by Amy Gibas
Summer Solstice Art-a-Thon 2022
June 21 – 26th
Our third annual Summer Solstice Art-a-Thon is right around the corner!
The Summer Solstice Art-a-thon began in 2020 as a way for the Studio 23 Artist Collective to connect and celebrate our creativity together. As this tradition evolves, we continue to add opportunities to learn, grow, create, and connect with one another.
Summer Solstice Plein Air Paint Out
Sponsored by Michigan Sugar
Michigan Sugar has invited us back to their farms for another year of plein air painting. Artists who register will create paintings or drawings on location at farms who supply Michigan Sugar with sugar beets. Registered artists will receive a list to submit preferences and will be assigned to a location.
Registration
Artists can register online by following the link here.
In place of a registration fee, artists will create a Facebook Fundraiser for Studio 23 to be run during the Summer Solstice Art-a-Thon. Once registered, artists will send an image of themselves or their artwork, and Studio 23 will create a graphic and message for each artist to use when creating their fundraiser campaign.
Schedule for Plein Air Paint Out
Saturday, June 25
8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Check in at Studio 23
Have your canvases, paper, or other surface ready to be stamped at check in. Only work with a stamp will be accepted for exhibit.
8 a.m.- 3 p.m. Painting on the Farms
Once checked in, artists will travel to their assigned farm to set up and paint. Plan to be back at the Studio with enough time to frame your work before the 4 p.m. deadline. Look up your location ahead of time and determine your travel time.
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Framing
Return to the gallery to frame your work. We will have workstations for artists to use, but please bring your own framing supplies. Have your stamps verified before framing. Artists can submit up to 2 works for exhibition.
4 p.m. All Work Complete
All work must be verified and framed by the 4 p.m. deadline. Work will be arranged on tabletops in the gallery for the Sunday reception.
Reception
Sunday, June 26, 1-3 p.m.
Join us in the galleries to see the artwork created during the Paint Out event and help us in celebrating our local farms and local artists. Our juror Rob Clark will be announcing prizes and congratulating all of our local artists. Thanks to our sponsor, Michigan Sugar, we have exciting cash prizes that will be awarded.
First prize: $600
Second prize: $300
Third prize: $100
Other Summer Solstice Event
Summer Solstice Kick-off Party
Tuesday, June 21st, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Enjoy live music, watch our progressive painting being created, and learn more about the week’s activities!
Lunch & Learn Sessions
Wednesday – Friday at 12 noon
Bring a brown bag lunch and join us in the gallery Wednesday through Friday at noon to hear from experts on various professional development topics for artists.
Wednesday, June 22
CV and Resume Development for Artists with Andrea Ondish
Thursday, June 23
Insurance for Artists with Cameron Sich, Sponsored by MCI Insurance
Friday, June 24
Portfolio Development with Nick Reszetar
Storytelling for Artists with Rae Chesny
Wednesday, June 22, 7 p.m.
Author Rae Chesny will discuss the importance of storytelling about yourself as an artist and how to share your story with others.
Matting & Framing Workshop
Thursday, June 23, 4 – 7 p.m.
Join the Studio 23 Artist Collective to learn the basics of cutting matte board for framing.
Registration includes one 24”x36” piece of black matboard and ‘scrap’ boards to practice cutting. The studio will supply matte cutter, blades, and acid-free tape for mounting and hinging. Artists must bring their own frames. Materials are non-archival. Artists wishing to use archival matboard should supply their own.
Registration Required. $65 for non-members, $55 for members.
Drink & Doodle with Sean Gallagher at Drift Shoreline Beer Garden
Friday, June 24, 6 p.m.
Join instructor Sean Gallagher for a laid-back evening of drawing together and enjoying drinks at Drift Shoreline Beer Garden.
$20 registration is required.
Art Ladders LIVE!
Saturday, June 25, 3 p.m.
Art Ladders hosts Armin Mersmann and Valerie Allen will record an episode of their podcast live from Studio 23! They will discuss the excitement of a plein air painting events as artists are returning from a day of outdoor painting at local Michigan Sugar farms.
To Register for Summer Solstice Events, visit studio23baycity.org/education/