Bare Form Opens this Friday, November 6, 5:30-8:30PM.

The beauty of the body has inspired artists from the dawn of history yet remains an inextricable part of the human experience. Our intimate familiarity with the human body bears the challenge to the artist….. transforming that which is known into an expression of emotion.

Eligibility:
All artists within 200 miles of Morgantown are eligible for the Bare Form 2009 exhibit. All forms of visual art will be considered, excluding video art. No reproductions will be accepted. Any work conceived as a multiple should be in an edition of no more than 12.
Read More...

Tags: Benedum Gallery

Songwriters Circle
- Jim Savarino, Facilitator
Now meets the fourth Thursday of each month at MAC
The next meeting is Thursday, August 27, 2009 7-9PM
There is no fee associated with this event and everyone is welcome to attend.
Attendees are welcome to bring light refreshments and beverages.

This is a free group that meets typically on the third wednesday of every month. All people are welcome to attend; especially if you are a songwriter looking for peers and constructive criticism to hone and develop your craft.

A little about Jim Savarino-
Born and raised in West Virginia, Jim has developed an acoustic style rooted firmly in Appalachian music, with uplifting, poetic lyrics. He began writing in 1989 in California after a hitch in the Marine Corps and a career in physics. Jim’s influences include Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and John Denver.  Jim’s fans range from the very old to the very young – from the late Bob DeWitt, longtime friend and sometime housemate of Woody Guthrie, to toddlers who gather at the foot of the stage during performances. Jim’s songwriting is also wide ranging, though instantly recognizable. His songs include poetic descriptions of the natural beauty of Appalachia, with a viewpoint of optimism and hope.

Tags: Song Writers Circle

Monongalia Arts Center’s
Benedum Gallery
proudly presents
One Summer
Recent works by Penelyn Peterson
lavish illustrations in colored pencil and mixed media, framed beautifully

Opening Reception Friday, August 7, 2009 6-8PM
Available August 7-29 Read More...

Tags: Penelyn Peterson

 Morgantown Poets’ literary event
 
7 p.m. Thursday, June 25
 
Monongalia Arts Center (MAC)
107 High St., Morgantown
 
The event will be in Studio II upstairs.
 
Ida Dorothy Stewart, a Morgantown native, poet & doctoral student at the University of Georgia, will be the featured author.
 
Following Stewart’s reading, the floor will be opened to any participant who wants to share his/her poetry, literature or talk about his/her art (painters, photographers, sculptors, actors, performers and other artists welcome).
 
Public parking is available near the MAC in the parking garage at the corner of Pleasant and Chestnut streets and at the city lot behind 142 High Street (enter off Spruce). The MAC is accessible to individuals with mobility impairments; please schedule ahead at least two days prior to the event by calling 304-906-7268, or write to info@monartscenter.com for more information. Read More...

Tags: Morgantown Poets

Songwriters Circle
- Jim Savarino, Facilitator
(meets third Thursday of each month at MAC)
The next meeting is Thursday, May 14, 7 - 9
There is no fee associated with this event and everyone is welcome to attend.

This is a free group that meets typically on the third wednesday of every month. All people are welcome to attend; especially if you are a songwriter looking for peers and constructive criticism to hone and develop your craft.

A little about Jim Savarino-
Born and raised in West Virginia, Jim has developed an acoustic style rooted firmly in Appalachian music, with uplifting, poetic lyrics. He began writing in 1989 in California after a hitch in the Marine Corps and a career in physics. Jim’s influences include Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and John Denver.  Jim’s fans range from the very old to the very young – from the late Bob DeWitt, longtime friend and sometime housemate of Woody Guthrie, to toddlers who gather at the foot of the stage during performances. Jim’s songwriting is also wide ranging, though instantly recognizable. His songs include poetic descriptions of the natural beauty of Appalachia, with a viewpoint of optimism and hope.

Tags: Song Writers Circle, Jim Savarino, Classes

NEXT DRUM CIRCLE MEETINGS: April 11, May 9, and June 13

The MAC Drum Circle meets at Monongalia Arts Center, 107 High Street, Morgantown, WV  the 2nd Saturday of every month from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. 

The group is founded with the ideals of a community drum circle:
• No experience necessary…..just come, have fun, and participate
• Children are welcome
• Dancing is welcome
• It is free (donations accepted to offset cost and build shared supply of instruments)
• Some instruments are available to borrow (but if you have one to bring or one to share, please do so) Read More...

Tags: Drum Circle, Free Event

The Benedum Gallery features
Painting with Light 
Presented by Students and Alumni of Belmont Technical College’s Building Preservation and Restoration Program

May 1-31, 2009
Opening Reception Friday, May 1, 2009 6-9:00 P.M.

Exhibit Sponsors:
      Allegheny Restoration
      Croft & Son Mfg, Inc.
      Belmont Technical College Building Preservation and Restoration Student Society

“People are like stained glass windows; they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within." 
--  Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross 
Read More...

Tags: Belmont Technical College, Benedum Gallery, Stained Glass

Just in case you forgot or didn’t get around to it...

Late entries for Arts on the River are being excepted until April 18, 2009

Below is a link to the application for download.

http://www.artsontheriver.org/AOTRapplication.pdf

Tags: Arts on the River, Application

The Robert M. Davis Gallery features

Images of the Monongahela River Annual Arts Exhibit and Contest

located on MAC’s second level in the main hallway

April 3-13

This exhibit is in conjunction with The Mon River Summit held April 13, 2009 at the Waterfront Hotel.

For more information call MAC at 304 292 3325. Read More...

Tags: Monongahela River,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact: Kevin Dean, Producer, (646) 382-5022


“MAC Announces Man of La Mancha for Fall”

The Monongalia Arts Center (MAC) will produce the Tony award-winning Broadway musical Man of La Mancha on October 30-November 1, and November 6-8 at the Metropolitan Theatre in Morgantown. There will also be a daytime benefit performance for Monongalia County school students. A perennial crowd-pleaser, the show is an inspirational musicalization of the Miguel de Cervantes masterpiece about Don Quixote and Sancho Panza and their adventures in 17th-century Spain at the time of the Spanish Inquisition, and features a Spanish-flavored score by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion, which includes their most famous song, “The Impossible Dream.”

“We are very excited to be able to produce our second show in as many years,” stated producer, Kevin Dean. “Our production of 1776 last fall was very successful, and we would like to thank everyone who came out to see it. Some attended several times. It was very gratifying to see the community supporting a new artistic endeavor. In addition to our audience, we also want to thank all of our sponsors and contributors, and we are very happy to announce that we have received a significant sponsorship for Man of La Mancha, from Mylan Pharmaceuticals. It’s very expensive to produce a show when the theater, set and costumes must be rented, so we truly appreciate the community support that we receive. It’s not possible to break even on ticket sales alone,” he added. “Although we may have been ‘tilting at windmills’ a bit with 1776, the production was artistically very well-received. As a result, and because Man of La Mancha, is a more well-known show which hasn’t been produced in the area for several years, we expect very strong attendance.”

MAC is accepting further contributions from individuals and sponsorships from businesses, and is also pursuing grant funding for the production. Any individual or business wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution to Man of La Mancha can send a check to the MAC, P.O. Box 239, Morgantown, WV 26507.

The production will be directed by Jason Young, and Stan Farr will serve as music director. A cast of 20-25 is expected, which will include roles and chorus parts for both men and women of all ages. Auditions will be held in early September. Anyone who is interested in volunteering for the production or who would like further information about auditioning, is encouraged to call the MAC at (304) 296-3325 or Dean at (304) 594-1290.

Songwriters Circle
- Jim Savarino, Facilitator
(meets third Thursday of each month at MAC)
The next meeting is April 16, 7-9:00 P.M.
There is no fee associated with this event and everyone is welcome to attend.

A little about Jim Savarino-
Born and raised in West Virginia, Jim has developed an acoustic style rooted firmly in Appalachian music, with uplifting, poetic lyrics. He began writing in 1989 in California after a hitch in the Marine Corps and a career in physics. Jim’s influences include Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and John Denver.  Jim’s fans range from the very old to the very young – from the late Bob DeWitt, longtime friend and sometime housemate of Woody Guthrie, to toddlers who gather at the foot of the stage during performances. Jim’s songwriting is also wide ranging, though instantly recognizable. His songs include poetic descriptions of the natural beauty of Appalachia, with a viewpoint of optimism and hope.

Tags: Song Writers Circle, Jim Savarino, Classes

Morgantown Poets features nationally recognized author Sara Pritchard on March 19 at MAC!
 
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Sara Pritchard, whose writing has been acknowledged by the New York Times, will be the featured author during Morgantown Poets’ 7:30 p.m. literary event Thursday, March 19, at Monongalia Arts Center (MAC). 

The reading is free and open to anyone interested in the arts.
 
Pritchard is the author of the novel-in-stories, “Crackpots” (Houghton Mifflin, 2003), which was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and the linked-story collection, “Lately” (Houghton Mifflin, 2007).  
She won the Bakeless Prize for Fiction in 2002, and has twice been the recipient of a West Virginia Literary Fellowship (2003, 2007). 
Pritchard’s stories and essays have been published in Literal Latte, Arts & Letters, New Letters, The Mid-American Review, The Northwest Review, The Chattahoochee Review, and elsewhere.  
The author is on the faculty of the Wilkes University Low-Residency M.A./M.F.A. Creative Writing Program in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 
Pritchard has an undergraduate degree in English from Susquehanna University and a master’s degree in creative writing from West Virginia University. The author lives in Morgantown, with her husband Kevin Oderman and their dogs, Fay and Brownie.  

The MAC is at 107 High St., Morgantown. The event will be in Studio II upstairs.  

Public parking is available near the MAC in the parking garage at the corner of Pleasant and Chestnut streets and at the city lot behind 142 High Street (enter off Spruce).

The MAC is accessible to individuals with mobility impairments; please call ahead at 304-319-1762, email info@monartscenter.com for more information or view our Accessibility Information.  

Morgantown Poets meets monthly, providing literary enthusiasts the opportunity to express themselves, share their work, network and to connect up-and-coming writers with more established authors. New writers are welcome. Meetings usually begin with a spoken reading by a featured author that is followed by a round robin of readings by attendees. Join Morgantown Poets’ e-mail list serve at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/motownpoetry or join on Facebook by entering “Morgantown Poets” in Facebook’s search. 

Tags: Morgantown Poets, Sara Pritchard, Free Event

Bryan Richards - Built By West Virginia
March 6 - 28 Opening Public Reception 7 - 9 pm  

From fliers to frames, the street art-inspired work of local self-taught artist Bryan Richards will scream from the walls of the Davis Gallery for Emerging Artists at Monongalia Arts Center on Friday, March 6 at 7:00PM.   
You may have seen Richards’ unique work and projects before and not even known it.  He has been making fliers for bands since 2002, and last Halloween he coordinated a performance art troupe in the fashion of a monster mariachi band that gave impromptu performances at Madeliene’s Restaurant, Café Bacchus, and 123 Pleasant Street.  His current show at the Davis Gallery is entitled “Built by West Virginia” and consists of pen and ink drawings.  On his inspiration, Richards notes, “I'm greatly influenced by radical personalities, street artists like Kid Acne, Blek Le Rat, and Graffiti Research Lab.  I am especially influenced by work from Sao Paulo, Brazil artists like Vitche, Os Gemeos, Herbert Baglione and independent comics.” 
As for how he thinks viewers may interpret his work, he said, “With this show, I mainly hope people - especially West Virginians - come and see what I've put down and maybe they'll think of their experiences in West Virginia when seeing these images. These aren't about me at all. It's about reliving memories, good or bad, about living in this very unique state. I also hope that this will bring discussion about these topics up and people will share and learn from each other.” 
Executive Director of MAC, Ro Brooks, knew Richards’ unique style would be a natural fit for the Davis Gallery.  “Over the years, we have had so many different forms and styles of art at MAC, and I think Bryan’s work and his inspiration from street art will add an edginess to Friday’s opening.”   
Also on exhibit in the Davis Gallery will be work by Aaron Williams entitled “ARSECGDTULYO!”  The opening for the Davis Gallery exhibitions will be Friday, March 6 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM on the second floor of Monongalia Arts Center.  The reception is free and open to the public, and will feature live musical performance by Slate Dump.  While the Davis Gallery is not accessible to those with disabilities, images of the art work are available for viewing in the lobby of MAC.   The exhibition will be up through March 28, 2009.  For more information, please visit the MAC website at www.monartscenter.com or call 304-292-3325. 
Aaron Williams - ARSECGDTULYO!
March 6 - 28 Opening Public Reception 7 - 9 pm  
Featuring music of Slate Dump and more
From arcades to Artari to Wii – video games have transformed society and defined a generation of young people, one of whom will showcase his work that has a unique spin from Nintendo.  Aaron Williams, a sophomore printmaking major at WVU, will exhibit his Nintendo-inspired work in the Davis Gallery for Emerging Artists at the Monongalia Arts Center on Friday, March 6 at 7:00PM.   
A native West Virginian from French Creek in Upshur County, Williams’ work consists of digital prints from hand-pixeled renderings and cubist/collage styled compositions referencing iconic video games.  On his work, Williams said, “The images describe the foundations of 8 and 16 bit graphics, referencing “palette tables” and results of a breakdown of the communication between the coding, tables, and the final image represented on the television.”  The title of the exhibition “ARSECGDTULYO!” references the confusion and muddling of images uses odd phrases found in mixed-up palettes when letters get non-sensibly placed together.  Williams characterized his work as an exploration in miscommunication, a sort of Tower of Babel reinvented through dissection of the intricate coding used in video games.   
Although the images seem random, Williams explained, “Everything follows strict NES or SNES graphic rules pertaining to their capabilities as image-rendering systems.”  This is new territory for Williams, but he has very ambitious plans to further explore this media as an artform.  On his current and future work, Williams stated, “I’m working with a programmer also from Morgantown, and we’re developing interactive NES coding along with self-fabricated images to be installed in an actual cartridge.  I’m also beginning a series of fully-functional, hand-fabricated NES shells, controllers, and cartridges as fine sculptures.” 
The uniqueness of this exhibit also struck a cord with the Executive Director of MAC, Ro Brooks.  “When I saw his work, I knew it would be a perfect fit for the Davis Gallery.  Aaron really embodies MAC’s intention for that space, which is to introduce emerging artists to our region.  We look forward to seeing how Aaron develops as an artist and the evolution of his work in his truly unique style.”   
Also on exhibit in the Davis Gallery will be work by Bryan Richards entitled “Built by West Virginia.”  The opening for the Davis Gallery exhibitions will be Friday, March 6 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM on the second floor of Monongalia Arts Center.  The reception is free and open to the public, and will feature live musical performance by Slate Dump.  While the Davis Gallery is not accessible to those with mobility impairments, images of the art work are available for viewing in the lobby of MAC.   The exhibition will be up through March 28, 2009.  For more information, please visit the MAC website at www.monartscenter.com or call 304-292-3325.

Tags: Aaron Williams, Bryan Richards

"Gigantomachia" is featured in the Benedum Gallery March 6-28 2009. This is a solo-exhibition for Michael Garrett. The above image is “Buck Knife” (2007)

A show of mythic proportions is set to open at Monongalia Arts Center (MAC) on Friday, March 6 at 7:00PM.  The exhibition entitled “Gigantomachia” features work by Morgantown native Michael Garrett.   
Garret earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from West Virginia University and recently completed his Master of Fine Arts at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston.  He currently resides in Meadville, Pennsylvania where he is an instructor at Allegheny College.   
His West Virginia roots, however, have continued to influence his innovative and provocative work.  Where most artists begin with a white canvas, Garrett’s process is a unique departure from the norm.  His Master’s exhibition consisted of works composed of experimentations in coal dust as the drawing medium, and this has evolved to the use of graphite powder mixed with acrylic.  Regarding his process, Garrett said, “The marks are made by, essentially, burnishing or polishing a line into the graphite suspended in the acrylic medium, creating a highly reflective, metallic sheen that contrasts greatly with the deep matte black of the background.” 
When discussing his current exhibit for Monongalia Arts Center, Garrett explained, “Gigantomachia is the battle between the giants and the gods in ancient Greek mythology.  This battle exists on scales great and small; culturally and individually.  The work in this exhibition reflects this theme within the idea of the construction of gender.”   The largest piece, entitled “Bucknife,” stands an impressive six feet tall.  It is Garrett’s interpretation of Titian’s narrative "The Flaying of Marsyas.”  He discussed the gravity of this piece: “The figures are recast as younger men in ambiguous poses as if they are in-between decisions or actions.  The central figure, naked and hung upside-down, holds the crux of the narrative; and the surrounding figures are shown in a moment of contemplation, considering their relationships to this figure.” 
Ro Brooks, Executive Director of MAC, said, “We are always excited to have native artists come back to our region and exhibit their work at MAC.  Mr. Garrett’s work is truly impressive.  Beyond the sheer size of some of the pieces, the images are quite stirring and engaging.  It’s really an experience.” 
Garrett discussed the future direction of his work, echoing how his West Virginian roots both highlight and haunt his artistry.  On his unique incorporation of coal into his work, Garrett said, “My exploration of coal dust as a two-dimensional medium for art-making is still ongoing.  Future works will incorporate a stronger marriage of the conceptual and narrative implications of utilizing coal. The current state of harvesting coal and the history of coal-mining in West Virginia is another example of a battle with giants; the hugeness of global demand vs. the smallness of Appalachian culture.” 
The “Gigantomachia” exhibition opening reception will be Friday, March 6 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM in the Benedum Gallery at Monongalia Arts Center.  The reception is free and open to the public, and the gallery is accessible to those with mobility impairments.   The exhibition will be up through March 28, 2009.  For more information, please visit the MAC website at www.monartscenter.com or call 304-292-3325.

Tags: Michael Garrett, national artist

Songwriters Circle
- Jim Savarino, Facilitator
(meets third Thursday of each month at MAC)
The next meeting is March 18, 7-9:00 P.M.
There is no fee associated with this event and everyone is welcome to attend.

A little about Jim Savarino-
Born and raised in West Virginia, Jim has developed an acoustic style rooted firmly in Appalachian music, with uplifting, poetic lyrics. He began writing in 1989 in California after a hitch in the Marine Corps and a career in physics. Jim’s influences include Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and John Denver.  Jim’s fans range from the very old to the very young – from the late Bob DeWitt, longtime friend and sometime housemate of Woody Guthrie, to toddlers who gather at the foot of the stage during performances. Jim’s songwriting is also wide ranging, though instantly recognizable. His songs include poetic descriptions of the natural beauty of Appalachia, with a viewpoint of optimism and hope.

Tags: Jim Savarino, Classes, Group Meeting, Song Writers Circle

Monongalia Arts Center proudly presents the 37th Annual Antiques Show and Sale.
65 Dealers at Lakeview Resort, February 27, 28, March 1 (mark your calender)

Formal, country, Victorian, and oak furniture, paintings, oriental rugs and exports, European porcelains, Roseville, cut, art and pattern glass, sterling silver and matching flatware, jewelry, quilts, vintage clothing, linens, toys, crocks, paper and advertising items, postcards, brass and much more. A diversified show.

$6.00 Admission Good all three days

Friday, Feb. 27, 1PM-6PM
Saturday, Feb. 28, 11AM-8PM
Sunday, Feb. 28, Noon-5PM

Antique & Collectibles appraisals 1PM-4PM Saturday, Feb. 28

Jewelry appraisals Sunday, March 1, 1-3PM

Price for all Appraisals: $15 written; $7 verbal

Show Managers- John Kroeck & Mickinak

For more information call: 412-741-1631 or 724-832-7388

A non-smoking show

Tags: Antiques Show and Sale, MAC Fund Raiser