MacGown Art Retreat and Studio (MARS) and the MacGown Art Artist in Residence Program

MacGown Art Retreat and Studio (MARS) 

Wow! It has been a while since I have posted here and lots has happened in that time period! Our art retreat concept is slowly coming to fruition and with it our Artist in Residence program. We have a piece of rural property located in the Sessums community 10 miles from the Mississippi State Campus where we create art, music, and other creative endeavors. We have seen many changes over the last few years as we finished our guest cabin for visiting artists, we are close to having our own in house frame shop, and our future gallery/workshop is 70% done!!  

A view of our house, pavilion, and studio from across Lake MacGown

The guest cabin that Joseph MacGown and I built has been used by several exciting and super talented artists, writers, musicians, and scientists. It is located on the north side of our small MacGown Lake (3+ acres) and we incorporated rough cut cedar and pine, Cretaceous fossil mosaics, and numerous reclaimed materials to build it. It is full of art and creativity. 

Exterior view of the cabin

Interior view of cabin

Interior view of cabin

One of the coolest things we have going on is our Artist in Residence program. We have different levels depending on the needs of the creative individuals interested in partnering with us ranging from paying to stay, working to stay, and we offer stipends for 2 to 4 artists per year along with free housing and some meals. Stipends are provided by the local philanthropic Del Rendon Foundation, which supports the arts in the Golden Triangle region of Mississippi. 

Mural created by Julia Reyes for our gallery (in progress)

Thus far, we have had three artists receive stipends including Joseph Garland, Karina Rovira, and Julia Reyes. Each stayed approximately 2 weeks. We ask that each artist do something artistic to leave at our place such as a mural, sculpture, painting, etc. We interact with  artists and work to have them featured in local media, online media, and culminate their activities with a show, talk, or something similar. Our next Artist in Residence will be Zoe Ishee, coming in late July. 

Folks interested in being an artist in residence with us should contact me at art@joemacgown.com and send in 6-10 samples of their work, a photo of themselves, a bio, a statement of goals and why they would want to work with us in our unique setting in the countryside of Mississippi. Paid residencies with us can be 2-4 weeks, and artists receive $2,500 over two installments. This is highly competitive and we are looking for individuals who find will connection and inspiration from nature and especially from our property, which is located on a Black Belt Prairie remnant. Underlying the prairie is a Cretaceous fossil bed full of marine fossils from 70 million years ago when the area was an ocean. 

Works created by visiting artist Joseph Garland

Self portrait by Karina Rovira, visiting artist from Berlin Germany

Pastel painting by Karina Rovira

Zoe Ishee, our next Artist in Residence

Mushroom Men by Zoe Ishee

MacGown Art has been popping this summer!

2019 has been so busy, I have not had much time to blog about the numerous exhibitions, artwalks, festivals and other activities I have been involved with. Starkville and the region in general is booming with artistic opportunities. What a great time to be an artist! My studio and property is gradually becoming more art friendly, and within a year I plan on having more art and music related events out there! Also, I recently revamped my website, so check it out if you have time at https://www.joemacgown.com/. Here are some highlights from the last couple of months!

INTERNATIONAL SHOWS: For me personally, it is always great to have my art included in cool exhibitions, and this year has been wonderful again in this regard! The Eurasion Art Union has been fantastic about organizing superb shows in spectacular venues. I was fortunate to have had art included in three fancy smancy group exhibitions featuring visionary and surreal artists from around the world this year including shows in Moscow, Russia; Belgrade, Serbia; and St. Petersburg, Russia! Thanks to organizer Oleg Korelov for inviting me.

Moscow House of Artists, Moscow, Russia

Exhibition in St. Petersburg, Russia 

Exhibition in Belgrade, Serbia

My amazing French art friend Bernard Dumaine, who is a master at collaborative works, had a spectacular show at the Phaneros Gallery in Healdsburg, CA that featured his own art and numerous collaborations he has done with others including me. The piece of ours included in the show is called "Honeymoon." Check out Phaneros Gallery if you are out that way!

Honeymoon, collaboration between Joe MacGown and Bernard Dumaine

REGIONAL SHOWS: Following the Meridian Museum of Art Bi-State Exhibition that ended in early April, I have had art in several other regional group shows including the Cotton District Arts Festival (CDAF) Juried show in April at the Visionary Arts Center in Starkville, MS; an extended version of the CDAF show held from April 15 to May 10 at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership Gallery in Starkville, MS; and the Mississippi Presenter's Network "2019 Mississippi Touring Arts Show" at various venues including the O'Keefe Arts Center in Ocean Springs, the Powerhouse Arts Center in Oxford, the Visual Arts Center in Starkville, and the Bass Cultural Arts Center in Greenville. Below are images of the three pieces I had in the CDAF show, all of which are ink on wood pieces sized 24 x 48 inches. 

Disparate Progeny, ink on wood, 24 x 48  inches, by Joe MacGown

https://www.joemacgown.com/product-page/cassian-warrior-of-light

Arthrobryozoic Naiad, ink on wood, 48 x 24 inches, by Joe MacGown

MINERVA ART GALLERY: A small local gallery called Minerva opened up in April. The gallery is located at 203 Maxwell Street in the Cotton District of Starkville, MS. Minerva is owned by Tammy Carlisle, and I help out with the art in various ways including inviting artists, promoting events, maintaining the website and social media, and in other manners. Both Joseph and I have numerous pieces in the gallery, and we are building a nice selection of art by other local artists and several international artist friends including Peter Gric, Otto Rapp, Chris Dyer, A. Andrew Gonzalez, and KD Matheson! In addition to the art in the gallery itself, Minerva has hosted several pop up type shows where several of us had tents and other displays outside on 20 April, 18 May, 8 June, and 22 June. Our  next event is an evening market on 26 July from 6 to 8 pm. Come check it out!  

Minerva logo and sign, designed by Joe A. MacGown

Here is a view of one of the walls of art in Minerva!

ART FESTIVALS: Each year, Joseph and I try to participate in several regional art festivals and this year has been no exception. Our first festival of the year was the Three Foot Festival in Meridian, MS where our booth won best of show! The following week we had planned on being at the Cotton District Arts Festival, but unfortunately that event was canceled due to severe weather. However, two we weeks later we attended the Double Decker Festival in Oxford, MS and had a really good time!! Two weeks later we were at the Gumtree Festival in Tupelo, MS, which was moved inside of the Bankcorp South Arena due to potential bad weather. Overall, our experience there was less than spectacular, especially due to our booth placement, which was essentially hidden behind a stage. While we were glad they had an indoor alternative for the festival the booth placement and several other issues left a sour taste and it's unlikely that we will be returning anytime soon. We have at least there more upcoming festivals this year with the next one being the MissiHippi Fest at the Foxfire Ranch in Waterford, MS on 24 August; then the Prairie Arts Festival in West Point on August 31, and  finally the Peter Anderson Festival in Ocean Springs on November 2-3.

Joe and Joseph MacGown at the Double Decker Festival in Oxford, MS

CHALET ARTS: One of my greatest supporters of all time is Mark Wood, owner of Chalet Arts in Starkville, MS. Without Mark's continued support over the years, I would not be able to do what I do today. People often ask me where we make our beautiful archival postcards and prints and where we get our framing done, and I enthusiastically direct them to Chalet Arts. In addition to their great work, Mark goes the extra mile in supporting local art events. He even let me set up my art and the work of various other local artists on display in his store! Go check out the small gallery area and consider buying a piece of local art! Also, remember Chalet Arts when you need amazing prints and custom matting and framing! Awesome people!

Opening reception for art show at Chalet Arts 

Awesome art by local artists for sale at Chalet Arts

STARKVILLE SUNDAY FUNDAY: This is our third year for Starkville Sunday Funday, which is picking up great support and continues to grow. Currently, I am serving my second term as chair of the group, with Blair Edwards, Joseph MacGown, Robert Camp, John Bateman, Rosa Dalomba, and Caleb Hutson filling out the board. The event takes place from 1 to 6 pm the last Sunday of each month from May through October. The first two of 2019 on May 26 and June 30 were by far the best ever as measured by attendance, vendors, and art sales. Our next one is coming up on July 28 and it should be spectacular as well. Come see for yourself! Art, food, beer, live music, live painting, kids' art activities and more! Volunteers are welcome!

Sunday Funday in Starkville!! 

ART WALKS: So far, in addition to various pop up shows, we have done a handful of other artwalk type deals this year such as the Meridian Art Walk on June 1. Coming up soon on July 18 from 5 to 7 pm we will be setting up for Third Thursday in downtown Meridian, MS! We will be set up this coming Sunday afternoon (July 21) from 2 to 6 pm in the outside pavilion area of Mugshots in Tupelo, MS with Tupelo artist Belle Naugher for the Tupelo Sunday Funday! Swing by and see us if you are in the area!

The MacGown Art booth at the Meridian Art Walk

COMMUNITY MURAL: In May, I collaborated with Joseph H. MacGown on continuing a mural that he had started the year before on a retaining wall on Lampkin Street in Starkville, MS. This was part of the local art council's mission to start providing community art. The other sections of the wall were completed by Allison Julian and Gerard Woods, an elementary arts class, and a local high school group. We essentially finished up the wall. Go see it! FUN colors. 

Part of a mural by Joe and Joseph MacGown

mural by Joe and Joseph MacGown

Part of a mural by Joe and Joseph MacGown (Joe standing to the left)

Part of a mural by Joe and Joseph MacGown (Joseph painting)

INTERVIEWS WITH JOE: I had two wonderful interviews done this year about me and my art! The first was a video interview in April with Lori Neuenfeldt, Mississippi State University Art Galleries Director, for a program called "From the Gallery." It turned out pretty good and if you want to know a bit more about me, I invite you to view this 13 minute video below. 

I had another cool interview done by Efrat Cybulkiewicz, director and founder of a fun international art organization based in Italy called ArtMoire. The interview is available online at https://www.artmoire.art/joe-a-macgown.

So, yes, it's been a busy year art-wise thus far, and I have not even touched on the cool artwork we have been creating! Here is a snapshot of a large 48 x 48 inch piece I am currently working on!

WIP: Mayan Explosion, 48 x 48 inches, ink on wood, by Joe MacGown

Busy Summer for MacGown Art

Whew, I have not posted on here in a while. But there has been plenty going on. Following the numerous events in April, both Joseph MacGown and I had art on display at the Gumtree Arts Festival in Tupelo on 12 and 13 May and at Sunday Funday on 27 May and 24 June. I had 5 pieces in the "Recent Winners of the Cotton District Juried Arts Show" on display at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership Office in June with the show moving to the West Point Arts Council gallery later in June (up through August).

Our next Sunday Funday is this coming Sunday, 22 July 2018, from 1-6 PM near the Parthenon on University Drive in Starkville. This kid friendly event is really growing and we will have four musical acts featuring Bryce Mitchell, Brent Varner, Nick Crews, and Flathead Ford; there will be about 30 art vendors there; some light food vendors; art activities for kids in the Parthenon; and more! Come see us. The first two were hot, but a blast!

Joseph and I completed three large paintings commissioned by Jay Yates, co-owner of the Veranda Restaurant in Starkville. Each piece was about 7 x 3 feet and they are hanging in the veranda section!

I have been busy working on various projects including a recently finished piece called "Parasitism", which is an ink on wood work about 22 x 32 inches.

Secret Show at the Link Centre in Tupelo on March 4, 2017 was great fun

Wonderful art things are happening in Tupelo, Mississippi with numerous outlets for visual, musical, and other art forms. With the Gumtree Museum of Art being a focal point, art seems to be radiating outward. Even the downtown restaurants are a part of this artistic revival with places like Kermit's Outlaw Kitchen serving incredible meals featuring local produce and meats, the Thirsty Devil bar with the wall decorated with artwork purchased from local artists, to Vanelli's Italian restaurant with trippy primitive artwork done by Paul Thorn, internationally known singer songwriter from Tupelo. 

Joseph MacGown doing an abstract version of the scene

Belle Naugher, Gumtree Museum Director

Painting one of the masked figures

More recently, the Link Centre, located at 1800 W Main Street in Tupelo, has mushroomed into a great facility devoted to providing artistic opportunities for all types of people in the community. Saturday night was a great example of bringing people together for a night of arts. Mary Art Contrary (does anyone really know her real name??) put together a "Secret Show" that started at 7:51 PM on Saturday, March 4. The "Secret Show" featured a wonderful band (name unknown, apparently the night was about secrets), four models wearing costumes and imaginative masks created by one of the artists who posed for artists who wanted to draw or paint them, numerous artists who came to paint the models or just paint and draw in general, a few artists selling prints and/or originals, some writers who read their poetry, and a cash bar.

models! 

Luisa and Ella! Thanks for coming with us and drawing along

The entire scene was an underground type of venue with hardcore biker looking jokers poised in front of their easels sketching and painting while listening to hard riffs from guitarist/singer John West and his crew.

Artists working

Ben and Justin painting side by side

Ben Frazier

Justin King

In addition to painting, Joseph and I had a good table full of prints. The folks there seemed to really love our art, and we ended up selling quite a few!

Me, wearing a shirt with my art. 

All in all, it was a very interesting night. We met some cool artists and art appreciators! I am overwhelmed with optimism for the arts after seeing the great things that are happening here regionally and elsewhere. Though federal and state funding for the arts appears to be headed in the wrong direction, artists are not letting this slow them down!! 

John West on guitar and his buds

Awesome painting!

One of the models looking at the art created

models

drawing away

checking out handmade masks