Margi Sweeton, Wichita, May-June 2013

Designs of the Celtic Isles

Paintings & Pastels by

Margi Sweeton

May1–July 2

Reception Sunday, May 19, 3–5 pm



     Margi Sweeton’s rich and colorful paintings and pastels feature themes and motifs of Celtic scriptural embellishments. These not only capture your visual attention, but may inspire contemplation.
     Medieval monks preserving and copying biblical scripture in Ireland and England, included very intricate designs in borders, scriptural illustrations, and chapter headings, based on the traditional Celtic motifs carried over from before conversion. They also included highly stylized animal, plant and human forms in pleasing patterns. Sweeton’s interpretation of these forms is faithful to the old form and style, but large and often positioned to focus attention on specific elements. Rich colors and intricate patterns of knot-work and intertwining forms are entrancing.
     The original work of the medieval monks was meant not only to decorate, but also to inspire and symbolize the complex intertwining that connects people and living things. The art was produced also as a meditative devotional work of hands. You will find that following the twisting, intricate forms by eye in the gallery absorbing and relaxing.
     Sweeton, who acquired her BFA in painting and continues to paint in both oil, acrylic, and pastel, is also a writer with a keen interest in historical novels, specifically eleventh century Celtic and Viking history. She has exhibited locally and has been represented by Murillo Studio and Gallery in Wichita since 2002.
     A reception for the Margi Sweeton will be held Sunday, May 19, 3–5 pm at the VAAM Gallery, 223 South Main Street, located in the McPherson Opera House. Also displayed are paintings, pottery, jewelry, and other work by gallery members.

Rick Frisbie, Salina artist, March-April

     The VAAM Gallery (McPherson Arts Alliance, Inc.) in McPherson features the paintings of Salina artist Rick Frisbie March 1 through April 27.  The vivid colored canvases exhibited have a variety of subjects, including landscapes, still life, figures and portraits.
     One painting expresses this quote attributed to Aristotle, “For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” Frisbie lives by this philosophy. “You learn to paint by painting,” he says. “Artwork is work. It’s a process, and I have so much to learn.”
     Most days you will find him at approximately 5:30 am in his four room studio, where natural light streams in through large windows, to paint for three hours before heading to work as manager of a financial partnership and as a teacher for English as a Second Language courses. In the evenings, and sometimes when he is able to steal away in the afternoons, the artist returns to his studio to perfect his art.
     Throughout his adult life, Frisbie tried his hand at a number of artistic endeavors without any formal training. He created sculptures and hand-dug clay vessels. He built furniture and carved figures out of wood, sandstone and limestone. He dabbled in photography, and sketched and painted in a variety of mediums. His focus dramatically sharpened 13 years ago when he enrolled in an evening painting workshop. The course inspired him to take a watercolor class through the Salina Art Center and to concentrate all his artistic efforts on painting. Shortly afterward, he enrolled in an advanced painting class at Bethany College. He found the classes taught by Mary Kay and Frank Shaw very encouraging and helpful and continued with them for four semesters. Following this he has taken numerous painting workshops located in different states and Canada. His hard work has been rewarded by being invited to hold solo and two-person exhibits and being selected for participation in many juried exhibitions.
     “Calliope of Color” is the title he has given to a broad selection of his paintings from the last several years. A calliope is a musical instrument that produces sound by sending steam through large whistles. They are loud, hard to tune and the pitch of each whistling pipe is affected by the temperature of the steam producing the sound. They are a main attraction of circus fun and parades. He says “When I look at my paintings I sometimes have a ‘calliopic’ experience.”
     “The paintings in this show are whistling a variety of subject matters, styles and techniques. I think that they also whistle with emotional steam—the steam of both the painter and the viewer. Whether fun or serious, one artist said my paintings are united by a ‘strong palette.’” I like color and contrast. And yes, there is something of an intentional lack of perfect pitch and wackiness that my paintings share with the calliope.”
     The reception for Rick Frisbie will be April 7, 2–4 pm in the VAAM Gallery.

"What McPherson Means to Me"

All-Community Invitational Photography Exhibition!

January–February 2013

The theme is “What McPherson Means to Me.”

Vote for your favorite photo!

The reception to honor the photographers is
Sunday, February 24, 2–4 pm.

New! Champagne Art Bus Tour!

Champagne Art Bus Tour! (1-day!)

Saturday, April 13, 2013

We’re off to the

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Oklahoma City, OK

Sponsored by McPherson Arts Alliance, Inc. & VAAM Gallery

$75.00 per person includes coffee, breads, champagne, and chocolate on the bus

and special buffet lunch at the Museum!

You’ll love all the western art!

~

All who’ve taken our Champagne Art Bus Tours have lots of fun!

~

Bus leaves the VAAM Gallery at 7:30 am and returns about 7:30 pm same day!

No hassles with driving, maps, or parking!

 

TICKETS - at the VAAM Gallery, 223 S. Main, McPherson (in McPherson Opera House), open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am–5 pm, 620-620-241-6131 mcphersonartsalliance@gmail.com

 

Brian Lingle Photography - Chuck Houchen Furniture

Photography by
Brian Lingle, Hutchinson

and

Handcrafted Furniture by
Chuck Houchen, McPherson
and
Paintings by
Larry Lambert, Hutchinson

November 3–December 21

Reception November 18, 2–4 pm

2 New Fall Art Classes!

Intro to Airbrush Painting & Equipment Workshop

(adults & older youth)

Instructor: Brady Scott, Hutchinson
Description: Participants will learn about the history of the airbrush, the fields that airbrush artists work in, and examples of great artwork and artists. This will be followed by an extensive walkthrough of the equipment and supplies needed to pursue air brushing as a hobby and possible career, some basic knowledge in other fields of art as it pertains to the practice of airbrushing, demonstration, and some possible hands-on experience.
Date to be announced. (a Saturday, 1–4 pm)
Class Fee: $15

Cartooning—Take your pencil doodling a new direction!

(adults & older youth)
Instructor: LaVena Kay Kidd, McPherson
Description: Participants will learn the history of cartooning, techniques of drawing cartoon character body-construction, and will create a personal cartoon character and how to put it in its own cartoon “universe.”
Tuesdays, October 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20, 7–9 pm
Class fee: $40 (5 weeks)
A list of supplies will be provided to participants before the first class.
Deadline to register: October 22

Evening Art Classes for Fall 2012

Evening Art Classes for Adults
(back by popular demand!)
in the Mary Anderson Arts Center of the McPherson Opera House sponsored by
McPherson Arts Council (M.A.C.) & VAAM (Visual Arts Alliance of McPherson, Inc.)

Register in the VAAM Gallery, 223 S. Main St., McPherson
Tues–Sat 10am–5pm

620-241-5774 or 620-241-6131

Jewelry & Metalsmithing Beginners Welcome!

(adults & older youth)

Instructor: Lori Martin Price
Participants will be guided through basic projects to familiarize them with tools, equipment, and media while creating a finished piece of jewelry at the end of each project. Students who have metalsmithing experience can build on their skills and knowledge.
Thursdays, Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, 25, Nov. 1 (not Oct. 18)
5:30–7:30 pm
Class Fee: $55 (6 weeks), Plus a materials fee payable to directly to the instructor
Class limit: 15
Enrollment deadline: September 20

Beginning Ceramics, Wheel Throwing & Handbuilding

(adults & older youth)

Instructor: Leanne Kilmer
Participants will learn basic hand-building and wheel throwing skills to make a variety of pottery shapes such as open, enclosed, organic, & sculptural forms, how to attach handles, and methods of glazing and/or decorating pottery.
NEW DATES: Mondays, October 1, 8, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, (not Oct. 15)
5:30–8:30 pm
Class Fee: $65 (6 weeks) Participants will also purchase materials and tools necessary from the instructor. These will include tools for building with and throwing clay, 25–50 lbs of clay, and glazes. Total is approximately $57.99 depending on glazes the participant uses.
Class limit: 8
Deadline to enroll: September 24

Continuing Ceramics, Wheel Throwing & Tiles 

(adults & older youth)

Instructor: Leanne Kilmer
Participants will continue expanding their hand-building and wheel throwing  skills, learn to throw containers with lids, new methods of glazing and or decorating pottery, use slab roller and make slab projects.
NEW DATES: Thursdays, October 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29 (not Nov. 22)
5:30–8:30 pm
Class Fee: $85 (8 weeks), and participants will purchase materials and tools as needed from the instructor.
Class limit: 10
Deadline to enroll: September 27

 More classes to be announced!

All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go

Paintings by Mary Werner

August 30–October 31, 2012

Reception, Sunday, September 9, 2–4 pm

 

 

Werner says of her work, “The dress form has been my muse for almost 20 years. Nothing captures my imagination as much as that particular shape. I find it magical. I love the dress. I love that it symbolizes a uniquely feminine experience. It’s easily recognizable in its function and purpose. It describes a universal attitude as well as an individual person. The dress images are colorful, humorous, animated and symbolic. The dress reminds me of the female figure and sharply contrasts the endless racks of black pantsuits in the local clothing stores; the pantsuit has become the modern female uniform. A dress can be flirty and functional, dressy or ordinary. These paintings and drawings were inspired by a 1955 Montgomery Wards–Spring and Summer catalog, which describes each item with great detail, creating a scenario for each article of clothing as if to describe the person wearing it. Not only is that nostalgic but humorous.”

A Kansas Reunion

VAAM presents...

A KANSAS REUNION

Works by Robert Bolton Smith

in the VAAM Gallery

July 3–September 1, 2012

and

Photography by Mark Hunter

in the Heritage Gallery

August 2–September 29, 2012

Reception, August 4, 2–4 pm

VAAM artists are "Artists in Residence" at Red Barn Studio

Monday, July 23–Saturday, July 28!

The VAAM artist-members will be

the "Artists in Residence"

at the Red Barn Studio in downtown Lindsborg.

This will be their 11th year as Artists in Residence.

Stop in and see what each of the artists are working on!

You can also ask them about their work

and see how they do what they do!

The studio is open 10 pm–5 pm.

R. Bolton Smith exhibits...

"Kansas Reunion Paintings and Prints”

Scenes from his hometown of McPherson, Kansas

and a trip down Route 66

July 3–September 1, 2012

Reception, Saturday, August 4, 2–4 pm

Randy Clark exhibits "Abstract Insights"

Randy Clark, Salina, exhbits "Abstract Insights" monotypes and mixed media paintings in the Heritage Gallery of the Opera House June 3–July 31. 

Youth Summer Art Classes!

Classes are held in the Mary Anderson Arts Center of the McPherson Opera House, sponsored by  McPherson Arts Council (M.A.C.) & Visual Arts Alliance of McPherson, Inc. (VAAM).
Classes are $25 (includes all materials).
Sign up in the VAAM Gallery, 223 S. Main St., McPherson. Information, 620-241-6131

So You Want to be a Cartoonist!

Using drawing techniques, youth use their imagination to create their own unique cartoon character with a personality, emotions, and story.
Ages 8-11 yrs.
Instructor: LaVena Kidd
June 11, 12, 13, 14, 2–4 pm

Rings & Things—Metalsmithing Jewelry

Fun intro to tools & basic techniques used in metalsmithing and jewelry-designing for youth to create their own ideas in metal and wire.
5th–9th graders
Instructor: Lori Martin-Price
June 18, 19, 21, 22, 2–3:30 pm (not June 20)

Tie Dye T-shirt Workshop

Youth turn their black and white T-shirts into their own personal works of art.
Instructor: Shin-hee Chin
Saturday, June 23, 1–5 pm

East Meets West–India Ink Painting & More!
Youth learn about the Asian art form of sumie  with ink, oil pastels, watercolor.
Instructor: Shin-hee Chin
June 26, 27, 28, 29, 2 pm–4 pm (entering 1–5th grade)

Drawing in the Wild–Endangered Species Explored!
Youth create an appealing animal portrait by experimenting with vivid colored pencil techniques and bordering with poetry or prose. 
Instructor: Anne Nettleton, Salina
July 9–13, 2–4 pm

Metamorphantasanimals!
Youth experience their creativity by working with clay!
Instructor: Michaela Groeblacher
July 17–20, 2–4 pm

Wood is Good–Wood Assemblage!
Wood you believe? Wood, a beautiful medium for artists of all ages! Youth imagine, draw, construct, embellish, and have it!
Instructor: Anne Nettleton, Salina
July 16–20, 2–4 pm

Scholarship Opportunities are Available.
Funds are provided in part by KHF Children & Youth Fund administered by McPherson County Community Foundation

“Among Friends,” an exhibit of paintings

by Topeka artists,
Kim Casebeer and Cally Krallman

May 3–June 30, 2012

Reception, Saturday, June 30, 12–1:30 pm

Kim & Cally will teach a Painting Workshop,

Saturday, June 30, 10 am–5 pm, for acrylic and oil painters:

“From Boring to Brilliant—

Transforming Your Photos into Dynamic Paintings.”

$100, enroll in VAAM or call 620-241-5774 or 620-241-6131

Rooms of the Interior

Paintings by Joey Embers, Topeka

April 3–May 31, 2012

Heritage Gallery

in the McPherson Opera House

219 S. Main St, McPherson

M–F, 9 am–5 pm

Reception, Saturday, May 12, 5–7 pm

sponsored by

the Visual Arts Alliance of McPherson, Inc. (VAAM)

& the Raymer Society for the Arts, Lindsborg

Among Friends, An Exhibit of Paintings by

Kim Casebeer and Cally Krallman

May 3–June 30, 2012

Reception, Saturday, June 30, 12–1:30 pm

Painting Workshop, Saturday, June 30, 10 am–5 pm

Kim & Cally will teach a painting workshop

for acrylic and oil painters:

“From Boring to Brilliant—Transforming Your Photos

into Dynamic Paintings”
Saturday, June 30, 10 am–5 pm
Registration Fee: $100

To enroll, call 620-241-5774 or visit VAAM Gallery

223 S. Main St, McPherson, Tues–Sat, 10 am–5 pm

McPherson County Student Art Exhibition

& Scholarship Competition

sponsored by the Visual Arts Alliance of McPherson (VAAM)

at the Park School Gym, 210 N. Elm, McPherson

Stop in and see...

The artwork that our county students are doing!

and

The county high school seniors' portfolios
for the scholarship competition!

The exhibit is open to the public

Thursday, April 19, 10am–4pm

Friday, April 20, 1–4pm

Saturday, April 21, 10am–4pm

Sunday, April 22, 1–4pm

You are invited to the

Reception to honor the students and their parents

Friday, April 20, 5–8pm

Champagne-Chocolate-Art Bus Trip

See the glass wonders of Dale Chihuly
at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art

and have lots of fun on our

Champagne-Chocolate-Art Bus Trip

Saturday, March 31

$75 includes goodies on the bus
AND lunch in the Museum Cafe!

Leave VAAM at 7:30 am. Arrive back at VAAM at 10 pm!

Sign up now! 620-241-5774

The Artwork of Paul Friesen

Paul Friesen, potter and sculptor, wood and stone

March 1–April 28, 2012

Reception, Sunday, March 11, 2–4 pm

Spring 2012 Art Classes!

Beginning Metalsmithing & Jewelry
Instructor: Lori Martin-Price
Explore the basic techniques for fabricating jewelry and decorative pieces through demonstrations and hands-on projects. You will learn about soldering, texturizing and other metal techniques while creating your own jewelry and wearable art. Learn basic ring fabrication, bracelet and necklace linkage, texturized pendants or rings, bezel stone set.
Thursdays, March 1–April 5; 5:30–7:30 pm
$55 Registration Fee
Plus materials purchased from the instructor


Ceramics I & Wheel-Throwing

Instructor: Leanne Kilmer
Wheel-thrown forms, from conceptualization to the fired finished product, will be explored. Students will develop possibilities for an individualized style. Learn both basic hand-building and wheel throwing skills and make a variety of pottery shapes such as open, enclosed, organic, and sculptural forms. Learn various methods of making and attaching handles to pottery. Join separate wheel thrown and hand built forms into composite pots with pleasing proportions. Learn methods of glazing and or decorating pottery. Learn about the care of a studio how to avoid health concerns and the importance of keeping the facility as clean as possible.
Mondays, March 5–April 2; 5:30–8:30 pm

$55 Registration Fee
Plus materials purchased from the instructor

Spirit Assemblages
Instructor: Nancy Masterson

You will learn the diversity of assemblage art past and present; discover your creative spirit through group and personal experiences; explore the potential of music and the written word; express the above in your personal “spirit assemblages” and create a journal of inspirations. The class is designed for individual development in exploring relationships between found objects and their arrangement or assemblage. Learn about assemblage history, materials, contemporaries, the instructor’s work and influences. Discover their creative spirit through body tracing collage” and cigar box self-portraits and group and individual creative activities. Share “self-portraits.” Begin assemblage process with collected boxes and objects. Share insights and discoveries. Continue the explorations. Share the process and emerging possibilities. Some assemblages are never finished with a life of their own. Possible exhibit.
Thursdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26, and May 3, 6–9 pm
$55 Registration Fee
A supply list will be sent to each participant

Add Pizazz to Your Photos

Instructor: Dale Cole, Salina
Discover the photographer you are while you explore art made with a camera. Spend an evening with Photographer Dale K. Cole as you explore skills that will add pizzazz to your photographs. Learn how to compose your photograph, how to use lighting and filters for better pictures, and how photograph difficult images such as moving objects, vertical images, waterfalls and reflections and much, much more.
Tuesday, April 17; 7:00–8:30 pm
$15 Registration Fee

Intro to Block Printing

Instructor: David Brock

Block printing is the process of using an object to make an inked impression upon a plain surface. It is one of the oldest and most enjoyable of all the crafts and has given color and pattern to paper, cloth, and other surfaces for nearly 4,000 years. The process is simple and inexpensive, making it an ideal hobby or art form for the beginner. Yet its possibilities can be numerous and complex enough to challenge the most experienced. Learn to design, produce and print images using several block techniques. Have fun as you create unique greeting cards and other projects.
Saturdays, April 14 & 21; 1:00–4:00 pm
$55 Registration Fee (includes all materials)
$45 for adults - $35 for youths (ages 12–17)

All classes are held in the Mary Anderson Art Center

of the McPherson Opera House

Sign up today!

Just stop in the VAAM gallery, 223 S. Main, McPherson

Can't stop in? Just call 620-241-6131