August 2026 Newsletter

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Our August 12 meeting

Our next meeting will be on August 12 at National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri. Our meeting starts at 1 p.m., but you can arrive as early as 12:30 for conversations and to enjoy the friends who will be at the meeting.

Our August speaker will be Kate Francis, who became the Executive Director of the Friends of the Springfield Art Museum, Inc. in January of this year. Kate brings to that role years of executive experience in fundraising for nonprofit entities, including five years of experience as Museum Affairs Officer for the Springfield Art Museum. Some of her duties are similar to those from that previous position, and her experience includes raising funds for the Art Museum renovations. Kate will talk about the renovations and more at our August 12 meeting. You can learn more about Kate at the museum's website, here.

Also at our meeting, we will discuss items of business including a request for volunteers for a nominations committee, our logo contest, exhibition opportunities, and updates to our website. We hope to see you there.

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Exhibition Opportunities

Juanita K. Hammons Center for the Performing Arts: Upcoming 2026 themed exhibits at JKH: September is “Moods of Autumn” and November is “Frosted.”

Nearly Famous Deli (changes out every 2 months, with each exhibition now featuring 3 artists). You can ask to be placed on a list of artists should there be openings this year.

Current and upcoming Nearly Famous Deli schedule:

August 1-October 3 (Ruth Penaherrera-Norton, Mindy Tillery, Jessica Phillips)

October 3-December 5 (Ann Kynion, Allison Powers, Agnes Teagan)

December 5-February 6 (Donna Lynn Clark, Andi Snethern, Carol Snyder)

Nature Center 

Contact Ann Kynion for more information at akynion@yahoo.com.

Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe. If you are interested in participating in exhibitions here, contact Ann Kynion at akynion@yahoo.com.

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:

A "Summer"/Neutral exhibit is currently on display at both locations.

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 this group may submit information about paintings to display. 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. The last day for viewing the art at 2305 S. Blackman Rd is August 28. Artists should pick-up their art on Monday, August 31 from 10-11 a.m. Three artists have sold paintings during the exhibit so far.

National Avenue Christian Church

Generally, there are two exhibits a year. The exhibit currently on display is "Peace, Love, and Understanding." That art will be picked up on Saturday, August 15, 9-10 a.m. Art exhibited at the church does not need to be religious in nature but merely reflect the theme. Contact Doug Steere at studio55guild@gmail.com to express interest in the winter exhibit or see him at a meeting.

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Urban Sketchers of Springfield

Ann Kynion shares that Urban Sketchers of Springfield will be exhibiting at Park Central Library from August 1-31 with a Route 66 themed show. Urban Sketchers groups from many other locations along Route 66 will also be participating. There will be a First Friday event on August 7 at the Park Central Library!

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Our July Meeting

Thank you to our hosts at Arrow Creative Reuse for sharing your story (and offering us a chance to shop) during our July 8 meeting. So many challenges to opening a new nonprofit!