October 4th Program

“Mystery Build” Collage/Assemblage Challenge

Midwest Collage Society Program

October 4, 2015

For this challenge, we will each create a 3-D mixed media collage piece using the materials we receive in a mystery box.Each participant will bring a box containing various items as suggested below. We will then draw numbers to pick a mystery box to work on. At the end of the meeting we will vote on our favorite piece and a prize will be awarded to the winner.

Each Mystery Box must contain:

• One base suitable for collage/assemblage such as:

• Cigar box • Shadow box • Old drawer • Small shelf

• Small stand or mantelpiece • Triptych • Picture frame with back • Etc. etc. Use your imagination!

         • 12-15 found objects such as:

• Metal parts or hardware • Fasteners or hinges • Toy or game pieces • Bottle caps • Old keys • Old jewelry pieces • Letters, typewriter keys etc.

• Beads, buttons, brads, sequins • Wire, string, yarn, cord or ribbon • Scraps of fabric or trim • Natural items such as twigs, bark, pinecones, stones or shells • Etc. etc. Use your imagination!

•

• Five (5) collage papers of different types

RULES:

1)

Participants should bring their own paints and adhesives to use and any papers they wish to use in addition to the paper provide in the box.

2)

Participants are required to use a minimum of 10 objects in the box and at least 3 of the 5 collage papers provided in the box.

3)

Participants may also use any additional collage paper of their own.

Click Here for a Printable Copy

Recap from August meeting and changes for Novembers meeting.

Thanks Fabra DiPaolo and Elaine Rath for sharing great ideas with us at our work day on Sunday!
Also to Ben Cooley for photographing our artwork.

Attached below are the particulars for our “Mystery Build” Assemblage Challenge scheduled for the October meeting. This handout will also be available at the retreat. 

Mystery Build Project 

* * PLEASE NOTE:  DATE CHANGE FOR NOVEMBER MEETING! * *
November meeting has been rescheduled to October 25 , 2015 due to Field Trip. 

The November program will be a field trip to the Mexican Fine Arts Museum in the Pilsen neighborhood on Sunday, October 25th, followed by lunch at a local Mexican Restaurant.

We have scheduled a guided tour of the museum and their “Day of the Dead” exhibit at 11:00 a.m., led by a member of the museum’s Education Department. (Tours are not available on our regular meeting date of Nov. 1^st, the actual Day of the Dead, due to large attendance expected that day).  

Please email Maureen McDonald at mcsox@aol.com if you plan on attending.  Members can coordinate for carpooling and rides will be available.

Chicago Tribune-Midwest Collage Society, Exhibit-"Reflections Within and Beyond

See Article here or read below

If  the word "collage" evokes images of grade school projects using magazine pictures, you're in for a tremendous surprise when you see the imagination, creativity and artistic talent conveyed in the diverse collages created by 35 participating artists from the Midwest Collage Society. Come see "Reflections Within and Beyond" in the Kavanagh Gallery at Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles, Sept. 2 through Oct. 10. A reception will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 2 to 4 pm.

Reflected images, observations, impressions, feelings and more were all contributing factors in some of the most extraordinary collages you've ever seen. Using a wide range of materials including handmade papers, found objects, twigs, feathers, paint, fabric and more, the works of art in this exhibit illustrate what the artists most yearn to express.

Artist Sally Tibbetts from Mt. Prospect, IL said her work is inspired by almost everything: nature, mood, cloudy day, sunny day, sometimes a poem or music.

"Inspiration comes from everywhere for me. I do a lot of photography and take walks with my camera, finding the 'undiscovered' and merging (the images) into my collages," Tibbetts said. "Usually I start with an acrylic wash and begin to build layers using hand made papers, magazines, stamps, crayons, acrylics, strings -- well, pretty much anything that falls into my path. I love crows and they appear in lots of my pieces."

Each collage artist's works are unique unto themselves, and inspiration comes in many different forms, depending on the artist.

"The natural world is a very holy, mysterious place for me. There are layers and layers of life and energy which surround us with love and support," said artist Rachelle Barmann of Naperville, IL. "I duplicated the trees (in the pieces in this show) intuitively, later discovering that I had created a Tree of Life, an image rich in spiritual symbolism and meaning. I see the tree now as symbolic of grounding, support and strength, of the layers of life and circumstances and yet the constancy of who we are in the world."

Even the process and the materials used may vary greatly, from artist to artist. Barmann actually makes a collage and then transforms it into a uniquely captivating image.

"My process is to scan a completed collage, in this case a collage made with papers, which I made using a variety of techniques, and layer it with a photograph I had taken -- in this case a tree," she said. "I convert the photo to black and white and then experiment with the blending modes until I get an image that speaks to me."

The Midwest Collage Society (MCS), founded in 2003, promotes collage as fine art by providing exhibit opportunities and professional development activities to its members.
There are over sixty members in MCS from the greater Chicago area and northwest Indiana. Fine Line is pleased to host this exhibit of area artists' works.

Two galleries are included on Fine Line's campus. The Dempsey Gallery is located inside the barn and features members' artwork. The spacious Kavanagh Gallery hosts a number of exhibits, featuring local, national and international artists, throughout the year. Fine Line's campus and galleries are open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to Fine Line's exhibits and events, a full slate of art classes for adults are offered throughout the year. Unique workshops taught by guest artists are also offered each session.

Fine Line Creative Arts Center is located at 37W570 Bolcum Rd. in St. Charles Come see all this renowned art center in St. Charles has to offer! For more information, visit: www.fineline.org, or call: 630-584-9443.

Call for Art...Mayslake Peabody Estate

August News

AUGUST MEETING

Sunday August 2nd is a workday from 9:00 to 3:00

BRING AT LEAST ONE PIECE  OF RECENT (or not so recent....) WORK TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED

Ben Cooley will be taking pictures from 10:00 to NOON.

We need images for a sample CD for MCS to apply for shows at major venues!
Work should NOT be under glass for best photography.
Ben will take one picture at no cost to you (MCS pays)
If you want MORE than one piece photographed, expect to pay $10.00 per image at the time photos are taken.
Be prepared to write out your name, title, dimensions and medium.

IF YOU CANNOT COME PLEASE TRY TO HAVE A FRIEND BRING YOUR WORK

WE REALLY NEED A GOOD  REPRESENTATION OF MCS  WORK FOR OUR CD!
WE ARE TRYING TO GET INTO THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER AND OTHER TOP NOTCH PLACES

SEPTEMBER RETREAT (There is no regular September meeting)

There is still room for 5 people for the September retreat.  Contact Tania Blanco for information or to sign up.

FINE LINE EXHIBIT

We have 35 participants for the show "Reflections Within and Beyond"
This should be an exciting and beautiful show!

You will need to email your name, titles, dimensions media and prices to the exhibit committee by mid-August

so we can type up the labels. REMEMBER,  the gallery will take a 30% commission-- so price accordingly.

You will be receiving a form by email to complete and send back to:
Nancy Savaiano Rosenberg  nsrdesign3@gmail.com
Please also copy Barb Boland at barbidoodle@comcast.net  and Nancy Staszak at  astaszak@aol.com

If you have images for the show, send them to Lezlie Lenz  lezlieart@aol.com 
Drop off date and times are Tuesday September 1st from 10:00 to Noon
The show opens the  Sept 2nd and runs until October 10th
Reception Saturday September 12th,  2:00 to 4:00 PMPick up work Monday October 12th 10:00 to Noon.

ILLIANA ARTISTS SHOW
MaryAnn Gradisher will be at our August 2nd meeting to pick up any entries into the Illiana Artists 18th annual show.
Application information is on the blog.

Our last show for this year will be at Woodridge Public Library in December.

EXHIBIT OPPORTUNITIES

Vicinity 2015 - Call for Entries

The Vicinity Show is an annual juried exhibition for artists residing in a 50-mile radius of the Norris Cultural Arts Center.

The show accepts entries in all media, including, but not limited to, painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture,

ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, glass, books, installations and mixed media.

 

Submission Requirements and Information

·  Each artists may submit ONE piece of art that is original in concept, design and execution and has never been exhibited in the Norris Gallery.
·  The drop off day for submissions is FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Norris Cultural Arts Center.
·  Cash or a check made out to Norris Cultural Arts Center for the $25 entry fee must accompany the work. An artist's contract will be

   filled out when the work is dropped off.
·  A label including the artist's name, title of the work, medium, price of the work (if for sale) or the insurance value of the work (if not for sale)

   must be attached to the back of 2D work or securely attached to 3D work.
·  If the work is 2D, it must be prepared with hangers securely attached to the back of the frame with hanging wire attached to the hangers.

   A single hanger at the top of the work is not acceptable. Work that is not correctly prepared for hanging will not be accepted.
·  Saturday, August 29, the entries will be juried for inclusion in the show and determination of show awards (both monetary and honorable mention).
·  Sunday, August 30, artists call in to the gallery between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to confirm entry selection status.
·  Monday, August 31, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., artists pick up work not selected for the show.
· Show is installed the week of September 1 and officially opens Friday, September 4, at 11 a.m. Due to the Labor Day weekend,

   the gallery will be closed September 5 - 8, and will reopen on Wednesday, September 9, for normal gallery hours (Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
·  The show reception will be Sunday, September 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the gallery. Awards will be presented during the reception.
·  Vicinity 2015 show will close on Saturday, October 31, at 4 p.m.
·  The pick up day at the end of the show run is Monday, November 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 pm.
·  The Norris Gallery retains 25% of the selling price of each work that is sold. All work submitted and accepted into the show must be

    suitable for viewing by all audiences. Artists are responsible for insuring their own work.
 

For additional information about the Vicinity 2015 show and the Norris Gallery, please contact us by email at 

businessoffice@norrisculturalarts.com or by phone at 630-584-7200, ext. 14, during normal business hours, 

Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles, IL 60174

The 16th regional Juried Exhibition, at the Chesterton Art Center, August 30-September 27th. 

115 South 4th Street, Chesterton, IN 46304.  All 2D and 3D fine art media on any theme accepted.

Entry fee for 1-2 pieces, $30.  Cash awards for First ($500), Second ($300) and Third Place ($200)

Call MCS member Mary Ann Gradisher for details at 219-617-2548 or email to magradisher@att.net.  

She will be at the August meeting to accept and transport your entries for the August 18-19 judging and

will return all work at the October meeting. This will save you the trouble of transporting it yourself.

AWARDS

Two of our members  recently won awards at the LaGrange Art League July show, "Fun in the Sun".

 Nancy Rosenberg got a third place ribbon and Elaine Rath, a best-of-show.

COLLAGE WORKSHOP

Collage-Intuitive Process with Laura Lein-Svencner

Saturday August 15^{th  & }Sunday August 16^th 2015
9:30am-5:00pm each day with lunch break 
Register by Aug. 7^th with dupageartleague.org

$225.00  Supply List available upon Registration 

 http://lauralein-svencner.com/onlinepdf/flyercollageworkshopAug2015(1).pdf

If you are in a show or win an award, please e-mail that information to Joan Lucht for the newsletter and to Laura Lein-Svencner for the blog. 

MCS Member has her Exhibit up at the Woodridge Public Library

Nancy Staszak work is up hanging at the Woodridge Library, Reception July 26th from 6-8pm more details here. 

THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN JULY!

JUNE MEETING

The June meeting was lots of fun, thanks to Mary Warner's wonderful demonstration on making star books.  

The swap table was loaded thanks to Margi Hafer who brought in tons of papers, books and art materials from recently deceased member, Sylvia Koch.  

Her memory can symbolically live on in our work.

THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN JULY!

AUGUST MEETING

The August meeting, Sunday, Aug. 2nd, will be a work day with member demos from 9:00-2:30.  

Bring show and tell; perhaps your completed star books with the inserts you have added.  

Photographer Ben Cooley is confirmed for a photo session in the morning only.

Bring at least one piece (not under glass) to be photographed for a new publicity CD.

The first piece is free and any others are $10 each to be paid to Ben that day.

SEPPTEMBER RETREAT

There is still room for 5 people for the September retreat.  Contact Tania Blanco for information or to sign up.

FINE LINE EXHIBIT

We have 35 members signed up for the Kavanagh Gallery at the Fine Line Creative Arts Center.
Space for our show "Reflections Within and Beyond" is limited. 
If members are submitting one very large piece, they can add only one additional small piece.
Medium to medium large pieces we can handle two for each person, or three small pieces per person.  
There are twelve pedestals for 3D work and a glass cabinet too.

We know people are working hard to finish the pieces for the September 1 hanging date.However, we need the titles, prices, sizes and medium by the first week of August for the labels.
If people have images with titles ready---please send those to Rachel at the Fine Line for publicity.
Her address is:     publicrelations@fineline.org
Also send them to Lezlie Lenz for inclusion in an E-Book of the show:  lezlieart@aol.com

Our last show for this year will be at Woodridge Public Library in December.

EXHIBIT OPPORTUNITY

 The 16th regional Juried Exhibition, August 30-September 27th. at the Chesterton Art Center, 115 South 4th Street, Chesterton, IN 46304. 

Cash awards for First ($500), Second ($300) and Third Place ($200).    All 2D and 3D fine art media on any theme accepted.  

Entry fee for 1-2 pieces, $30.  Call MCS member Mary AnnGradisher for details at 219-617-2548 or email to magradisher @att.net.  

She will be at the August meeting to accept and transport your entries for the August 18-19 judging and will return all work at the October meeting.

This will save you the trouble of transporting it yourself.

If you are in a show or win an award, please email that information to Joan Lucht for the newsletter and to Laura Lein-Svencner for the blog. 

Enjoy the summer!