workshopTag

Posted 22 January 2021 | art, bay city, class, elevate, local gallery, workshop

New Year, New Opportunities

Elevate the ARTS in 2021

We all know that 2020 was not the year any of us expected. With the many challenges it gave us and we are still working through, certain things stayed true. The visual arts are an important pillar in our communities and everyday life. You connected with us virtually, by watching artist demos, tours of studio spaces and creating your own artwork at home. Now as we move into 2021, we want to continue to Elevate the Arts. Our word of the year is to elevate. Working together we can elevate arts education, elevate local artists and elevate public art.

You are reading this blog, because you believe in the power of art. I hope to see you in our galleries, taking a class, or walking around town looking at Art Around the City. Studio 23 has a lot planned for 2021. First, we are kicking off the year with our 100 Day project on January 31st. Then with a full year of exhibits, we will be celebrating a variety of art styles, like watercolor, photography, environmental and more. Our education programming has expanded with Mixed Media options and drawing options. All of our classrooms and gallery space are compliant with the current executive orders.

We made changes this year to our in person sessions to make our space safe. Thanks to a grant from the Bay Area Community Foundation we were able to purchase air purifiers, sanitizer and masks for our classrooms and gallery. PPE funds wasn’t the only area we needed support this past year. Operational costs were supported by emergency grants with state and federal support. Studio 23 received support from the Payroll Protection Program, Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs, Bay Area Community Foundation, MI Restart Program, Bay Future and Saginaw Future. Without the emergency funds, our operations would have looked much different. Thank you to all of these organizations for recognizing and support the arts and culture in our community.

This year Studio 23 is counting on you for our membership program. Membership provides annual support to our gallery space that helps guarantee we can be a vibrant part of our community. During the months of January, February and March, each membership you purchase will support children in our community. We are partnering with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the GLBR and the Bay Area Women’s Center to provide Craft Bar packets to children. Craft Bar packets are an art activity that comes with all supplies and step by step instructions. We are thrilled to be offering this incentive for our community to join or renew their memberships with Studio 23. Not only do you make a difference to the local arts, but you will make a direct impact on a child, giving them the gift of art.

Let’s ELEVATE the arts in 2021. Take a class, walk through the galleries or go outside to see Art Around the City.

Thank you,

Tara Welch, Executive Director

To read our full newsletter please visit: Winter Newsletter 2021

Upcoming Events

Check out our full listing of classes here: Winter 2021 Class Offerings

Sunday, January 24th at 10am

Yoga INDOORS at Studio 23/The Arts Center
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Once a month, we will host a yoga class (appropriate for all levels) at Studio 23 to relax, have fun, and raise a little extra money for the Arts Center.
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Classes will be in the art gallery, so you’ll have a chance to see the current exhibits the same day. Class is $12 each, and $2 will go to Studio 23.
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January 24 at 10 am: Rosemary Kavanagh Exhibit: A History of Bay City
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Note: Due to state regulations, masks will be required for this event. Space is limited so please register ahead of time to secure your spot!
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Please bring your own yoga mat or beach towel and any other props you’ll need to be comfortable. If this is your first time taking a class with Kirsten Marie, you’ll need to fill out a quick release form before class starts.

https://form.jotform.com/202734222700038

We are in our third year of 100 days of art making! The ground rules are simple and the reward is developing a creative habit that will last the rest of the year.

Here are the steps to make a committment for 2021.

1. Create a project and dedicate 5-10 minutes a day to that project. This project can change as you navigate through the 100 days but it will be the guiding theme.

Our word of the year for 2021 is “Elevate”. You are welcome to have that as a focus for your project but it is not required.

2. Share your progress online in our private Facebook group that is being developed specifically for the 2021 group.

3. Attend virtual check-ins as a way to support, chat and collaborate with the other 100 Dayers!

https://cdn.jotfor.ms/curator.studio23/application-for-studio-23s-the-100-

February 12th and 13th from 11am – 5pm

Join Studio 23, along with Downtown Bay City Merchants for the Indulge weekend! Shop and make purchases to win prizes at participating local shops.

Studio 23 is offering a special Valentine themed Craft Bar. Choose from six different projects to create in Studio or take home. With each purchase you have the chance to win a $10 gift certificate for a future purchase.
Craft Bar packets range from $5 to $25 for each craft.

We will be releasing the new Craft Bar activities in the beginning of February!!

Saturday, February 13th from 2pm – 4pm

Join artist Rosemary Kavanagh as she shares her precious inheritance of family correspondence between her father and mother during the war years. This is the perfect event for the day before Valentine’s. The letters, Valentine’s and Christmas cards will be on display. Rosemary will be reading excerpts at various times during the afternoon event. You can then view portraits painted by Rosemary in her solo exhibition that will be on display thru March 10, 2021

by Megan Koch

Posted 10 October 2020 | art, artist, classroom, community, fall, fundraiser, gallery, programs, support, workshop

Falling into October

The leaves are changing, a cool breeze is blowing off the river and we are getting ready for fall.

Classes are in full swing and we are so happy to have the studio full of voices and laughter. Our students have been awesome with our mask policies, we thank you! Make sure to check out our fall workshops that are coming up. You can paint the Lord of the Rings or paint a pallet, new options are being scheduled each week.

MI Artists, a juried exhibition opened this September. We ran a virtual reception and had over 100 people join us through Facebook and Zoom! Each artist was thanked for their talents by Stephen Prince, who represented Representative Brian Elder. We really appreciated his support for all of our Michigan Artists and also thank MCACA for supporting Studio 23 with a COVID Support grant.

Stop in to see this beautiful exhibit. Thirty-two Michigan cities are represented and the artists are fabulous. I really have enjoyed seeing so many different mediums like fiber art, sculpture, cold-wax and more.

The Art Advocate campaign is coming to a close. This year we raised over $3,000 to help support our local artists. Since 2017 this program has invested over $21,000 back into our community through awards, scholarships, Art Around the City and exhibit opportunities. You should be proud to be an art advocate, you made the choice to support your local arts center. It is not too late to become an advocate today! Sign up through our donate page on our website.

The Black & White Affair is the annual fundraising event for Studio 23 and is getting a make over this year.

This evening supports our mission of providing the Great Lakes Bay Region with a vibrant arts center dedicated to making the visual arts relevant and accessible to all.

During this year’s event, you will enjoy an elegant sit-down dinner, catered by Old City Hall, accompanied by a wine pairing. You will enjoy a quaint setting with your closest friends, while artists paint the night in plein air style. The chef will take us through six courses, each paired with a wine, while we listen to sweet melodies and have fun conversations.

This dinner is limited to forty people. Tickets are now on sale through our website or by calling us during open hours. We hope you will join us!

Rosemary Kavanagh is our featured artist and will be displaying her family history through oil paintings. Her exhibit opens in November and will be on display until January.

Thank you for being a part of Studio 23. We are so happy that we get to be a part of our community and showcase the talent we have in our region. I will see you soon in the galleries or in a classroom!

Sincerely,

Tara Welch

Executive Director