Year End Letter from the President of Heartland Art Club

It is wonderful to wrap-up 2023 with piles of gratitude and loads of great news! Dedicated members like you have helped make this past year the best year so far at Heartland Art Club!

During 2023 our members participated in multiple exhibit opportunities available to all levels of experience. Here are just a few currently on display:

The V x Vll (5 X 7) - We had a tremendous member response to our First Annual V x Vll Small Works show. There is outstanding artwork available just in time for holiday gift-giving. The way the artwork is displayed is fabulous so come on by to take a peek!

Ticket to Pick It - Our very popular annual fundraiser, the success of which is due entirely to generous donations of artwork from our members. This year’s works are currently on display at the gallery and worth seeing in person. Ticket sales are available on the website for a chance to receive your favorite piece.

Group of 8 Show - This rotating exhibit opportunity allows gallery patrons to see the incredible talent of our member artists. It offers member artists the space to show off their artwork in our Member Gallery room. This show rotates throughout the year and can be applied for on the website. Whether you are a show pro or just dipping into showing off your work, it’s a great opportunity to show St. Louis your art!

Just these current exhibits contain over 300 pieces of art!

RepreSENSATIONAL, National Juried Show- This past summer we had our first National Juried Show which attracted hundreds of applicants and resulted in 77 stellar juried artists from all over the country whose work was displayed at the gallery. Selected artists included a generous number of local and regional artists including many Heartland members! Over $9,000 was awarded and the reception was a (very well-attended) blast! Special thanks to Patricia Watwood for being our juror and judge.

Education programming was top notch again this year! Our education director brought outstanding workshop teachers to Heartland during 2023, including Nyle Gordon, Karen Romani, Allen Kriegshauser, Adam Long, and Jane Mudd. Dozens of artists took advantage of the opportunities to learn from the best.

Heartland sponsored SOAR, an artists’ retreat in the Missouri Ozarks in the fall. Attended by 27 artists, participants enjoyed a weekend of painting, educational programing, and delicious meals in a beautiful setting owned by Michael McClure, Ananda Kanan. Huge thanks to Dan Fishback and his assistants for exceptional programming and a great time!

“Reflections in Late Afternoon,” by Mary Drastal

Special thanks to all the 2023 volunteers who made this year’s success possible! From website and database managers, communications planners, marketing and publicity pros, graphic design geniuses, our energetic gallery manager artwork-hanger, gallery hosts, artwork-packers and un-packers, the event planning and reception team, to our board and our extremely generous sponsors, please accept our gratitude.

The Galleries at Heartland Art Club (the gallery) is open Wednesday-Saturday, noon-5 pm due to a dedicated groups of hosts who volunteer their time monthly. They enjoy their afternoons at the gallery welcoming visitors, answering questions, and making visitors feel at home and comfortable. They are the face of Heartland Art Club, and we are very grateful for their dedication. Thanks, gallery hosts!

Heartland is truly blessed with a tremendous group of committee leaders who plan and execute the work to make the events happen. They bring knowledge and expertise to the organization, dedicating their time and talent. We are so grateful. I invite you to share your unique skills by volunteering at Heartland. We would love to talk with you! Please reach out at heartlandartclub@gmail.org.  

Finally, members, you are the BEST! We appreciate you taking part in the exhibits, events, workshops, and volunteering this year. Your support for this nonprofit organization makes it all possible. We look forward to 2024 with its many opportunities for representational artists and to seeing your smiling faces and/or your beautiful artwork! Supporting artists is our mission.

We have much to be grateful for this year…and that’s a wrap!

Thanks for all you do,

Mary Drastal