Thursday, April 29, 2021

Best of Best Exhibition May 1st-May 26th

 The Alliance of Fine art is pleased to announce their 2021 Best of the Best Exhibition!

After not being able to have the show last year due to the Pandemic, it is very exciting to present this year’s show!

Thank you to the DuPage Art League and Gallery for hosting it!   This show is compiled of beautiful artwork that has won an award through the participating artist's guild/league that he/she is a member.  You won't be disappointed when you see the talent in this artwork, over 50 pieces of award winning art are in this exhibit!

 

AFA 2021 Best of the Best Exhibit:

May 1st to May 26th, 2021

Location: DuPage Art League and Gallery

218 W. Front Street, Wheaton, IL 60187

(630) 653-7090

Gallery Hours: M-F: 9 am-5 pm, Sat: 9-2 pm*

*Social distancing measures and face covering required when visiting the gallery. 

 

VIRTUAL AWARDS Announced:

Saturday, May 15, 2021: 2 pm – 3pm 

For Streaming Link Visit:

or Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofFineArt


Thank you! We hope you will see the show!

Sincerely,

Liz Connelly

AFA Secretary/Lemont Artists Guild President

www.allianceoffineart.org


Tuesday, April 27, 2021

May's Newsletter and Information

Hi MCS Members,

 

We had our first meeting in a very long time at the Darien Police Station on April 11th.  A huge Thank You to Andrea Fox for her excellent presentation on Making Marks in Collage and Mixed Media.  Very informative/inspiring.  We also held the election of MCS officers and they are listed at the end of the newsletter.  Cherie collected forms/dues and Margi accepted forms/checks for the retreat.   

 

Once again, you will need to register in order to attend the May 2 meeting.  Follow the format listed below.

 

The Art & Culture Commission of Lemont has put out a Call to Artists for May 7-June 27.  This is a chance to exhibit your artwork created during the pandemic, influenced by Covid, etc.  No fees.  

We are still looking for a special outdoor location for the August 1st MCS Meeting, 9am-2:30. We are fortunate that Barrie Mason has agreed to share her knowledge of fabric dyeing with us.  Unfortunately, this has the potential to do damage in the police department meeting room.  An outdoor location with a pavilion in case of bad weather and the availability of water would be ideal.  Please keep your eyes open for any possibilities in your area.  Contact any board member when you find anything that would meet this criteria.

 

Take care and hopefully we will see you on May 2nd.

Nancy Castner, President

 

MEMBERSHIP

2021-22 membership renewals are now due. If you will be attending the meeting please bring the attached form and payment with you. If not please mail a check for $20 with the attached form to:

Cherie Denton
1789 35th Street, apt 6313
Oak Brook, IL 60523



May 2: Noon-2:30 pm “Creating Original Collage Cards” Tania Blanco, presenter

Original "one of a kind" collage compositions can be petite works of art suitable for framing. Tania will bring examples of finished notecards with a wide range of themes. 

List of supplies: Scissors, glue stick, table cover, favorite rubber stamps, 4"x6" watercolor paper (optional). Tania will provide components to help you create your unique note cards. You may also want to bring some of your own papers etc. to create your cards

Register for the Meeting by emailing Cherie Denton at cherayden@yahoo.com with the SUBJECT: MCS May 2nd Meeting.  Let her know that you will bring the membership application and dues with you if you haven't paid MCS dues yet. All participants must be paid members of the MCS. See MEMBERSHIP above.

 

May 2: Noon-2:30 pm “Creating Original Collage Cards” Tania Blanco, presenter
June 6: Noon-2:30 pm “Paste Papers Workshop” Marge Boyd, presenter
July: No Meeting
August 1: 9am-2:30pm All Day Workshop “Special Fabric Dyeing Workshop”  Barrie Mason, presenter
September 12: Noon-2:30pm “Create a Rainbow Star Book”  Mary Warner, presenter
October 6-10  MCS Fall Retreat at Camp Alexander MAC,  REGISTRATION FORM AVAILABLE NOW! (see attachment)!
November 7: Noon-2:30pm “Special Paper Ornaments Workshop”  Bonnie Jaswith, presenter
December 5: Noon-2:30pm  MCS Holiday Party


WORLD COLLAGE DAY May 8  

Celebrate by joining our collaged postcard exchange. 

· By Saturday, May 1st, email  your address to Mary Warner. m.warner5@sbcglobal.net with subject "collaged postcard"    

· Create a collaged postcard measuring 4" X 6". You should keep it quite flat; postal  requirements say no thicker than .016"!

· On May 6th Mary will email you the name and address of an MCS member participating in the exchange.

· Add that name and address to the right side of the back of the postcard. On the left side add a short note. Apply stamp(s); the cost of postage is $0.36.

· Mail between May 8th and May 12 and wait patiently for your exchange!

· Any questions, call Mary  (630-833-0125)

 

EXHIBITS  

BETWEEN THE LINES

Pick up your art  May 3 from 10am to 12pm

Downers Grove Public Library

1050 Curtiss St, Downers Grove, IL 60515

 

ARCHEOLOGICAL IMAGINATION

Bloomingdale Park District Museum

July 10, 2021 to August 7, 2021

  Prospectus attached. This will be a judged exhibit.

An image is needed for publicity and postcards. Please send asap to joan.of.art33@gmail.com

 

For publicity and a guide to your submissions: 

Collage artists are the archaeologists of our time. They are the collectors of today's discarded items: old newspapers and magazines, crumbling sheet music, torn book pages, rusty metal, scrapped pottery, castaway coins, abandoned jewelry and more. In their upcoming exhibit, members of the Midwest Collage Society have harnessed their imaginations to create collaged works of art using this found detritus.  

 

RETREAT

The 2021 MCS Fall Retreat at Camp Alexander Mack, in Milford Indiana

Wednesday, October 6 through Sunday, October 10th. 


 The camp has made some changes including all new windows in the Sara Major building (where we stay) and air purifiers in all buildings for better ventilation. Work spaces will be one person to a table AS before, but spread out. Dining room will have a served buffet and be geared to social distancing. Masks will be required indoors in group areas. 

We request that attendees be fully vaccinated prior to attending camp. 

Our retreat is limited to only 25 people. There are so many outdoor areas to enjoy as well. In the past many of us have gone for an evening to the Round Barn Theater in Nappanee, Indiana. It is now open with limited "safe distance" seating. A musical version of "Little Women" will be available while we're at "Camp Mack". Early October is a wonderful time to enjoy the beauty of Camp Alexander Mack and our renewed ability to share being together with our artist friends. Registration forms will be available in April and attached to the April Newsletter. We hope you will consider this wonderful opportunity to create, share and learn from each other.

    

MEMBERS  

Tania Blanco was awarded First place in a virtual exhibit of the 2021 Addison Art Guild membership show.  Her collage "Channeling Mindfulness".

The exhibit can be accessed on the website: www.addisoncenterforthearts.com  

   

 


Wednesday, April 7, 2021

April's News

 From our President 

Once again, hope you are all well and creating in the longer daylight hours. It was so nice to "see"  so many of you at our Zoom meeting last month.   Life as we have known it for the past year is opening up and as a result we will be meeting at the Darien Police Station on April 11th.  Hurray.  Registration will be necessary so follow the format described below.  We will also be holding elections at this meeting.  Please plan to attend.

We are looking for a special outdoor location for the August 1st MCS Meeting, 9am-2:30 .  We are fortunate that Barrie Mason has agreed to share her knowledge of fabric dyeing with us.  Unfortunately, this has the potential to do damage in the police department meeting room.  An outdoor location with a pavilion in case of bad weather and the availability of water would be ideal.  Please keep your eyes open for any possibilities in your area.  Contact any board member when you find anything that would meet this criteria.

 

Please keep yourself safe,

Nancy Castner

 

MEMBERSHIP

2021-22 membership dues are to be paid in April. If you will be attending the meeting please bring the attached form and payment with you. If not please mail a check for $20 with the attached form to:

Cherie Denton
1789 35th Street, apt 6313
Oak Brook, IL 60523

 

MEETINGS

April 11th: 12 noon-2:30pm 

Election of officers  President--Nancy Castner, Vice President--Tania Blanco, Treasurer--Andrea Fox, Communications--Joan Lucht, Membership--Cherie Denton, Exhibits--Adrienne Austin and Joan Lucht, Education and Retreat--Margi Hafer

 

"Making Marks in Collage and Mixed Media" Workshop Presenter, Andrea Fox  Supply list HERE
At this workshop we’ll be drawing/mark making onto our collage papers and adding layers of marks to our works of art. You’ll see several mediums for mark making and techniques of use for collage. You’ll be using your own collection of papers for collage and bringing the drawing and paint mediums you already have. Pencils, pens, colored pencils, etc. that you already have in your art supply. Andrea will show you how to enjoy working mediums that you possibly haven’t used yet and the old tried and true mediums that you may be using already. We’ll work at “drawing” onto a collage to add interest and new ways to complete your work.
NOTE: This Meeting will be at the Darien Police Station, Advance registration will be necessary: Due to the need for social distancing we can only have 16 participants at (one person per table) our meeting/workshop. Masks must be worn.  

Register for the Meeting by emailing Cherie Denton at cherayden@yahoo.com with the SUBJECT: MCS April 11th Meeting.  Let her know that you will bring the membership application and dues with you.
All participants must be paid members of the MCS. See MEMBERSHIP above. Membership Form HERE 

 

May 2: Noon-2:30 pm “Creating Original Collage Cards” Tania Blanco, presenter
June 6: Noon-2:30 pm “Paste Papers Workshop” Marge Boyd, presenter
July: No Meeting
August 1: 9am-2:30pm All Day Workshop “Special Fabric Dyeing Workshop”  Barrie Mason, presenter
September 12: Noon-2:30pm “Create a Rainbow Star Book”  Mary Warner, presenter
October 6-10  MCS Fall Retreat at Camp Alexander MAC,  REGISTRATION FORM AVAILABLE NOW! (see attachment)!
November 7: Noon-2:30pm “Special Paper Ornaments Workshop”  Bonnie Jaswith, presenter
December 5: Noon-2:30pm  MCS Holiday Party

 

EXHIBITS  

BETWEEN THE LINES

Enjoy the show until May 2:

Downers Grove Public Library

Monday – Friday  10 am to 7 pm

Saturday         10 am to 5 pm

Sunday           1 pm to 5 pm

Pick up your art  May 3 from 10am to 12pm

 

ARCHEOLOGICAL IMAGINATION

Bloomingdale Park District

July 10, 2021 to August 14, 2021

  Prospectus will be sent in May. This will be a judged exhibit.

An image is needed for publicity and postcards. Please send asap to joan.of.art33@gmail.com

 

RETREAT

The 2021 MCS Fall Retreat at Camp Alexander Mack, in Milford Indiana is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6 through Sunday, October 10th. REGISTRATION FORM HERE! 

 The camp has made some changes including all new windows in the Sara Major building (where we stay) and air purifiers in all buildings for better ventilation. Work spaces will be one person to a table AS before, but spread out. Dining room will have a served buffet and be geared to social distancing. Masks will be required indoors in group areas. We request that attendees be fully vaccinated prior to attending camp. 

Our retreat is limited to only 25 people. There are so many outdoor areas to enjoy as well. In the past many of us have gone for an evening to the Round Barn Theater in Nappanee, Indiana. It is now open with limited "safe distance" seating. A musical version of "Little Women" will be available while we're at "Camp Mack". Early October is a wonderful time to enjoy the beauty of Camp Alexander Mack and our renewed ability to share being together with our artist friends. Registration forms will be available in April and attached to the April Newsletter. We hope you will consider this wonderful opportunity to create, share and learn from each other.


WORLD COLLAGE DAY IS MAY 8 It’s an annual international celebration of collage. How will members celebrate it?  Maybe we can do another virtual show of our collages from that day?  Or how about making a collage postcard and sending it to another member? Have them guess who created it? 

Friday, March 26, 2021

Mary Bookwalter's Retrospective

 

                 

Wonderful exhibit of Mary Bookwalter's Mixed Media works. Governor State, IL till the end of March 2021, In the Componere Gallery 

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

March 2021 Newsletter

 Hi MCS Members:

 Hope you are all well, enjoying the warmer weather, and longer days.  Trusting many of our members have had or are able to get appointments for the Covid-19 vaccine.  I'll be getting my first shot on March 2nd.  Hurray.  It will be so nice when we are all vaccinated and can meet again.  I know our younger members have to wait a bit longer but we will all get there someday. 

 We are getting ready for our first zoom meeting on March 7th at 12 noon,  thanks to Margi Hafer.  Watch for an email from Margi Hafer with the zoom information.   Also on March 7th we will be open for questions regarding the art done during the pandemic and attached at the end of the newsletter.  Joan Lucht will provide a demonstration of her fascinating artwork with strategic holes cut in the canvas.  Joan will also be one of the demonstrators at the MCS Retreat, October 6-10, 2021.  There is a list of supplies attached that you can bring to the retreat.

 Laura Lein Svencner has been maintaining our MCS Blog for many, many, many years.  It would be wonderful if she could pass the torch to another member knowledgeable in Blogs or even to begin a new Website.    This is an excellent opportunity to let your creative juices flow and help the Midwest Collage Society to flourish.   Please contact me if you are interested.

 Hopefully we will see each other at the zoom meeting on March 7th at 12 noon.

 

Please keep yourself safe,

Nancy Castner

MCS President

 

MEETINGS

March 7th: 12 noon-2:30pm - Zoom meeting  

Margi Hafer will send an email to all members on Wednesday, March 3rd with a link to enter the MCS ZOOM meeting on Sunday, March 7th.  

At 11:50 am, on Sunday, March 7th go to Margi's email and click on the link to join the meeting. Be sure to follow link directions for your audio and video. It will take a few minutes to get everyone accepted into the meeting so please be patient. People can join at any time during the meeting, but they will be asked to mute their sound during Joan's demonstration. Joan will take questions from participants after the demonstration. Finally we can talk about the art submitted in February for the attached slideshow. We are hoping that the ZOOM format for our MCS meeting will work until we decide we can return to the Darian Police Station for meetings again. It will be great to see each other on ZOOM!

Creating Collage on Altered Canvas  Joan Lucht, presenter. Joan will show her process for collaging, cutting the canvas and attaching various found objects. A supply list is attached for those who want to try this on their own. Or you can bring supplies to the retreat in October and join in the workshop. 


 

 

 

April 11: Noon-2:30 pm “Making Marks in Collage and Mixed Media”  Andrea Fox, presenter See attachment.
May 2: Noon-2:30 pm “Creating Original Collage Cards” Tania Blanco, presenter
June 6: Noon-2:30 pm “Paste Papers Workshop” Marge Boyd, presenter
July: No Meeting
August 1: 9am-2:30pm All Day Workshop “Special Fabric Dyeing Workshop”  Barrie Mason, presenter
September 12: Noon-2:30pm “Create a Rainbow Star Book”  Mary Warner, presenter
October 6-10  MCS Fall Retreat at Camp Alexander MAC, SAVE THE DATES!
November 7: Noon-2:30pm “Special Paper Ornaments Workshop”  Bonnie Jaswith, presenter
December 5: Noon-2:30pm  MCS Holiday Party

 

EXHIBITS  

You must be a member to exhibit. If you paid your 2021 dues you may participate in the library exhibit. If not, a membership application is attached, and it must be received by March 20.

Between the Lines

Downers Grove Library

April 3, 2021 to May 2, 2021

 

Prospectus due March 20

Prospectus with more info and directions is attached

 

Drop off    March 27 from 10am until 12pm

Pick up      May 3 from 10am to 12pm

 

Archeological Imagination

Bloomingdale Park District

July 10, 2021 to August 14, 2021

  Prospectus will be sent in May

 

RETREAT

The 2021 MCS Fall Retreat at Camp Alexander Mack, in Milford Indiana is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6 through Sunday, October 10th. The camp has made some changes including all new windows in the Sara Major building (where we stay) and air purifiers in all buildings for better ventilation. Work spaces will be one person to a table AS before, but spread out. Dining room will have a served buffet and be geared to social distancing. Masks will be required indoor in group areas. All participants will hopefully have their vaccine shots by October so they will be more confident to be with a small group. Our retreat is limited to only 25 people. There are so many outdoor areas to enjoy as well. In the past many of us have gone for an evening to the Round Barn Theater in Nappanee, Indiana. It is now open with limited "safe distance" seating. A musical version of "Little Women" will be available while we're at "Camp Mack". Early October is a wonderful time to enjoy the beauty of Camp Alexander Mack and our renewed ability to share being together with our artist friends. Registration forms will be available in April and attached to the April Newsletter. We hope you will consider this wonderful opportunity to create, share and learn from each other.

 

MEMBERS

Are you interested in donating art to raise funds for the Rochester Contemporary Art Center?  Tania Blanco has donated for several years.  It is a great cause and an opportunity to exhibit your work.

Donate a 6 x 6 collage, mixed media, w/c etc.  No fee to enter.  All art will be for sale.  One of Tania's pieces just sold recently.  None of the art will be returned to the artist but will remain for sale on the website.

GET THE DETAILS: infor@rochestercontemporary.org  WORK MUST BE RECEIVED BY APRIL 10.  So there is still time to create or find an older piece to send. Size is important.


Sunday, February 21, 2021

Mary Bookwalter-Retrospective


 


Posting this slideshow for our members, Laura Lein-Svencner visited the exhibit on March 2nd and was allow to take photos,  She put them together for out Midwest Collage Society Members. Some of us aren't able to get out so this is a nice way to see it. If your interested in one just click on the pause button stop it. And you can enlarge it if you like too.