The Allegan Area Arts Council and the consortium of businesses known as Simply Well, along with other downtown Allegan shops, will present their inaugural Holiday Art Hop Friday evening, December 19, from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. 
 
A printed program made possible by funding from the Downtown Development Authority details each artist and his or her host shopkeeper.  This program will be available in many downtown stores a week prior to the event or on the evening of the 19th in front of City Hall, Locust Street.  An easy-to-follow map guiding "hoppers" to the artists, all within a two block area, will be in the program as well.  There is no charge for the Hop program.  This is a free event open to the public.
 
Arts Council Vice-Chair and Holiday Art Hop Coordinator Dina Ebeling-Hestera invites the community to view the art of photographers, weavers, woodworkers, potters, home décor painters and fine artists using many different mediums.  Music will be provided by area students at Uncommon Threads Espresso Cafe on Locust Street, and free refreshments will be offered at many other Hop stops.
 
Most artists will have reasonably priced work for sale and many will be showcasing a work-in-progress.  The Hop is an excellent opportunity to purchase art-related gifts for holiday gift-giving.  Children accompanied by their parents are encouraged to attend, as many families will be downtown to celebrate Festive Friday, an evening of late shopping at downtown stores, holiday music, free wagon rides, and visits with Santa Claus sponsored by the City of Allegan and the Downtown Merchants Association
 
With almost fifteen stops on the Holiday Art Hop, this promises to be a full evening for the art enthusiast and the casual shopper alike.  For more information, please contact Linda Clark by calling 269-673-7080 (days). Art Hop Arts & Locations

Visitors from the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, a recently formed group of artists who come together once a month to set up their easels outside,  braved the cold on Saturday, December 13, to be inspired by the beauty of Downtown Allegan. 

 

Richard Jordan, founder of the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan and a Kalamazoo Gazette designer, had begun painting outdoors with fellow artists Mike Pendola, Kalthleen Crane, and Susan Badger.  They discussed forming a group of open-air artists from around the region.

 

The group has grown to include more than 30 artists who gather to paint at a different location on one Saturday each month.  Recently, Jordon and his wife Cheryl, made a short trip to Allegan to take a few photos of the beauty of our small town to send to the group. "There is a painting at nearly every corner and park," said Jordon

 
"Plein air" is a French expression that translates as ``in the open air'' and refers to the practice of painting outside from real-life scenes. The advent of ready-mixed paint sold in tubes and easily portable painting equipment in the mid-19th century meant that artists could go beyond the confines of the studio and capture the essence of natural settings. Plein air painting reached its peak of popularity around the turn of the last century. At that time, artists would often leave the bustle of urban environments to paint in more rural areas, forming artists' colonies. 

Come and see the historic Old Jail Museum trimmed in the nostalic decor of Christmases past!  Special Christmas sale prices will be available on select items throughout December in the Museum Gift Shop.  Santa will be there to greet visitors Saturday, December 20, from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M..  The museum is open from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Fridays and Saturdays year round.  If you would like to be a part of researching, decorating, and more, Tuesdays are "Volunteer Days" from 10:00 A.M. to around 1:00 P.M.

 

Allegan Teens4Kids Puppeteer Group will be sharing three children's stories: "Mother, Mother, I Want Another," "Between the Sun and the Wind," and "Which Shoes Do You Choose." 

 

Teen Librarian, Nancy Thelan, and the Teen Advisory Board of "volunteens" formed Teens4Kids Puppeteers to present children's stories to young library visitors in a more visual and interactive way.

The Allegan Area Arts Council is interested n locating Michigan artists producing unique and beautiful garden art.  Fine artists working in metal, clay, stone and cement will be gathered indoors for one very special early Spring day of gardening delight on March 28, 2009.  Please contact Linda Clark at 673-7080 for more information.  Firm deadline for entry is March 1st at 5:00pm.