march members memo

Hello MWCA Members!
Hope this finds you well on this gorgeous spring day! Here are a few quick updates...

1 -- POP UP ARTISTS' MARKET -- ART FESTIVAL
We have TWO main opportunities for our members who are artists/artisans/makers to sell directly to the public via a POP UP SHOP:
Monroe Blooms and Fall Fest
Our next really big event for market artists is ...
MONROE BLOOMS/Saturday Soiree -- May 20 from 9am - 2pm (these are the hours of the city event)

This year, you must pay $15 by May 18 to reserve your spot > HERE or visit the art center to pay.
You will collect your own money and handle your customers for 10% of your sales – paid to MWCA at the end of the day – with a cap of $50 (for a total of $65 paid to us). You must already be an artist in our Shop to have a pop-up shop.
On May 20 - you will set up a table and/or tent outside.  Be ready by 9 am as the city has set the hours from 9am - 2pm.  First come, first served - you can be in the grassy areas but don't block sidewalks. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to direct you; please follow their instructions.  I don't assign spots. 
PLEASE NOTE >>> The area under the tree on the corner is RESERVED for our own fundraisers!!  
Space is limited so sign up soon!  
We will consider allowing those not already in the Shop into the pop up market at Blooms -- you must be a member of course, and your work will have to be juried into Blooms.  Email photos of sample works by responding to this email.

If you'd like to run a fun workshop - I recommend a price point of $15 - 25, please let me know by May 1 so I can get the word out.  I need a description and photo of the project.  I like to have 2 - 4 workshops on our Soiree days.  

2 -- Guild Event - plein air painting workshop with Andrea Kindl (free - a members-only benefit)
Saturday, April 15 from 8 am - 4 pm
Location: Private farm in the Bold Springs area - address will be provided when you RSVP
Join other MWCA members at our April Art Guild Meeting - if you're a Member, you're invited!

Supplies needed:

• Limited palette of oil or acrylic paints is recommended for packing/travel ease -
• Portable easel
• Brushes
• These comfort items are recommended: sun hat, bug spray, fold up chair, trash bag for paper towels to take with you, bottle of drinking water, umbrella and camera.  
• Also lunch/snack items.

Andrea will start a demo at 9am and you will start your own painting after the demo.  Andrea will move among artists for individual help. ALL levels of experience are welcome - beginners to advanced.  Adults only. Please arrive at the farm by 8am, to search for a painting spot and set up your gear.  We will take a lunch break together and finish our paintings before 4 pm.

**RSVP by emailing our Guild Chair, Juli Tredwell -- [email protected]  -- by APRIL 13.**

3 -- UNICORN DAY & Saturday Soiree!
One of our most popular events -- and it's a city-wide event -- is coming up on Saturday, April 15!
We will have lots of unicorn-themed gifts made by our artists plus these workshops:

• Unicorn pottery project with Rebecca Braswell
• Unicorn painting with Jennifer Dominy
• Fairy Hair with Jena Kent
• Face-painting with Rebecca McCartt and Kim Moore
• Cotton candy and popcorn - this is a fundraiser for our pottery and art classrooms
• We will have one of our fun scavenger "egg" hunts, too.

More details will be included in our next emailed newsletter.

​4 -- CURRENTLY IN THE GALLERY: Middle School Student Art Show
This show is open through April 13.  
You're invited to the closing reception to honor the artists on April 13 from 6-7:30pm.

5 -- AUTHORS' NIGHT wine and cheese reception
Meet our Book Nook Authors - Saturday, April 22 from 7 - 9 pm.  Free and YOU'RE INVITED.  Talk to local authors and relax in our lovely art center.  Many different genre authors will be here including mystery, young adult, romance, general fiction, paranormal and more.  A fun evening to socialize with our fabulous writers!

6 -- Volunteer!
If you're interested in volunteering, please email our volunteer chair, Lori Volk: [email protected]

7 -- 2023 NATURE MEETS ART Garden Tour
Saturday, May 6 from 10am - 4pm
Rain or shine event!
ALL the details HERE!
Five local gardens on tour to inspire and motivate you!  We will showcase a little something for everyone whether you're an experienced gardener or a newbie ... or have a large garden or an intimate in-town space.

• ADVANCE sales to members only: available NOW through April 1 ($25 early bird price - be sure to get your ticket early as we may sell out!) >>> HERE IS THE LINK TO PURCHASE TICKETS or you can visit the art center!
• Early Bird ticket sales open to the public on April 2 -- Early bird price from April 2 - 22
• Full price tickets ($30) April 23 - May 6 (until we sell out)

Volunteers are needed, too:

• Garden Greeters
• Plein Air Painters and Garden Musicians  

If you are interested, please use this link to sign up: 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904094AADA822A3FC1-may62023
Volunteers work one shift of either 10am - 1pm  - or -  1pm - 4pm and receive a FREE ticket to tour the gardens on their "off shift".

8 -- CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE 
Thanks to the efforts of Zach Coffman and Penny Anderson we have some great previews of the gardens on the Tour PLUS Zach is creating some really nice (SHORT -- like a minute or two!) videos on social media highlighting some of our events and classes.  You can also see some of the new items in the shop!  Visit us @monroewaltoncenterforthe arts on Facebook and @monroewaltonarts on Instagram.  Please like or follow us!  And feel free to share our posts on your own social media.  You have no idea how HUGE a help it is to get the positive message of our local arts programs out into our community.

YOU are appreciated!  We would not be the vibrant, involved and interesting community arts center that we are without your support in so many ways.  Look out for details for a BBQ fundraiser coming up on April 29. 

I'd like to end by sharing our ....
Mission Statement:
To support local artists, writers, and musicians and to create a thriving arts community by providing opportunities to experience art through a local artist market as well as gallery shows, classes, workshops, and special events.

Vision Statement:
To create a transformational arts community that promotes "Art for All" by delivering the aesthetic and healing benefits of the arts