Past Exhibitions and Events | 2025
A Writer’s Workshop
May 17, 2025
The Memphremagog Arts Collaborative is hosting a Writing Workshop: Creating Characters in Memoir” on May 17th from 1-3:00 p.m. at the downstairs gallery at 158 Main Street in Newport. Creating Characters in Memoir will focus on how to make the people or the “characters” in your memoir come to life on the page through various writing techniques and exercises. The cost is a $5.00 donation to the MAC Scholarship Fund. Please sign up at the gallery or contact instructor Patty Oliver-Smith at pattyos@earthlink.net or at 802-755-6772.
“Think about a friend or relative, mentor or competitor; hero or villain, who has played a role (major or minor) in your life story,” said instructor Oliver-Smith. “And you can bring a photo or an object that reminds you of the person you want to write about along with something to write in or on.”
Hello Spring
An Exhibition of Paintings by Four of MAC’s Artists
The “MAC says, HELLO SPRING?” fine art exhibit opens April 11th and runs through Saturday June 7th. The event, which takes place in the Downstairs Gallery at the Memphremagog Arts Collaborative, features four painters: new members Nettye Lamkay and Ann Stafford and original members Pat Lipinski and Darlene Ratte. Each painter will have a dedicated space in the large downstairs gallery to display their spring-inspired work which includes landscapes, flowers, and more. The art opening takes place on April 11 at 5pm at 158 Main Street in Newport and is free of charge.
“We thought that inviting two of our new members to show together with two of our original, would make for an interesting exhibit,” said Victoria Mathiesen, an exhibit organizer. “Beautiful work, each artist with their own distinctive style and way of working which we hope will be a welcome to spring. The question mark in the title relates to the unpredictable weather we have had this winter with new snow on the ground here right now and, who knows, it might even snow in April.”
Poetry Action Expressions
April 26 at MAC
In honor of April Poetry Month 2025, the MAC Center for the Arts is hosting a “Poetry Action Expressions” event on April 26th from 1-3:30 pm at the 158 Main Street gallery. The free event is open to the public. Please register by emailing Dianne Laplante at laplante@vtlink.net.
“Members and participants are invited to read their original works,” said Dianne Laplante, organizer.
Basket Weaving Workshop
February 28 at MAC
A basket weaving workshop with artist member Nathalie Clement will be held on February 28 from 2-5 p.m. at the Memphremagog Arts Collaborative (MAC) in Newport. The workshop cost for materials is $30 for adults and $15 for students. All participants will have a finished woven “Fonest” basket to take home at the end of the workshop. Clement teaches with the Native American tradition of weaving.
“Fonest is a word I made up and had it registered in Canada,” said Clement, of Montreal. “It stands for phone-nest but these baskets can be used for many other things, too. The principle idea of the basket is to disconnect; to put your phone down so making the basket is the first step in disconnecting. We’re missing so much valuable social interaction.”
Josee Fauteux, MAC member organizer, added, “We would very much like to encourage the participation of students with a special materials price during their school holiday week.”