The Ludington Area Center for the Arts invites artists of all mediums (both 2D and 3D) sto submit work in the art center’s ‘Members Only’ exhibit during the month of September. This exhibit is open to LACA members only; non-member participants may purchase for a solo membership ($35) for eligibility when submitting their artwork.
There is a $5 entry fee to take part in the ‘Members Only’ exhibit. The entry fee allows for Artist to submit up to five original pieces of artwork for the exhibit. All 2-dimensional artwork must be ready to hang with a wire on the back. With acceptance of work, an exhibitor contract must be filled out. An inventory of size, medium, title and price Is also necessary.
All submissions will be accepted for this non-juried exhibition. A trio of judges (Kris Campbell, Justin David Gustafson and Rebecca Mott) will select one piece of art as the overall best of show ribbon during a public artist reception Friday, Sept. 6 from 6-9 p.m.
Entries for the Members Only’ exhibit will be accepted Aug. 27-30. The exhibit will run Sept. 4-28.
For more information contact LACA at 231-843-2346 or info@ludingtonartscenter.org . LACA is located at 107 South Harrison St., Ludington, MI 49431.
Ludington Area Center for the Arts
107 S. Harrison Street
Ludington, MI 49431
Phone: 231-845-2787
Business Hours
Open - Tuesday thru Friday –11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday - 10 am. to 3 p.m.
www.facebook.com/LudingtonArtsCenter
LACA receives MCACA
grant for 2019 fiscal year
The Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) has been awarded a grant of $15,000 from the State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). The grant was awarded through the MCACA peer review process and was one of 561 applications to compete for MCACA fiscal year 2019 funding.
Organizations receiving a MCACA grant award are required to match those funds with other public and private dollars. LACA receives significant funding and volunteer support from our local community.
The MCACA peer review process allows for each grant application to be competitively considered by a panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and culture professionals. This ensures the taxpayers, who support this project through legislative appropriations, and all other visitors or residents in Michigan will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences.
Art Critique Groups
Evening Art Critique Group will be held each month on the FOURTH MONDAY from 7-8:30 pm in the Main Gallery. All artists all welcome to attend and to bring a piece of their work to discuss in a positive environment with other artists.
Morning Critique meets every THIRD FRIDAY from 11-1 pm in the Main Gallery as well.
Learn oil painting techniques from area artist Justin David Gustafson during his weekly painting class in the LACA craft room.
This ongoing class is open to all skill levels and those interested in taking the class can join at any time. Classes are $30 per session or $100 for four. All materials are supplied.
Contact LACA at 231-845-2787 or info@ludingtonartscenter.org to register.
Video hobbyists and professionals are invited to join the Ludington Center for the Arts AV (Audio/Video) Club at noon on the second Tuesday of each month. AV Club participants will have the opportunity to discuss individual productions, learn new techniques, and collaborate on community projects. The club aims to be a support system for local video producers by encouraging the use of video as a communication tool. The AV Club welcomes Ludington area video hobbyists and professionals,13 and up. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. in the LACA Main Gallery, 107 S Harrison St, Ludington, MI 49431. There will be a short meet and greet, a club goal discussion, and an opportunity to showcase past projects. The AV Club can stream videos from YouTube or participants can bring their projects on a flash drive.The AV Club will be hosting a weekend movie-maker competition in the fall to raise funds for shared equipment and resources. Club members may choose to compete or may volunteer to help with the event.
Open Mic nights
First and third Fridays of the month. Sign-up begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by performances at 7 p.m.
Free to perform or listen; show your support for local up-and-coming talent.
First Firday is 'Family Friendly' and third Fridays are 'Adult Themed.'
Weekly figure drawing
sessions at LACA
The Ludington Area Center for the Arts' new figure drawing group meets each Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the art center located at 107 S. Harrison St., in downtown Ludington. The group shares in the cost of the model fee. Models are both clothed and nude depending on availability.
Anyone interested in modeling for the group is asked to contact John Marek at 231-239-0176.
LACA Photography Group to meet monthly on the 3rd Wednesday
LACA's Photography Group meets the third Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. in LACA's main gallery Meetings are free and open to anyone who would like to discuss all things photography.
Each gathering of the group will include a brief highlighted topic followed by open discussions among attendees.
Occasional "field shoots" may be scheduled at various locations around the Ludington area on weekends.
Ukulele group
to meet at
LACA monthly
All Ukulele musicians are welcome and encouraged to attend. Sessions are divided into a beginner session from 1-1:30 p.m. followed by an "experienced" (can play 4 chords ) session from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
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1st Tuesday: Movie TBA
2nd Tuesday: West Side Writer's Group
4th Tuesday: West Side Writer's Group
5th Tuesday: TBA
2019 Visiting Writer Series Continues
Ludington Writers Presents Karen Anderson
Saturday, Sept 21, 1-3 p.m.
Ludington Area Center for the Arts'
Dance Room
107 S. Harrison St.
Karen Anderson will facilitate a workshop discussing the writing process, describing her journey as a writer, and leading participants through various writing exercises. Participation is limited, so please contact WestShoreWords@gmail.com to secure a spot. Although there is no set fee for the workshop, a freewill donation of $5.00 is suggested.
Anderson is a writer who lives and works in Traverse City, Michigan.
She was a columnist for the Traverse City Record-Eagle for 30 years and published two collections. Since 2005, she has contributed weekly essays to Interlochen Public Radio. An illustrated collection of her essays was published in 2017, “Gradual Clearing: Weather Reports from the Heart.” Karen has a master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Michigan and is retired from Northwestern Michigan College where she was director of marketing and public relations. She enjoys camping, canoeing, reading, writing, listening, and learning.
This is the third in the visiting writing series this year. To date, poet Jack Ridl and graphic fantasy comic writer Scott Barrons have both come to Ludington and presented information about their genres. Ludington Writers meets twice a month to share new writing that individuals bring. For more information, contact WestShoreWords@gmail.com
The Ludington Area Center for the Arts will host Justin David Gustafson's 'The Value of Perspective' Aug. 9-31 in the center's main gallery.
An artist reception for Gustafson will take place from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9. The reception is free and open to the public.
'The Value of Perspective' will feature A series of visual musings and meditations on the Michigan landscape. Painted in various styles cultivated by one artist over more than 20 years.
Justin David Gustafson is often struck by the beauty he experiences all around us. The goal of his work is to bring that beauty to the attention of others by accentuating it in his paintings.
His purpose in life is to connect to others through his artwork and the emotions that it inspires in them. Nothing gives him greater joy than the thought that his creations can move people emotionally.
It is his hope to reach out ever further through the expansion of his portfolio. In so doing, allowing himself to physically reach out further by traveling himself to distant lands and meeting new and different people.
He has been making things for as long as he can remember. His earliest memory is drawing with crayons and being frustrated at struggling to get things exactly as he wanted them. That frustration has given way to unbridled satisfaction, though his standards have actually become more strict over time.
Gustafson studied at Kendall College of Art and Design, made possible through the aide of various scholarships, graduating with academic honors in 2002. Then he traveled the country, developing his distinctive painting style, for many years before returning to his beloved Michigan to plant his roots.
His style is intended to be simultaneously evocative and contemplative. With it's heightened color and almost violent texture, existing alongside flowing composition and balanced color schemes. This makes for what Justin refers to as a "sweet and salty experience".
Ludington artist Barbara Forgue will exhibit her work entitled 'Short Stories from the Heart: Spaces, Places, Memories and Dreams' in the Ludington Area Center for the Arts' performance hall gallery Aug. 3-31, 2019.
The art center welcomes the public to view the exhibit and meet Forgue during a free artist reception Saturday, Aug. 3 from 4-7 p.m.
'Short Stories from the Heart: Spaces, Places, Memories and Dreams' is a journey through Forgue's adventures in seeing.
"I arrived late to the art scene," Foruge says of herself. "At 65 decided to take a drawing class at the community college. My only objective was to “learn to see.""
"The personal transformation was allowing myself to be a
student, challenging myself to face uncertainty with humor. And Learning to be kind to myself."
"The benefit of being a late bloomer is that once the genie was uncorked, the works began flowing freely."
The many chapters of my life inform my creative process.
Forgue's works offer glimpses of everyday life with an intimacy she calls emotion of the ordinary. "The beauty of old buildings, views of the open road, glimpses of nature, tender human moments and
excursions into the absurd, are all subjects that fascinate me.
"My inspiration comes as something catches my eye," Forgue says. "What am I seeing? If my mind’s eye becomes captivated, I’m ready to paint.
The Spaces often involved exploring Forgue's emotional reaction and applying various techniques to represent those different elements.
The Places are personal to her life. "I discovered a new intimacy with these settings as I captured them, stroke by stroke. I felt an urgency to get them right, to represent their importance to me."
The Memories are increasingly emotional pieces. "The process is a gestalt between my memory, the triggered emotions, and the act of transmutation." Representing the essence onto the canvas.
The Dreams flow from a more intuitive process of creation. "My hand leads the way in these works. My mind’s process is more meditation and flow. I am free to be less representational and allow symbolism to insert itself into the piece. I experience mindfulness as these works take form and my mind observes itself in the act of creating."
I invite you to explore my “Short Stories.”
Serita's Black Rose
to close out LACA Summer Concert Series
The inaugural season of the LACA Summer Concert Series will come to a close Wednesday, Aug. 28 with a performance by Serita's Black Rose starting at 7 p.m. in Waterfront Park.
A self-professed “Funkateer,” Serita Crowley of Serita’s Black Rose from Grand Rapids, Michigan brings a raucous mix of FUNK, ROCK, BLUES, NEO-SOUL, and AMERICANA.
Serita, along with her partner Jon Hayes are at it’s core, performing together for nearly two decades.
With featured veteran bass vocalist Robert Pace and timekeeper Mark Weymouth they play much of the timeless “feel good music” from the 60’s and 70’s that everyone can enjoy.
Her fiery, blues-and soul-infused vocals along with Roberts timeless funky gospel/R&B approach will shake the ground beneath your feet.
The LACA Summer Concert Series is a free family friendly concert series at Waterfront Park in downtown Ludington featuring world class Jazz, Blues, Pop/Rock and R&B music from internationally acclaimed touring artists.
The performance hall at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts (107 S. Harrison St., in downtown Ludington) will serve as the series’ inclement weather location.
While the concerts are free to attend and open to the public, putting on the series is not free to the art center. LACA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on monetary donations to help fund its events and programs. Community members and area business interested in supporting the LACA Summer Concert Series are asked to send their pledges to: LACA Summer Concert Series, 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington MI 49431 or by calling LACA at 231-845-2787.
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This year's Indoor Juried Fine Art Fair hosted by the Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) will take place from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday, August 31.
This event will showcase fine artists in the center's main gallery. Participating this year are Sue Davis, Emma Loisch, J. McLean, Ellen Niemann, Judy Peters, Sheila Preston, Marion Riedl, and Linda Sandow. Also on display in the main gallery will be Justin David Gustafson's exhibit, "The Value of Perspective," and in the performance hall gallery will be featuring Barbara Forgue's exhibit, "Short Stories from the Heart," pieces from both exhibits will be available for purchase. The arts center's Gift Shop will also be open.
Admission to the fine art fair is a suggested $1 donation in benefit of the arts center. LACA is located at 107 South Harrison Street, downtown Ludington
Come get messy with Chaotic Mike aka Mike Coleman at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) for an Acrylic Pour workshop Saturday, Sept. 7 from 1-3 p.m.
Coleman will guide students on the widely popular abstract technique of acrylic pours.
Participants of this one-day workshop will get two canvases to paint with their choice of colors available. Cost of the workshop is $35 for LACA members and $40 for non members. Additional canvases and upgrades may be available for additional purchase depending on time left and availability of extra supplies.
The workshop is open to all levels of experience. Some aprons will be available on a first come first serve basis. Please dress in clothes you don’t mind getting some paint on as it is very possible. Most paintings will be very wet it is recommended to let sit overnight and pick up later in the week.
To register call 845-2787, e-mail info@ludingtonartscenter.org or stop by the LACA office between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The Ludington Area Center for the Arts is located at 107 S. Harrison St., in downtown Ludington.
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The Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) will host Ludington Area musicians Stephen and Kaedin Plummer Thursday, Sept. 19 as part of the art center's "An Intimate Evening With..." series.
An Intimate Evening With Stephen and Kaedin Plummer will take place on the stage in LACA's performance hall starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 231-845-2787.
Stephen and Kaedin are founding members of the Third Coast Gypsy Jazz Band and have enjoyed playing for the last five years with one another.
Stephen has studied music at The Atlanta Institute Of Music, City College Of New York and the New School University’s Jazz And Contemporary Music. He has shared the stage with
many national acts and enjoys teaching guitar at Instrumental Music, and The Ludington Area Center for the Arts. Stephen plays in Andrew Brown’s 'Djangophonique,' 'Groove 101' and The West Shore Community College Big Band.
Kaedin cut his teeth with Ted Malt’s LHS Jazz Band and later with band leader Keith Kuczynski. He
regularly plays with 'Third Coast Gypsy Jazz Band,' 'Marsupial Mammals,' and Ted Malt’s West Shore Community College Big Band.
Are you LGBTQ, or create art with LGBTQ themes like equality and love? What does being queer or an ally mean to you? Show us! LACA and West Shore Pride are hosting a LGBTQ art show in October. Drop off your ready-to-display work at LACA between September 17-20 for inclusion in the show. Any medium that can be displayed on a pedestal or hung on a wall will be accepted. Works will be displayed in the Performance Hall Vestibule from October 2 - 19. For more information about the show, contact info@
Sponsor a performance
hall chair today!
Over the past few months the Ludington Area Center for the Arts staff and a team of volunteers have been hard at work making a number of improvements to the center's performance hall. Among the upgrades are a new sound system that will allow for a crisper, cleaner sound. With the new sound system LACA's performance hall is now one of the top sounding venues in West Michigan.
Additional changes to the performance hall include freshly painted walls and the removal of the old church pews and carpeting.
The removal of the pews and the subsequent purchase of new seating will allow the art center to use the performance hall as a multi-functional venue that can have a seating capacity of over 3oo people, host an event with no seating to allow for dancing or allow for tables to be set up for a luncheon or meeting.
In an effort to fund the purchase of the new seating LACA is selling annual sponsorships for our new performance hall chairs. Funds from the $100 annual sponsorship and $5,000 forever sponsorship will help LACA purchase new seating and continue to make additional upgrades to the performance hall for years to come. Call LACA at 231-845-2787, stop by the office or print and return the form below if you are interested in sponsoring a chair.
