1. art and entertainment

Artbag
April 2015
Berrien Artist Guild Newsletter
Who we are: We are the Berrien Artist Guild, centered in the community through the Box Factory – a
place that embodies our Vision and Mission.
Our Vision: To create and maintain an outstanding place to practice and celebrate artistic diversity
through interacting, educating, learning, and growing.
Our Mission: Nurturing the arts and creativity.
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INSPIRING FUTURE ARTISTS
Middle & High School
COMMUNITY STUDENT ART EXHIBITS 2015
A school-based, partnership
program presented by:
March 27th – April 20th
Reception April 7th from 5:30-7:30 p.m.,
Awards Ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
The three collaborating organizations are proud
to offer a high quality visual arts experience that
provides an important exhibit opportunity for our
students and leadership opportunities for our
teachers. These student art exhibits will
celebrate and support our student artists,
encourage artistic growth and provide recognition
for students of the arts.
The middle school exhibit, (grades 6 - 8) will
emphasize the artistic learning process and
introduce students to the work of curating a
gallery exhibit.
We are happy to present a premier opportunity
for High School students, (grades 9 - 12) to offer
a high standard of visual art appreciation and
artist visibility. Students will be able to not only
see work of their peers outside of their home
school district but will also have the opportunity
to develop and expand their professional
portfolio.
Thank you to our 2015 Sponsors:
Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary Foundation
Berrien Community Foundation
Cayo Family
Clementine's Too Restaurant
Green Bay Packaging
Innovative Woodworking
Oscar's Printing & Copy Center
Vail Rubber
Whirlpool Corporation
CELEBRATING CREATIVE KIDS
Elementary school show winners
Show Winners: School Winner's
Overall 1st Place Lincoln Elementary
Overall 2
nd
River Valley Elementary
Honorable Ment. Brookview Montessori
Name
Audrey Osborn
Ellie Lumley
Rowan White
For the full list of 2015 Elementary Student Art Scholarship
winners go to:
www.berrienresa.org/programsservices/artseducation/comm
unity-student-art-exhibits/
If you are not already a member please join.
We have so many things happening, thanks to the generosity of our members and friends! We
provide classes and workshops; host a wide variety of art competitions, gallery shows, concerts,
plays, writing programs, etc. Please, by all means, come in and explore, learn & grow with us!
We welcome both artists of all genres and people who don’t think of themselves as artist, but support
what we do. The Box Factory is a warm and welcoming center for all the arts.
It is easy to become a member: online at www.boxfactoryforthearts.org and click on join us or call
269-983-3688 or visit the Box.
Members Opportunity
Writing Workshop Flash Fiction with Thisbe Niessen
Saturday, May 16, 2015, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
break for lunch – soup & salad provided Writers’ Studio
Where: Box Factory (3rd Floor Meeting Room)
Cost: $40 members, $50 non-members
Register: Box Factory Front Desk or call 269-983-3688.
What is flash fiction? Flash fiction, short-shorts, smoke-longs, micro
fiction, mini fiction, sudden, nano, quick and hint fiction – it goes by
various names and gets defined in different ways, and at different
lengths, but whatever you call them, in this workshop we’re going to write
them, study them, and workshop them, too. We’ll produce new material
based on generative prompts and exercised – often using artifacts and found objectors,
because the blank page can be really daunting but, lucky for us, the world happens to be
enormously full of STUFF that’s ours for the taking.
Thisbe Nissen is the author of two novels, The Good People of New York (Knopf, 2001) and
Osprey Island (Knopf, 2004), and a story collection, Out of the Girls' Room and into the Night
(University of Iowa Press, 1999, Winner of the John Simmons Short Fiction Award). She is also
the co-author (with Erin Ergenbright) of The Ex-Boyfriend Cookbook, a collection of stories,
recipes and art collages. Now an Associate Professor at Western Michigan University, Thisbe
has been working in the short-short form for twenty years, ever since she realized she could
remove the line breaks from all the bad poems she’d ever written and uncover tiny stories hiding
in plain sight. Her first published short-short, “At the No. 1 Phoenix Garden,” won second place
in Story’s Short-short contest and appeared in the magazine’s spring 1997 issue.
From the President, Laura Goos
As you may be aware, last month Ali Hansen left her role as Executive
Director and we thank her for four years with our organization. Ali was
instrumental in many wonderful things here at the Box and we wish her
all the best. At this time, we are not replacing the role of Executive
Director. Instead, the Board is actively involved in the day to day
operations. We are evaluating the needs of the organization and
gaining valuable input from our committees and office staff.
In terms of the organization, I want to take this moment to write about how it operates. We have
a Building and Grounds Committee, Finance Committee, Gallery Committee, Entertainment
Committee and a Marketing Committee. All of these are run by volunteers; from the members
who chair the committee to the volunteers who are the backbone. In addition to those
committees, we have an elected Board of Directors who are also volunteer members. Finally,
we have our Office Staff; these dedicated souls are responsible for the day to day operations of
the Box Factory.
The Board of Directors has the responsibilities, according to our by-laws, of the operations of
the Box Factory. The Board must select the staff and maintain oversight and governance of the
operations. The Board of Directors is elected with two year terms each fiscal year. The Board
also appoints chairs to the various committees.
Committee Chairs serve as the creative and operational force behind many of our activities.
From Entertainment to Gallery, Marketing to Building and Grounds to Finance; these
committees are very active. Entertainment, Gallery and Marketing focus on musical
shows/concerts, films, plays, gallery exhibits, openings, member shows, special events, logos,
marketing materials, etc. Building and Grounds and Finance have a very operational focus –
our 100+ year old building takes a lot of maintenance, paint, good vibes and contractors; our
Finances are done on an accrual counting method consistent with a non-profit like the Box
Factory. Both of these committees are paramount to our Future.
We also have volunteers who run our “Creative Communities” such as the Writers Studio at the
Box Factory, The PlayFest, and Friday Films, just to name a few. Our dedicated Staff is busy
supporting all the amazing things happening at the Box. They do everything from answer tenant
questions to write press releases, plan events/classes/programs and coordinate volunteer help.
All of this variety of people along with the entire membership, tenants, teachers and patrons
make up this vital organization. That has not changed and will not change.
The Board is looking for ways to continue to make our Arts Center a destination for our
community and a place that we can fulfill our new Mission – “Nurturing the Arts and Creativity”.
We want to bring the community in for events that highlight our artists and members in unique
and colorful ways. We will continue to have dynamic concerts, openings and shows that bring
Art to people and nurture their own art and creativity. We will continue to concentrate on
honoring our past and paying tribute to that but looking forward to a bright future for all of us.
If you have questions or concerns, feel free to send them to our email address for the Board of
Directors at [email protected].
Art Bag
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
In the Galleries:
Inspiring Future Artists
Meet the Co-gallery Chairs
Middle & High School
Now – April 20th
Sunday hours 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Elaine Harju
Education:
BA in Economics,
Mundelein College,
Chicago, IL
Reception April 7th
from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Box Factory
Volunteer & Board
Member for
Twelve Years.
Awards Ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
What do you feel you bring to the Box Factory as
Gallery Co-chair? I bring to and gain from a feeling of
fulfillment. Always an aspirational Artist, but always
involved in business, the Box Factory has provided a
caring space to let my inner creativity grow and be
nurtured.
Coming in May
Notifications posted
On April 13th to
www.boxfactoryforthearts.org
Opening Reception May 15
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Cara Garnett
Education:
BFA in Sculpture,
Eastern Michigan
University
MA in Arts
Administration,
Eastern Michigan
University
What do you feel you bring to the Box Factory as
Gallery Co-chair?
I am an arts administrator and artist who has devoted
her life to the arts. My passion is to invent new, more
powerful and efficient ways to connect people with Art.
I believe that art can change the world and I will do
anything I can to be a part of that change.
April, 2015 Events
Box Factory: Concerts, Activities & Programs
CONCERTS: All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $10 general admission, $8
seniors (60+) and students; children 12 and under admitted free, unless noted
differently.
Saturday, April 4, No Concert – Easter Weekend
Saturday, April 11, Mark Dvorak w/ Opener Andy Burd
Saturday, April 18, Blue Water Ramblers
Saturday, April 25, The Sypians
CLASSES: Sign up for classes at the Box Factory front desk, or call 269-983-3688.
Learn the Magic of Watercolor with Dori Josimovich - Saturday April 11 from 10 to 4 p.m. in the
Gast Classroom. Members $50 fee, Non-members $55 fee. Register at Box Factory front desk, and
receive supply list and prep for class.
Firefly photo workshops with David Knight. The 6 week workshops will begin:
Tuesday, April 14th – Intermediate Photo Class, and Wednesday, April 15, Basic Photoshop.
$135 members, $150 non-members from 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Portrait class - Monday 1-4 p.m. and Wednesday 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. in the Gast Classroom. $10 fee,
led by Bob Williams. Call Bob at 269-449-8163 with any questions.
Kristin Hosbein Realistic Art in Oil or Acrylics, Mondays 6:30 -9:30 p.m., or Thursdays 1:00-4:00
p.m. Box Factory front desk has materials list.
Open Studio– Fridays: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cost 6 classes: Members $80, Non-members $90,
Instructor: Pam Kirkham.
PRINT SHOP: The print shop is available for use, contact Nani: [email protected] for
details.
WRITERS’ STUDIO:
Day Writing Group – Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – noon in the Box Factory 3rd
floor meeting room. Open to drop-ins. Led by Isabel Jackson – [email protected]
Night Writers –Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. in the Box Factory Library. Led by
Denise Tackett - (Class is full this term)
Writers Anonymous – Meets at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday each month in the main floor
cafe area for a potluck dinner. Contact Joni King for information at [email protected]
For more information call the Box Factory at 269-983-3688 during normal gallery hours of 10 a.m.to
4 p.m. Monday – Saturday, Sunday 1 – 4 p.m. (April 12th- 19th).
Office hours Monday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and Tuesday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Check our web site
at www.boxfactoryforthearts.org or our Facebook page for up-to-date info.
Berrien Artist Guild Board of Directors
Laura Goos - President
Anthony Schaller – Vice-President
Penni Casper – Secretary
Pam Hartman Kantor – Treasurer
Susan M. Craw - Director
Jim DeVries – Director
Erica Griessel – Director
Kristen Maniscalco - Director
Bob Williams – Director
Staff
Karen Brandt – Office Manager
Cindy Kinney – Project Manager
Nani Murphy – Home School Coordinator
Sherrock McClinton – Custodian
Members of the Month:
Each month we feature artists as “artist of the
month.” On the Box Factory web site, click on
“art” at top, then “featured artist.” This month we
are featuring James O’Haver.
Box Factory for the Arts
1101 Broad Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085
Member Show
July – August, 2015
“A Really Big Shoe”, here is your opportunity
to be creative with 2-D and 3-D art. Shoes are
the subject, make them, decorate the, paint
them, paint pictures of them, photograph them,
but most of all have fun and stretch your
imagination.
Contact us:
Mail: Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad Street,
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 983-3688
Fax: (269) 983-3771
Web: www.boxfactoryforthearts.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Hours: Gallery 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mon. – Sat.
Sun. 1 – 4 p.m. April 12th – 19th
Hours: Office 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Mon. and
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tues. – Fri.
April is National Volunteer Month
As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, let's
recognize those who give themselves to help others.
Box Factory Volunteers the Board and staff
appreciate everything you do to make the Box the
special place.
Special thanks to the volunteers who assisted with
the Grand Rapids Cottage & Lakefront Living
Booth: Ralph & Elaine Harju, Rebecca Hungerford,
Bob & Joan Judd, Sherry & Mike Saenz, and Bob
Williams.