May's Happening with MCS

 Hi MCS Members,

Hope you all have had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Spring flowers and flowering trees.  All this beauty makes one appreciate being alive.

A big thank you to Beth Gollan for showing us how to make our own stamps and the easy way to do it with erasers.  So many different options were created using the same eraser.  Lucky us.  

We also had the election of officers.  The presented slate was elected and are listed at the end of the newsletter.  Thank you to all of the individuals who have agreed to give their time and efforts to now serve MCS on the Board.

At our May meeting we will be celebrating World Collage Day with Gale Vance guiding us in a meditative collage.  We will also be celebrating the founding of the Midwest Collage Society.  In April of 2003, Laura Lein-Svencner and Lu Ellen Joy Giera began this wonderful organization and Tania Blanco was instrumental in locating a venue for the meetings.  Twenty years is an amazing accomplishment.  Thank you for providing the opportunity for all of us to learn, share and grow.  MCS encourages and empowers us all to develop our creative abilities.  Hip Hip Hooray!

Thank you Chris Jacobson for all of your efforts for the fantastic display at the Downers Grove Library.  Thanks Adrienne Austin for helping to check in the art.  Thank you Nancy Swingle for coordinating the Artist Reception.  It was a delight.  Thank you to all of the artists who participated by creating and sharing your art and for bringing goodies to the reception.  

Take care,

Nancy Castner

President

MEMBERSHIP

Membership renewals were due April 1st. Form is attached which you may mail to Cherie Denton, 1789 35th Street, Apt. 6313, Oak Brook, Il 60523, or bring it to the May meeting.

MEETINGS 

SUNDAY, MAY 7:  WE WILL START OUR MEETING AT 12:15 SO THAT OUR PROGRAM CAN START PROMPTLY AT 12:30.

PLEASE, NO SWAP THIS MONTH.

May 7th 12:00 to 3:00pm

This May the Midwest Collage Society will be 20 years old!
Also National Collage Day is on the 2nd Saturday of May, this year the 13th!
So our meeting on May 7th will be a day to celebrate our creative talents.
We’ll be making collages to show a sense of self, perhaps expressing some of our thoughts and feelings, something to deepen our self-awareness, done under the direction of our own member Gale Vance.
For this meeting we’ll need to find as much time as we can to compose our collages and also have some time to discuss them with each other. So try your best to be on time. Our short meeting will start at 12:15 so that, by 12:30, Gale can get us started with a bit of reflection before working on our collages.
Supplies to bring:  

• 2 or 3 magazines to find images, words, colors,  etc.
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Table covering for your work space.
•  A couple of 8&1/2 x 11 cardstock for a substrate 

 The event was motivating for all of us present as all our MCS presenters. 

June 4th 12:00 to 3:00 - Robin Neumann will be presenting her fabulous Mandalas, with a twist, which I hope everyone will enjoy. This will be a colored pencil class.

MEMBERS

Pat Pope and Tania Blanco have been friends for 23 years after they became acquainted in a painting class at COD. They have a joint exhibit at Nature’s Best Cafe until the end of June. Please take a trip there to see the show.
1904  Brookdale Rd. Naperville, IL

Open every day except Sunday until 3 pm and Friday until 7 pm.
A great place for a healthy breakfast or lunch. Pizza oven on the premises.

MCS 20th Anniversary

Tania Blanco was instrumental in locating our first few meeting spaces.

Thank you to the Board members for their leadership and the extra volunteers who continue to show up and help in all different ways.  To see a group that has been so committed and  dedicated for 20 years is amazing. Our reputation speaks of professional quality in everything the society does. ~Laura

July - No Meeting

August 6th 9-3 - This is a workday, but Nancy Swingle will be showing anyone who is interested her beading technique for book edging.
September 11th 12:00-3:00 -  Barb Thompson will be showing her technique for her wonderful portrait collages.
October - No Meeting
November 5th 12:00-3:00 -  Margi Hafer will be showing us how to incorporate watercolor with collage.
December 3rd - Holiday Party 12:00 -3:00

EXHIBITS 

Enigma

Downers Grove Library, 1050 Curtis St., Downers Grove, IL

Pick up - Saturday, May 6  10am to 12 noon

Thank you to all who participated in the Downers Grove Library Show and especially to Nancy Swingle for taking care of the artist reception and to Adrienne Austin for help checking in all the art.  And, Nancy Swingle would like to thank all who brought goodies to the reception.

Congruent Fragments

Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery

October 2023

Our next show will be in October at The Tall Grass Gallery. The title will be “Congruent Fragments” and drop off dates will be right before Creativity Camp at the end of September.  This is a very prestigious show and I hope to get at least one entry from each of our members. The show will be judged, with prizes being ribbons and cold hard cash for 1st thru 3rd .

FALL 2023 CREATIVITY RETREAT (sponsored by Midwest Collage Society)  

Save the date for the 2023 Fall Creative Retreat. 

Wednesday, September 27 through Sunday, October 1, 2023. 

We’re excited to announce that our housing will be in the newly renovated Ulrich Lodge this Fall with a new roof and HVAC. All floors are accessible by stairs, ramp or elevator.  There are renovated bedrooms with new innerspring mattresses, All bathrooms have also been renovated and two of the bathrooms are ADA accessible. There is expanded working space (including a patio outside the lower level that overlooks the Gazebo and the lake. There is a parking lot next to the building and a walkway to the dining hall in the Welcome Center. Wi-fi is available on the site. This building will certainly be an upgrade from the facilities at Sara Major Lodge, and is the same cost. However, due to inflation, and the camps increased expenses, our registration fee has increased, but it's still a bargain!
Early bird registration fee $310. (submitted by June 4)
After June 4, registration fee is $350. 
A $200 deposit will hold your space until the final payment which is due on or before August 6th
Registration includes 11  meals, four nights accommodations and work spaces at Ulrich Lodge. Registration form is attached. You may bring your registration to the May or June meeting or mail it to Margi Hafer. She will also have some registration forms available at the meetings.

If you have questions about the retreat contact Margi Hafer 

(phone: 815-370-3345 or email: margihafer@yahoo.com)

      

       

 

MEMBERS 

Laura Lein-Svencner has many online classes to offer all levels of Creatives - beginning collage in learning about the elements and principles of design to self expression explored in hanging and rolled scrolls.
Take a look at her online Studio here - Lonecrow Studio.