What's Happening at MGAC? - November 2022

I was going to use a photo with the last of the autumnal leaves for the main image this month, and then when I woke this morning, made a quick revision. The snow is here!

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends, family, warmth and happiness.

Give to the Max 2022 - November 17th, 2022

It’s our big annual fundraising time again, and this year, we need your help as we continue to regain ground after Covid. Despite our space being donated, it’s difficult to manage. Our utilities and other operating costs continue to rise. We’ve tried to keep our costs at the same levels for artists, but that is becoming more difficult to sustain. More on that later in the newsletter.

See please consider donating to our cause this Thursday, November 17th.

We are asking for $8,000 this year and already have just under $3,000 in an anonymous match and other pledges. We have some giveaways this year, so please read the options on giving this year!

If you, or your workplace, would like to be a matching donor on November 17th, please let Lise Spence-Parsons know. We can accept matches up to the end of 11/16/22.

Youth Classes

Our youth classes are doing well with a wonderful Sunday afternoon series with Kristina Makousky, called Little Makers. Each week is a different theme and the young ones (3 -5 years old) can attend with a parent and go home with an art project.

We also have a fun class for children aged 12+ with Natalie Anderson - Tiny Art Holiday Tree.

Festive Holiday Ornaments with Kris Holtmeyer has a few spots left for 10-16 years olds.

We also have a two elementary art classes with Anwesha Guha open for registration.

Adult Classes

The adult classes also still have some temping classes available.

We have two online classes with Tess Georgakopoulos, you just register and then stay home and bake along with her via video link. Super fun!

The other fun class we have in the run-up to Christmas is the ever popular Paint and Sip class with Barbara Lance Alldaffer. That would be super fun before or after a dinner treat with friends. Book now!

We are always looking for more art teachers, and our Education Director, Kris Holtmeyer, would love to hear from you!

Our Next Shows - Tiny Art Show & 2023 Schedule

The Tiny Art Show is something new and exciting for Maple Grove Arts. The show is now up and our opening is Thursday November 17th, 6:30pm - 9:000pm.

Please RSVP here

The schedule for 2023 is now pretty solid and you can see it here. We have some new themes and some old ones in the mix. Be sure to check it out! We are looking for sponsors for these shows, either a corporate sponsorship or personal donation. If interested, please contact Lise Spence-Parsons.

Business of Art

The Business of Art is now into the 4th Qtr. for 2022! We have some great art and artists included in our programming. Be sure to check out all the venues.

You see all the art we have available by artist and location here! All pieces are available for purchase online.

We are always looking for new businesses to host art. So, if you are a new business in Maple Grove and you want to play with the cool kids in town and brighten your walls, please contact Natalie Anderson, our Business of Art Director.

Open Now! - New Handmade Boutique Space

We named the boutique “Grove Art Originals” It has a dedicated space in a side room at the Center. It’s open whenever we have the volunteers to open the doors. We are adding more art each day to increase the variety.

If you are interested in finding out more from either a buyer or seller standpoint, please check out this page on our website.

Arty Fun Birthday Parties

We also partner with another local organization to host kids’ party parties at the Arts Center. Please contact with Lisa Van Wyk to arrange the details!

Meet the Volunteers at Maple Grove Arts Center

Last month you “met” Tesla. This month our feature is Lise Spence-Parsons.

Lise Spence-Parsons

President & Treasurer

Lise Spence-Parsons, a Brit ex-pat, has lived in Maple Grove since 2003. She comes from an artistic family going back many generations. Before relocating to Minnesota in 2002, she worked in London as an accountant in the advertising world.

She owns Lottie’s Trinkets, a handmade jewelry business, since 2005. She has also authored two collections of short stories and is currently working on the first draft of a full length novel. Her other loves include watercolor painting and biking around Maple Grove’s trail system.

Advocacy Price Increase

Following a board meeting, it was reluctantly decided that we need to increase our annual advovacy in line with other centers around the metro area, to help with rising costs.

The fee will be increasing to $50 from $45 on January 1st, 2023. We still feel that this gives artists and art patrons many benefits that outweigh the costs. You can see more about what we do offer here.

The cost will be held at $45 until end of the year and you can even be “gifted” with one, if you donate $100 or more in Give to the Max this year.

Want to Get More Involved?

We are always looking for more volunteers and have a page here that details specific opportunities we have available.

We are actively looking for a Gallery Assistant to help with 7-8 shows per year Check that out here!

Maple Grove Arts Center is a 501c3 organization and we rely on donations to keep going. We are staffed entirely by volunteers.

Student Art Show and Jacob Beneke Scholarship Award 2022

Just a quick reminder that the District 279 Student Art Show and Jacob Beneke Scholarship opening event is next Wednesday 23rd, at the Maple Grove Government Center. We will be presenting all the work submitted in the main entrance hallway.

The time for this event is 4:30 - 6:00pm with prizes for the artwork and the Jacob Award announcement at approximately 5:00 - 5:15pm. We will have some light refreshments on hand.

If you are unable to make this event, the artwork is currently installed, and will remain for public viewing until April 1st. 2022. The Government Center is open 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday through Fridays.

Hope to see you there!



Early Fall Happenings at Maple Grove Arts Center

The weather is beginning to change and we may get some long awaited rain that will heal and cool us down! I thought it was a good time to share what’s happening at the Center!

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We have some new classes in the works for adults and we are planning on beginning a new Saturday morning structure for our younger artists. We are looking for art instructors to work with Dean Kindle, our Education Director, to develop and promote classes for September, October and into 2022. We offer a great pay structure for our instructors, and we are open to most art mediums. Please chat with Dean for more information.

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As you are probably aware, Maple Grove Arts Center, is run by the generosity of volunteers keeping the doors open and doing all the back room admin. We are always looking for volunteers to join our team! We have openings for volunteers who would like to open the space on times that suit them. Please make contact with Kristina Makousky, our Volunteer Coordinator, for more information.

One of the great things about volunteering during the week, is that you can set-up an arts based interest group. We have two such groups already.

Each group gets a page on our website and a group FB page. It’s a great way to meet new people and promote the Center. All that is required is that each attendee has a current advocacy.

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We have an event on September 28th, 7pm - 9pm that will be hosted by the Writers’ Studio and all are welcome to attend either to read a piece they have written or just to listen to others. We will have coffee and cookies to share! We hope that you will enjoy yourself so much, that you will want to join the Wednesday group! Please contact Marj Helmer for more details.

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Our next Gallery Show is the Black & White with a Splash of Red and the opening is September 23rd, 6:30pm - 9pm. It’s a great way to meet the artists who created the art and maybe purchase a piece of new art for your home or as a gift. An official evite will be sent out soon!

That’s it for now! Thanks for reading and hope to see you soon!