Four photos from our Instagram feed. Follow us @hollandartscouncil for more beautiful, inspiring images.
When you visit the Arts Council in the coming months...

...you'll see changes in process! Volunteers, board members and staff are painting walls, looking at floor samples and moving classrooms. We're sorry about the mess and the dust, but we know you'll love what comes from our efforts and your patience. 

 

Economic Impact of the Arts in Michigan

Arts contribute $2.5 billion to MI tourism


 

"'It shows that arts and culture are significant to Michigan,' said Sarah Triplett, director of public policy for Creative Many, a statewide arts advocacy organization that used to be known as ArtServe Michigan.

 

'Michigan is a unique, wonderfully vibrant and creative place,' Triplett said. 'However, there is a lot that we can do to nurture this that is not being done.'"


Read the full article here.

 
Upcoming Spring Workshops

 

Precious Metal Clay Jewelry Workshop

Instructor: Gini Cooper
Sculpt with silver! Create one-of-a-kind silver pendants, earrings or charms in this fun workshop. Precious Metal Clay is microscopic pieces of silver mixed with an organic binder to achieve a clay-like substance. When fired in a kiln, the binder burns out leaving a fine silver sculpture.  

One Day * Saturday * March 28 * 10:00 am - 4:00 pm * $90 ($80) 

REGISTER

 


 

Acrylic Painting Workshop
 

Instructor: Mary Sundstrom
Learn how to compose a painting, mix colors beautifully and discover the interesting and varied techniques acrylic allows. The workshop involves the basics and beyond and is for beginning and returning acrylic artists. Price includes basic supplies and a light lunch. 
Ages 12 & up * One day * Saturday * April 25 * 9:00 am - 3:30 pm * $105 ($95) 
 

 

The Lake Effect Concert at the Arts Council

 

Thursday, March 26
7:00 p.m. 

The Lake Effect is a modern jazz quintet of Michigan-based musicians who are dedicated to performing a plethora of original compositions. The band consists of Jordan VanHemert on alto saxophone; Robert Brooks on tenor saxophone; Cory Allen on guitar; Michael Sundt on bass, and Andy Wheelock on drums. 

For this special collaboration, the band will be joined by local artist McCoy Khamphouy. In an exciting exploration of spontaneity, the band will improvise music as McCoy improvises paintings, which will be projected to the audience. This is sure to be a unique, multi-sensory experience the audience won't forget. 

Students/seniors $5
General admission $10

This concert is sponsored by the Holland Symphony Orchestra and is part of 
The Lake Effect's 9-day education and performance tour of Michigan. The band's agenda consists of performances, masterclasses, and clinics in over 18 public schools across the state.


 

Summer Camps are open for registration!

 

8th Street Fine Arts Academy

A grown-up academy designed for kids, 8th Street Fine Arts Academy will cover acrylic painting on canvas and charcoal and pencil drawing. Your artist will work en plien air and with models. The camp will finish with an Art Show displaying the work created throughout the week. For talented or interested kids.

Ages 10-14 * Tuesday - Friday * June 23-26 *1:00-4:00 p.m. * $85 members, $95 nonmembers, $55 siblings

 

8th Street Fine Arts Academy, Jr.

A grown-up academy designed for younger kids, 8th Street Fine Arts Academy will cover acrylic painting on canvas and charcoal and pencil drawing. Your artist will work en plien air and with models. The camp will finish with an Art Show displaying the work created throughout the week. For talented or interested kids.

Ages 7-10* Tuesday - Friday * June 16-19 *1:00-4:00 p.m. * $85 members, $95 nonmembers, $55 siblings

 

Clay Camp

Get your hands dirty! In this camp kids will learn about hand building and wheel work in our ceramics and clay studio. Your artist will take home completed pottery and clay sculpture that you will treasure for years.

Ages 8-12* Tuesday - Friday * July 14-17 *1:00-4:00 p.m. * $100 members, $110 nonmembers, $80 siblings

 

Dance Appreciation for Tots

Is your little one interested in dance? Introduce them to the beauty of movement in this creative exploration and fun introduction to dance. Your dancer will spend the three-day camp dancing, playing games and having a blast.

Ages 3-5 * Wednesday - Friday * July 8-10 *10:00-11:30 a.m. * $80 members, $90 nonmembers, $50 siblings 

 

Eat with Your Eyes Cooking Camp

Tie on an apron, roll up your sleeves and start stirring! Kids will get an introduction to cooking from scratch. Throughout the week, kids will learn how to cook a breakfast, a lunch and a dinner, and your chef will leave with skills to try at home!

Ages 8-12 * Tuesday - Thursday * July 7-9 * 1:00-4:00 p.m. * $85 members, $95 nonmembers, $65 siblings

 

Eat with Your Eyes Cooking Camp: Desserts

What's a meal without a delicious dessert? Kids will get an introduction to baking from scratch. Throughout the week, kids will learn how to bake a cake, and eat it too. Your chef will leave with skills and a recipe to try again at home!

Ages 8-12 * Tuesday - Thursday * July 28-30 *1:00-4:00 p.m. * $85 members, $95 nonmembers, $65 siblings

 

Hope Camp I

Learn art from the teachers of the future. Hope camps are unique because kids get a chance to touch on all the fine art bases: dance, performance, music and visual arts. Hope professors lead Hope Art Education Majors in designing a camp program that is unique each year.

Ages 8-12* Tuesday - Friday * August 4-7 *1:00-4:00 p.m. * $80 members, $90 nonmembers, $50 siblings

 

Hope Camp II

Learn art from the teachers of the future. Hope camps are unique because kids get a chance to touch on all the fine art bases: dance, performance, music and visual arts. Hope professors lead Hope Art Education Majors in designing a camp program that is unique each year.

Ages 8-12* Tuesday - Friday *August 11-14 *1:00-4:00 p.m. * $80 members, $90 nonmembers, $50 siblings

 

Sculpture Camp

We build, we explore, we learn and we create. In this camp, kids will work in 3-dimensions using building materials, found objects and unusual items. They will take walking field trips for exploration and inspiration. At the end of the week, your sculptor will bring home a completed project or two!

Ages 8-12* Tuesday - Friday * August 18-21 *1:00-4:00 p.m. * $85 members, $95 nonmembers, $55 siblings

 

 

Call (616) 396-3278 or visit www.hollandarts.org/kids-classes-and-camps to register your little artist!

 

New Ceramics classes are open for registration!

 

Ceramics and Clay Sculpture, Morning 

Instructor: Kate Lewis

This class provides expert artist instruction in wheel throwing, hand building, surface decoration, and glazing. Twenty-five pounds of clay, glazing, firing, and 20 hours of open studio access through June 30 are included in tuition. All skill levels welcome. Additional clay is available to purchase at $25 for 25 pounds. This class is limited to 16 & older. (Ages 16 - 18 require supervision during optional open studio use.)

Ages 16 and up * 8 weeks * Tuesdays * April 21 - June 16 (no class May 5) * 10:00 am - 12:00 pm * $140 ($130)


Ceramics and Clay Sculpture, Evening

Instructor: Kate Lewis

This class provides expert artist instruction in wheel throwing, hand building, surface decoration, and glazing. Twenty-five pounds of clay, glazing, firing, and 20 hours of open studio access through June 30 are included in tuition. All skill levels welcome. Additional clay is available to purchase at $25 for 25 pounds. This class is limited to 16 & older. (Ages 16 - 18 require supervision during optional open studio use.)

Ages 16 and up * 8 weeks * Tuesdays * April 21 - June 16 (no class May 5) * 10:00 am - 12:00 pm * $140 ($130)

 

 

Ceramics and Clay Sculpture, Teens 

Instructor: Kate Lewis

This class provides expert artist instruction in wheel throwing, hand building, surface decoration, and glazing. Twenty-five pounds of clay, glazing, and firing are included in tuition. Additional clay is available to purchase at $25 for 25 pounds. This class is just for teens 13-19 and a great way to have fun while learning a new skill. Sign up with a friend or make new ones!

Ages 13-19 and up * 8 weeks * Thursdays* April 23 - June 18 (no class May 7) * 6:00 - 8:00 pm * $130 ($120) 

 

Ceramics and Clay Sculpture, Mixed Age Class 

Instructor: Kate Lewis

This class provides expert artist instruction in wheel throwing, hand building, surface decoration, and glazing. Twenty-five pounds of clay, glazing, and firing are included in tuition. Additional clay is available to purchase at $25 for 25 pounds. This class welcomes a range of ages 8 & older. Perfect for spending time in the studio with a cross-generation family member or friend!

Ages 8 and up * 8 weeks * Thursdays* April 23 - June 18 (no class May 7) * 3:30 - 5:30 pm * $130 ($120)

 

 




Call (616) 396-3278 or drop by to register.

Top 20 Art in Bloom Poster Images Announced
Tulips with a Twist, Mary Westrate

I painted Tulips with a Twist  with oil on canvas from a photo I took of Tulips that were so large they fell over after a rain storm and their stems became twisted and they took on a whole new look. This intrigued me. They did not break, they just adjusted and grew in a different direction and stayed strong and the flowers continued to open and last as long as they would have had the stem stayed tall and straight. It reminded me of our life. Things don't always go the way we plan; the journey is not always straight.  Hopefully we adjust and stay strong and beautiful to the end, just like the tulips. 


 

 

 

Merrymaking, Mary Ann Dunn

 

The genesis for my painting came after my mother began watercolor classes at age 89; she repeatedly told me I would find it relaxing. When she died and left behind student grade watercolors and a tiny palette, I took her advice and enrolled in a watercolor class at the local arts council. I liked it enough to take a second - then a third. I continue to take classes and workshops with regional and national painters.


 

Painting teaches me to look at look at the world in fresh ways. There's a thrill in seeing an image come alive on paper. The more I paint, the more I want to paint. Each piece brings new insight; I sometimes do the same painting several times. I love the expressiveness of color, as well as the range and nuance of watercolor. My work aims to express the brilliance of the people and places that I hold dear.

 

There is much to learn from the experience and support of other artists; I paint weekly with two groups of wonderful local painters. I have had several pieces juried into both regional and state exhibitions. I am a member of Holland Friends of Art, Holland Arts Council, Michigan Water Color Society and the National Watercolor Society.

 

My 2015 Art in Bloom entry, Merrymaking, was done with ink powders and watercolor. I intended that it reflect spontaneity, joy and the burst of color that tulips bring after a long, drab winter.



Each week leading up to Tulip Time, we'll highlight images from this year's Art in Bloom. 

Did you know...?
 
The Arts Council has an Amazon Wishlist! 
Browse through our needs as we prepare to recreate the Arts Council! 


Special Winter Hours




Remember:
The Arts Council cancels classes when Holland Public School closes. Check WHTC online for school closings, and check our website or our Facebook page for updates on our schedules for those days. 





This winter the Arts Council will close at 5:00 pm on Wednesdays, except for special events. We'll return to our regular Wednesday evening schedule on April 1. 

Arts Council Winter Hours
Monday, 10am-8pm
Tuesday, 10am-8pm
Wednesday, 10am-5pm
Thursday, 10am-8pm
Friday, 10am-5pm
Saturday, 10am-3pm
Closed Sunday


Our Partners







 

 We simply can't do it without you!

 

To learn how to become one of the Arts Council's valued partners contact 

Lorma at (616) 396-3278 or email at lorma@hollandarts.org

 

 

Contribute

    



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