April '26 Newsletter
- Victoria Johnson
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: a few seconds ago
Southwest Missouri Visual Arts Collective
Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 1:00 PM LOCATION: National Avenue Christian Church 1515 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO
Program by Emmie Seaman
Our next meeting is on Wednesday, April 8, at 1 p.m. at National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield. Our featured speaker is Emmie Seaman.
"One of my greatest pleasures is to cut textiles into small pieces and sew them back together, making new and unusual fabrics of my own creation. Many of the fabrics that I use are non-traditional quilting fabrics. I dye and add surface design to many of the fabrics, plus I use varied textures, unusual color combinations, and photo imagery in my work."
She has participated in many exhibitions over the years, including several showings of her art at Waverly House Gifts and Gallery. In fact, she is featured there during April. Stop by during the opening reception on Friday, April 3, from 5-7:30 p.m. More information at this Link. Emmie was also one of the artists selected for the Springfield Regional Arts Council's "You Should Know" exhibition at the Creamery Arts Center in 2025.
Exhibit Opportunities
2026 themed exhibits at JKH 5th Floor April: “Wickedly Green” (art drop off at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 9). You must send your tag information to Ann Kynion by April 2 to participate. Use this online form to send your tag information: TAG INFORMATION. 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: April 4-June 6 (Dean Ertel, LaDonna Greiner, Anthony Verburgt), March 1-April 26, Library Center. This exhibit is currently on display. 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. Artists are currently on display through April. 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 may 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. Before 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: A "Spring"/Neutral exhibit is currently on display at both locations. June 6th - Delmar June 13th - Battlefield Exhibit Theme is "Summer" / Neutral
Sign up at the April or May meeting to participate.
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, 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. The 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 on Monday, May 11, 2026. There will be a “Meet the Artist” reception from 11 a.m. to 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.
29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition
The opening reception of the 29th Annual Senior Art Exhibition was held on Thursday, March 12 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Congratulations to the artists who submitted work, and congratulations to the artists whose art was displayed.
There are 83 pieces of art in the exhibit, representing the work of 53 local artists. The art remains on display through April 8 on the fourth and fifth floors. Here is a link to a Facebook video of the art on the walls of the fifth floor and a link to a Facebook video of the art on the walls of the fourth floor. Award winners and participants are listed on the photos accompanying this text.
Exhibitions
Bambinos Exhibitions
Donna Lynn Clark recently changed out the art at the two Bambinos locations on Delmar and on Battlefield.
Participating artists at one or both locations include Yvonne Anthony, Gail Attanasio. Donna Lynn Clark, Jack Clutter, Nancy Dornan, Dean Ertel, Lura Faye, Lynnsey Fletcher, Teresa Fry, Dee Giles, Les Hageman, Kathy Harris, Sony Hocklander, Marty Holder, Ann Kynion, Steve McGuire, Sabrina Perry, Jessica Phillips, Kaitlyn Potter, Allison Powers, Jean Rodgers, Leta Sapp, Carol Snyder, Doug Steere, Vivian Terbeek, Mindy Tillery and Anthony Verburgt.
The art will remain at the Delmar location until June 6 and at the Battlefield location until June 13. On those dates, new exhibitions will be installed.
Jenny Green
Jenny Green will be the featured artist at the Southern Missouri Arts Connection Arts Center in Hollister during May. The opening reception for “Love the Mother” will be Friday, May 1.
Our March Meeting
We're so thankful for the presentation by Amanda Layman at our March 11 meeting. The colorful art made a beautiful display.
ERPCA
Bonnie Schooler shares that there will be an artist reception at ERPCA on Wednesday, April 29th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The following artists are featured in this show, which will be on display until May 7: Bruce Burnaugh, Shaun Collins, Barbara Hicklin, Diane Lawrence, Andrew Mann, Ryan McClain, Susan Neese, Carol Snyder, Agnes Teagan/Arcturus Doodle, and Barbie Williams.
You can also view some of the art at this Facebook post: link.
Jane Ballard
Jane Ballard received the "Best Concept" award at the Spiva Center for the Arts Small Works Auction for her entry "Gather Together," which is an encaustic book that includes some of her photography. Bidding for that piece and the other artwork is open through April 24 at spivaarts.org.
Deby Gilley
Deby Gilley's linocut “Beautiful, Wonderful, Powerful!” was acceptedto the biannual Sacred and Liturgical exhibit in Springfield, IL. This show is sponsored by the Springfield Art Association and will be ondisplay in the MG Nelson Family Gallery from May 1-31. The theme of the exhibit is Sacred Rhythms/Sacred Patterns.
Gailey's Breakfast Cafe
Gailey's is having First Friday Art Walk event on April 3, from 6-9 p.m.,to recognize the Southwest Missouri Visual Arts Collective memberswho are displaying there. Participating artists include Amanda Layman,Alicia Farris. Alicia Mau, Teresa Fry, Allison Powers, Gary Tebbenkamp,Felicia Ellis, Bonnie Schooler, Deby Gilley, Mindy Tillery, Carolyn Carrigan,Shane Baker, Jenny Green, Ann Kynion, and Nancy Niewald.For more information, visit this link on Facebook.
Our March Meeting
We're so thankful for the presentation by Amanda Laymanat our March 11 meeting. The colorful art made a beautiful display.