Well…many may wonder why the Schneller Art Gallery isn’t open anymore on US2 between Ironwood and Bessemer, it’s because I only use that for large, stinky and noisy projects of my own, plus store all my art stuff there. Every fall I drain the pipes and shut off the heat for the winter.  I’ve moved into my year round studio in Art Studios on Aurora.  It’s located upstairs of 107 E. Aurora, next to Constantini’s, Ironwood Theater Office and Downtown Art Place.

Art Studios on Aurora is an amazing place with over 15 artists upstairs!  Some use them as working studios and have day jobs, still others are retired and work there when they choose (like me!) and others are working hard at making a living there as an artist with fabulous retail space.   So come on up, join us for some fun conversations and enjoy all there is to see.  This weekend (Dec 12, 13 & 14, 2014) there’s a special holiday event, be sure to “take your shopping to a higher level” and come on up!

I personally enjoy the creative collaborations, conversations and characters in Art Studios on Aurora…and the positive energy is really awesome.  We all get along, we often share art supplies, art tips, art ideas and even constructive criticism, but only when asked : )  I have grown as an artist there and enjoy the great art vibe there.   See me in Ar’s Art – Studio 7.  I have a street view of downtown Ironwood, so take a look up there, you might see me taking a peek outside myself!  There are sometimes art spaces available for rent in Art Studios in Aurora, there’s currently only one small space to rent, see Ann Lawrence at Ann’s Tiles or one of the artists in the building for more information.

And don’t forget to pick up the latest art class offerings that are offered in 109 E. Aurora in the Downtown Art Place Classroom and stop in to see affordable art & gifts at Downtown Art Place at 111 E. Aurora, it’s not just a gallery, it’s a showroom filled with prints, original handmade art from talented artists and so much more!  Spend a morning or afternoon in downtown Ironwood wandering the wonderful shops and restaurants.  There are many new places to explore like Stems Flower Shop, Amanda Szots place, Focused Girl/Sandy Harden with Michigan gifts and arts to name a few!

My personal foodie favorites are Northwind’s Food Co-op, Buon Appettito Italian Restaurant, Brewster’s, Taconellis, Old Suffolk Ale Haus, Pine’s Cafe and Joe’s Pasty Shop.  My favorite shopping experiences are Ben Franklin’s, Elle Stevens, Dan’s Antiques, Uncommon Goods and Fabric Patch Quilt Shop.  There’s also the fun rummage around places like St. Vincents and the Thrift Shop to find cool deals.  If you just need a quiet place, grab a book or magazine at Carnegie Library, they also have an adult poetry group, chess group and more there, check out one of the oldest libraries in the UP since 1901!

There’s a lot of history in our area and we’re celebrating it next year with the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit which will be hosted in Downtown Art Place from April 4 to May 31, 2015.  Be sure to visit our area then and wander the special historic displays and events throughout Gogebic County as we celebrate our heritage.  See www.downtownartplace.com for more details.

Speaking of new and exciting places, there’s also more art in surrounding areas including Doug Kikkebusch’s Glassworks in Bessemer and Nanette’s Knits in Wakefield that is an interesting family affair with amazing gift items and Llama wool from Nanette’s farm!  Tell them Ar sent you!

Be sure to come to Downtown Art Place at 111 E. Aurora Street, Ironwood, MI next to Historic Ironwood Theatre.  You will see over 87 gingerbread houses in the window, it’s a beautifully sweet display.  Thanks to all who participated, we’ll see you back at DAP next year around deer hunting season for another free workshop on Gingerbread houses.  Contact Ar Schneller, Gingerbread Chairperson at (906) 364-0992 or email: arschneller@gmail.com  Special thanks to our sponsors River Valley Bank for the $ 400 in prize money and to Snow Country Contracting, Inc., for the “building supplies” made up of graham crackers, icing, candies, cookies and other fun stuff to make these houses!

Now that I have a two year old grand child, I look at art differently.  As a professional artist I had wanted only the best products or experiment with new products from the hardware store for my mixed media collage art.  Now, I have little Elle and things need to be non-toxic, washable, affordable and colorful.  So…here’s my first blog entry for affordable art for kids.   Remember these won’t be permanent works of art, they might fade. But go to Kmart and for under $ 6 you can buy these Crayola Color Bath Dropz.  It has 60 tablets and the colors are pretty bright, plus they mix well.  I used to think that egg dye drops were cheap after Easter, this is a way better deal!  CAUTION: Don’t store it where kids can reach them, they look like candy!

Ar Schneller will host art classes at Downtown Art Place in Ironwood Michigan on Fridays in the summer. Please refer to the calendar on the right for dates and descriptions of classes. These art classes are sponsored from the support of Poet Pat O’Neill, we will be adding new art supplies and new art techniques.  We’ll have to charge $ 5.00 per student per week, if you are unable to pay the fee, please pre-register with me and we’ll try to arrange a fee waiver.  Call Ar Schneller at (906) 364-0992 or email to let us know which classes your child will be attending.

I will still be working from Schneller Art Gallery but will use it as a working studio, hosting a few classes. There are so many exciting things happening at the Downtown Art Place that it’s critical I spend more time there as well.  Please see additional art classes and events held at the DAP by checking out their website www.downtownartplace.com or their Facebook page.

Thanks to all the participants for the 2013 Gingerbread Contest.

Winners were announced on the radio Dec 6th, posted in the Ironwood Daily Globe on Dec 7th and are also posted on the window of Downtown Art Place.  The gallery will be open this WED as a special time to pick up your entries between 11-5 pm.  You can also pick up your entries during regular gallery hours this Thurs, Fri & Sat from 11-5 pm.

If you have any questions please call Ar Schneller, Gingerbread Chairperson at (906) 364-0992

Special thanks to our sponsor, River Valley Bank, for the $ 400 in prize money.

Yipee!  We’re having fun again with Schneller Art Gallery.  Classes started again on Fridays.  We have free art classes from 11 am to 1 pm for children ages 5-12 AND new for this year is Free Friday art classes for teens from 1:30 to 3:30.  So give us a call or text at (906) 364-0992 or email: arschneller@gmail.com to RSVP a spot, class size is limited to 12 but walk ins for now are welcome.   Hope to see you there.

We’ve got some exciting programming this year.  We have several guest artists that will also appear one will be teaching a wood sculpture assemblage class and another will be teaching a bookmaking class.  Special thanks to Pat O’Neill’s poetry reading that funds these free art classes.

Be sure to also check out Facebook Page for Downtown Art Place (DAP) and Ironwood Carnegie Library.  There are wonderful children’s programs starting in July at DAP and ongoing reading and art programs at the library.  On June 12th I will be part of the “Big Dig” program with the library where I will have kids collage and decorate very nice wooden treasure boxes. Call the Ironwood Library and DAP to reserve your spots in those great programs!

Have  a creative summer!

Sweeping, organizing, tossing, and cleaning. Doing all that stuff that gets me going and excited to open the gallery soon.  New ideas, new challenges.  I’m ready!

Here’s a great website if you have difficulty choosing colors for your artwork.

http://colorschemedesigner.com/

This is a very cool interactive site showing color combinations.

Check it out, it’s free.

Although Schneller Art Gallery isn’t open during the winter months, it’s been a busy winter helping Downtown Art Place (DAP) get off the ground.  Ar Schneller is even teaching a few workshops there!   It’s a great building in downtown Ironwood with a ton of potential for artists and the community. We are starting to see great things happen there.  Peg Sandin, a beautiful watercolorist is teaching classes there in March and April

We have over 140 artists on our database and are excited to be reaching out to them with an open house in March. The two handicap bathrooms were recently completed in the DAP, we even have a work sink.  Life is good.

DAP recently was awarded a $ 1940 grant from Michigan Council of Arts.  They will be able to offer a nice selection of classes and workshops at the DAP. We have a big event planned for Sat March 16th, see you then!  Watch for updates on www.downtownartplace.net  and you can email them at downtownartplace@gmail.com

Want to paint on large 4 X 6 foot and 4 X 8 foot sheets of plywood? Turn them into a “Super Sized Christmas Card” to be displayed along US 2 for the Jack Frost Festival.  Join us at Schneller Art Gallery on Sat & Sun Dec 1 & 2nd, 2012  from 2-4 pm, all materials supplied.  Wear painting clothes : )

We have one community board that will feature just snowflakes, so if you want to paint one of them quick, stop on in!  Contact Ar Schneller (906) 364-0992 for more info.