BlueFrogArts

Fall 2009 Classes Announced

Registration Open for Fall Classes at Blue Frog Arts

Blue Frog Arts   119 E. Main St.   Lamoni   784-6827

Call to register or stop in Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00-5:00

Oct 5, 12              Beginning Knitting
7:00-8:30p            learn to knit

Oct 19                  Get Loopy – Locker Hooking Sampler

  7:00-9:00p            learn a fiber technique to create your own heirloom                

   Oct 26, Nov 2       Simple Knitted Shrug 
  7:00-8:30p            a great project for the    

                               novice knitter! 

Nov 3, 10, 17, 24   Painting
10:00-12:00          learn from award-winning Beth Knotts

Nov 23-24             Loom Weaving
6:00-9:00p            make a cozy scarf   

Dec 3                    Crayon Batik
7:00-10:00p          who knew Crayola could do this?

Dec 6                    Fused Glass Ornament 
2:00-5:00p            just in time for Christmas! 

 

More details about some of the classes are below.  For additional information on the other classes, please stop in and visit The Blue Frog!

Walk in and Weave---Warm Woven Scarf

Weave a cozy scarf to ward off winter winds or to give as a gift.

When:  November 23 and 24 (Monday and Tuesday)   6:00-9:00 pm at the Blue Frog

Class Cost:  $30

Supply Cost:  $5.00 plus bring one skein of yarn about (about 175 yards) in the color of your choice.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate, No experience necessary

Ages:  10 to adult

Class size:  3 pre-warped looms available

Get Loopy – Locker Hooking

Learn a fast, easy, inexpensive technique to create your own heirlooms such as rugs, pillows, chair pads, saddle blanket and wall hangings.  In class we will make a sampler to learn the technique--- can be used as a hot pad or coaster.

When: Monday, October 19,  700-9:30 p.m.

Class Cost:  $25

Materials Cost:  $10 plus $1, $3, or $5>00 for fabric strips, yarn or roving, respectively. Everything you need, a locker hook, canvas mesh and locker thread and scissors  will be provided at the class. 

Skill LeveL:  Beginner, ages 12 to adult

Class size: Maximum of 6

Fused Glass Ornaments

Just in time for decorating or gift giving, make several beautiful, sparkly holiday ornaments made of kiln fired glass.

When: Sunday, December 6^th, 2:00-4:00

Class Cost:$25

Materials cost:  to be announced (approximately $15-20)

Skill Level:  Beginner, no experience necessary, ages 10 to adult ( a great parent/child or grandparent/child class)

Class Size:  Minimum of 4/ Maximum of 10

 

Beth Knotts--- Another Great Showing!

Our Blue Frog award winning artist, Elizabeth Knotts has done it again.  Her colorful, dynamic watercolor, Four Horses,  was one of only 79 entries accepted to be displayed in the "Iowa Exhibited" 24th Annual Show which was recently held at the Heritage Art Gallery in Des Moines, IA.  Nearly 50 artists entered  280 items.   We are very proud that she is one of the talented, multi-award winning members of Blue Frog Arts whose artwork was selected for the show.  "Iowa Exhibted" is a juried show.

 

 

Beth lives here in Lamoni and she teaches art classes here at The Blue Frog.  Beth has been a teacher and lecturer in Iowa, Oklahoma and Missouri, and has exhibited widely in the Midwest.  She served as a teacher of Native American crafts, assisting with camps on reservations in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arizona, Alberta and Ontario

The  Blue Frog will be publishing the Fall/Winter class scedule soon.  Watch this website and sign up for a class with Beth or any one of our other terrific teachers.  Put a polish on your skills or come to learn something new.  Educational and FUN!

Congratulations, Beth!

Home Tweet Home in Lamoni Decorated Birdhouse Festival and Auction

 When:  Sunday, August 2    2:00

Where:  Blue Frog Arts, 119 E Main, Lamoni Iowa

Come for the fun the food, the festivities!   Bid on birdhouses created by area residents from 6 to 60-plus.  Some are functional, some purely fanciful.   Who knows...maybe you'll go home with your very favorite and make some bird home tweet home in Lamoni.

Although these are much more stunning in real life, here are a few creations for our feathered friends for you to enjoy :

 

 

Hope to see you there!

Visiting Artist displayed at the Blue Frog Green Room Gallery

Sherresse Buzard's two dimensional works are currently on display at the Blue Frog Arts Green Room Gallery. 

 

Buzard has been the Studio Art Instructor at Southwestern Community College since 2001.  After receiving her terminal M.F.A. degree in Sculpture from the University of Iowa, she went back to the University of Iowa and obtained the classes necessary for teaching K-12 Art.

 

She is a freelance artist and is currently developing a cartoon strip.  In the past, she has done art work for various companies (including the “Priority Express” logo).

 

"I believe art is an essential and fundamental part in everyone’s life.  All people regardless of his or her profession, interests and background can benefit creatively, intellectually and technically through an art education.  Art is not just for artists, it is a vital part of all of our lives.  Art influences all of us on many levels including subconsciously, consciously, and emotionally.   To understand the world of Art is to be an innovator, thinker, problem solver, and vestal communicator.  I whole heartedly believe that Understanding Art is vital to understanding ourselves and the world in which we live."

 

Stop by the gallery and say hello to the talented working artists who operate the store and drink in the vibrant colors and graceful lines of Sherresse Buzard's exhibit.

   

Copper Wire Tree Class

    It may take years for a beautiful tree to grow, but under the guidance of teacher Dorian Zhuja four new trees bloomed in Lamoni in just a few hours.  Dritan taught class members Alyssa Schmidt, Vikki Morain and Lynda Rolfe how to recycle and transform copper electric wire into unique copper trees.

Look what happens when you take a class at BlueFrogArts...A wad of wire gets wrangled into beautiful branches...

Making Felted Soaps!

Fiber artists Prisiclla Eppinger and Vikki Morain experimented with making their own wool felt over Spring Break and came up with some amazing results...

You probably have never thought about felted wool soaps, but they are a functional as well whimsical addition to any sink!

Below are a few photos of the process, but feel free to stop in the Blue Frog to touch and feel the final results!  Let us know if you would be interested in taking this as a class.

Vikki revealing some of the felted wool.

One piece of felt is finished, while another is being uncovered.  It looks like so much fun!

Wine & Women

Blue Frog fiber artist, 
Prisiclla Eppinger 
and Painter, Helen Caples 
are pictured at the Wine 
and Women event held at 
the Summerset Winery in 
Indianola on Saturday, 
April 5, 2008.  

Helen Kaples, Vikki Morain, 
Myrna Morris, Priscilla 
Eppinger and Donna Trudell 
set up two tables with 

artwork representing many, if not all, of our Blue Frog Artists.  
There was a luncheon and style show (Cold Water Creek) and an 
opportunity to browse, shop and network with other businesses 
in the area.  

Our water color artists contributed works that were cut into 
beautiful bookmarks with the Blue Frog logo and contact information 
on the back.  These were put in the goody bags each guest received.  

We were proud to represent the Blue Frog Arts artists to over 125 
women who attended the $40 a plate event.  Great public relations 
for the Blue Frog and for Lamoni!

   

Artist Membership Drive!

Are you an Iowa or Missouri artist looking for a home for your work?  Do you see yourself as part of a group that works as a resource and inspiration for you?

We've got the answer!  Blue Frog Arts is a non-profit artist co-op in Lamoni, IA with a mission of promoting the arts in Southern Iowa and Northern Missouri.  Our gallery features art, fine hand-crafted items, art enrichment activities and classes.

We are currently having a membership drive! Professional-level artisans please submit photographs of your work to: bluefrogarts@gmail.com, or bring photographs or samples of your work during our business hours:  Wed.-Sat. 10am-5pm.

There are currently two types of membership:  Members and Associate Members.  Below are the main benefits of both:

Artist Membership Benefits:

•  Beautiful Main Street location to display and sell your work
•  Grow your art business along with a group of quality artisans from the region
•  Local and regional exposure
•  Work and career highlights featured on Blue Frog Arts website
•  Gallery space for one person shows
•  Classroom to teach classes
•  Opportunities for grant funding
•  Build a following with customers
•  Artist receives 100% of the retail price  of work sold in the gallery
•  Only $25 and one day per month *   - Less than one newspaper ad!

Consignment Partner Artists (Associate Membership):

•  Work displayed in the gallery store
•  40% Commission added to artist price
•  Artist updates featured on web site

(There is a one-time fee of $50 to cover costs associated with setting up the artist.)

Blue Frog Arts becomes a Non-Profit!

On February 22, 2008, Blue Frog Arts officially became a non-profit artist co-op!  For our customers and community we serve, all will appear to be the same. Former owner, Deb Skinner, has now become the founder, and is very excited about the changes taking place.

"When the Blue Frog opened in December 2005, everyone pitched in to help: Graceland University students, the artists, my family, friends, and co-workers. It was beautiful and exciting to see it come together. 

The whole purpose of the gallery was to help the very talented artists of this community develop into a defined artist group and have an affordable venue to show their work.  It operated much like a non-profit from the beginning, with artists volunteering to help out in the store special events and projects.  Prior to opening, I had been told by several credible sources - an attorney and an Iowa State University faculty member it wasn't possible to combine art sales with non-profit status.  So, I forged ahead with a vision I thought would be mutually beneficial to the community and the group of artists who had become such dear friends.

When I recently found an artist co-op online that had non-profit status, it sparked a whole new exciting vision and direction for the Blue Frog.  The Board Chair and Board of Directors have stepped up and are doing a great job.  I'm very proud to be a part of it all."

Our non-profit mission is to stimulate and enrich the arts in and around Southern Iowa by providing high quality art workshops; art enrichment and awareness activities for the community; become a cultural destination for travelers, students, and new residents; and by offering an effective and affordable venue for local artists to exhibit and sell their wares.

We hope to achieve our 501(c)3 status in 2008.  This is a special non-profit status for organizations who have a charitable purpose that serves the greater community.  501(c)3 status will allow us to apply for grants and receive donations that will be tax-deductible to the giver.

We have to give credit and a huge thank you to the Larned A. Waterman Non-profit Resource Center for providing the workshop that turned this process from appearing impossible into a very edible elephant!  If you're thinking of starting a non-profit in Iowa, we highly recommend them!  Richard Koontz is the bomb!

Iowa Basket Weavers Guild Spring Meeting

Are you an Iowa basket weaver and would like to connect with others who share your passion for basketry?  The Iowa Basket Weavers Guild is having their spring meeting Friday, April 11, 2008.

Marlys Sowers is hosting the spring meeting at her farm in Milo, IA (near Indianola).  Her farm is called Pinicon Farms.  If you'd like to join her making a small Nantucket basket she will be teaching at 4pm the day of the meeting.