Exhibiting Information for all Members

Process of presenting a Group Art Exhibit 
Presenting an exhibit to the public as a solo venue is tough work. Then working with  a group of 20 or more individuals.  When there is good  supportive leaders and chairpersons to guide these kind of ingredients makes for a very strong group.

The Midwest Collage Society has been exhibiting their work from the very start of its existence.  Educating the public and its members on how to produce collage as a fine art.

Exhibit committee chairpersons scout out venues that would allow a group of artists like us to exhibit. It is a plus for a venue to have a group show because of all the individuals showing there, more people viewing the work from each artist family and friends.   It’s a Win, Win for both artists and galleries. 

The work that this involves is massive and over the year’s member of the MCS members have stepped up to this job willing and whole hardheartedly for the group.  Being flexible and learning that each venue will be a different environment to handle from the curator/director in charge to the hanging and advertising of the exhibit. Other committees flow their lead with communications, publicity and hospitality etc.

From coordinating dates for drop-off and pick-ups to the dates for a reception they have to be negotiated. After this information is gathered the task of getting this information to the members in a timely fashion is important to give everyone time to create new works or shuffle their schedules.

Artist statements are needed along with images for publicity and other advertising needs. This job has to be passed on to the members. And they do need to understand the importance to respond to this as soon as possible the opportunities as a group and flow depends on the cooperation to run smoothly. In the exhibit world there are set times to publicize in a timely fashion and we do depend on that for people to see our work.

Besides education our members on new and different techniques we provide the exhibiting opportunities so we have a dual purpose. Some of our meetings are set up to help the members with photographing their work and writing statements about their work. This really is an opportunity that shouldn't be passed up. Some of us don’t need to use this service but others do and it only cost a few dollars each meeting, such a deal!

 Meetings and more meetings might need to be done with the curator or gallery director by the exhibit chairpersons.  And once the dates are settled the next step is to send out and information to the members, which now will be posted on the blog for easy reference.   So as a member we need you all  to do your part and keep checking blog - be ready and aware for the action called upon you.

All the jobs in this society and memberships are done by volunteers and over the years it is something all our members worked hard at fulfilling and with pride.


Speaking about pride or should it be our reputation that has been our strongest. As a group we have been coming into an exhibit venue smoothly and leave smoothly. Sticking to very low drama… So that someday we can be invited back, and this has happened many times we  sticking to our mission, educate the public about Collage as a Fine Art."

Definition of Collage for Exhibits

In its purest form, collage is the gluing of paper to another material.  Cut or torn pieces of paper are affixed to a base of paper, canvas or wood.  The composition may be figurative, abstract, simple or complex.  Collages may include found papers such as book pages, newspaper clippings, magazine photos, shipping labels or junk mail  They may also include other generally flat items such as cloth, metal, wire, mesh, photographs, leaves, or leather.  Most contemporary collage artists work with acrylic paints and mediums as they lend themselves to a layered approach and have the benefit of drying quickly.

Assemblage is the gathering together and assembling of a number of three dimensional objects into a composition.  Pieces may be freestanding or constructed inside a container such as a box, discarded drawer or shipping crate.  Work may be created using a single material such as wood or metal, or may bring together a large variety of objects like old toy and doll parts, household items, clothing jewelry and photographs.  Items are usually glued, soldered welded or wired together.

Mixed media refers to a work of art that was created using more than one art medium: an ink drawing combined with watercolor or a pencil drawing on top of an acrylic background.  It is used to describe work that combines multiple techniques and media: a stretched canvas covered with papers, paint, cloth, leaves and wired mesh, or a wood panel collaged with papers, texture with plaster or molding paste and then painted.  They may be more three-dimensional than a traditional collage.


Please read all information and refresh yourself to the process so that we have a smooth drop off and pick up at each exhibit. 



Exhibit Info

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