The Madison Art Club is Helping Artists Thrive!
|
Apply for the 2022-2023 HArT Program NOW!! Downloads: HArT Program Instructions MAC Membership Form for HArT Program only Contact: Debi Black, Chair HArT Commitee 812-265-2923 artclub.madison.in@gmail.com |
|
Madison Art Club's HArT Program (Helping Artists Thrive) launched in June of 2017, with modest funding from the Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County. The Program provided an opportunity local artist, Deborah Boston, to exhibit and sell her artwork at the Art On Main Gallery and to benefit from the support of the experienced member-artists in exchange for contributing her skills, ideas and time to MAC and to the local community.
Thanks to a small carryover of the 2017 funding and to the generosity of the family of Ann Campbell (one of the founding members of the MAC) the HArT program was expanded to three participants in 2018. As the first HArT participant and graduate), Deborah Boston exemplifies its goals. Deborah regularly attended monthly MAC membership meetings, and enthusiastically contributed her time and skills to Club programs. She served on the Planning Committee of the Annual Regional Fall Art Show, participated in the installation of 'The Art of Healing' exhibit at KDH and prepared the biography cards for each of the artists exhibiting Art On Main. After receiving training by MAC member Elle Smith, Deborah became one of the volunteer staff at Art On Main. From MAC member Debi Black, Deborah received free watercolor classes and advice on presenting her artwork on the walls of Art On Main. It wasn't long before Deborah sold one of her paintings. In August, one of Deborah's pieces was selected for 'The Art of Learning' exhibit at Ivy Tech in Madison. A painting she entered in the Madison Area Arts Alliance's 'Art Garden' at the Farm to Table dinner, was one of the 1st to be purchased. In September, Deborah was one of the 'Featured Artists' at Art On Main. Deborah entered (2) pieces in the MAC's Regional Fall Art Show, and rounded out a busy artistic year with the Square Deal Show. As a final testament to her relationship with her fellow MAC members, Deborah was elected as an officer of the Club (Executive Secretary). Without the HArT program, it is unlikely that any of these events would have taken place. Both the MAC and Deborah have reaped the benefits of the HArT program. Debbie completed her 12-month participation on July 31, 2018. The new 2018 HArT program participants are Jacob Louden and Melissa Porter. Jacob Louden recently moved to Madison from Lexington, Kentucky. He is a certified 'Diamondtologist' with years of experience in the retail jewelry market. His true passion, however, is abstract painting. Jacob's large, colorful and dynamic paintings are expressions of his spontaneity and enthusiasm for the art form. It was during a visit to Art On Main that Jacob learned about the HArT program. 'I applied that day and before I realized, it my artwork was hanging in the Gallery.' Jacob says 'I'm honored to have been chosen for the HArT program because I'm now in an environment that allows me to cultivate my talent into a career. I'm building the necessary tools I need to work the business side of the art world. I'm already an artist but working the Gallery allows me to get the experience I need to be a businessman and salesman.' In November, Jacob entered the 2017 Regional Fall Art Show. He has the distinction of being the 1st artist with a sale in the Show. Moments before it officially opened, a lawyer from Indianapolis bought Jacob's painting on-the-spot. Jacob has received training from Elle Smith and recently worked a shift Art On Main. Jacob and Deborah Boston (graduate of the 2017 HArT program) will be co-chairs of the 2018 Black History Month exhibit at Art On Main. Melissa Porter became a member of the MAC in August of 2017. Since then, she's often made the drive from her home in Jeffersonville to attend monthly MAC meetings. On additional trips to Madison she directed organizational skills honed as a Medical Office Assistant and her retail experience to Club activities. Melissa pitched in with the Regional Fall Art Show and 'The Art Of Healing' at KDH. As an artist, Melissa enjoys painting and collage created with acrylic and other medium. She describes her style of florals/botanical artwork as 'impressionism, abstract, a little whimsical'. Although Melissa has exhibited her work in several MAC shows, she has been reluctant to join the Gallery. It was encouragement from MAC member Natalie Gray that prompted Melissa to apply for the 2018 HArT Program. In her application, Melissa explained 'I've had a lifelong desire to create, and have been doing so on and off over the years as time and circumstances allowed. Since becoming an empty-nester, I now have the time to explore and pursue this desire. I need help with how to go about this.' As mentioned in the opening paragraph, part of the funding for the 2018 HArT program came from the a donation by the family of the late Ann Campbell, of the founding members of the MAC. In October, Ann's granddaughter, Kelly Rector donated 21of Ann's paintings to the MAC. One painting (of the Delta Queen) was designated as a permanent memorial of Ann's contribution to the Club. The instructions for the remaining pieces were that the MAC is '''free to sell the items & use the money as the Club would like.' The family particularly liked the idea of the money being put toward the HArT (Helping Artists Thrive) Program. The timing of the donation couldn't have been better. In December every year, the MAC members celebrate the holidays with a 'Winter Social' at Art On Main. A highlight of the evening is a 'White Elephant' auction, where members donate art supplies, books, jewelry, household items,etc, as well as their own artwork. The proceeds go to the MAC, but have traditionally not been earmarked for any specific need. In light of the Campbell donation, the members decided to earmark the auction funds to the HArT program. One of Ann's paintings ('Dickens Winter Scene') was included in the auction. The total amount raised night was $350, enabling the HArT to be expanded to (2) participants in 2018. Money raised by future 'White Elephant' auctions and by sales of Ann's remaining paintings will be earmarked for the HArT program. Those who would like to support the HArT program (in the form of individual donations and/or corporate sponsorship) can make monetary (tax deductible) donations to the Program online via PayPal here or mail a check to Art On Main, 309 W Main St, Madison, IN 47250. Ann Campbells's paintings are available for purchase at Art On Main, with 100% of proceeds going to the HArT program.Inquiries for participating in the Program can be sent to artclub.madison.in@gmail.com |
2017-2018 HArT Program: Melissa Porter, Jacob Louden and Deborah Boston
|
