December's Newsletter

 Hi MCS Members,

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you all.  

Many thanks to Rachel Weaver Rivera for presenting the workshop on November 3rd.  Rachel shared her expertise and amazing ephemera with us as we created unique portraits.  It was an enlightening experience.

Our Holiday Party has been changed from a catered event at the Police Station to returning to The Patio, 7440 Kingery (Rt. 82), Darien, IL on December 1st.. In order to beat the crowd to purchase our meal, the Holiday Party will begin at 11:30 am.   We will once again have a gift exchange where you either make a gift or purchase an art related gift. No Ornaments.  This is voluntary so bring a gift and get a gift or you can choose not to participate.  Things are happening very quickly this year with Thanksgiving on Thursday followed by the MCS party on Sunday so mark your calendars accordingly.  See you soon.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Chris Jacobson on Sunday December 15th held at Cadence Kitchen, 501 Mochel Dr., Downers Grove, IL from 2-5 pm.

Many, many thanks to Bonnie Jaswith who has agreed to take on the Midwest Collage Society Temporary Exhibit Chair.  Yea Bonnie!

We do not meet in January so stay cozy and warm at home on January 5th and join us again on February 2nd for a workday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. This is a great time to be creating art.  Remember we have the exhibit in April at the Downers Grove Library.  Just Do It!

Take care,

Nancy Castner

MCS President

MEETINGS

December 1 - 11:30   Holiday party at The Patio, 7440 Kingery (Rt. 82), Darien, IL

There will be a voluntary gift exchange where you either make a gift or purchase an art related gift, but please, no ornaments. You can choose not to participate. 

January 2025 - No meeting

February - 12:30pm to 2:30pm - Origami Dresses presented by Nancy Swingle. Use them in collage pieces, cards, etc

EXHIBITS

Our next exhibit is at the Downers Grove Library  April 10 - May 11

Drop-off  Saturday, April 5 (10 - noon)

Pick-up Saturday, May 17 (10 - noon). 

As of now there are no other show’s scheduled unless someone decides to pick up the mantle and take over the job of exhibit chairman. 

Bonnie Jaswith has agreed to take on the Midwest Collage Society Temporary Exhibit Chair.

 

FALL CREATIVE ARTISTS RETREAT

Save the date September 24-28, 2025 for our next special retreat at Camp Alexander Mack.

We look forward to our next time together making art, attending workshops,  enjoying nature and marveling at the beautiful sunsets. Tania Blanco and Joan Lucht are co-chairs for the 2025 retreat and encourage everyone to begin promoting this affordable 5 day retreat of creatives. Space is limited to 25. Registration forms will be available early in the new year.

 

MEMBERS

There will be a Celebration of Life for Chris Jacobson on Sunday December 15th held at Cadence Kitchen, 501 Mochel Dr., Downers Grove, IL from 2-5 pm.

2024 Juried Exhibit, 40th Annual National Collage Society

 

Check out the Award winners,  2024 Juried Exhibit

Heading in to Fall and MCS meetings

 Hi MCS Members,

Oh what a luscious fall we are experiencing.  The cool nights and warm days are so appreciated.  They are accompanied by the trees creating the beautiful fall colors we are experiencing.  Be sure to get outdoors whenever you can, it makes living joyous.

At our November 3rd meeting, Rachel Weaver Rivera will be presenting a workshop that has the power to impact our lives in many ways.  It will be time well spent.

It is with a heavy heart I am sharing that our Exhibit Chair, Chris Jacobson unexpectedly passed away on October 21st.  Chris was an amazing artist in all media, always excited to try something new.  With her generous spirit she shared her wonderful talents including providing workshops for us at MCS.  She was so full of life and love, she brought light when she would enter a room.  Her delightful sense of humor and laugh were infectious.  Chris will be missed so much.  Memorial information is not available at this time.

Take care,

Nancy Castner

MEETINGS

November 3   12-2:30 - Rachael Rivera, an artist and therapist, will present a workshop on feminine portraits emphasizing the profound impact of creativity on well being and empowerment.  

Bring table cover and general supplies; scissors, pencil, etc.

December 1 - 12 - 2:30 Holiday party at the Darien Police Station. Details in December Newsflash

January 2025 - No meeting

EXHIBITS

Our next exhibit is at the Downers Grove Library in April. 

As of now there are no other show’s scheduled unless someone decides to pick up the mantle and take over the job of exhibit chairman.

FALL CREATIVE ARTISTS RETREAT

Save the date September 24-28, 2025 for our next special retreat at Camp Alexander Mack.

We look forward to our next time together making art, attending workshops,  enjoying nature and marveling at the beautiful sunsets 

  

 MEMBERS

Laura Lein-Svencner is having her annual 50% off sale on all her online classes. This sale ends December 19th and you need a Code - all caps,  WHATHALFOFF when you check out there is a space to fill this in. Head over to Lonecrow Studio for this Sale of the Year. You might want to take a look at the site and see all the extras before you look at the classes. There are some free classes too..     

Call for Art

 

SANCTUARY Call for Entries Artists are invited to submit entries that illustrate or portray the theme of Sanctuary. Places or times, objects or thoughts of calm, peace, quiet, isolation, fellowship, friendship. Creativity or rest. Freedom and release, safety and refuge. Protection. Asylum. Recovery. Drawing in, holding close.  Sharing. Silence or voices joined in celebration, prayer, work. Possible directions – home, places of worship, faraway journeys, hidden forest trails, your workshop, studio, kitchen, bedroom, family dining table, nursery, classroom, gym, golf course, garden. Caring for pets, reading in a favorite chair, performing  on a theatre stage, playing a musical instrument.  The symbols of your escape - telescopes, hiking boots,  running shoes, maps, trains, planes. Driving alone in your car. Floating on the water. Writing in your personal journal.  Sharing your secrets with a best friend over lunch.   Shelter from storms, noise, conflict, loss, pain. Incubator. Laboratory. Places and times to refresh,  rediscover, reconsider, recreate. Objects that inspire renewal.  Rebirth. Deadline for Entries: Saturday, November 30, 2024 Exhibit Dates: January 18 – February 22, 2025 Look for Rules, Dates, Fees, etc. in upcoming mails.

Tall Grass Arts Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest, IL 60466 www.tallgrassarts.org  708 748 3377 Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11am - 4pm each day.

Collage Retreat and Moving Forward into Fall

 Dear MCS Members,

The Creative Artists Retreat is now a wonderful memory.  A  huge thank you to Margi Hafer for all of her efforts to make the 2024 Creative Artists Retreat an amazing success.  The participants really showed their diverse creative abilities.  Five days of beautiful surroundings, learning new techniques, good food and the camaraderie of fellow artists.  

Many thanks to Debbie McEllenborough (Woven Collages), Donna Hacker and Jan Hurst (Calligraphy in Collage), and Chris Jacobson (Paper Bead Making) who shared their knowledge and provided mini workshops for us.  As I said last year, if we could bottle the joys, we'd be selling it by the case. 

Many thanks to Marge Boyd for showing us how to make a pen for calligraphy and how to use calligraphy in our collages at our September 8th MCS meeting. 

I hope you have had the opportunity to get to the MCS Exhibit at the Crete Library.  It is quite lovely. Congratulations to the award winners.  They are listed below under exhibits.  A reminder to pick up or arrange for your art to be picked up on October 12th from 10-12.

We won't have a meeting on October 6th so don't show up at the Darien Police Department unless you have been arrested.

At our November 3rd meeting we will have a real treat. Rachel Weaver Rivera will be presenting a workshop that has the power to impact our lives in many ways.

Take care,

Nancy Castner

President

MEETINGS

October - No Meeting

November 3 - Rachel Weaver Rivera, an artist and therapist, will be showing us her wonderful portrait collage technique.

December 1 - Holiday party at the Darien Police Station. Food will be catered.

EXHIBITS
Pick up! -  Saturday, October 12 from 10am to 12pm
The Crete Library 2nd floor,  1177 Main St.,Crete, IL 60417

Awards:

1st Place - Feather Forest Journey by Cherylyn Gnadt

2nd Place - Close Encounter by Joan Lucht

3rd Place - Crazy Quilt by Margi Hafer

Merit Awards - Shibori by Joan Lucht, Leftover Leaves by Nancy Swingle and The Professor by Chris Jacobson

Our next exhibit is at the Downers Grove Library in April. 

As of now there are no other show’s scheduled unless someone decides to pick up the mantle and take over the job of exhibit chairman.

 Chris Jacobson exhibit chairman

303-517-8165
Achristy0901@gmail.com

FALL CREATIVE ARTISTS RETREAT

Dear MCS Retreat friends
I'm sorry that I was not able to attend the MCS Retreat this year. I was looking forward to it very much! On September 11th my husband had a fall and fractured the head of his left Humerus that attaches to his shoulder.  Looks like it will take a while to heal.

Margi Hafer

Save the date September 24-28, 2025 for our next special retreat at Camp Alexander Mack.

With our 2024 retreat now in the history books we look forward to our next time together making art, attending workshops,  enjoying nature and marveling at the beautiful sunsets over the lake.  

Joan Lucht and Tania Blanco have stepped up to take Margi's place. Yes, it will take two to do the work that Margi has done for several years!  Thank you, Margi!

   
   

    

MEMBERS

Laura Lein-Svencner has a new class starting at Naperville Fine Art Center and Gallery

Floating Collage Compositions   
Oct. 31 - Dec. 12, (1:30-3:30pm)
6 weeks -Thursday Afternoons  No class 11/28/2024

$185.00     Supply Fee: $5.00 (payable to the teacher first class)

Sign up Here

Collage is about the paper, glue, and how you apply it to a surface. In this workshop  we will explore first the making of our own unique papers. From repurposing found papers to creating new marks and designs. Allowing our outer surroundings to inspire the inner works of assembling the mixture of mind and materials. Creation of a palette of papers will involve the use of many tools that may flash us back to our younger days. Though we know so much more now as adults, we may have forgotten how important it is to know the tools we are working with. Being aware of all aspects from the edges of the papers to the center of the collage work we will draw our vision into focus around the entire surface. For sure to challenge the best creative. The study of composition never grows old, working on wood panels will emphasize placement and arrangement to size and series. The wood panels will allow for insightful opportunities to add nails, tacks, thread and dangly bits.      

 

Adrienne Austin, Nancy Castner, Joan Lucht, Gale Vance, and Mary Warner are having an altered book exhibit through October at Nature’s Best Cafe in Naperville.

The cafe’s hours are Mon-Wed 7am-3pm, Thu-Sat 7am-7pm, Closed Sundays

A reception will be held Saturday, October 26 from 2 to 4pm.

Award Winners "Pieces" Crete IL

Recognized Artists of Midwest Collage Society Exhibit, 2024 Crete IL 

First Place- Cherylyn Gnadt

Feather Forest

Second Place- Joan Lucht

Close Encounter

Third Place- Margie Hafer

Crazy Quilt

Journey

September and Creative Artists Retreat info

 Hi MCS Members,

It's difficult to believe that the summer is almost over.  It has been a lovely one; warm but not too hot, enough rain to keep our plants happy and healthy and time to enjoy the delightful summer activities.  Before you know it, we'll be wearing sweaters and coats....

We have much to look forward to:  The drop off for the Crete exhibit will be on August 31 from 10-12 at the Crete Public Library, 1177 Main Street 2nd floor, Crete, IL.  Marge Boyd will be sharing how we can incorporate calligraphy into our collages at our meeting on September 8th.  That will be followed by our Creative Artists Retreat September 25-29 at Camp Mack.  If you haven't already begun packing, it's time.  This always takes longer than expected.  

Joan Petranovich has stepped up and volunteered to be the Membership Chair.  Thank you Joan.  Now we just need members to step up for the positions of Exhibit Chair, Treasurer and President. 

Take care,

Nancy Castner

MCS President

MEETINGS

September 8 - 12pm - 3pm.  Marge Boyd who is a collage artist and talented calligrapher will be showing us how to incorporate lettering in our collages.  We will make a folded pen and use inks to make marks and lettering. Bring some watercolor paper good for wet media along with the usual table covering, pencil, scissors, etc.

October - No Meeting

November 3 - Rachel Weaver Rivera, an artist and therapist, will present a workshop on feminine portraits emphasising the profound impact of creativity on well being and empowerment. 

EXHIBITS

The Crete Gallery Exhibit has had a change of address.  The new address to drop off your pieces for the September Show is: The Crete Library 2nd floor,  1177 Main St.,Crete, IL 60417.  

Drop off -  Saturday, August 31 from 10am to 12pm

Artist reception - Saturday, September 7th. 11am to 2pm

 Chris Jacobson exhibit chairman
303-517-8165
Achristy0901@gmail.com

FALL 2024 CREATIVE ARTISTS RETREAT

Save the date September 25-29 for our special retreat at Camp Alexander Mack.

Margi Hafer has sent informational emails to all Creative Retreat registrants.  There are still a couple of places available for this Fall's retreat. The cost of the retreat is a really great bargain at a cost of $350. We will accept retreat registrations until Labor Day.  
Call or email Margi and she will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the upcoming September retreat. 

We already have 22 registrants signed-up! We will have room for a total of 25 registrants this year. ROOM FOR 3 MORE PEOPLE!
You may download and print the attached information and Registration form from this email. Be sure to make your checks payable to the Midwest Collage Society.

  Painting of sunset, Lake Waubee at Camp Alexander Mack, by Margi Hafer

MEMBERS

Laura Lein-Svencner has a solo exhibit and classes starting in September:

Layered Retrospect - Solo Exhibit at North Central College, Oesterle Library Gallery and Schoenherr Gallery in the Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave, Naperville IL. Exhibit dates September 6th-October 4th, Reception Saturday September 21st 3-5pm in the Schoenherr Gallery.

Nature Scroll Sketching, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st Street Oak Brook IL 

Classes start Tuesday's Mornings starting September 10th - December 10th, 14 week long session. 9:30-12:30. Link for Information Here

Mini Abstract Collage Landscapes, Sept. 12 - Oct. 17, (1:30-3:30pm), 6 Thursdays starting at Naperville Art League, 508 North Central Ave, Link for Information Here

Margi Hafer will exhibit over 35 pieces of her art including: watercolors, collages, and small sculptures at The Vogt Visual Arts Center, 17420 67th Court, in Tinley Park, IL 

Her colorful work ranges in subjects from floral and figurative to fanciful and abstract. Margi has invited her watercolor students to join her in this exhibit by showing one of their favorite paintings they have created in class. Students participating include: Lillian Artus, Marge Boyd, Susanne Dubel, Martha Fahey, Andrea Fox, Donna Gustafson, Gloria Judge, Dee Lynch, Diane Masloroff, Pam McDonald, Stacie McGlone, Peggy Mckerral, Barbara Mier, Joyce Mistina, Linda Mitchell, Kristin Murphy, Marilyn O’Rourke, Sandy Newell, Kim Ogle, Carle Togul and Yvonne Wilamowski.

Creative Art Making will be on display during gallery hours: Saturday, September 7- Saturday, September 28, 2024
Vogt Visual Arts Gallery Hours: Tuesdays, 7-9 pm, Wednesdays, 4-7 pm, Thursdays, 11am-2pm and 7-9 pm (omit evening hours for fall season), Fridays 2-6 pm, Saturdays 11-4 pm.

Reception: Friday, September 13, 7-9p.m.

 Adrienne Austin, Nancy Castner, Chris Jacobson, Joan Lucht, Gale Vance, and Mary Warner are having two exhibits at Nature’s Best Cafe in Naperville. Collage and other media will be exhibited in September; altered books in October. The cafe’s hours are Mon-Tues 7am-3pm,    Wed-Sat 7am-7pm,       Closed Sundays