by Megan Koch
Welcome to 2020!
The past year came and went so fast for us here at Studio 23. We are so thankful for a successful year of programs, workshops, and exhibits. A big accomplishment for us included our 60th Anniversary renovation. Can you believe that we have been your community arts center for that long? I know I can’t. The galleries and classrooms got a big facelift, and we are now able to host even more programing. We feel so lucky to be in a beautiful space every day. The new ceilings, lights, and floors feel like a modern art gallery you would see in a large city. If you haven’t been in to see the new space, please stop in. I’d love to show you around.
5,900 visitors walked through our galleries in 2019. The quality exhibits we hosted, the festivals downtown, and the programing we offered helped achieve that high count of visitors.
Art Around the City got a big expansion this past year. Public art is important, and because of this project you get to see 50 local artists on our rail trail systems in Downtown Bay City and Uptown Bay City.
We have a lot of ENGAGING activities for you in 2020. Can you tell we picked a theme word for 2020? Our mission is to make the visual arts relevant and accessible to all. The only way to do this is to engage with our community. New this year, there will be a hands-on art activity with each exhibit. Your current membership now gets four makers projects that you can do for FREE. Our artist collective, which every current member is a part of, has tons of programming ready to go. We really want you to think of our galleries and classrooms as a place to come and be creative and network with your community.
Please encourage friends and family to come walk through the gallery, take a class, or enjoy an event or festival. As always, my door is always open! Please stop in and say hi or reach out to me with any questions.
Yours in creativity,
Tara Welch
Executive Director
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 11, 2020 @ 3pm
Studio 23 and Artigiano Bay City as part of Downtown Bay City‘s Lifestyle + Wellness Weekend present an artist conversation with Ju-Yu “Louise” Chen on the Healing Power of Art. This informal presentation will be in Artigiano Artisan Cheese Shoppe at 815 Saginaw Street in Bay City. Louise will focus on one of her original watercolor paintings that has profound personal meaning for her. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the discussion.
January 15, 2020 from 6 pm – 9 pm
The Mandalorian Featured Sip ‘N Swirl w/Star Wars Trivia
If you’ve never heard of The Mandalorian, you’re not living on planet Earth! (Maybe you’re from Dathomir?) Join us for Star Wars trivia while we paint a picture including everyone’s favorite baby!
Tickets are $45/person and include all your supplies, instruction, and dinner from BJay’s Pizza.
Star Wars-themed prize will be awarded for our trivia winner!
Register online or by calling Studio 23 at 989-894-2323!
WHATS NEXT BAY CITY – Bay Arts Council , Bay City Players , Bay Concert Band , Studio 23 , The Bay County Historical Society , Bay County Library System, Bay Sail, The State Theatre and Delta College Planetarium Presents:
Comedy Night with Rob Little
Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 7pm
State Theatre, 913 Washington Ave. Bay City, MI 48708
Box Office: 989-892-2660 x2
Tickets: $27 Reserved Seating
All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
Don’t let the “Little” name fool you. Little is BIG! But that has never slowed him down. “Yeah, I’m big, and all my relatives are too. Heck, we just got our family portrait done by aerial photography. And there are only three of us.” The truth is, Rob is big in more ways than one. With a grin on his face, a gleam in his eye, and a passion for comedy that is larger than life, he’s the biggest thing to happen to comedy in a long, long time. www.roblittle.com
January 22, 2020 @ 5:30pm
This event is designed to introduce new Studio 23 member artists and welcome back returning members to The100DayProject! Bring your questions, your project ideas and your notebooks. Studio 23 is one of several art organizations across the nation that start on this day! Attending this session will check off one of your 100 days as well as set you up for success through April 30, 2020. You can register your project in advance at this link. http://the100dayproject.com/registration-form/
January 28, 2020 @ 6pm
Join Studio 23 as we guide you in personalizing ‘Night Route’ during our Out on the Town Sip ‘N Swirl at Courtyard by Marriott!
$35 gets you all your instruction and supplies. While painting, you’re encouraged to grab some food. Marriott has a great menu to order dinner and drinks from and will be offering specials on both exclusively for our Sip ‘N Swirl painters.
Dinner, drinks, and painting… what a fun way to spend an evening.
You MUST register in advance for this class either online or by calling 989-894-2323!
