Hi Everyone,
Welcome to November!
Halloween has come and gone, and sadly, so too has our 6th Annual Photography Show.  It was another really successful event, and I want to thank--again-- all the photographers who shared their wonderful work during the past month!  Special congratulations go to Harry VanderHoek of Benson, whose photograph of 4 Big Horn Rams was the winner of this year's People's Choice Award when all the ballots were counted on the final day of the show.  2018 was our largest show to date--so onward and upward next year!!

As one show comes down, another will go up.  Our Featured Artist exhibit at the college for the month of November will be Dragoon resident and SPRAC member Ellen Cohen,  Ellen works in a number of media, and is best known for her "Earth Ribbon" abstract landscapes--flowing, colorful images that instantly capture the eye and imagination of the viewer.  In this show Ellen will be presenting paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and pen and ink, as well as some of her spectacular photographs.  As always, the exhibit is free and open to the public and will be on display during regular college hours until the end of the month.  This might be a great place to take your Thanksgiving guests; but whenever you get the chance--don't miss this unique exhibit!!

 There will be a Lunch and LEARN program on our "regular" third Thursday this month.  Our presenter will be nationally known artist Glenn Rennell. who--luckily for us-- currently resides in Cochise County, and is often willing to come share his thoughts and perspectives with our group.  Glenn was a professor of drawing, painting and design at the Maine College of Art for 20 years and is a charming and inspirational speaker who really knows how to motivate his audience.  Glenn is primarily a landscape painter.  He creates plein air studies in order to capture the "subtleties of light and the relationships of sky, land, and the horizon."  His works are currently represented in galleries in Scottsdale, Tucson, Santa Fe, and Portland, Maine; and his paintings are in the homes of private collectors around the country.  You do NOT want to miss this program, so please mark your calendars for Thursday, November 15th, and plan to join us at Endeavor Gallery at noon for this slide show and lecture!!

We will be doing a change-out of art at the Benson Hospital at the end of this month. As most of you already know, and for the edification of our newer members--the San Pedro River Arts Council has a long-standing relationship with the hospital whereby we are invited to provide works of art to decorate the walls, patient rooms, offices, etc. and generally make it a more inviting place to be.  Every six months we invite all of our members to go through their closets, studios, and wherever else you might store your art work, to select works that you would be willing to hang at the Benson Hospital until the next change-out.  We are happy to display works in ANY media (including photography!!) as long as it can be hung on a wall in some manner.  This is a great opportunity for everyone to provide a very worthwhile public service AND get your own artwork out in the public eye.  Artwork on display MAY be (but does not have to be) for sale.  Rather strangely, we do often sell works out of the hospital display; and because this IS a public service--there is no commission charged on sold pieces.

Participating artists can pick up/ and or drop off new pieces at the Hospital  on Thursday, Nov. 29th any time between 1 and 5 p.m. OR or Friday morning, November 30th, from 9 a.m. till Noon.  I will be sending out a reminder closer to the event, but do mark your calendars now and be thinking about what you might have to display!!

The City of Benson will be hosting its annual "Christmas Off Main Street" on Saturday, Dec. 1st this year.  We will be hosting an Open House at Endeavor Gallery that day; and if any of our members would like to have a sidewalk table out front (weather permitting) to display and sell seasonal items--please let me know!  Inside we will be serving hot cocoa, cider, coffee,and cookies, so we'll need some help with cookie baking when the time comes...

Further afield, I do want to remind everyone that there are many opportunities to take classes and workshops in many locations in southern Arizona.
The Willcox Art League in conjunction with Studio 128 will be having a demonstration of the art of the "acrylic pour" on Sat. Nov. 17th.  (Check out their website www.willcoxartleague.com for more information).  

The Huachuca Art Association is always having exciting events--so visit THEIR website (www,huachuca-art.com) for upcoming programs; or visit their Gallery at 1835 San Luis in Sierra Vista for a nice day trip.

And if you don't mind a longer drive--the Tubac School of Art has a wonderful schedule of classes and workshops set up for their winter/spring season.  Check  them out at
www.tubacschooloffineartllc.com

So that's enough to keep you busy for awhile.  I know the holidays are upon us--but that is not an excuse for slacking off- get out there and "celebrate the arts" in one way or another!!  Hope to see you soon....    Linda

San Pedro River Arts Council

You can pay your annual SPRAC dues, $15.00 for individual or $20.00 per family by hitting the donate button above.

Note: You may also send your membership payment or donation by check to:
SPRArts
PO Box 1358
Benson, AZ 85602-1358