Midwest Collage Society

HISTORY

The Midwest Collage Society (MCS), founded in 2003, promotes collage as a fine art by providing exhibit opportunities and professional development activities to our members. In our first six years, the MCS has had over twenty group shows in galleries across the Chicago metropolitan region. In May, 2010, MCS became a regional affiliate of the National Collage Society, a non-profit arts organization. This affiliation allows MCS to remain an independent body while enhancing our potential for publicity, new members, and exhibit venues.

MEMBERS

The MCS has over sixty members from the Chicago metropolitan area and northern Indiana. All members are professional artists who exhibit regularly in urban and suburban galleries.  Many exhibit in other states, and a few exhibit internationally. The backgrounds of our members are varied, and range from those with graduate training in the fine arts to the self-taught. Many work in fields outside of the art-related professions. Some have returned to creative work---or discovered their creative lives---after years of  employment and raising families. The diverse experience of our members is one of the Midwest Collage Society’s greatest assets, and has contributed to our growth.

MEDIA

The work of MCS members reflects a wide range of materials and platforms. Some add paper elements to acrylic and watercolor paintings. Others construct altered books, assemblages, or jewelry.  Our artists use canvas, paper, wood, metal and various found objects as platforms, and  employ many different collage techniques. Our collages incorporate image and text transfers, handmade papers, vintage text, photographs, found objects, beads, fibers, and metals. The collective works of our members include figurative, representational, and abstract art.

EXHIBITS

The MCS group exhibits give members the opportunity to display and sell their work at three or more galleries each year. In choosing exhibit venues, the MCS strives to accommodate both beginning and advanced artists. The MCS approaches galleries with a high degree of professionalism, and works closely with directors on our respective roles for exhibit planning and publicity.  As a result, we have a growing reputation for excellence among gallery directors in the metropolitan region.

There will be an Artists' Reception on Saturday, December 15, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Lobby.