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

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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 a 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 its 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 at 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).

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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.