Carol Snyder and Bonnie Schooler
Carol Snyder and Bonnie Schooler are displaying art at Blu Skies Salon, 440 S. Campbell Ave., beginning mid-March. They’ll have approximately 20 pieces of art showing and the displays will be updated at least quarterly with new art. Bonnie says that Blu Skies is offering a 10% discount to new customers who mention that they heard about the salon through the featured artists. In addition, they are having a “Bubbles and Blowouts” girls' night on March 20 from 7-9 p.m. The new art will be on display and refreshments will be served. For more information on the March 20 event, visit Facebook here.
29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition
There is an important update concerning the drop-off date for submissions for the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (JKH). Because a previous concert event was canceled and moved to the original drop-off date, the time for drop-off of your art is now 9-noon on Tuesday, March 10 in the JKH Lobby. The opening reception remains as previously scheduled, on Thursday, March 12 from 6:30-8 p.m. on the 4th and 5th Floors.
The Missouri State University (MSU) Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Gerontology announces the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. This juried fine arts exhibition allows visual artists aged 60 or older to submit up to two original entries completed in the last three years. Jurors select the pieces that will appear in the exhibit, and they select the awards that are presented at the opening reception. After the jurying process, the selected pieces are hung on the 4th and 5th Floor walls by a team of volunteers. Most art may be purchased.
This year, artists are being offered the option to submit their information online before dropping off their piece(s). You can access that registration here. If you do not wish to register online, there will also be paper registration forms available at the drop off location in the lobby of Juanita K. Hammons on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 9-noon.
In addition to awards presentations, the reception includes refreshments and a performance of songs by Theatre North of 60, a social organization composed of local actors and singers who are primarily aged 60 and over. Earlier this year, that group presented the musical “Annie” at National Avenue Christian Church in September, and they also performed at the Gillioz Theatre in October and at South Street Christian Church in December. The cornerstones of Theatre North of 60 are community building and advocating for accessibility, visibility, and performance opportunities.
The exhibition is being organized this year by Dr. Maureen Templeton, Associate Professor in the Gerontology Program, and Diane Denton, an instructor who teaches Intergenerational Artistic Expression through a collaboration with Gerontology and the Art and Design Department at MSU. “It is important for artists of all ages to feel seen,” Denton said. For some artists, this annual event is a tradition that they participate in each year, but for many others, this may be the first opportunity to display art in an exhibition. Denton explained that the Exhibition “creates a community in which these artists can tell their story.”
Questions may be directed to Diane Denton at gerontology@missouristate.edu. or (417) 399-8520.
Rick Atwell
Rick Atwell will be “Artist of the Month “at Formed Gallery during March. Rick and Jens will be serving wine and cheese at the Gallery on March 6, First Friday Art Walk, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Alicia Farris
Alicia Farris' work, "Distractions" was awarded Finalist in Splash 27, Best of Watercolor Publication that will be at the news stands in July of 2026. Her work, "Directional Conundrum" was accepted in the 49th International Watermedia Exhibition (IWE) and "Bomb Pop Stop" is being exhibited in the 49th Annual Southern Watercolor Society Exhibition.
Alicia was also honored to be invited to demonstrate for Streamline Publishing Art School Live recently. The free YouTube video can be viewed here.
March 2026
Southwest Missouri Visual Arts Collective
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM
LOCATION: National Avenue Christian Church
1515 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO
Program by Amanda Layman
Our next meeting is on Wednesday, March 11, at 1 p.m. at National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield. Our featured speaker is Amanda Layman.
Amanda Layman is an artist, musician, mom to two, and former freelance technical writer who moved to Springfield in 2008 from the Chicago area. She built a successful writing career fresh out of college but found, nearly two decades later, that it had drained her creative energy. After years of supporting her family with self-employment she made the leap and got a job at the rock climbing gym (a passion) and freed up her creative energy for writing and painting again. She is rediscovering the joy of regularly making art and loving every minute of it.
Last year Amanda participated in the Overlay Art and Culture Festival. You can view Amanda's art and read her blog entries at her website, amandalayman.com. A few images from her website are displayed below.
We look forward to seeing many of you at our meeting.
Merger, Bylaws, etc.
Progress continues on our merger of Studio 55 Arts Guild with the Visual Artist Alliance of Springfield. At our last meeting, members voted for "Southwest Missouri Visual Arts Collective" to be our new identity. That graphic at the top of this newsletter? It's not our logo; it's just a placeholder until we have a logo contest to create our new logo.
At the last Board meeting, a draft of bylaws was created for the group. It had been a while since those were reviewed. We will need members to vote at our March 11 meeting concerning the revised bylaws. You can review those new bylaws here in advance of the meeting.
Texture Painting Workshop
Meike Aton is holding a two-day texture painting workshop on April 15 and 22. Meike will provide many texture materials. For more information and to register, contact Meike at meikesart@gmail.com.
Farley Lewis
Farley Lewis is a guest artist this year at PACE (Plein Air Convention and Expo), May 14-18, held this year in Branson. For more information and registration, visit here. You can use his discount code when you register: LEWIS.
Exhibition Opportunities
At our February meeting, several members requested copies of a handout that included various exhibit opportunities in a color-coded format. We ran out of copies! Here is a link from which you can view or print out that handout.
2026 themed exhibits at JKH
Current exhibit: “Rhythm” (pick up your art that is on exhibit on the 5th floor between 9-10 a.m. on Thursday, March 5). Artists with art on the 4th floor should also pick up their art at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 5. The art that is currently hanging in the Fuldner Lounge should stay in the Fuldner Lounge until April 9.
5th Floor
April: “Wickedly Green” (art drop off at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 9).
May: “Route 66”
September: “Moods of Autumn”
November: “Frosted”
4th Floor (rotating groups of artists)
Four artists share the space, which follows the install/take down dates of the 5th Floor. Next install is at 10 a.m., April 9. Roster is currently full through 2026. For more information, contact Ann Kynion at akynion@yahoo.com.
Fuldner Lounge (rotating groups of artists)
Generally, this includes works of members who won an award at the previous 5th Floor exhibition. Those artists will be contacted.
Outside venues:
February-April 4: Nearly Famous Deli (changes out every 2 months, with each exhibition now featuring 3 artists). Roster for 2026 is currently full, but you can ask to be placed on a list to replace any artist who becomes unavailable. Contact Doug Steere at dougsteere@gmail.com for more information.
Upcoming Nearly Famous Deli schedule:
February 7-April 4 (Felicia Ellis, Dana Neuenschwander, Gary Tebbenkamp)
April 4-June 6 (Dean Ertel, LaDonna Greiner, Anthony Verburgt)
March 1-April 26, Library Center. This exhibit is currently hanging.
Additionally, the Library Center is looking for entries for their display case that faces the hallway. There is room for 3-D art or unique collections for display in the glass-enclosed shelves accessed from the reading room and art gallery. If you are interested in displaying there, please contact Sherry Norman, 417-883-5341.
April-May, Nature Center (theme of “Nature in Missouri”)
Up to 30 artists can participate. Contact Ann Kynion to indicate interest or for more information, at akynion@yahoo.com.
Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe. The next roster of artists for March-April is full. There will be a children’s show thereafter until July 7, and then another roster of 14 artist members will hang their art. That July 7 roster and the remaining rosters throughout the year have some vacancies, and if you are interested contact Ann Kynion at akynion@yahoo.com.
July-September, Botanical Center
Up to 30 artists can participate. Contact Ann Kynion at akynion@yahoo.com for more information.
Bambinos
There are two locations with opportunities — Bambinos on Delmar and Bambinos on Battlefield. Prior to each exhibit there will be a sign-up sheet at the monthly meetings for artists interested in showing at these locations, and you may show at both. You must sign up to be eligible to participate. The remaining install schedule for 2026 is as follows:
March 7th - Delmar March 14th - Battlefield
Exhibit Theme is "Spring"/ Neutral
June 6th - Delmar June 13th - Battlefield
Exhibit Theme is "Summer" / Neutral
September 5th - Delmar September 12th - Battlefield
Exhibit Theme is "Autumn" / Neutral
December 5th - Delmar December 12th - Battlefield
Exhibit Theme is "Celebrating Love"
Artists receive 100% of the profit from their sales here. People who sign up for an upcoming exhibit will be contacted by Donna Lynn Clark and receive specific details for that event. Drop off dates are the beginning of the exhibit date and pick up dates are the date of the next exhibit, at 8:30 a.m.
MudLounge
The MudLounge is a venue that prefers larger dimension paintings — 2.5-4 feet, but we will welcome submissions of smaller size art also. There is space for 12-15 large paintings that will be on display for 4 months. Paid members of Studio 55 and/or VAAS may submit information about paintings to display. Current display is exhibiting now. For more information about the next exhibit, contact Gary Tebbenkamp at garyt1949@gmail.com
ERCPA Art Gallery (Elliott, Robinson & Company, LLP)
“BIG & small,” May-August 2026.
Any member of Studio 55 or VAAS may submit art. ERCPA GALLERY supports local artists and this exhibition will highlight big & small works in a gallery wall style installation. Applications must first be submitted by April 22 to Cynthia Bylander, cbylander3b@gmail.com. Include images of the two-dimensional works (paintings, drawings, or photography). Include the following in your email:
Title
Medium
Size (width x height)
Price or NFS (100% of sales to artist)
Artist Name
Art must be delivered from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 to Elliott, Robinson & Co, LLP, 2305 S. Blackman Rd., Springfield. Note: Deliver work by using the north front entry doors (due to construction at the south entrance). The exhibition opens Monday, May 11, 2026. There will be a “Meet the Artist” reception from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Requirements of Artwork:
NO THEME except by size of work.
SIZE: LARGE WORKS - 24">PLUS
small works - less < 10"
Framed or painted gallery wrapped canvas edges, wire hangers only, original works only. Volunteer assistance for on-site hanging on May 8th and removal (TBA) would be greatly appreciated. Please let Cynthia Bylander know if you can help her and Brenda Raynor (Gallery Curator).
National Avenue Christian Church
Generally, two exhibits a year. Currently planning one for late Spring, with the possible theme of "Peace, Love, and Understanding." More information will be forthcoming soon. Contact Doug Steere at dougsteere@gmail.com to express interest.
Our February Meeting
We had what appeared to be a record crowd at our February meeting! Many thanks to our speaker, Jenny Green, for a presentation full of education and laughs.
Encaustic Workshop
Mindy Tillery shares an upcoming encaustic workshop. The workshop is May 16-17 at Arrow Creative Reuse. You can learn more information at this link.
Lucid TLC Arts Studio and Gallery
Dana Neuenschwander submits the following opportunity to the group:
Call for Art: Under X — Small Works Show
Lucid TLC Arts Studio and Gallery | Nixa, Missouri
Lucid TLC invites artists to submit work for Under X, a juried small works exhibition celebrating the impact of art at an intimate scale. This exhibition highlights the strength, intention, and presence that can exist within a 12-inch boundary.
Eligibility & Guidelines:
• All submitted artwork must be no larger than 12 x 12 inches (not including frame).
• 3-D work must not exceed 12 inches in height, width, or depth.
• All work must be original and handmade by the artist.
• AI-assisted or AI-generated work will not be accepted.
• All media are welcome, provided work meets size and originality requirements.
Important Dates: Submission Deadline, May 15; Artist Notification, May 18. For more information and to submit work for consideration, use this link.