October 2026 Newsletter
Our October Meeting
Our next meeting will be on October 14 at 1 p.m. at National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield. Our speakers, Heidi Herrman Bacon and Janelle Patterson, will discuss the Route 66 Centennial Sculptures that are displayed around town. Arrive early at 12:30 p.m. for social time with your fellow artists and art-lovers. Bring your latest art projects to share at the tables behind the group seating.
Volunteers
All officers and board members of our group are volunteers. Everyone who helps hang exhibits, set up meeting spaces, and do important work behind the scenes are volunteers. And we need more volunteers to help the group.
We will need a new vice president by the beginning of 2027. If you've ever thought about getting involved, this is a perfect opportunity. The vice president works closely alongside the president, Janelle Patterson, and can learn so much about our organization from that position. Please contact Janelle Patterson or another board member or officer at our meeting to get more information or indicate interest. It is an elected position which we will be voting on soon.
We also need volunteers to help us hang our many exhibits around town and at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. You don't need experience and we will teach you what you need to know. Minimal requirements would include the ability to lift 10 pounds (or help arrange materials). You can start out as a one-time volunteer to see if it is something you enjoy and if it is, we can have you join an installation team of other volunteers. Sign up at our next meeting at the tables behind the seating area or talk to Ann Kynion for more details.
If you attend the meetings, also think about volunteering for hospitality (refreshments, greeting visitors, etc.) or meeting setup (helping with chairs and tables, etc.).
Exhibition Opportunities
Juanita K. Hammons Center for the Performing Arts: Upcoming 2026 JKH 5th floor exhibitions: November is "Frosted." Currently on display is "Moods of Autumn." Exchange date to bring in art for "Frosted" and to pick up art in "Moods of Autumn" is November 11.
Sky Gallery: Stay tuned for more information about the return of Sky Gallery at the airport, as our group will have an upcoming exhibit. Details to follow soon.
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)
Participating artists will receive email reminders from Doug Steere.
Nature Center
Contact Ann Kynion for more information at akynion@yahoo.com.
Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe. The date to exchange art on display at Gailey's Breakfast Cafe is November 3. If you are interested in participating in future 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:
An "Autumn"/Neutral exhibit is currently on display at both locations.
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 for works currently on display are the dates 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. The next new exhibit at the MudLounge, 321 E. Walnut, will begin Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 2 p.m. If you are interested in exhibiting at this venue, please contact Gary Tebbenkamp at garyt1949@gmail.com. A call for art will be emailed in early October with instructions for entry.
National Avenue Christian Church
Generally, there are two exhibits a year at the church, which is where our group also meets. There will likely be another two-month exhibit starting in late November or early December. Contact Doug Steere at studio55guild@gmail.com to express interest in that exhibit or see him at a meeting. The theme will be announced soon for that next exhibit.
Free Headshots
Need a new headshot for professional or personal use? We have a great opportunity for you!
Building on the success of this opportunity from last year, students at OTC will take several headshots of each group member. Artists who participated last year reported great photos and enjoyed the opportunity to interact with students. Here are the dates and times:
Oct 12th and 13th Industry and Transportation Technology Center (ITTC)
Oct 12 :12:20-2:50
Oct 13: 8-10:20
Oct 13: 12:20-2:50
Each artist can bring art, easels, and supplies as props to help create their headshot, or they can show up dressed as they wish to appear in the photos without bringing supplies. Each artist will be paired with students. Each artist should plan to stay the whole time period, and at the end of their session they should be leaving with new headshots. Each artist will need to bring an USB flash drive to have their photos saved. If an artist needs to leave early from their session and have their photos emailed to them, they will need to arrange that the day with the students they work with. Each session will have 10 spots available. Andrew Mann will send out a group email to everyone who signs up with parking instructions and a parking pass. Even if you participated last year, you can do it again this year. Email Andrew at andrewman@thelibrary.org to reserve a spot. If you have questions before signing up, you can send him an email.
"Beyond the Canvas"
The organization "empower: abilities" is looking for local artists to help launch "Beyond the Canvas: A Collaborative Art Experience," which is a new community initiative that pairs artists with individuals with disabilities to create one-of-a-kind works of art.
This isn't about teaching an art class -- it's sharing your passion, building a meaningful connection, and creating something extraordinary together. As a featured artist, you would partner one-on-one with a participant, share your artistic style and creativity, build a meaningful relationship through art, and show your collaborative artwork during a special community exhibition on December 10. You can receive an optional $200 materials stipend to help offset costs.
If you are interested, email Julij@empowerabilities.org to request an Artist Application and learn more. Additional information is on Facebook, here.
Dana Neuenschwander
Dana Neuenschwander states that "Nevertheless, She Persisted" is working on a partnership with the Springfield Greene County Library so that a library to work with them for women's month in March of 2027. The call for art will be published in October.
On a personal note, Dana announces that she has been selected for the International Arts to Hearts publication "Big Book of Painters 2026." Her painting, "Klepzig Valley Overlook," will be included in the book and was recently included in their Artsy show this past summer.
Mindy Tillery
Mindy Tillery will be the featured artist at Formed Gallery for October. There will be a reception during First Friday Art Walk on Friday, October 2, from 6-9 p.m.
Art Pop-Ups
The Downtown Springfield Association, in collaboration with the Springfield Regional Arts Council, is introducing Art Pop-Ups as part of the First Friday Art Walk. These one-night events will feature various artists' works and performers around the downtown area. The Downtown Springfield Association is seeking artists for these events (November through months with First Friday Art Walk events). Contact Scott Gulledge at the Downtown Springfield Association at scott@itsalldowntown.com for more information. You need a business license to participate.
Group members Sabrina Perry and Dean Ertel are among the artists participating in one of the events, at 313 South Avenue (the Sommers Gallery Building, next to Norman's Bridal) from 5-7 p.m. on October 2.
The Story House Bookstore
The Story House Bookstore, at 1150 E. Walnut, is seeking individuals interested in displaying their art in the bookstore. You can contact their artistic director, Penny Scroggs, at penny@thestoryhousebookstore.com if interested. They hope to have featured artists each month, starting in November. The Bookstore plans to attend our meeting on October 14 to answer any questions.
"Unscripted"
This month, group member Bonnie Schooler will be appearing on "Unscripted" on October 15. Tune in to KOLR10 at 8:30 a.m. on the 15th to see her during the broadcast.
Lynnsey Fletcher is also looking for individuals to sign up for the waiting list to go on "Unscripted" and share their work. She will call upon these individuals if one of the scheduled persons can no longer fill their spot. Please fill out this form (CLICK HERE), call her at 479-250-5619, or email her at artbylynnseyfletcher@gmail.com.
The Creamery Arts Center
Last month, the Creamery Arts Center had its exhibition "Ozarks Icons." The top three prizes and the People's Choice award went to members of our group: Jenny Green for "Cousins," Dana Neuenschwander for "College St. Cafe," LaDonna Greiner for "Welch Spring on the Current River," and Sabrina Perry for "Queens Gate."
On Friday, Oct. 2, from 5-8 p.m., come see another exhibit certain to feature more of our group's members during the opening reception for "Pure Enjoyment."
"Moods of Autumn"
Our exhibiton on the 5th floor of Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts remains on display until November 11. Award winners announced at our September meeting included:
Best of Show: Nancy Niewald
Theme Award; Deby Gilley
2nd Place: Meike Aton
3rd Place: Fletcher Neal
Honorable Mention: Bonnie Schooler and Julie Zaslow
Our September Meeting
Thank you to Dr. Jimmie Marler for your stories about your life and your art. You have no doubt earned that title of "most prolific artist in the world," and it's amazing all of the places your art has been displayed.
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