Be on the lookout - member show applications will be mailed out shortly! We are looking forward to seeing you and your work at this years show, "Light us the Sky". May 1-June 14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently, South Haven Center for the Arts awarded students for their special works now featured in the center's Artists in Transition exhibit, highlighting the artistic creativity of area high school and middle school students representing Bangor, Bloomingdale, St. Basil and South Haven public schools.  
 
The exhibit was judged by Tavor Scott Zoet, a former art instructor at Western Michigan University, who selected works based on criteria such as color, composition, whimsy, spontaneity and poetic comments. Zoet particularly liked seeing art works created by a group of students. "I like to see artists work together," he said. 
 
Executive Director Marie Maguire, who gave out two Director's Choice awards, hoped the students would realize what an honor it is to be selected by their instructors to have their work on display in a gallery setting. "It is exciting to see such creative works by these up and coming artists and we hope they will continue creating for years."
 
The awards were presented as follows:
 
Middle School       
Merit Awards:
Essence Cole-Cline, Untitled, Baseline
Jasmine Westerfield, Untitled, Baseline
J.T. Ovnik, David Wondergem, Anthony Bucio, Samantha Simon, Michael Green, Adam Macyauski, group piece entitled, "A Bunch of Grapes", St. Basil
 
Honorable Mention:  Rebecca Warpup, "Cocoon", St. Basil
Marlee Wilson, "Self Caricature", Baseline
Carla Clark, "Cat and Mouse", Baseline
 
Juror's Mention:  Aaron Keen, "Self Caricature", Baseline
Director's Choice:  Blaise Sollman, "Tropical Paradise", St. Basil
 
High School
Merit Awards: 
Kasha Rachac, "We're All Mad Here", South Haven
Amber Umbanhowar, "It's my Life", Bangor
Joe Claybaugh, "Self Portrait", Bloomingdale
  
Honors Awards:
Kayla Wyszynski, "Yesterday's Lullaby", South Haven
John Bus, "My Madonna", Bangor
Nicole Cummins, "Mad Rabbit", Bangor
Juror's Mention: Cory Martin, "Rolled Gold", South Haven
Director's Choice: Kayla Wyszynski, "Ray of Light", South Haven
 
The Artists in Transition exhibit, sponsored by South Haven Family Physicians, is open to the public from Feb. 6 through March 15. Hours:  10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. South Haven Center for the Arts is located at 600 Phoenix Street. Call 269-637-1041 for more information or check us out on the web at www.southhavenarts.org.

 

 

The South Haven Center for the Arts, in conjunction with its passion for expanding arts in the community, recently welcomed three new part-time staff members:  Sarah Hess, Program Coordinator, Beth Onken and Jessica Gray, Administrative Assistants.
 
The program coordinator position is funded for two years by a restricted donation from a generous and anonymous donor.  Sarah Hess, from Watervliet, a mother of teenage sons, has diverse employment and educational background. She earned an Associate degree in fashion merchandising from Baker College and a Bachelor degree in psychology from Western Michigan University. Hess has worked in retail as a company representative for the health and beauty division of a large company, and has also worked at domestic and assault shelters. Her latest position was at a local museum.
 
Hess says she has always had a deep passion for the arts and has participated in many art forms throughout her life. She enjoys oil painting, making Papier-mâché sculpture, creative writing, and nurturing a variety of unusual plants. "I believe that through dance, music, visual (art), theater, comedy, literature and cinema we are connected in ways diplomacy cannot match. Arts heal us in ways the spoken word cannot," says Hess.
 
Beth Onken has lived in South Haven for ten years. "I absolutely love this community," says the mother of five children, two in college and three attending South Haven High School. She graduated from Davenport University where she studied accounting. Through her various accounting positions, Onken says she has gained extensive knowledge of office procedures. "Although this is my first Non-Profit setting, I am excited to be part of such a wonderful organization." Onken, who enjoys walks on the beach and spending time with her family, says she looks forward to getting more involved in the community and expanding artistic opportunities through South Haven Center for the Arts.
 
South Haven native Jessica Gray graduated from Western Michigan University last year with a degree in Anthropology. She enjoys being married to Travis, hiking, swimming, reading and volunteering at Al-Van Humane Society. Before coming to the art center, Gray was manager at a local restaurant, Yorks Landing. "I love the arts and now I get to work in an organization that focuses on the arts," says Gray. "I've always wanted to work for a non-profit organization."
 
"We're going to work well together," says Executive Director Marie Maguire. "We look forward to the challenges of providing more cultural opportunities for our community."

 

 When I arrived here in South Haven one of the priorities given to me by the board and volunteers alike was having the staff work the weekend hours rather than having volunteer gallery sitters. That time has now arrived. Starting February 1, staff has been in the office on weekends. This not only gives our volunteers a break, it also gives staff additional time to keep current on office tasks.

 

A special thank you is extended to the many volunteers who have been Gallery Sitters throughout the years. You have done a wonderful job! Now we will find other ways to keep you busy around the Art Center.

 

 

Attendees of the December annual meeting chose graphic designer Roberta Richardson as the winning designer for the Art Center logo contest. Under the guidance of the Art Center board the artist has designed a logo that we are proud to introduce to our members. We will be using both the color and gray scale versions of the logo in our printed publications.  The new logo has influenced our web designer to redesign our website. Take a look at www.southhavenarts.org.

 

You will hear more about the logo winner in the next newsletter. 

 

Jump into spring by making plans for our annual Spring Gala. This fund-raising event for the South Haven Center for the Arts will be held from 6-9:30 p.m., Saturday, May 16 at the Lakeshore Ciao on North Shore Drive in South Haven.
 
The committee officially coined this Spring Gala, "Jazzed about the Arts".  "Our brainstorming session got all of us pretty 'jazzed' about this event," commented committee chair person Sherry Getman.
 
In addition to an elegant catered dinner and lively camaraderie, a variety of silent and live auction items, plus Suzie Blair's parties, will be available. You can also bid on wrapped baskets filled with luxurious things for a dog lover, cat lover or a golfer - to mention a few. "There will be donations of art for the live auction," notes Sherry. Artists who don't attend the event will provide a short statement about their piece. Radio and television personality Paul Layendecker will add his golden voice as emcee and DJ Bob Northrup will provide classic and cool jazz for your musical pleasure.
 
So, make sure to mark May 16 on your calendar, and plan to enjoy a jazzy, classy evening to honor and raise money for the arts - so vital to our community and surrounding areas. The tickets are $75 per person and they will be available through the art center and individual committee members. For more information about the Spring Gala call 269-637-1041.

 

Coming in April: You will be able to see some of the auction items on our website at www.southhavenarts.org.