   Beloit Art Center welcomes the community to join us as we open our monthly exhibits with a First Friday Gallery Reception in conjunction with the downtown Holidazzle event on December 2nd from 5-9pm. A gallery talk featuring Main Gallery artist Jeff McDonald will be held at 6pm. The exhibits will be open through December 29th. The Center will also be featuring a Pottery Studio Open House during Holidazzle. Jeff McDonald's photography has been awarded medals at international photography competitions in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa, and Asia and he was awarded the Photographic Society of America's Proficiency Distinction (PPSA) for his extensive international exhibition record. He is a four‐star exhibitor in both PSA Monochrome Projected and PSA Color Projected competition divisions. He has received numerous awards at local and regional photography exhibitions, including the Beloit Art Center's Juried Photography Show, over the years. His broad photographic interests include black and white, long exposure, abstract, landscape, nature, birds‐in‐flight, microscopy, and high‐speed photography, along with photo illustration. Born in west‐central Iowa in the late 1950's, he grew up on a dairy farm in southern Wisconsin. After receiving Bachelor of Music and Master of Business Administration degrees from UW‐Whitewater, he spent 18 years working in information technology and executive management with a large supplier of musical instruments and related products in the Milwaukee area. He later spent 14 years working at a community bank as its information security officer and a member of its board of directors. For the last five years, he has been accountant and IT director at a Whitewater company. He has served as board member of the Whitewater Arts Alliance for 7 years, including several years as its treasurer. He continues to chair the Annual Fran Achen Photography Competition. Photography has been his passionate pursuit for over 15 years. In the Bell Gallery the art center is pleased to present a selection of works from tenants, board members and volunteers at the center. Featured artists include Steve Edwards, Jo Christofferson, John Hines, Mariclare Sheil, Pierre Charles and Ben Henthorn. We also invite you to shop our artisan gift shop during Holidazzle. We have recently added many new items and seasonal gift items including textile offering by Kristine Moser, holiday oranaments by Cheryl Kitzman, and original and prints by painter Lynette Redner. Stop by the library in December for one more look at BAC exhibit at the Beloit Public featuring work by the Beloit Art Center Photography Club. Formed in 2021 this group is for anyone interested in connecting with fellow photography fans and meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00. Five of the group’s artists are part of the current show. They are Ellen Zarnick, Larry Horsfall, Beth Doerrfeld, Melissa Lauer, and Jo Ribordy-Christofferson. The photographs will be on display and available for purchase through the end of December. Starting January 10, the Art Center will be offering a six-week wheel throwing pottery course. It will be held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 – 8:00 pm. This class is intended for beginners and will start to explore the world of throwing on the potter’s wheel. Beginning with cups and goblets, students will develop the skills to throw bowls during the class. They will be introduced to the glazing methods needed to finish their unique creations. This is a beginner course, so all skill levels are welcome. Creativity rather than conventional forms will be emphasized in the class. The cost for the class is $150.00 and includes materials. Students will need to supply their own tools, apron, and hand towel. Tools can be purchased at the Beloit Art Center gift shop. Sign-up at [email protected]/classes soon, as this course will be limited to 6 students. Thanks to our Fish Frenzy Fundraiser last summer, all classes are FREE for cancer patients undergoing treatment and wishing to participate. Contact [email protected] to find out more information. Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Ave. in downtown Beloit and has established a mission of partnering with the community and regional artists to maintain a center to teach, display and promote art through events, classes, and studio space. To learn more visit www.beloitartcenter.com. Gallery hours are Monday 10am – 2pm, Tuesday – Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 2pm.    Comments are closed.
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