May 2026 Newsletter
- Doug Steere
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
This month, we are using the Visual Artist Alliance of Springfield's website to try out how we might do the newsletter for our merged group - Southwest Missouri Visual Arts Collective. Let us know if you have trouble viewing the newsletter, so that we can decide which option works well for the group.
Join us at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, at National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield, as we hear from our speaker, Ken Richardson. You've probably seen Ken's art at Obelisk Gallery and elsewhere. It is unique and distinctive.
Ken says his work "encompasses the collection and utilization of a wide variety of materials. I enjoy using whatever is at hand: salvaged, recycled, new, organic, found objects, paint. Combinations of these may it be included at any time. The materials can dictate my direction, or they may simply provide inspiration for new pieces."
Important Information About Parking and Art Pickup/Dropoff, May 7
If you have art in the Wickedly Green exhibition at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, or if you are dropping off art for the Route 66 exhibition, the time and date to do that is Thursday, May 7, around 10 a.m.
It appears that there has been a recent significant increase in parking enforcement on university property. For example, your newsletter editor received TWO parking violations within 5 days of one another. These were locations where I've parked for more than 3 years without incident. One ticket was placed on the car within 10 minutes of parking. I've also heard from others that they are getting tickets. Because of this, to reduce the time you are at Hammons Hall, we are recommending that you drive up to the U driveway near the lobby and retrieve or leave your art there, and we will take the Route 66 art to the fifth floor. We will have the art from the Wickedly Green exhibition in the lobby by 10 a.m. on May 7. We are also trying to confirm whether our members who volunteer to hang an exhibit can park on the North Side of Hammons Hall. Otherwise, there is street parking, for example, on Walnut.
Exhibition Opportunities
2026 themed exhibits at JKH
5th Floor
May: “Route 66” (art drop off at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 7, see above section of newsletter for details)
September: “Moods of Autumn”
November: “Frosted”
4th Floor (rotating groups of artists)
Three or four artists share the space. Roster is currently full through 2026. For more information, contact Ann Kynion at akynion@yahoo.com.
Fuldner Lounge (rotating groups of artists)
Further information will be provided later about the next opportunity to exhibit here.
Other venues:
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. Contact Doug Steere at studio55guild@gmail.com for more information.
Current Nearly Famous Deli schedule:
April 4-June 6 (Dean Ertel, LaDonna Greiner, Anthony Verburgt)
Nature Center
Contact Ann Kynion for more information at akynion@yahoo.com.
Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe. There will be a children’s show there until July 7, and then another roster of 14 group 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. 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 "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 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 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. 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.
If you previously submitted art by email to Cynthia Bylander for consideration, 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
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. Plans are underway for an exhibition in June, with the possible theme of "Peace, Love, and Understanding." More information will be forthcoming very soon. Contact Doug Steere at studio55guild@gmail.com to express interest.
"Wickedly Green"
Our "Wickedly Green" exhibition on the fifth floor of Hammons Hall will be taken down at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 7. The exhibition coincided with the performances of "Wicked" at Hammons Hall.
The juror for the exhibition gave the following recognitions and awards: First Place, Doug Steere, “The Undergrowth”; Second Place, Julie Zaslow, “Bridal Suite”; Third Place, Mindy Tillery, “Tangled Up in Green”; Best Theme, Kaitlyn Potter, “Wonder: First Light”; Honorable Mention, Jenny Green, “Ram”; Honorable Mention, Deby Gilley, “Psalm 84:10”.
You can view a video of the exhibition on Facebook, here.
Andi Snethern
Andi Snethern is the featured artist at Formed Gallery in May. There will be new art on display and there will be refreshments during the First Friday Artwalk, from 6-9 p.m. on May 1.
Andi recently received the People's Choice Award for her painting, “An Evening at the Crispy Biscuit Diner,” part of the Springfield-Greene County Library’s One Read juried exhibition for the book, "The Briar Club."
"Unscripted"
As you may have heard at our April meeting, we have been asked to coordinate the monthly artist interviews on KOLR10's "Unscripted" program. And we have a volunteer to coordinate this -- member Lynnsey Fletcher!
If you are interested in signing up to be on KOLR10's "Unscripted," please sign up using this link or on the physical sign-up sheet at our next meeting. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Lynnsey Fletcher via email at artbylynnseyfletcher@gmail.com or by phone at (479)250-5619.
Barbara Vicente
Barbara Vicente won a juror's choice award for her woven rain stick, "Shake it UP," submitted to Waverly House's "Sound in Visions" exhibit. Opening reception is Friday, May 8, from 5 - 7:30 p.m. and the exhibit runs through June 6.
Nancy Dornan
Nancy Dornan is the featured artist at the Hatch Auditorium in the Library Center.
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.
Bambinos Cafe
Donna Lynn Clark and her team installed a new exhibit at both locations of Bambinos in late March. Here are a few photos of some of the art that will be there until the next exchange of art in June.
Board Officers and At-Large Members
As announced at the last meeting, here is the current slate of Board Officers and At-Large Members of the Board.
Officers
President - Janelle Patterson
Vice President - Ann Gunion
Secretary - Andi Snethern
Treasurer - Laura Ingalsbe
At-Large Board Members
Membership - Janice McCain
Exhibitions - Ann Kynion
Communications - Doug Steere
Our April Meeting
All the things you can do with fabric! We learned so much. Thank you, Emmie Seaman, for your presentation at our April meeting.
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