Winter Events to Keep the Blue's Away

 

Art Center Director Marie Maguire and staff are not letting bone chilling winter days slow down their planning of a mixture of events both at the Art Center and in collaboration with other organizations.

 

“We want to share with the community unique art events in all seasons, especially in the winter when people need something to take away those winter blues. We are excited about the FISH film series, our first annual Regional Juried Exhibit, our ongoing fundraiser, Night for the Museums, and the Artist Brunch in connection to our present exhibit, Wonders of the Woven World.

 

The Artists Brunch, free to the public, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Jan 16, offers people an opportunity to meet with the Wonders of the Woven World artists, and learn about their techniques and what inspires their work. “The exhibit ends soon so the potluck brunch will be a great opportunity to see the exhibit and meet the artists,” says Maguire. Bring a dish to share, table service and a beverage.

 

The next event is the Center’s first annual Regional Juried Exhibit, taking place Jan. 22 through Feb. 21, with the Opening Reception from 5 to 7 p.m., Jan. 22. The juried exhibit open to regional artists 18 and over, offers a $500 first place award, $250, for second place, and $100 for third place. “It will be a wonderful opportunity for people to see exciting regional talent,” says Maguire. The exhibit, free to the public, is underwritten by Kirk and Penny McCreary.

 

Night for the Museums fundraiser encourages people to eat at a participating local restaurant between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, ending in April. During that time the establishment will donate a portion of its earnings to Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum, Michigan Maritime Museum, Historical Association of South Haven and South Haven Center for the Arts. “People can help support area museums while enjoying a tasty meal with friends and family,” says Maguire. Restaurants and dates are: The Vineyard, Feb. 4, Maria’s, March 4, and The Phoenix Street Cafe, April 1.

 

This month FISH (Film Institute of South Haven), now in its fourth winter season, begins its series showing three renowned films at Lake Michigan College, South Haven campus: “Man on Wire”, Jan. 10, tracing Philippe Pettit’s adventure that culminated with his high wire walk (no safety net or harness) between the Twin Towers in 1974; “La Vie en Rose”, Feb. 7, a 2007 French cinema film about the life of French singer Edith Piaf; and “Outsourced”, March 14, a modern day comedy about a Seattle-based call center manager who is fired and then sent to India to act as consultant and trainer for his own replacement. FISH, a collaborative project, involves Lake Michigan College, South Haven Memorial Library and South Haven Center for the Arts.

 

For more information about the above events and the Art Center’s winter classes and workshops, call South Haven Center for the Arts (600 Phoenix St.), at 269-637-1041, or log onto www.southhavenarts.org   Center hours are Monday, noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday, 1-4 p.m.