The South Haven Center for the Arts' ReArt Sale is the perfect place to donate these old but gold treasures!

We accept donations of gently used paintings, sculptures, glass, fine jewelry, Chinaware, frames, art books, antiques, vintage treasures, and other fine decor. (But no clothing please.)
This is not only a time for donating but also re-purposing and re-homing these wonderful items! Buy and decorate your homes with the items donated in this unique fundraiser! Don't miss out on these great finds and the chance to support the South Haven Center for the Arts' mission of enriching our community through the arts.test
Accepting Donations starting August 16th through September 3rd!Drop off your donations
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.,
and Thursday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Your donations are tax deductible and 100% of the funds raised goes to the South Haven Center for the Arts to help provide further opportunities for the community to explore, discover, experience, and learn about the arts.

Thank you to all those who continue to donate and support the ReArt sale!

Please call (269) 637-1041 or email us at info@southhavenarts.org if you have questions.
We are grateful for your support!

The City of Fennville will dedicate the outdoor bronze sculpture entitled Clock V by Kalamazoo artist Richard Light located in Hutchinson Park adjacent to the U.S. Post office and the clock tower, 5:30 pm, Thursday, August 17. The artist’s intent was to tell the story of a working woman who is a “clock watcher”. She checks the time often as she grapples with work and family responsibilities. The abstract style is similar to the art produced in the 1930’s and 1940’s when women found themselves in new roles, filling the jobs once performed by the men who had been called to war.   
One of the local significant examples of this history is when the cannery located in downtown Fennville needed to recruit women workers. A version of a photo of the cannery’s workers may be viewed in the Fennville District Library’s exhibit Her Story, Then and Now: A Snapshot of Women in Fennville. The public is welcome to view the exhibit before walking over to the park for the dedication. This exhibit is a collaboration with the library and the Fennville Women’s Club and closes Monday, August 21.
Club member, Rebecca Crane has gathered oral histories from family members of some of the women who worked at the cannery and will share a few of these stories during the dedication. Some of the workers’ family members have also committed to attend and to share their memories when their grandmothers, mothers, or aunts had to step in and become” clock watchers”. A panoramic photo of the cannery women workers can be found hanging on the wall of Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant and Winery in Fennville.
Stories shared with Rebecca Crane include a memory relayed by Janice Hagger Orent, daughter to Frances Haan Hagger (b. 1919 d.2004) who worked on the canning line during the fruit and vegetable seasons. "The sharpest memory I have, involved me washing a lot of white aprons and gloves that Mother brought home from work. It seems odd now that the women were responsible for the washing of their aprons. And I always associated that canning factory whistle with her coming home soon!" Edie Foreman Cochran, daughter of Margaret Foreman told Rebecca Crane that her mother worked at the canners in the 40's.  She told Rebecca Crane, “The women had to wear white uniform dresses and aprons and when they were into the beets, they would go home looking like they'd been murdered from the beet juice.  They would then have to get the dresses and aprons white again for the next work day!” 
Sculpture donors Garry Lee McCormick (area artist) and John V. Hall will be present at the dedication as will Maryjo Lemanski, local art expert who introduced the donors to Fennville’s community leaders. Garry Lee McCormick and John Hall began to collect art in the early 80’s and upon Light’s death were able to obtain many of his pieces. They are excited to help Fennville celebrate the many contributions made by the women of Fennville through their gift to the city.
Following the dedication ceremony, the public is welcome to enjoy the downtown social district offerings and the summer outdoor concert beginning at 6:30 pm at 125 S Maple Street. In case of inclement weather, the dedication ceremony and concert will be held at the library.

For more information contact
bethcharlesart@gmail.com

Holly and Bill Willson at Studio 66 and Sue Flanagan at Pine Tree Studio are having a joint open house on Father’s Day, June 18th. Both studios will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Studio 66 is located at 4071 66th Street in Holland. Pine Tree Studio is just 3 miles north on the corner of 66th street and 146th Ave (6596 146th St. Holland). This is an exhibition dedicated to celebrating the Michigan landscape and lifestyle in different media. It is free and all are welcome!

• Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10, 2023
  
• 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (1 hour lunch break)
• $225

Soft Pastels provide the most direct flow of pigment from human hand to paper of almost any medium, and the beautiful hues available are pretty darn exciting.  In this 2-day workshop, you will learn how to start painting with this wonderful medium, and of course that includes choosing a good subject, creating a pleasing composition and recording proper values to create a lovely piece of finished art.  
Day 1:  We will learn basic mark-making and other practices after a demo or two, discussing related elements.  Each student will begin and complete a pastel painting.  
Day 2:  We will review first day and instructor will field any questions/concerns. Then we will begin and complete at least one other painting on that final day. You may bring your own photos - that you've taken - to use on the second day (subject to discussion with instructor) for your final painting(s). If you don't have any suitable source photos, the instructor will have some for you to use.

MATERIALS TO BRING:
Students will provide their own materials. A supply list will be sent out prior to the workshop.
Contact Pickle Street School Studio to register.
https://www.picklestreetschool.com/contactCall or email Joy Richmond at 616.896.9090 or
jrichmon@sbcglobal.net

Photography Workshop URL:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/capizzo-photography-workshop-with-kenny-ingle-tickets-606013632087

The Art Club produces two Fairs in July, and we are looking for a manager for our 2024 fairs and beyond. It is a paid contract position and involves the following: Preparing the website, map and applications, advertising, applying for permits, jurying, assigning and organizing the booths, working with the city and shuttle company, setting up parking, refreshments, volunteers, and managing everyone on the day of the Fair. An organized person with good people management skills is important. If you are interested in knowing more, please contact Aron Lowe at aronlowe@hotmail.com 616-255-2043. If contacting after May 15, please contact Betsy York at byork832@gmail.com or 510-504-2155.
 

2023 Spring Plein Air Painting Retreat 
Space is limited, reserve your spot soon.
Online registration is now open for our Spring Plein Air Painting Retreat. Hope you will join us!
https://www.cedarcreekinstitute.org/forms/view.php?id=420318 

If you live in the area or are just painting with us for the day, you are welcome to order meals. The online form for the meals only option will be coming out soon.
Richard Jordan
217 W. Westwood
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Cell: 269-501-4383
Email: artistrichardjordan@gmail.com

The Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC) Network is looking for artists interested in painting one (or more) 50 gallon rain barrels that will be installed at businesses in downtown Saugatuck and Douglas from June-September 2023. These rain barrels are designed to be functional art; barrels will capture rainwater, educate and inspire the public about protecting water quality through personal eco-behaviors, as well as provide an aesthetically-pleasing outdoor public installation in towns that have such a rich history of, and appreciation for, art. Designs depicted on the barrels must relate to the Restoration and Preservation of the Kalamazoo River and the Surrounding Environment. Artists would receive the primed barrels and some related supplies mid-May, and would need to return the completed barrels by the beginning of June. The number of barrels is limited, and participation is on a first-come basis. Participating artists will have their name included on educational signage adjacent to their barrel, viewable by the public for the entirety of its installation on a downtown building. If you are interested, please fill out this interest form: https://forms.gle/VBzCHVoFFmLsRSnLA, and someone will contact you with further information. Interested artists should make sure to have their name submitted by March 17, 2023, (though submission of your interest form by this date does not guarantee there will be available space within the project). For more info about the ODC Network, visit outdoordiscovery.org. Email Sarah Irvin, at sarahi@outdoordiscovery.org, with questions about the project.

https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/proposals-sought-for-murals-2d-installations-at-gerald-r-ford-intl-airport