Wednesday, February 25, 2026

March 1st Meeting and Downers Grove Exhibit

MEETINGS

March 1 -Noon - 2:30 with clean up until 3pm Nancy Castner runs meeting

Presenter Laura Smetana, Children's Book Author & Illustrator

Laura loves creating bright, joyful cut-paper watercolor collages inspired by nature. Laura will share the story behind a few of her books including, My Love for You is Like a Garden and My Love for You Is LIke the Night Sky, both of which feature vivid cut-paper watercolor collages, followed by a demonstration of her collage technique. Then Laura will lead a card making cut-paper collage activity. By the end of the session, you'll have a few unique cards that you can give to friends and family. 

Materials needed: collage papers (if you would like to use watercolored papers, please paint a selection of papers in varying colors in advance), scissors, a pencil, glue stick and your enthusiasm!  A selection of small scrapbook collage papers and cardstock will be provided.

 

April 12 - Noon - 2:30  Exquisite Corpse Committee will be presenting a fun group activity 

about Exquisite Corpse and what that is all about and hand out the set of  8 x 8 wood panels 

for those members that signed up for this project. What is scheduled already for an exhibit of the Exquisite Corpse will be November 2026 at Indian Prairie Public Library.  

Please take a look at our Blog for added information about Exquisite Corpse games and about the Surrealist.

 

MEMBERSHIP

Membership for 2026 – 2027 renews on April 1. Please make checks payable to Midwest
Collage Society in the amount of $20. If you are also interested in joining the National Collage
Society, dues are an additional $35.
A membership form, Hit the tab above MCS Logo 

Please send the completed form and your check to:
Midwest Collage Society
c/o Joan Petranovich
1513 Maple Ave
Downers Grove IL 60515
If you have any questions, please contact Joan at 630-512-0141 or dijitize@aol.com.

EXHIBITS

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

It will be earlier in 2026 due to a special traveling exhibit on the Holocaust that the 

DG Library was selected to host.  Kudos to the library. Let your creativity flow, 

the exhibit drop off on Feb. 28th is almost here.  The prospectus is attached.

Schedule for this exhibit:
Drop off on Saturday, February 28 from 10 - 11 a.m.
Run dates March 6-April 7, 2026
Pick up on Saturday, April 11 from 10 - 11 a.m.
Reception Sunday, March 8th, 2pm to 4pm.

Following is the list of those who have signed up to bring: treats to share:

Nancy Castner             Veggie Tray

Joan Petranovich         Cheese Tray

Adrienne Austin            Sweet Treats

Ellen Myers                   Cookies

Nancy Staczak              Veggie Straws

Laura Lein-Svensner     Nuts

Joan Lucht                     Cookies

Please send an email to Nancy Castner at designsbynanc@gmail.com 

to add your contribution to the list. Sign-up will also be available at the

 MCS March 1st meeting.

 

Future Exhibit

August 28 through October 23, at the Holmstad in Batavia. 

We will need to hang the exhibit ourselves and we are looking for a volunteer. 

This will be a juried exhibit. Theme to be announced in upcoming newsletters. 

Adrienne Austin and Joan Lucht will take the lead. 

 

FALL CREATIVE ARTISTS RETREAT

Don't miss the next one!  September 23 to 27,  2026

 

MEMBERS

Laura Lein-Svencner will teach Friday Fusion Spring Collage Class

Mar 13th-April 17th at Naperville Art League,10:30-1:00 6 Weeks
Call to register at 630-355-2530 or register online at Naperville Art League Classes

Monday, December 29, 2025

Heading into the New Year~ 2026

 

MEETINGS

Many thanks to Nancy Swingle for organizing our holiday party complete with 

good food, good presents and good friends!

 

January - No meeting!

Note the Date Change was Feb. 1st, police station needs room for training. We are cleared to meet  February 8th  - 9:30am - 2:30pm Workday Member needed to run meeting

 

March 1 -Noon - 2:30 with clean up until 3pm Nancy Castner runs meeting

Presenter Laura Smetana, Author & Illustrator 
Laura loves creating bright, joyful cut-paper watercolor collages inspired by nature.  

Her latest author-illustrated book My Love for You is Like the Night Sky, is a companion 

to the award winning, Kirkus-starred, My Love for You Is Like a Garden. 

These are in addition to other published award winning books.  

A supply list will be included in the March MCS Newsletter.     

 

EXHIBITS

MCS will be exhibiting at the Downers Grove Library.  It will be earlier in 2026 due to a 

special traveling exhibit on the Holocaust that the DG Library was selected to host.  

Kudos to the library. Let your creativity flow, the exhibit drop off on Feb. 28th will be here 

before you know it and we won't have a newsletter in February.  The prospectus is attached.
Schedule for this exhibit:
Drop off on Saturday, February 28 from 10 - 11 a.m.
Run dates March 6-April 7, 2026
Pick up on Saturday, April 11 from 10 - 11 a.m.
Reception: TBD

 

Future Exhibit?

There is an opportunity to exhibit at Covenant Living at the Holmstad Creative Arts Center

in Batavia. We would need at least one member to help coordinate and hang the show 

and commitment from our members. If you are interested please reply to this newsletter with 

number of pieces you would exhibit.  

 

FALL CREATIVE ARTISTS RETREAT

Don't miss the next one!  September 23 to 27,  2026

 

MEMBERS

The New Year is almost here and with that is an opportunity to explore yourself through the 

creative act of a Vision board.  
Laura Lein-Svencner will be presenting a 1-Day Workshop at McCord Gallery 

January 10th 2026 9:30am-3:30 If interested check out the link and sign up Here  

Laura will also be teaching Friday Fusion Collage
January 23 - February 27, 2026 (10:30am-1:00pm) 6 Fridays
Register with Naperville Art League
508 N. Center Street, Naperville IL

Working with the Winter season and richness of color in our natural surroundings, students

will learn how to collage with the process of tacking down  collage paper with a house iron

instead of wet glue. Focus is on the shading and shadowing of the papers. We will create

our own collage papers from repurposed sources of found papers.

 

Monday, December 8, 2025

Exploring Exquisite Corpse

 


                                    

As a game or a project watch this video to see the basic of this fun project that can spark inspiration for other ways to display the head, body and feet. 



                                        


Barb's Sample and more to come at March and April's meeting. 
Make sure you come and sign up if you would like to be part of the group projects. Each MCS Member will receive a set of 3- 8 x 8 wood panels to work with.  
November 2026 exhibit of them and other works of MCS Members will be exhibited at Indian Prairie Public Library. 


Wednesday, December 3, 2025

MCS Holiday Gathering and Monthly Meeting

 MEETINGS 🎄🎁


December 7   Noon - 2:30 Holiday Party (Nancy Swingle - organizer)
Holiday Party will be held at the Darien Police Department
1710 Plainfield Rd, Darien, IL 60561

Hope everyone will be able to come.
We will be having a potluck luncheon.  Here is the list from the last meeting
 of what people are bringing:
Savory
Nancy Swingle-Sloppy Joes and buns 
Liz W.-Black Bean Salad 
Nancy C.-Something Dairy Free 
Joan P.-Cheese Board 
Nancy Staszak-Veggies 
Margi-Fruit Salad
Joan L-Coleslaw
Sweet
Jerri
Adrienne
Barb T.-something gluten free
Small Waters
Nancy Castner
We also have fun with our grab bag, which is a handmade gift or 
art supplies with a value of 15$.  Please no ornaments in the grab
 bag, we all have plenty of those. Also, if you wish to not be in the
 grab bag, that is certainly fine, no pressure.
Looking forward to the party and seeing everyone!

January - No Meeting 
February 1 - Member needed to open/close and run the meeting
 for our workday in February         
 
FALL CREATIVE ARTISTS RETREAT
Don't miss the next one!  September 23 to 27,  2026

MEMBERS
The New Year is almost here and with that is an opportunity 
to explore yourself through the creative act of a Vision board.  
Laura Lein-Svencner will be presenting a 1-Day 
Workshop at McCord Gallery January 10th 2026 9:30am-3:30 
if interested check out the link and sign up Here  

Laura will also be teaching Friday Fusion Collage
January 23 - February 27, 2026 (10:30am-1:00pm) 6 Fridays
508 N. Center Street, Naperville IL
Working with the Winter season and richness of color in 
our natural surroundings, students 
will learn how to collage with the process of 
tacking down collage paper with a house iron 
instead of wet glue. Focus is on the shading
 and shadowing of the papers. We will create 
our own collage papers from repurposed sources
 of found papers.

MCS COMMITTEE
Membership and Treasurer - Joan Petranovich dijitize@aol.com
Communications - Joan Lucht  joan.of.art33@gmail.com  
Creative Retreat - Joan Lucht and a very nice volunteer ☺️
Andrea Fox   jnafox@comcast.net
Nancy Castner   designsbynanc@gmail.com

Thursday, October 30, 2025

November's MCS Meeting

 

 Novembers Meeting 



November 9 (Second Sunday!) Noon - 2:30 - Presenter Laura Lein-Svencner (Laura Lein-Svencner runs meeting) If you are planning on coming to the meeting,  please let Laura know by sending an email   lonecrow4@gmail.com



Holiday Party






December 1   Noon - 2:30 Holiday Party (Nancy Swingle - organizer)
Nancy swingle will be in charge of the Holiday party this year.  We will be celebrating at the Darien Police Department.  She will be bringing her Great Aunt Bessie's Sloppy Joe's and buns.  She will have a list at the November meeting for everyone to bring something to add to the party, either a sweet or savory goodie. Or email her nswingle@myyahoo.com
Also, we will be having our Grab Bag, with a value of $15.00.  Handmade treasures or supplies, but please no ornaments, we all have plenty of those!

Member needed to open/close and run the meeting for our workday in February         

 
FALL CREATIVE ARTISTS RETREAT
Don't miss the next one!  September 23 to 27,  2026


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MEMBERS

 Laura Lein-Svencner is offering  50% off her Online classes at www.lonecrowstudio.com
Just enter the coupon code 2025HALFOFF upon your check out.

Joan Lucht is selling a papermaking kit 
with a blender and an easel for $25 each.
Reply to this Newsflash if interested.

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EXHIBIT OF INTEREST
Please see attached info regarding an upcoming exhibit by The Collage Sisthas Collaborative  taking place at Water Street Studios in Batavia.