Thursday, May 23rd, 7-9pm

The BrickHouse Community Arts Center

In 2009, the Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center in Sioux Falls hosted ‘Journey Women’, an exhibition which featured twelve art dolls that were the collaborative creation of twelve female artists, many of which shared roots in the Madison community.

Journey Women I Group

Their journey continued with ‘Journey Women II: Shrine • Altar • Box’. For that exhibition, thirteen female artists came together, each one creating a shrine, altar, or box that was rotated among them over the course of more than one year. Each artist established her shrine’s intent and as the pieces were passed from artist to artist each responded and developed it with her own set of insights. A journal accompanied each work to record the progression of the piece as well as the thoughts of the artists. Currently, these artists are working on ‘Journey Women III’, which will debut in 2014.

The Madison Area Arts Council is thrilled to welcome home these ‘Journey Women’ including Ginny Freitag, Lisa Shoemaker, Jill Frederick, Eve Fisher, Donna Hazelwood, Winnie Giles, Connie Herring, and Angela Behrends to The BrickHouse Community Arts Center this May. We’ll be showing select pieces from both showings, and the artists will be on hand to discuss their thoughts and process behind these works.

This showing is for one-night only, refreshments will be served, and is free and open to the public. The BrickHouse Community Arts Center is located at 106 SE 2nd Street in downtown Madison.

Work of Angela Behrends

Back in March, we hosted a Postcard Salon to benefit Almost Home Canine Rescue, in which we raised $476 for the cause. Thanks to the students of Dakota State Adjunct Professor Angela Behrends, who created many of the cards, and to all those artists who donated their proceeds, and of course, those who purchased these cards as well. We’ll have to do this one again next year!

Join us Thursday, March 14th, for a special one-night postcard exhibition and benefit at The BrickHouse Community Arts Center for Almost Home Canine Rescue from 5-8 pm.

Dakota State University students will be creating original postcard designs, works measuring just 4 x 6 inches, and we’ll be showing and yes, selling, these pieces for just $20, with half of the proceeds benefiting Madison’s Almost Home Canine Rescue, a great foster pet organization.

The BrickHouse is located at 106 SE 2nd Street in the heart of downtown Madison, donations are encouraged, refreshments and conversation are always provided.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, 7pm, doors open at 6:30pm.

Join us as we welcome Madison native singer songwriter Thomas Hentges, aka ‘Burlap Wolf King’ back to The BrickHouse this February for the hometown release of his newest 5 track effort, ‘EP’.

In a twist, the Madison Area Arts Council is donating $2 for each album sold that night to the Madison High School Music Department, and we’re asking all of our guests to donate as well, as we raise funds together for a great benefit – to promote the next great class of Madison musicians.

The event is free and open to the public, donations accepted, and refreshments are always provided. The BrickHouse is located in Downtown Madison, at 106 SE 2nd Street.

Mark that date, we’ll see you there.

Come on down to The BrickHouse for the return of  3rd Place Nights, where we’ll work together, creating, drawing, painting, writing, knitting, whatever it is that makes you unique. We’ll provide the drinks, you provide the creative spirit.

Well, we’re going forward into 2013 with another kick, with even more great programs and yes, great food too. But, we need your support now more than ever before, so that means we need to hear more, and yes, see more, from our local creative friends and supporters of the arts.

This January 12th, we’re sponsoring acclaimed watercolor artist Jennifer Stone for a one day class and group show at The BrickHouse, and this looks to be by far the best deal of the year for a chance to work alongside such a noted and respected artist as Jennifer. We’re trying something new by offering these one-day classes for the community, and yes, there’s a very small charge (you won’t find a better deal around for classes of this quality) but we hope to continue to offer these classes in the coming year, so if you support it, they’ll be way more to look forward to right outside your back door.

We’re also scheduling the usual mix of great events you’ve come to love, from small concerts, to Double Header art showings, and a variety of speakers and writers from our Chautauqua Series – we’ll be calling on a few past friends for a surprise or two this year.

We’re thankful for all the support this past year, and if you haven’t made it to one of our fine events, be sure to come on out this January 12th, we’d love to see all of you (and way more often too!)

Just don’t go asking about cats.

We’re thrilled to offer an extraordinary opportunity this January 12th at The BrickHouse Community Arts Center with the instructional offering of ‘Foundations of Watercolor’ with artist Jennifer Stone. 

Jennifer Stone is an acclaimed artist from Watertown, South Dakota. She has been painting professionally for more than ten years, drawing inspiration from everyday beauty and experiences. Her style is unique and interesting, and as captivating as the artist herself.

Jennifer is an accomplished artist and educator who hosts and conducts workshops annually to promote the arts and artists. She is a multiple national award recipient who was most recently honored with inclusion of her painting, Procrastination, in the San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibit.

Her philosophy is that “An artist needs to paint with intention,” she says. “But after a while, you just need to let your brush dance, and it becomes a painting that invites the viewer to be a participant, not just a spectator.” Her approach is the same when it comes to teaching.

Jennifer Stone

During this class, you will receive an introduction to the fundamentals of basic watercolor principles and techniques that will add fun and interest to your piece all while learning from this highly accomplished and energetic instructor! Personal expression is an important component to this class, so be ready to explore your creativity while learning the foundations of watercolor painting.

As part of the class fee of $90 (plus tax), supplies for the day will be provided, and lunch will be provided as well. A public reception and art show featuring the artwork created that day, along with selections from Jennifer Stone, will be held from 6-8pm, at The BrickHouse.

Space is extremely limited for this exclusive opportunity, and spots must be reserved through email at: contact@madisonareaartscouncil.org