The FMAAA Art Center has an amazing April line for the Fort Madison area.
But… it begins with a busy March.
The FMAAA Art Center has an amazing April lined up for the Fort Madison area commencing with the area’s Annual High School Art Show kicking off on Thursday, April 4. The annual Expressions Art Auction is Saturday, April 13 featuring fine art and excellent experiences on bid along with a full range of food and beverage tastings on offer that evening. The month culminates with a full day of activities planned for Friday, April 26 including the Winter and Spring plein air competition and exhibition going on through the day with winners announced at 6pm. A Lunch ala Art gallery talk featuring High School Artists at noon. The SOUP SUPPER fundraiser is slated for the dinner hours featuring locally made pottery and hand carved wood bowls serving up a delicious variety of soups, and a FINALE performance later that evening featuring FMHS jazz musicians. There is going to be something for everyone and for all ages going on for the next two months at the FMAAA Art Center
The planning process for these two months of activities has been under way for some time at the FMAAA Art Center as they coordinate with area artists, high school arts instructors, and the FMAAA volunteers that will be needed to help pull-off successful events. “Much of the success of April rests with a good launch of all of these events in March and then the domino effect will hopefully keep momentum building,” says FMAAA Director, Lori Illner Greene. “The Expressions Art Auction in April takes months to plan with tickets going on sale in March the week before Brews and Brushes, a fun painting experience held in several downtown locations on March 16.” Greene continues, “The plein air event registration commences just after, on March 22nd and continues until the day of that event on April 26th. We really appreciate the efforts of our volunteers to help us put on these events that both benefit the Art Center and are fun for our artists and the community to participate in,” Greene concludes. For example, to get ready for the SOUP Supper, FMAAA member, Glen Hamman, is already throwing bowls on the wheels he has lent to the pottery studio. Soup bowls to choose from will include wooden ones from area wood carvers, Paul Simpson and Doug Gatton, who are hand carving bowls and soup spoons for the fundraiser. Even Fort Madison resident and beekeeper, Neal Dodd, is donating honey to go along with the cornbread planned as part of the menu.
Plein Air painting brings in artists and visitors from around the region. These events are great opportunities for artists who like to work onsite outdoors to create work and then get together with other artists for a friendly competition. The quickly rendered work captures what the artist is experiencing at that moment: a particular way the light hits a winding path, a spectacular sunset, or the moody atmosphere of early mornings. Many collectors are enchanted with the immediacy of this genre of painting. Even casual viewers admire and are taken in by the energetic strokes and vivid colors. The FMAAA plein air event will be a competition with impartial judges awarding prizes for First place through Honorable Mention along with overall Best of Show. Artists are invited to leave their work on display and for sale during a two-week exhibition during which a People’s Choice winner will be determined.
This plein air event is designed with open registration for a month culminating with the judging and additional two-week exhibition. The longer “open” time frame provides maximum flexibility to accommodate artists getting out in a variety of weather and atmospheric conditions to capture scenes from a 30mile radius around Fort Madison. Artist registration for Winter & Spring Plein Air begins Friday, March 22nd continuing through the morning of Friday, April 26. While artists can have several painting surfaces stamped, they will be limited in the number of submissions to the Plein Air competition. All artwork is due in by 3pm on Friday, April 26 framed and wired for hanging. Judging commences promptly at 4pm with winners announced at 6pm. Cash awards for the Best of Show, First, Second, and Third places along with two Honorable Mentions. Viewing is available through the evening and over the next two weeks. People’s Choice award announced on Saturday, May 11 at 3pm. For specific details and rules, or to pre-register, please go to the EVENTS tab on the FMAAA Art Center website fortmadisonart.com
The plein air competition on Friday, April 26, is combined with a SOUP SUPPER fundraiser from 5 to 7pm, along with FINALE later in the evening. FINALE is a regular performance evening held each month and will be featuring music by FMHS Jazz Band members from 7 to 9pm. The SOUP SUPPER and FINALE will be held across the street from the Art Center in the 800 block of Avenue G in the retail space formerly occupied by Shug’s Tiny Town toy store, while High School and plein air work will be on display at the Art Center. The ceramic and wooden bowls being created by Art Center artisans will help raise funds during the SOUP SUPPER. Diners will have the option of buying one of the charming bowls made for the occasion. Corn bread and locally produced honey is also on the menu. Visitors can take in a delicious bowl of soup and accompanying treat, then head across to the FMAAA Art Center to take in the art exhibits. The doors will be open until 9pm that evening for visitors who would like to take in the FINALE performance and view the exhibitions.

March and April Events Details
Thursday, March 7 Opening Landscapes and Farmscapes watercolors exhibit by Rebecca Williamson
Saturday, March 16 Brews and Brushes
Friday, March 22 8am Winter and Spring plein air registration opens (continues to 4/26 10am)
noon Lunch ala Art luncheon and gallery talk by Rebecca Williamson
7-9pm FINALE featuring new material by Brad Kurz
Thursday, April 4 5-7pm Opening Annual High School Art Exhibition
Saturday, April 13 6pm Expressions Art Auction
Friday, April 26, 2024: 8am to 10am | Last chance for artists to register
3pm | Artwork submission deadline, framed and wired
4pm | Judging
5pm to 7pm Soup Supper Spoonfest Fundraiser
6pm | Plein Air Winners announced
7 – 9pm FINALE performance evening featuring FMHS Jazz Band members
April 26 - May 11, 2024 Plein Air exhibition and People’s Choice Award voting. Plein Air artwork on display and for sale at FMAAA Art Center until May 11th at 5pm. People's Choice award will be announced by 3pm on May 11, 2024.