Beginning Mosaic Pavers Workshop
Happy November!
This month, we're sharing highlights from recent workshops, opportunities to get involved, and updates as we prepare for another season of showcasing member artwork throughout the community.
October Meeting Recap
Above, from left: Some of the work shared by members at our October Meeting
Guanaco Looking for Love in Patagonia by Sue Wright, Cypress Trees by Barb Lynch, Beau’s Fandango by Shari Zimmermann
Our October gathering was a wonderful reminder of what makes the Buffalo Art Guild special. New visitors and returning members came together to share their creative journeys, exchange ideas, and celebrate the many ways art enriches our lives. A round of introductions gave everyone an opportunity to share what brought them to the Guild, highlighting the diverse ways members connect with art through creating, collecting, teaching, and appreciation.
The room was filled with artwork as members showcased pieces created for our Charles Russell and Rumi challenges. Artists had the opportunity to share both their work and the stories behind it.
In preparation for the upcoming November venue exchange, members Naomi and Shari photographed artwork available for display in local businesses. The images will be compiled into a digital portfolio that Buffalo business partners can use to select works for their spaces.
While exhibiting artwork in our venue program is a benefit of BAG membership, anyone attending a monthly meeting is welcome to bring artwork to share, discuss, and, if desired, receive feedback from fellow artists.
BAG Workshop Series Update
Beginning Mosaic Pavers
Participants in the Beginning Mosaic Pavers Workshop, led by artist Stephanie Etzel, learned the process of creating durable, Minnesota weather-hardy mosaic pavers. With a choice of grout colors and a colorful assortment of glass and ceramic mosaic materials, students designed and completed beautiful custom pavers that showcase both their creativity and newly acquired mosaic skills.
Horsehair Raku Fired Pottery
Held over three consecutive Saturdays, participants in artist and BAG member Mae Spencer’s Horsehair Raku Fired Pottery workshop learned each step of the process, from shaping and refining clay forms to applying terra sigillata, firing their pieces, and creating the distinctive horsehair markings. Mae was also wonderfully flexible, welcoming some participants to her studio on alternate days when Saturday scheduling was a challenge. The workshop concluded with beautifully finished, one-of-a-kind pieces and a rewarding hands-on experience in this unique ceramic art form.
We have two workshops scheduled for November.
Artist Kristi Koziolek will be leading a Needle Felted Landscapes workshop on November 7. Her workshop has had a waiting list for weeks, so we scheduled a second workshop in January. We’re happy to say that workshop registration is already full.
Member Naomi Binsfeld will lead a Weaving Studio Tour and Workshop at her Maple Plain studio on Saturday, November 28, 1-5pm. Naomi’s studio includes more than 70 looms and eight spinning wheels. Come and learn about weaving in a studio with a variety of floor looms, table looms, inkle looms, and fiber equipment of all different sorts. Weaving is an ancient art form practiced by people of many different cultures and countries. See weaving in progress, and try your hand at one of a few different types of looms. Choose, create and take home one of three types of weaving.
November Meeting
Neurographic Art by Chole Duran
Neurographic art
Neurographic art is a creative and meditative drawing method that was created by Pavel Piskarev in 2014. It combines visual thinking with psychology and the idea of Neuroplasticity. In our November meeting, members Becky Ihlow and Chole Duran will talk about how they use Neurographic Art in their creative journeys to help transform mental stress, chaos, or emotional tension through repetitive line work, rounded intersections, color and form. Since no skill or formal art training is necessary, it is a great introduction to intuitive and healing art. Neurographic Art lends itself to several mediums.
Holiday celebration ideas
We’ll also discuss plans for our December holiday gathering. Traditionally, BAG has transformed its December meeting into a member-led holiday celebration. Should we continue the tradition? We welcome your ideas and would love a couple volunteers to help make it happen.
Volunteer Opportunity
Snow Painting at Kites on Ice Needs Volunteers!
For several years, BAG has hosted a snow painting activity at Buffalo's Kites on Ice Festival, with members John and Sarah Hoppe serving as volunteer coordinators. This colorful, hands-on activity is always a big hit with families, and our volunteers have just about as much fun as the participants!
The 2027 Kites on Ice Festival will take place Saturday, Feb. 13. John and Sarah are looking for at least eight volunteers to help with bottle filling, retrieving supplies, and keeping the activity organized and running smoothly. John will provide the equipment, and Sarah will supply the coloring materials.
If you'd like to join the fun and help bring a little extra color to a winter day, please contact us at admin@buffaloartguild.org.
Do you have news you’d like to share? Send it to us at admin@buffaloartguild.org, and we’ll include it in our next monthly newsletter.
As always, we hope to see you at an upcoming meeting, workshop, or community event. Your creativity and participation are what make BAG such a special place.
Warmly,
Shari