Happy New Year 2024

Dear MCS Members,

Happy New Year!  2024 offers us new opportunities to shine through our creativity.  Several venues are planned to exhibit our works of art.  

Thank you to Nancy Swingle for organizing our Holiday Party at The Patio.  It was a delightful celebration with good food, our wonderful grab bag of handmade/ purchased gifts and the opportunity to be together in a social setting.

Remember, we won't have a meeting in January.

February will be a work day from 9 am to 3pm.  Plan to bring a project to work on and if you need assistance from fellow artists to critique your work to help you proceed to complete it, bring that too.

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!  It's always a good time to let your creative juices flow, flow, flow.

Take care,

Nancy Castner

President

MEETINGS 

Nancy Swingle is asking if anyone would like to show us a new technique or new twist on an old one.  Please let her know if you would be willing to give a demo at one of our meetings. nancyswingle@yahoo.com. Thank you.

January - NO MEETING

Feb 4th  -  All day workday

Mar 3rd -  Laura Lein-Svencner will present a demonstration on Image transfers. Sharing three different techniques: 

Clear packing tape for art journaling

Wet to dry acrylic medium with laser copies and the tack iron method with gloss medium. Samples will be available to see how they can be used for your mixed media and collage art.

Apr 7th -  April Schabes will be doing a demo on her fabulous journaling.

EXHIBITS

Connections

Woodridge Library, February 3 - 29

The space is not very large so there will be a limit of one piece per member.  The reception will be on the 10th.  I hope everyone will submit a piece and kick off the new year with renewed creative energy and show our audience how truly exceptional we are! Attached prospectus is due January 15. Please send to Chris Jacobson achristy0901@gmail.com

Or print and mail it to Chris Jacobson 717 Four Seasons Blvd., Aurora, IL 60504

MEMBERS

Laura Lein-Svencner's 2024 Class Line-up

Monday Mornings- Art/Altered books/Art Journaling/Art Healing
 Darien Park District Adult Programs

Mayslake Peabody Estate-Oak Brook IL
Class 1-Collage, Nature, Images Transfers
             Tuesday Mornings Start Jan 23rd
              9:30-12:00
Class 2 -Micro Minis Nature Collages
              Tuesday Mornings Start March 19th
               9:30-12:00
 

Friday Afternoons
Naperville Art League, Naperville IL
Call to register 630-355-2530 or Scroll down
   on the link Here  
Gallery Hours:
Tues.-Friday 10 am-5pm  |  Sat. 10 am-4 pm

Naperville Art League
Series of Classes for beginners and advanced who would like a refresh in

. Basic Design in Collage January 25-February 15

    (1:30-3:30pm), 4 Thursdays

2. Strengthen your Design in Collage, February 29-March 28 (1:30-3:30pm), 5 Thursdays

3. Collage-Paper, Tacking Down, April 4-May 9

    (1:30-3:30pm), 6 Thursdays

December Holiday Party and More~

 
Hi MCS Members,

Hope you all had a delicious Thanksgiving and now look forward to the remaining Holiday Season with great anticipation.  The Holiday Party will be held at The Patio, 7440 Kingery Hwy in Darien.  Please read the details below from Nancy Swingle regarding the specifics including the gift exchange.

Many thanks to Margi Hafer for sharing how to incorporate watercolor into our collages.  It was very enlightening and a fun experience at our November meeting.

Cherie Denton has decided to step down from the Membership Chair  effective in April 2024.  Many thanks and much appreciation to Cherie for keeping us on track over these many years. We need someone to step up and fill this position.  Please contact any Board member if you are willing to take on this role.   Contact information is at the bottom of this email.  

Wishing you all the best Holiday Season, a safe and healthy New Year with many moments of creative joy.

Take care,

Nancy Castner

President

MEETINGS 

December 3rd  Holiday Party 11:30 -3:00

at The Patio restaurant on the corner of Route 83 and Plainfield Rd. 

The earlier start time is so we can order our food first, since we experienced long lines last year. We will again have our “grab bag” gift exchange of a handmade gift of approximate $20.00 value, if you care to participate.  It’s always fun to see our beautiful creations.  

Nancy Swingle would appreciate your RSVP as soon as possible at  nancyswingle@yahoo.com, to let her know you are coming.

Hope to see you all there for a lovely afternoon.

EXHIBITS

 

Connections is the theme for the February Show in the Woodridge Library. Because the space is limited there is a limit of 1 large piece or 2 small (12”x 12” or less) pieces.  This is not a juried show so there will be no awards. Look for more details and prospectus in the January newsletter.

MEMBERS

Laura Lein-Svencner has 50% off on all her online classes on her teachable site, LonecrowStudio. You will need a Code for the 50% off, Type in PRECABINFEVER and that will take the percentage off.  
National Vision Board Day is Jan 13th if you're a Indian Prairie Public Library hold you get first dibs on registration.  Information here Vision Board Day.

November's MCS Meeting

 Dear MCS Members,

Everywhere I've been lately the fall colors have been absolutely glorious.  Hope you have been able to get out and enjoy the delights of Autumn.

This is a letter filled with Gratitude:

A huge THANK YOU to Margi Hafer for all of her efforts to make the 2023 Creative Artists Retreat a roaring success.  It was an absolutely wonderful experience allowing us to  learn new techniques, break bread (three times a day) and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow artists.  Oh yes, and spend as much time as we wanted creating.   If we could bottle the joys, we'd be selling it by the case. 

Thanks to Nancy Staszak (gelli printing) and Bonnie Jaswith (Book on a log) who shared their knowledge and provided mini workshops for us. 

Thanks to all MCS artists that participated in the judged exhibition, 'Congruent Fragments' at the Tall Grass Gallery in Park Forest.  The art was displayed beautifully and its diversity was simply amazing.  Kudos to each of you and to the winners announced later in the newsletter.  Thanks to Chris Jacobson whose great organization skills made the exhibition possible. 

IMPORTANT: We will begin the MCS meeting on November 5th at 12 noon.  Margi Hafer will be sharing how to incorporate water color painting in our collages.  This early start will allow the necessary drying time for our artwork.  During the time the artwork is drying we will hold a brief Board Meeting so hopefully all Board Members will be present.

Remember, the Holiday Party will be held on December 3rd.

Take care,

Nancy Castner

President

MEETINGS 

REMINDER:   "Daylight Savings Time"  is Sunday, November 5th. Set your clocks BACK an hour on Saturday night.

November 5th - 12:00-3:00 - Creating Mixed Media Watercolors with Collage presenter, Margi Hafer

Margi will demonstrate the process for two different ways for combining watercolor with collage.  She will supply 2 small pieces of Arches 140lb cold press watercolor paper, and 1 piece of Yupo paper. She will share an assortment of tube watercolor paints and watercolor brushes, masking fluid, tape, contact paper, fiber papers and other collage papers, stencils, and stamps ($5 supply fee)
This will be an experiment in serendipity and playfulness with mixed media.
Participants should bring:

1. Plastic table cover
2. Scissors
3. Pencil
4. Glue of choice (YES glue, PVC glue, or mat medium -  NO glue sticks) 
5. Small brush for gluing
6. White plastic plate for pallet
7. Container for water 
8. Your imagination. No reference photos are needed.

December 3rd - Holiday Party 12:00 -3:00   Information at the November meeting and in the next newsletter

EXHIBITS

Congruent Fragments

Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery

Ends November 4, 2023

Congratulations to our winners of the Congruent Fragment Show:  

!st - Joan Lucht

2nd - Nancy Swingle

3rd - Laura Lein-Svencner

Honorable Mentions - Andrea Fox, Nancy Castner, and Nancy Staszak.  

The judge commented that our show was “Professionally and technically exquisite”. 

Please remember to schedule your appointment to pick up your work with the gallery sometime between Sunday November 5, Monday, November 6, Tuesday the 7th or at the latest, Wednesday November 8th.  The gallery hours are from 10am to 3:30pm.  

We can all congratulate ourselves for showing that collage is a fine art that creates a unique and unexpected world. Thanks to all those who entered!  Chris is working on a possible show for February and hopes everyone is working on additional pieces to illustrate the many unique, and wonderful sides of collage.  We will have another judged show next summer at the Crete Gallery for entries as well.

MEMBERS

Margi Hafer has a solo exhibit at the Frankfort Village Hall through December 8th

Beth Gollan has some of her pique assiette mosaic art accepted into the 2023 McCord Gallery "Holiday Shoppe" . The open house will be on Friday November 17th, from 6-8 p.m.

McCord Gallery & Cultural Center
9602 W. Creek Rd.
Palos Park, IL 60464
M-F 10am - 4pm | Sat 11am - 4pm | Sun CLOSED
708-671-0648
www.mccordgallery.org

Laura Lein-Svencner  is offering 50% off her Online Classes on her Teachable site, Lonecrow Studio  Enter Code PRECABINFEVER to get your 50% off. Classes for beginners in collage to advanced, book arts and some fun free classes too.
On the Horizon for 2024 Laura will be teaching in person at Mayslake Peabody Estate, Darien Park District and Naperville Art League.

No Meeting in October, see what is happening

 Dear MCS Members,

The weather is definitely cooler and Mother Nature is getting ready for her fall explosion of colors.  It will be a feast for the eyes.  Enjoy!

Thanks to Barb Thompson for sharing her technique for creating wonderful collage portraits at our September meeting.  A delightful, informative meeting indeed.  

Our works have all been delivered to the Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery for Congruent Fragments.   The show is held from September 30 thru November 4th with our Reception  held on October 7th from 1-3pm.  Tall Grass Association, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest, IL  60466.  Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm.

The Fall 2023 Creativity Retreat is almost here, September 27-October 1st.  Looking forward to 5 glorious days of creativity and camaraderie.  Safe travels to all participants.

REMEMBER:  No meeting in October due to the Creativity Retreat.  

See you all at the November meeting when Margi Hafer will show us how to incorporate watercolor with collage.

Take care,

Nancy Castner

President

MEETINGS 

October - No Meeting

November 5th - 12:00-3:00 -  Margi Hafer will show us how to incorporate watercolor with collage.
December 3rd - Holiday Party 12:00 -3:00

EXHIBITS

Photos From Andrea Fox at the Art Reception

Congruent Fragments

Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery

September 30 - November 4, 2023

Reception - Saturday, October 7 from 1 to 3pm

Our show Congruent Fragments at The Tall Grass Gallery is Opening September 30^th and will run until November 4^th located at 367 Artist Walk, Park Forest, IL 60466. The opening reception will be on Saturday, October 7^th from 1-3.   We have 17 participants with about 70 entries. Congratulations to all those participating in this prestigious show.  Awards will be announced at the opening reception with 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place cash awards and 3 Merit awards.

Pickup – Saturday November  5-7 from 10am – 3:30pm

FALL 2023 CREATIVITY RETREAT

(sponsored by Midwest Collage Society)  

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

We have 27 artists registered for our Fall retreat! 

        

 MEMBERS 

“ILLIART” opens September 28 and runs until October 28. 

Gallery Seven, 200 W. 8TH ST. Lockport IL.  There’s a reception and Presentation of Awards 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. October 1st.
MCS artists exhibiting are:
Andrea Fox and Margi Hafer

Laura Lein-Svencner will be exhibiting her assemblage Violin-Willow Way in the Norris Cultural Arts Center Vicinity 2023. 

Artist Reception will be held on Sunday, September 17 from 2 - 4 pm in the Galleries. Refreshments will be served, and the Vicinity show awards will be presented at 3 pm. 

Vicinity 2023 will be on display in the galleries from Saturday September 16 – Sunday October 29.   Gallery hours are Thursdays through Sundays, 11 am - 4pm.  

Mayslake Peabody Estate  Oak Brook IL will be starting classes this Fall. Tuesday Tea Bag Art Journaling  Oct 3, 2023 - Nov 28, 2023  Tue 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM  8 week class, Register Here   

Class is held in a new room off the large parking lot, easy access. 

September and Fall Retreat, Exhibit

 

Dear MCS Members,

Hurray, we all survived the record setting heat wave.  Looking forward to the fall season and cooler weather.

Our work day meeting on August 6th provided the opportunity for many interesting and varied projects.  Thanks to Nancy Swingle many of us learned how to add beads to books and other projects.  Thanks Nancy for organizing this opportunity.

Plan to attend the September 10th meeting when Barb Thompson will show us her technique for wonderful portrait collages.  Be sure to read on for the materials to bring to this meeting.

For those of you planning to participate in the "Congruent Fragments" exhibit at Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery and in need of having someone bring your artwork to the Gallery, bring it to the MCS Meeting on September 11th.  Volunteers have agreed to deliver it for you.

Margi Hafer has provided all of us planning to attend the Fall 2023 Creativity Retreat with updated information.  Be sure to read it thoroughly so that you are fully prepared for five delightful days of creativity.  

Take care,

Nancy Castner

President

MEETINGS 

September 10th 12:00-3:00 -  Barb Thompson will be teaching us her technique for doing portrait collage.  She will be bringing canvases for all of us.

Here is a list of what you will need to bring:

1. A photo portrait of who you want for your collage and a Xerox copy of that photo to use for the collage.  The Xerox copy should be 8.5”X11” so the image will fill the canvas. (The photo can be enlarged on the copy machine)
2. Pencil,scissors,matte medium, brush.
3. Color tissue papers, painted papers, etc.,you want to use for the collage. Thin papers work better for layering.
4. A shallow 9X12 box to carry your collage home in.

October - No Meeting
November 5th - 12:00-3:00 -  Margi Hafer will show us how to incorporate watercolor with collage.
December 3rd - Holiday Party 12:00 -3:00

Congruent Fragments

Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery

717 Four Seasons Blvd., Aurora, IL 605404

September 30 - November 4, 2023

Drop off – Monday September 18-20 from 10am to 3:30pm

Pickup – Saturday November  5-7 from 10am – 3:30pm

National Collage Society 

39th Annual Juried Exhibition link

FALL 2023 CREATIVITY RETREAT

(sponsored by Midwest Collage Society)  

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

We have 27 artists registered for our Fall retreat! 

        

 MEMBERS 

Laura Lein-Svencner has a few classes in person for the Fall 

Art/Altered Books/Art Journaling/Art Therapy  September 18th-Nov 6th At Darien Park District, Darien IL  Register online Here

Tea Bags and Art Journaling, Tuesdays, October-November at Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook IL, Details HERE

Laura also was juried into the 39th Annual National Collage Society Exhibit August 29 - September 30, 2023 at Liberty Hall Academic Center and the Galleries at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. Online exhibit details Here  

August Meeting and Exhibiting Opportunities

 Dear MCS Members,

Hope you are well and enjoying the summer.   The fresh herbs I've been growing in pots are enhancing so many of my dishes.  Yummmm.

We will have a work day meeting on August 6th so bring a project to work on.  Nancy Swingle will also demonstrate how to use beads in little books if you choose to participate.

We are very close to the deadline for getting information to Chris Jacobson for the  Tall Grass exhibit.  Please get that information to her ASAP. 

 

Time is just moving so quickly the Fall Retreat will be here before you know it.  I've been planning projects and gathering materials  all summer.  Take it from someone who used to wait until the last minute to pack, it is better to plan ahead and begin early.  It always takes longer than you think it will.

Take care,

Nancy Castner

MEETINGS 

August 6th 9:00am - 3:00pm - Our August meeting will be a workday, but for those who are interested, Nancy Swingle will be doing a little demo on her beading technique for little books, or anything else.

Mary Warner will be bringing some items for the swap table, however she can’t bring it all! She does have a number of cigar boxes, paper mache boxes, and quite a supply of clear glass ornaments and will bring those items ONLY IF YOU TEXT OR EMAIL HER TO DO SO!  She also might not arrive at the meeting until 10am. Text her at  630-441-0198  or email m.warner5@sbcglobal.net if you’d like to look at those items.

September 11th 12:00-3:00 -  Barb Thompson will show her technique for her wonderful portrait collages.
October - No Meeting
November 5th 12:00-3:00 -  Margi Hafer will show us how to incorporate watercolor with collage.
December 3rd - Holiday Party 12:00 -3:00

Congruent Fragments

Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery

September 30 - November 4, 2023

The Tall Grass show is just 2 months away and there is a lot for the gallery to do. Once you have emailed Chris the Congruent Fragments form (attached) she records the information and forwards it to the gallery.  The gallery will send out a sign-up form for all artists to choose the best day and time to bring their works in.   This goes out starting 2 weeks before delivery dates. The Loan Agreement Form (attached)  needs to be returned to the gallery no later than August 15 before they accept any work.  PLEASE GET YOUR FORMS TO CHRIS ASAP!! You don’t need to be finished with the piece but should be able to let us know how many pieces you intend to show and what the sizes of those will be. This is a prestigious gallery and a good place to display your work so get those entries in!

The Artists' Reception was moved to Saturday, October 7, 1-3pm to accommodate the Collage artists who will be away on a retreat the week before.

FALL 2023 CREATIVITY RETREAT (sponsored by Midwest Collage Society)  

We're looking forward to the 2023 Fall Creative Retreat. 

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

We have 27 artists registered for our Fall retreat! Please note: If you registered for the retreat with a $200 deposit please pay your final payment of $110 by August 6th. If you plan to be at the August 6th MCS Meeting you can bring payment then.
Margi will be sending a letter to all registrants with updated information on the retreat including:

• Information about workshops
• Final Retreat Calendar
• Information on room and bedding options
• Information about workspace options
• 4"x4" Square suggestions
• Entertainment Options
• A contact list of registrations (could be helpful for people who want to ride together)

If you have questions about the retreat contact Margi Hafer
(phone: 815-370-3345 or email: margihafer@yahoo.com)
Attached are a few photos from Margi's recent visit to Camp Alexander Mack.