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

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.

MacGown Art in the Golden Triangle, thanks to our supporters!!

My trippy art boy Joseph MacGown and I stay busy with our art. We both create art every day, pushing, exploring, creating, playing. Of course, as a result we have art building up! So, we are finding ways to display and to sell our original art and reproductions. I have to say, our local area has become more and more receptive to art! Even to our weird art. Not everyone of course, but our experiences have been mostly positive! So, thanks Starkville and Golden Triangle! 

Luisa Porter and Joe MacGown at 929 Coffee Pop Up Show

MacGown Art at the Prairie Arts Festival in West Point

MacGown Art at Earth Day at Ricks

Art party at the MacGown's place in Sessums

MacGown Art, talk and show at the Gumtree Gallery in Tupelo

MacGown Art at Sunday Funday in the Cotton District

MacGowns hanging Joseph MacGown's art at the Columbus Art Gallery

Starkville does have a huge and serious problem in that we do not have a city art gallery, and boy, this really bothers me. Fortunately, ALL of the surrounding towns and colleges in our area do have galleries where we can exhibit. So thanks West Point, Columbus, Tupelo, MSU, Itawamba Community College, Mississippi University for Women, East Mississippi Community College, and others! But gosh dang it Starkville Arts Council – get a gallery. Luckily in Starkville,  a bunch of local businesses have come through to fill this void and have opened their doors to local artists putting art in there. These business owners are fantastic! At the top of the list is Chalet Arts who does more to promote and aid local artists than anyone else! Also a big shout out to the Camp family who are at the center of supporting arts in the Cotton District!  Here are some of the top local businesses who are supporting the arts (not in any particular order): The Pop Porium (allows pop up shows and lets us hang art permanently), the Starkville Book Mart and Cafe (pop up shows, local artists and authors have their work there - Joseph and I have postcards there),  929 Coffee (pop up show, and recently the under 40 show), Scooters Records (Joseph MacGown has art hanging on the walls and prints for sale), Commodore Bob's (all the art on the walls is mine), the Serendipity Hippie (local artists have work there), Moe's Barbeque (local art on the wall), Bin 612 (local art on walls), City Bagel (local art), Rick's Cafe (pop up shows, weekly live painting and sales events, etc.), Two Brothers Smoked Meats (have bought art and were big supporters of Sunday Funday), and the Veranda (owner Jay Yates is a huge supporter of the arts). 

MacGown Postcards at the Book Mart

MacGown Art at the Pop Porium

MacGown art at Commodore Bobs

MacGown Art at Rick's Cafe

Joseph MacGown's art at 929 Coffee

Joseph MacGown's art at Scooter's Records

MacGown Art at the Cotton District Festival

MacGown Art at the Bulldog Bash (downtown Starkville)

MacGown Art at the Depot Gallery on MSU Campus (a few years ago)

Joe MacGown Art happenings in January

Second Saturday Pop Up Shows  at the Pop Porium

It has been a busy month with lots of stuff happening, as always! We had our inaugural Second Saturday Pop Up Art Show at the Pop Porium Popcorn shop on Main Street, in Starkville, MS on January 13, 2018! Despite frigid temps, we had a steady crowd of art loving folks swing by and view and/or purchase art. In addition to my own art, my son Joseph had art there, as well as several other vendors! We have several more Second Saturdays planned through at least May with the next occurring on February 10 from 12 to 6 pm. Come by and see what we will have!

Joe and Joseph MacGown Art Setup at the Pop Porium

Buying art! 

Taylor Dunn, Andrea Rendon, and Joseph MacGown

Pop Porium Art Sales

Our Second Saturdays look to be a hit! But, wait, there's more! Rosa Dalomba, Pop Porium owner will be working with several of us local artists to sell art in her store on a regular day to day basis! Art will range from the trippiness of us MacGowns to beautiful ceramic works by some amazing local potters!  Look for this soon! 

MacGown Postcards for sale at the Book Mart

Wow! Local businesses are embracing us and our art! Carolyn Abadie, owner of the Book Mart and Cafe on Main Street in Starkville, invited Joseph and I to put up a rack of some of our colorful postcards! All cards were printed at our amazing local Chalet Arts in Starkville! Go buy some of these wonderfully printed cards and your proceeds will go toward us and Carolyn! 

Joe MacGown art in Commodore Bobs

Yet another business, Commodore Bobs, has provided me with an opportunity to sell art! Commodore Bobs is a crazy good little restaurant tucked away in Starkville's Cotton District. Basically, all the art on the walls is now mine and for sale. The art is aquatic themed, as is the restaurant. Go check them out and while you are there, give a glance at my art. If you like it, let me or the folks there know, and I will gladly it to ya! Here are few images of some of the art I have at Commodore Bobs! 

The entrance to Commodore Bobs. 

Some cool ink painting of fish on wood, $500 each

Inquistive Fish, this is a framed print on canvas, only $150

Red Fish, acrylic on wood, 24 x 48 inches, $850

A primitive fish I painted on wood, only $350

This blue crab was done with India ink on wood and is double framed. Its available  for only $350 

Recent and upcoming MacGown Art Events!!

Meridian Art Walk, 7 October 

I had a great time at the artwalk in Meridian on Saturday, 7 October. We had a nice assortment of artists set up with their wares in front of the Union Station Depot on Front Street. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us!!!

My tent just after I set it up at the Meridian Art Walk

Meridian Bi-State Art Competition, Meridian Museum of Art 

Following the art walk, I headed over to the Meridian Museum of Art for the reception for the annual Bi-State Art Competition. This was a great show and I was happy to have had two pieces accepted into it. One of mine won an achievement award! Yay. Here are the pieces I had in the show!

Halloween Art Show: Creepy Carnivale, Meridian, MS

On the night of 26 October, Joseph and I joined some other weirdos for the Halloween Art Show: Creepy Carnivale  in downtown Meridian, MS. This was a one night only Halloween themed art event with some truly amazing artwork and assorted other  coolness! The event was from 6–10 PM. Thanks to everyone who came out and bought stuff from us!!

Joe MacGown at the Creepy Carnivale

Joseph MacGown at the Creepy Carnival

Another view of the MacGown Art setut

SAAC Abstract Art Show, Main Street, Starkville, MS

The Starkville Area Arts Council's Abstract show has been running since 11 September, but will only be up until 5 PM on Monday, 6 November. So, basically you have today and Monday left to check out the exhibit. Unfortunately, the venue is not open on weekends or after 5 PM.

Joe MacGown posing with his work 

Joseph MacGown and friends near some of Joseph's work

Insect Show extended at Louisiana Art and Science Museum in Baton Rouge, LA

My five insect illustrations will remain on display for a few more months at the insect themed show at the Louisiana Science and Art Museum! Check them out if you are in the area!

One man show at Itawamba Community College!!

I am having a one man show at Itawamba Community College from 6 November through 5 December! I will give a talk about my art at the closing reception at 4 PM on 5 December. Come out and learn all about my weird art stylizations and enjoy the refreshments! Thanks to Shawn Whittington for inviting me and thanks to Chalet Arts for their continued support!

Here is a preview of some of the things I will bring for the show.

Sunday Funday coming up on 12 November, 2017

Don't miss our  last Sunday Funday on 12 November from 12-6 PM in the Cotton District!! We will again have spectacular live music, cool art, vinyl record sales, popcorn, and more!!!

Poporium Pop-Up Art Show at the Poporium in Starkville, MS, 2 December 2017

From 12 to 6 PM we will be having a super sweet pop-up art show at the Poporium on Main Street in Starkville, MS. Several artists are already  committed to participate and we will have live music by some wonderful Columbus and Starkville musicians!!! So book your  calendars and come by for popcorn, refreshments, live music and great local art!!