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