NEMAG

Northeast Michigan Artists' Guild

First conceived by local artists Kerrie Spooner and Marilyn Bachelor in 1993, the Northeast Michigan Artists' Guild (NEMAG) began holding monthly meetings in January 1994 at the Jesse Besser Museum. The primary purpose of NEMAG was "to promote and support art and artists through inspiration, information and education."

Since that time, membership has fluctuated between 25 and 40 members. The group has certainly evolved and grown but the mission statement remains the same. We help each other by sharing ideas, critiquing artwork, encouraging novice artists and being together.

Members of NEMAG range from beginner to advanced artists. Many have received awards in the Northeast Michigan Juried Art Show held at the Besser Museum, as well as other local and national exhibitions. We participate in Art on the Bay in Alpena each July, and we may add other shows or opportunities as our members suggest. We also exhibit at the Alcona Library in Harrisville.

We meet at the Besser Museum on the last Wednesday of the month except in November and December for paint-ins and business meetings. Paint-ins vary: We take time to paint together, learn new techniques from our own artists as well as others through demonstration, critique each other's artwork and help with problem areas in a specific painting, drawing, photograph or other art. Monthly assignments are offered for those who choose to participate to further art education. We hold annual workshops taught by our own or guest artists. We also developed and maintain the NEMAG Library consisting of art books, relevant magazines and instructional DVDs.

NEMAG invites artists of all levels and abilities to join. For more information, please contact Karen Cracchiolo at 989-766-9945 or Ellen LaCross at 989-884-2988.