The West Shore Art League has been in existence for 38 years. Until recently, it was mostly known for hosting the 4th of July Art Fair. However, the Art League provides many other programs and opportunities to promote the arts in our community.
The West Shore Art League Fine Arts & Crafts Fair is always held on the Saturday and Sunday closest to the 4th of July. It has been a huge success, with quality work shown by over 200 artists. A Children’s Section helps to make the fair enjoyable for all ages. A variety of entertainment is featured at the Kiwanis Band Shell on both days.
The money made on the Fine Arts & Crafts Fair makes several programs possible. Fifty percent of the net profits go into a scholarship fund. Area youth may apply for money to pursue studies in art. Under the Mildred Pirtle Scholarship, one college student is awarded $2000 for the following school year. The rest of the money is given out as college scholarships, high-school student grants-in-aid, and teachers’ grants-in-aid.
Thirty percent of the money helps to fund “A Children’s Summer Art Exploration”. With the help of the Holland Area Arts Council and many organizations and individuals, 150 Mason County students receive a week of free art lessons. Classes are offered in the following areas: clay, mixed media, modern sculpture, drawing/painting, jewelry, and the performing arts. Upon completion, all projects are showcased during an Open House. Three to four hundred people usually come to view the student’s work.
MOM’s Ride for the Arts is a community event that helps raise money for the children’s program. Local celebrities don funny costumes or decorate bicycles for donations. The result is a parade through Ludington. This year a fire-truck pull will be added to the events.
The West Shore Art League is proud to be helping Memorial Medical Center acquire a collection of local art. Artists from Mason, Oceana, Lake, and Manistee counties are involved. A juried show, with a reception, is organized for the hospital committee to select pieces for purchase.
The Art League has monthly meetings from April to October on the fourth Monday of the month. Some meetings are hands-on and others are informational. Local artists might be featured speakers or we might visit their studio. The May Membership Show is an opportunity for members to exhibit two pieces of art created over the winter. A potluck dinner provides a social time to reflect on the year and plan for the future.
In February, a Winter Workshop gets some members together to create a project. Glass beads from glass rods, mono-printing, and silver looped bracelets have been created during the last three years.
Our web site was established at www.westshoreartleague.org to help disperse the information about our programs. There is also an artists’ archive that features local artists and their work.
The West Shore Art League wants to promote and advance the knowledge of art in our area. Most of the programs mentioned are open to the public in order to help develop a deeper appreciation and wider understanding of art.
BENEFITS OF JOINING WSAL
There are many benefits of being a member of the West Shore Art League. Among them, the many learning experiences gained from interaction with others who are also interested in the art field and from monthly programs put on by artists in various fields. There are monthly newsletters, the annual Fine Arts & Crafts Fair and the list goes on.
WHO CAN JOIN
Anyone who has an interest in art or in the promotion of the arts can join the West Shore Art League. You do not have to be an artist.
HOW TO JOIN
Download the application by clicking on the link below. Fill it out and send it to:
The West Shore Art League
PO Box 486
Ludington, MI 49431
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