Paint a gorgeous flower on canvas, try weaving on a pin loom, or jam with a live jazz band, during the SouthCoast Spring Arts festival at the Marion Art Center May 6-15. The MAC will offer 10 days of accessible, interactive creative adventures for anyone interested in trying something new or just sparking their creativity. Also on tap are a walking photography workshop, a Latin percussion concert where audience members can participate, an after-dinner Improv theater workshop, yoga and reiki sessions designed to support the creative spirit, and more.
The MAC’s lineup of hands-on arts experiences for SouthCoast Spring Arts begins with an evening of Latin percussion with Jesús Andujar on Friday, May 6 from 7:00-8:00 pm. The audience will sample scintillating salsa and will be invited to a hands-on dive into the wonderful world of congas, timbales, guiros, cabasas, djembes, claves, bongos and shakers. Jesús will not only perform his own rhythmic improvisations; he will also invite audience members to learn some basic patterns and join in the fun. Drums and shakers will be supplied, and first-time percussionists of all ages are welcome, as well as those who would just like to listen and soak it all in. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 15.
On Saturdays, May 7 and 14, the MAC partners with the Mattapoisett Wellness Center to offer “Enhance Your Creativity with Yoga and Reiki.” The sessions are designed to get that creative energy flowing. Led by long-time yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner Jennifer Risio, participants will learn first-hand the benefits both practices provide: stress reduction, quieting the mind, strengthening the body. With yoga, movement is combined with breathing exercises to help move stagnant energy. Reiki and yoga both enhance the body’s chakras or energy centers. When body, mind, and spirit are invigorated and unified, creativity can fully blossom. The workshops will be held from 10:30-11:45 am at the Mattapoisett Wellness Center. The fee is $18 per person per workshop.
For beginning and experienced photographers alike, the “Learning to See Photo Workshop and Walk” on May 7 from 5:00-7:00pm with master photographer Cathy Broderick explores what “seeing” really means. It is easy to pick up a camera and just photograph…snapping frame after frame without intention. But what is the photographer looking for OR missing when that happens? Broderick recommends slowing down and assessing what drew us to pick up the camera in the first place. The workshop begins at the MAC and continues with a walking tour of Marion village, exploring different approaches to scenes to create images of value. Suitable to all levels and cameras, comfortable walking shoes recommended. The fee is $25 per person.
In the “Pin Loom Weaving Workshop” on May 9, weaver Lisa Elliott will teach participants how to weave on a pin loom. Featuring a unique three-pin arrangement, pin looms were popular in the 1930’s. They could be found in Grandmother’s sewing box or knitting bag. Modern versions also have the three-pin arrangement and can be used to create textured woven squares. The squares can be sewn together to make scarves, blankets, toys, clothing — the possibilities are endless. Participants will learn how to warp and weave squares, and they will go home with one or a few coasters or mug mats. Looms will be provided, as well as a variety of yarns. The workshop is from 6:30 to 8:30pm, and the fee is $30 per person, which includes materials.
For “Dinner and Improv” on May 11, the MAC partners with the Marion Council on Aging. Participants will join Tabor faculty members John Heavey and Steffon Gales at the Community Center in Marion for an exciting night of Improv. Improvisation, or Improv, is a spontaneous, entertaining and fun form of live theater in which the plot, characters and dialogue of a game, scene or story are made up in the moment. Often improvisers will take a suggestion from the audience or draw on some other source of inspiration to start. Of course, the excitement and fun about an improvised scene is that participants never know where it is going! Dinner will be served from 5:00-6:00 pm, followed by a one-hour Improv workshop/show. Dinner will include lasagna, salad, bread, and dessert, with water or iced tea for beverages. Audience participation is encouraged but not required. The workshop is for those ages 14 and up; tickets are $15.
Participants will paint their own version of a gorgeous sunflower in a fun “Paint and Sip” workshop with artist Barbara Healy on May 14 from 1:00-3:00pm. The class will paint together using water-based acrylics on canvas. Barbara and her assistant offer guidance through each step of the process as participants get in touch with their inner artist and enjoy sipping wine along the way. Everyone’s flower will be a little different, and they will leave with a painting and maybe some new favorite wines. All materials will be provided. The workshop is for those ages 21 or older, and wearing clothing to paint in is recommended. The fee is $30 per person.
The ever-popular Jazz Jam @ the MAC returns for a third time in 2022, featuring the long tradition of the jazz jam session complete with participation from community musicians. The house band (Matt Richard on piano, Dave Zinno on bass, and Gary Johnson on drums) will support the improvisers as they interpret many “jazz standards” in various style formats. The audience will learn about the inner workings of a jam session as trombonist Phil Sanborn leads a question-and-answer session and explains how the songs are structured and how the “road map” for each selection helps the improvisers. Audience members can attend to listen in, or if they’re musicians, sign up to join the jam on stage! Tickets are $12.
Tickets for all SouthCoast Spring Arts @ the MAC events are available at marionartcenter.org/scspringarts. SouthCoast Spring Arts (SCSA) is a 10-day festival connecting innovative, creative, and affordable art and cultural experiences in communities from Fall River to Wareham. More than two dozen local cultural organizations, as well as artists and creative entrepreneurs, have come together for SCSA to celebrate the arts across the SouthCoast region May 6-15. For more information, go to southcoastspringarts.org.