Past Exhibitions and Events | 2020

MAC Center for the Arts Re-Opening 

Newport. The MAC Center for the Arts, 158 Main Street, Newport, VT will re-open for business June 3, with a limited schedule. The MAC will be open Wednesday through Saturday, 10-5 pm. All of the Vermont Protocols will be observed for this opening: Masks, six-foot social distancing and a limit of 10 patrons at any time (including the staff person). If patrons do not have a mask, they will be provided at the entrance as well as hand sanitizer. Masks made by some of our artists will also be available for purchase. We look forward to seeing all of our loyal customers. www.maccenterforthearts.com/802-334-1966.

 UPDATE –  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
the MAC Center for the Arts – Focus on the Arts – 2020 Season Series
has been cancelled/postponed.

Cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic:

ART EXHIBITION SERIES:
A myriad of artistic forays that will enlighten, dazzle, educate and uplift!

April 3*Ecosystems Services Through an Artist’s Eye opening. This collaborative Conservation Art Program exhibit is co-sponsored by the Memphremagog Watershed Association and the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District. Juried artwork focusing on farms, wetlands, forest, floodplains, soil, and pollinators will be on display, creating a very unique and inspiring exhibit. Runs through May 16th.

May 22*The Big & Small Picture Show opening. This exhibit features prolific artists, Bradleigh Stockwell and John Rowe. Stylized and captivating, the works span enormous canvases to intriguing miniatures. Runs through July 10th.

July 17*- Fifty Years of Photography in the NEK opening. This exhibit, spotlighting renowned photographer John Miller, is a literal snapshot of his local landscape photography. Runs through August 2nd.

September 18* Opening for celebrated painter Ann Young. A local NEK artist from Barton, she works in a wide range of subject matter from figurative to abstract. MAC is delighted to welcome this stunning artist to our gallery! Runs through November 6th.

November 20*Winter Lights opening. The finale exhibit for 2020 is a multi-discipline celebration of winter paintings, photographs, sculptures and more showcasing numerous MAC artists. Runs through January 5th, 2021.

*All Opening Receptions are from 5-7 pm in the Downstairs Connection at MAC.

Cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic:

ARTQUEST Series – FREE Workshops for Youth

These are five free workshops for youth beginning March 28 through May 9,offering innovative topics with engaging and talented instructors. Registration begins March 1 and is required as space is limited. Applications available at MAC Center for the Arts.

March 28 –  10 -11:30 am – Tie Dye T-Shirt with Sharpies Workshop with Nancy Nash. Create a totally unique t- shirt, using sharpie markers!  Yes! You can actually color a cool design on a T-shirt and turn it into your own unique tie dye shirt. Make it for yourself or as a great gift!  Don’t have an idea of what to design?  No worries… when you arrive,  there will be several examples of possible designs to get you started.   You’ll leave with a unique t-shirt, and the skills to make more! Bring your own favorite tee shirt or  tank top if you wish….. just make sure it’s white and cotton! No tee-shirt, no worries MAC will supply it upon request. Ages: 9-14; Class Size:  8. March 20 deadline for registration. Location: MAC Center for the Arts, 158 Main Street, Newport

April 18 – 10 am-12 pmSoap in a Sweater Craft Workshop with Pam Ladds.  Learn how to make a “sweater” for a bar of soap!  Great gift. Felted soap is a bar of soap wrapped in wool. The soap lasts longer, is less slippery, and the exfoliating wool can replace a washcloth in the shower or tub.  Pretty and Fun! Ages5-17 (Children under 10 should be joined by a parent/guardian. Class Size:  Limit 8; Registration by April 9: Location: MAC Center for the Arts, 158 Main Street, Newport 

April 25 – 9:30 am – 12:00 pm – Theatre Workshop with Lynn Leimer and Judy Castonguay. MAC’s ACT 1 (Academy for Children in Theatre) presents Broadway in a Nanosecond – AnnieWorkshop. Participants will learn a brief history of the Broadway musical and then learn songs, dance, and acting from the Musical “ANNIE” with a presentation for friends and family at 11:30. Ages: 5-10;  Class Size: Limit  8; Registration by April 18 ; Location: MAC Center for the Arts,
158 Main Street, Newport

MAY 2 – 10 am-12 pm –  Kids Having Fun Writing Poems with Jerry Johnson. Making use of proven methods, poet and writer Jerry Johnson will inspire and teach children to write their own poems. Pads and pens provided. Ages: 7-10;Class Size: Limit 8; Registration by  April 25; Location: MAC Center for the Arts, 158 Main Street

May 9 – 10-11:30 am – Drum Clinic with Terry Difazio. Instructions on drum kit types, cymbals, sticks, hardware etc. followed by a discussion/Q&A segment; a drum demonstration using various beats and riffs. Rehearsal sticks provided. Ages: 9-17; Class size: Limit 8
LocationNEK TV – 374 West Main Street Newport VT 05855  NEK TV phone for day of the clinic only- (802) 334-0264; Registration by May 2.

A waiting list is available if class is fully booked. For more information www.maccenterforthearts.com or 802 334-1966; MAC Center for the Arts, 158 Main Street, Newport VT 05855.

Cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic:

MACabaret CONCERT SERIES (ticketed events):
A music concert series featuring a variety of musicians and singers in a cabaret-style setting.

July 24thTod Pronto in Concert, singer/songwriter. Tod’s soulful renditions combine folk, roots, country and blues to create a unique blend of Americana music. On stage, Tod engages the audience with both his music and his humorous, energetic story telling that is always a highlight of his show. He has shared the stage with Jonathan Edwards, Ellis Paul and Livingston Taylor to name but a few. 7pm. Goodrich Memorial Library.

August (Date/location TBD)Northern Comfort with guitarist extraordinaire, Ben Kinsley and the rich, dulcet tones of vocalist, Sonia Patenaude. This international duo is a favorite to an eclectic audience. Their acclaimed collaboration has guaranteed appeal to young and old alike and their unique arrangements are truly breathtaking.

September 25 and 27The Great American Songbook. This presentation is hosted by the Goodrich Memorial Library and the MAC Center for the Arts entertaining with two performances, Friday September 25 at 7 pm and Sunday September 27 at 2 pm. A four-piece band led by Janice Luce on piano, Ben Luce on Trumpet, Terry Difazio on drums and upright bass, joined by the vocals of Anita Morin, Brian McCrae, Sally Rivard, Elizabeth Cope, Steve Card, Deb Wesoja, Martha and Bill Peck and emcee, Lynn Leimer will honor Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and many others. Both shows will offer a catered wine and cheese reception and is a fundraiser for the library and MAC.

October 17 – Ben Luce – This concert will feature the original, ethereal and cosmic musicality of composer, Ben Luce. His inspired and unique talents will be displayed on piano, keyboard, synthesizers, and more. Ben has the ability to explore combinations of classical, jazz, improv, and riffs that provide exhilarating and haunting melodies. 7pm. (Location TBD)

Cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic:

Additional Extraordinary EVENTS:

OngoingPainting with Mary Brenner – Join this fun weekly gathering to paint! Anyone is welcome, just drop in. Any medium of painting, just bring your own supplies. Held every Thursday, 2:00-4:00 pm at the MAC Center for the Arts, in the Downstairs Connection.

April 4Vermont Poetry Festival– Join us in honor of April, National Poetry Month, as our local poets share their prose, from 1-3pm, in the Downstairs Connection.

May 16*Lecture on the iconic Ansel Adams, by Bradleigh Stockwell. Ansel Easton Adams was a landscape photographer and environmentalist known for his black-and-white images of the American West. He helped found Group f/64, an association of photographers advocating “pure” photography which favored sharp focus and the use of the full tonal range of a photograph. 2:00 pm in the Downstairs Connection. *date subject to change.

May 23 and 24Vermont Craft Council Open Studios weekend. MAC is one of the primary Hubs in the NEK in this statewide event. Observe juried master crafters as they work on looms, pottery wheels, water-color painting, jewelry making, and more. A number of artists will be set up in MAC’s Downstairs Connection, others will be working from their studios. https://www.vermontcrafts.com/OSW/maps-directions.html

July 31Opening of 10th Anniversary of “Art in Bloom”. This fundraiser, co-sponsored with the Four Seasons Garden Club, is an annual favorite and is dedicated to the memory of MAC’s founder, the late Jim McKimm. Flower arrangements are created to represent works of art, and are displayed together with the artwork in an amazing creative exhibit! Includes a raffle with wonderful prizes. July 31 is a ticketed event; August 1 and 2 are free.

October 3 and 4Vermont Craft Council Open Studios weekend. MAC is on the map again with the fall foliage Vermont Craft Council Open Studios weekend! MAC is one of the primary Hubs in the NEK in this statewide event. Observe juried master crafters as they work on looms, pottery wheels, water-color painting, jewelry making, and more. A number of artists will be set up in MAC’s ‘Downstairs Connection’, others will be working from their studios. https://www.vermontcrafts.com/OSW/maps-directions.html

LEAP DAY 2020 RAFFLE WINNERS ARE:

Hollie Parker -Victoria Mathiesen Painting ($300)
Fran Schroer – Arlene Goldberg Pottery Vase ($175)
Elizabeth Cope – Pat Lipinski Painting ($140)
Steve McAdams – Pixie Durand Painting ($100)
Rita Nye -Ellie Roberts Sterling/Garnet Earrings ($78)
Ginger Camp – Diana Poulin Pottery Bowl ($60)
Sandra Baraw – Nancy Nash Pottery Bowl/Plate($56)
Fabienne Clement – Nancy Nash Photo on Canvas ($45)
June Goodhand – Isobel Marks Pendant Necklace ($40)
Ron Lavalette – Patty Oliver Smith Book ($30)
Arlene Stocking – Desert Suite CD ($12.99)
Elizabeth Cope – Susan Sanders Book ($10)

Thanks to everyone for the support and for all the generous artists who donated to the raffle!

MAC Center for the Arts celebrates ADA Upgrades to the Facility

Newport.  Recently, the MAC Center for the Arts underwent a major upgrade to become ADA Compliant by adding a Handicap Bathroom and changing the blueprint of the floor plan to accommodate wheelchair accessibility. While the process was costly, the results are priceless. The Renovation began January 5 with a concerted effort on the part of the artists to deconstruct the venue of all artwork to allow the construction and overhaul to begin. The two-week endeavor and redeveloped space greeted customers with a Grand Re-Opening January 25.  During the entire month of February, a RAFFLE is being held to help continue the funding for more ADA upgrades. Stop in the MAC Center for the Arts, 158 Main Street, Newport during the winter hours, Wednesday thru Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm to learn more.  www.maccenterforthearts.com or call 802-334-1966.  MAC is a local non-profit.

MAC Celebrating new blueprint! Barbara Lanou and Donna Valley are thrilled with the new wider aisles at the MAC.

After being closed two weeks for renovations, the Grand Reopening of MAC was bustling with patrons.

Bill Peck and Ramsey Pualwan work to deconstruct the gallery before the renovation begins.

Victoria Mathiesen and Andrea Strobach work to redesign the store once renovations were complete.

MAC CENTER FOR THE ARTS GRAND Re-OPENING AFTER RENOVATIONS!

JANUARY 25th – LEAP YEAR Celebration!

Newport. After weeks of renovations, the MAC Center for the Arts is ready to unveil their new and improved Gallery Space, 158 Main Street, Newport, January 25th, Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come explore, browse, and rediscover the arts in our delightful redesign just in time to celebrate LEAP YEAR. Thanks in part to grants and fundraising, a new ADA compliant bathroom has been added and redesign of the floor space to accommodate wheelchair accessibility has been accomplished. But we’re not done yet.

To support the ADA continuing efforts, MAC will hold a raffle – and not just ANY RAFFLE – a LEAP YEAR Raffle -beginning January 25th, 2020 thru February 29th, 2020. The winning tickets will be pulled on February 29th – LEAP DAY! MAC Artists have donated pieces that are a celebration of many of our talents at the collaborative. Featured in the LEAP YEAR Raffle are a painting by Victoria Mathiesen (value $300); painting by Pixie Durand (value $100); Sterling Silver with Garnet earrings by Ellie Roberts(value $78); pottery bowl by Diana Poulin (value $60); pottery bowl and plate by Nancy Nash(value $56); pottery “face” vase by Arlene Goldberg (value $50); photograph on canvas by Nancy Nash (value $45) ; Polymer Pendant Necklace by Isobel Marks (value $40); and a Book by author, Susan Sanders (Value $10). All monies will go to the ADA improvements at the MAC Center for the Arts and you could be the proud owner of Art History. Thanks to our community for supporting our efforts and leaping into the MAC Center for the Arts. For more information, visit www.maccenterforthearts.com or call 802-334-1966.

Winter hours are Wednesday through Saturday 10-5; closed Sunday-Tuesday. MAC is a local non-profit.

Raffle tickets are only available at MAC! Come on in and check out the New Look