Call for Entries: Macon’s 2^nd Annual Juried Plein Air Painting in the Parks

Deadline: July 20, 2018

The Macon Arts Gallery is seeking applications for:

2^nd Annual Juried Plein Air Event

September 1-22, 2018

2018 Juror TBA

Macon Arts Alliance is looking for artists to venture out into Macon’s many beautiful parks and attractions to paint September 1-22, 2018. The creative community event will culminate in a free opening reception and exhibition at the Mill Hill Community Arts Center Gallery on September 28 from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Important Dates and info:

* Application Deadline: July 20, 2018

* Notification of Acceptance: August 1, 2018

* Exhibition Reception: September 28, 2018

*Application Fee: $25.00 for three images.

*To Apply:

Please send 3-4 digital samples of paintings and a brief biography with “Plein Air” as the subject line to megan@maconarts.org

Mail or deliver $25.00 entry fee to:

Macon Arts Alliance

Attn: Megan McNaught 486 First St. Macon Ga 31201

Pay application fee by phone with credit card by calling 478-743-6940.

*Accepted Artists will receive 3 stamped canvases available in 8” x 10”, 10” x 12” and 12” x 14”. No framing is required but artists may frame their works if desired. Please specify canvas size preferences upon notification of acceptance.

*Artists may pick up panels on August 15-31^st at Macon Arts Gallery located at 486 First St. in downtown Macon between 10am-4pm Monday through Friday. Drop off paintings on or before September 22 between 10am-4pm at 486 First St. Macon.

 A free opening reception of the Plein Air in the Parks exhibition will be hosted during the Vintages & Vinyl Wine Festival on September 28^th from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Mill Hill Community Arts Center Gallery where the show will be displayed through October 29.

There will be numerous events scheduled during National Arts & Humanities Month celebrated in October that will bring patrons to the Mill Hill Community Arts Center Gallery to see the work.

* A group photo/press release meeting will be arranged as the date approaches.

*Artists have 22 days to create two or three plein air paintings in Macon parks and to return to the finished works. A maximum of three paintings will be accepted.

*Artists are free to choose a park or parks to work in. Check-ins to the parks can be reported via text or phone calls and will be shared via social media.

*All work must be for priced for sale with a 40% gallery/ 60% artist commission split.

Hecho En Milledgeville, GA:
Paintings by Valerie Aranda
May 4-25th

Valerie Aranda-Artist Bio

Valerie Aranda, a painter, muralist and educator from Arizona, teaches art at Georgia College. She received her BFA in painting from Arizona State University and her MFA in Visual Arts from the University of California, San Diego. In describing what motivates her work, Aranda says: “Social justice issues have been central to my personal art, community-based projects, and in the classes I teach. With community-based murals, the focus is on empowering community groups through participatory art-making processes resulting in imagery that reaffirms the experiences and goals of that community group.”

In her paintings and drawings her artwork centers on her Chicana identity and the experience of moving to “the south” from California. “Transplanting myself from the southwest to the south has been both reaffirming and confounding… through my paintings, I explore the intersection of shifting cultures, environments and experiences that at times seem very familiar, but are so different. The paradox of these experiences, cultures and environments are a source of inspiration for me.” “Drawing from my Mexican roots, I examine the negotiating between differing worldviews within the U.S. and across the Americas and my use of culturally affirming imagery is a decolonizing strategy.”

Aranda’s community-based projects include murals in, Milledgeville, GA; Memphis, TN; Athens, GA; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, CA; and Phoenix, AZ; additionally, she served as an artist in residence with the California Arts Council Artist in Residence program and with San Anto Cultural Arts as their muralist in residence.

She has exhibited her paintings in national venues including: Promega Center, Madison, WI; El Museo Alameda, San Antonio, TX; The National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL; Plaza de la Raza, Los Angeles, CA; El Centro Cultural de la Raza, San Diego, CA; La Posada Cultural Center, San Jose, CA; the Carter Art Center in Kansas City, MO; Spruill Gallery, Atlanta, GA; Douglasville Cultural Arts, GA. Aranda’s professional work also includes nine years of service as a board member with the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures who is dedicated to the promotion, advancement, development, and cultivation of the Latino arts field.

Fired Works Brings 60 Master Potters to Central City Park

The 13th Annual Fired Works Regional Ceramics Exhibition and Sale is scheduled for April 14-22, 2018 in Macon’s historic Central City Park. The 2018 show will feature North Georgia’s Ester Lipscomb and 60 master potters from Georgia and the Southeast, with thousands of original works. Fired Works began as a local pottery show and has grown to become the largest exhibit of functional and sculptural pottery in the state of Georgia, and this year, more new events will be added to the agenda.

A Preview Party will be held Friday, April 13 with food, fun, and an exclusive meet and greet with the artists. Attendees also receive the first chance to purchase work before the exhibit opens to the public on Saturday. The nine-day exhibit and sale will again include free clay workshops for kids, adult classes and artist talks.

The mission of Fired Works is to help Southeastern ceramic artists and potters show and sell their work. Fired Works promotes the rich history of pottery in Georgia and its connection to the history of the Ocmulgee River Region. People have made pottery along the banks of the Ocmulgee River for thousands of years and local potters continue this tradition today. In fact, the oldest piece of stamped pottery ever found in North America was found at the Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon.

Complete details ay firedworksmacon.com.

Join Macon Arts Alliance for an Opening Reception on April 6 from 5-8 PM to celebrate two artists for a juried exhibit and sale of natural themed arts. Light refreshments will be served. The exhibit will be on display through April 27.

Maureen Persons Artist Statement

Life as an artist is amazing and for me diverse. I think of the toddler learning to walk and soon to run and then to ride a bike. The baby cautiously steps forward to the beckoning yet retreating parent. The goal, the finish line awaits, almost there! Art for me feels just like this! I study, paint, create,and just about the time I think that I am having a ” ta da” moment it is time to kick up the game level. There is much to learn and often I am lured down an unexpected path.

Currently I am working to paint more rapidly and in a more direct and fresh decisive “alla prima” fashion. It is challenging with live models and particularly difficult outdoors with the elements and rapidly changing light. I love the outdoors, but I am not a real camper type! These outdoor paintings called “plein air” are a great resource for studio paintings. These studies are small and direct and finished on sight. I generally like to have time to refine and study a work, not to mention I really enjoy a big canvas! The direct outdoor painting and the alla prima painting I am currently doing with live models is exciting and enriching to my studio work. Just as the curious, determined child reaches for the next challenge, I am always chasing the next quiver in my art experience pack.

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Carol Griffin Artist Statement

One of the greatest things about being an artist is learning something new every day. Painting for me is an exciting process of trying to convey a part of myself and what I have taken from my surroundings. I love working with color, trying to control it, but at the same time giving it the freedom of bringing everything together in a painting. The most fun is to start a painting and get totally lost in it! It’s the greatest! I’m thankful for this creative vein that runs through me and connects me with artists all over the world and most of all connects me with the greatest Creator of all.
I always want to improve in my work. That is the biggest motivator of all.
I have been fortunate to take classes from Libby Tolley, Kevin Macpherson, Kim English, Dee Beard Dean, Larry Moore.and Perry Austin. I have also been in workshops with Robert Johnson and Dan Gerhertz.
I have a small studio in the woods behind my house. It is my place to commune with the outdoors, reflect and to get into the creative part of my personality. Painting requires lots of work. I am so thankful for a husband who supports my endeavors in the art world.

Join our Team.

 Executive Director Position Description

The Executive Director is the key management leader of Macon Arts Alliance. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization. Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. The position reports directly to the Board of Directors.

DUTIES:

 Board Governance: Work with Board of Directors to fulfill the mission of Macon Arts Alliance

• Leading Macon Arts Alliance in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors
• Communicate effectively with the Board of Directors and provide, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions
• Identification and recruitment of new members for the Board of Directors

Financial Performance and Viability: Develop resources sufficient to ensure the financial stability of the organization

• Fiscal integrity of Macon Arts Alliance, to include submission to the Board of Directors of a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial stability of the organization
• Fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position
• Generation of revenue for the operations of the organization in order to fulfill the mission of Macon Arts Alliance – such as securing corporate sponsorships, direct fundraising from individuals, and public and private grant programs
• Ability to sustain present donors and cultivate new donors for financial support
• Execute all necessary grant fulfillment requirements

Organization Mission and Strategy: Work with Board of Directors and Staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning and community outreach

• Implementation of programs that carry out the Macon Arts Alliance mission
• Strategic planning to ensure that Macon Arts Alliance can successfully fulfill its mission
• Sustainment of a positive and visible role for Macon Arts Alliance in the community through media, publications, web presence, speaking engagements, and active involvement in community activities by working closely with other professional, civic and private organizations

Organization Operations: Overall organization direction by overseeing and implementing appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are appropriate

• Administrative leadership in the development and management of staff of Macon Arts Alliance
• Supervision of staff and development of policies that ensure an effective and efficient operation
• Contract negotiations for all services needed

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree
• Effectiveness in generating revenue through community support, corporate sponsorships, and grant programs
• Grant writing experience
• Transparent and high integrity leadership
• Five or more years senior nonprofit management experience
• Hands-on budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting
• Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation
• Ability to convey a vision of Macon Arts Alliance’s strategic plan to staff, board, volunteers and donors
• Knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to nonprofit sector
• Skills to collaborate with and motivate Board of Directors and other volunteers
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to interface and engage diverse volunteer and donor groups
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff
• Strong public speaking ability
• Working with governmental agencies will be preferred, but not required

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and execution of the Macon Arts Alliance annual budget
• Establish employment and administrative policies and procedures for all functions and for the day-to-day operations of Macon Arts Alliance
• Serving as Macon Arts Alliance’s primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media and the general public
• Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations throughout the state and utilize those relationships to strategically enhance the mission of Macon Arts Alliance
• Report to and work closely with the Board of Directors to seek their involvement in policy decisions, fundraising and to increase the overall visibility of Macon Arts Alliance throughout the State of Georgia
• Supervise and collaborate with organization staff
• Strategic planning and implementation
• Oversee Organization, Board of Directors and committee meetings
• Oversee marketing and other communications efforts
• Review and approve contracts for services
• Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors

VALUES OF MACON ARTS ALLIANCE:

• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Efficiency
• Professionalism
• Leadership
• Innovation
• Continuous Learning
• Openness and Inclusiveness
• Community Spirit
• Arts and Cultural Advocacy

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Quality benefits package includes health and earned paid time off.

Email resumes to jobs@maconarts.org by January 31,2018 for consideration.

Submissions will also be accepted by mail to:
Director
Macon Arts Alliance
P.O. Box 972 Macon, GA 31202

Macon Arts Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Macon Arts Alliance

 The mission of the Macon Arts Alliance is to foster and support the advancement of arts and culture in Central Georgia. We strive to be an innovative leader of a diverse and thriving arts community as well as a strategic partner in creating an open, inclusive, and vibrant place for artists, arts organizations, residents, businesses, and tourists. Macon Arts Alliance is the designated local arts agency of Macon-Bibb County.

Macon Arts Alliance was founded in 1984 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Since then, the arts alliance has worked to support, promote and advocate for the multi-million arts and culture industry in Macon-Bibb County and throughout Central Georgia. We serve more than 50 arts and cultural organizations and the fine arts programs of five universities throughout the mid-state. Macon Arts Alliance is supported by public investments from Macon-Bibb County, Georgia Council for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and through generous private support from foundations, corporations and individual contributions.

Macon Arts Alliance fulfills its mission by offering programs and special events in the City of Macon. Programs include: Macon Arts Roundtable, Macon Arts Gallery, and Mill Hill: East Macon Arts Village which include the Mill Hill Cultural Arts Center. Special events include: First Fridays at The Gallery at Macon Arts, Arts Advocacy Breakfast, The Cultural Awards, Fired Works – a regional ceramics exhibition and sale, and other fundraising events throughout the fiscal year.