Mattoon Arts Council

Call for entries for the 2017 quilt show!

Are you inspired to quilt by the four seasons? Enter your quilt, wall-hanging, pillow or garment that reflects the theme “Stitches of the Seasons.” Use the four seasons as your inspiration with motifs, colors, and patterns. For intent to exhibit forms and more information, please click here. The show is sponsored by the Mattoon Arts Council and Lori's Pins and Needles.

Three members honored

Pictured are Justin Grady, Janahn Kolden and Bruce Karmazin.

Three MAC members were honored recently for their support of arts and cultural activities in the City of Mattoon.

Janahn Kolden was a member of the Mattoon Arts Council board for 10 years, serving as vice chair and coordinating the annual Artworks festival.

Justin Grady was a board member for eight years, serving as chair, vice chair and secretary, as well as coordinating the city's mural program, among many other duties.

Bruce Karmazin served on the board for eight years and led the arts council's fundraising efforts.

During an arts council meeting on Sept. 7, Kolden, Grady and Karmazin were awarded plaques in honor of their volunteerism and dedication.

Pastel portrait workshop offered

Kari Rajkumar, award winning artist and frequent instructor at the Mattoon Arts Council, held a pastel portrait class on September 16-18 in the depot's Lone Elm Room. For photos from the event, please click on the photo at the right.

Stacey Zerrusen exhibit on display
at Common Grounds

Paintings by Stacey Zerrusen are on display at Common Grounds during August and September. A reception is scheduled at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. The exhibit is sponsored by Common Grounds, the Mattoon Arts Council, and West and Co. For more information, click on the photo above.

Have an idea for an arts program? Let us know about it!

The Mattoon Arts Council loves to work with other community groups and artists to present programs! If you have an idea for an arts-related event and would like to seek sponsorship help from MAC, please fill out the form available here. You also may call the Tourism and Arts department at 258-6286 or email burgetta @mattoonillinois.org for more information.

NOTICE: The next Mattoon Arts Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 5, 2016, at the Mattoon Tourism & Arts Office, 1718 Broadway Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938.

Artists and crafters sought for Holiday Arts and Handmade Crafts Sale

All local artists and crafters are invited to participate in the Mattoon Arts Council's fourth annual Holiday Arts and Handmade Crafts Sale. The sale will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 19, the day of the annual Mattoon Holiday Parade.
Artist booths will be set up in the Lone Elm Room in the Mattoon Depot. Artists may reserve an 8-foot booth for $25 and will keep all money earned from the sale of their items. Items for sale must be original, handmade works by the artist or crafter. Booths will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis until all booth space has been reserved. For a vendor registration form, please click here.

Winners! We have winners!

Corryn Brock of Charleston won Best of Show - Student for her entry "Firefly Away," which also won first place in the My Hometown - Student category.

Wendy Dexter of Humboldt with her Best of Show - Adult winning entry entitled "Sunset Bin Bend." She also won first in the "My Hometown - Amateur catagory.

Please help us congratulate all who participated in the Mattoon Arts Council's first photography show. Professional, amateur and student photographers came from all over Central Illinois to display their work. Over 100 photos were on display in the depot's Lone Elm Room for three days, with a steady stream of admirers coming to view them.

We hope you join us again next year when our theme will be "Light and Shadow."

To view images from the 2016 show and to see the list of first prize winners, click here.

Want to learn to play the ukulele?

Join us Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. in the historic Mattoon Train Station's former gift shop for an informal ukulele group session led by Gail Nelson. All levels are welcome to come to learn, practice, make music and have fun! Questions? Call the MAC office at 217-258-6286.

Members of the first meeting in the depot. All skill levels are welcome any time we meet to practice, learn, and have fun!

Like us on Facebook and you'll be entered to win!

The contest will continue until we have a winner! Help us to reach 1,000 page likes on Facebook, and we'll pick one person at random to win this great "Got Art?" tee-shirt. Just click the icon above to go directly to our page, then hit "Like." Remember to like the page, not just a post!

MAC's Little Library at the Depot

Have you ever been waiting somewhere and really wish you had a book to help pass the time? We are collecting books for our "Little Library" for Amtrak passengers who may have this same issue! The MAC office is located in the Mattoon Train Depot, just behind the elevator. Bring your books, any genre, and we will make sure they are put to good use. Amtrak passengers and the council appreciate your generosity!

Click here to learn more about Mattoon Arts Council, our vision and mission.