The pros and cons of the MSCA- new show dates and info for members

Wanted to pass along a few dates and info for some upcoming conventions, meetings, art shows, and member appearances.

First up this Labor Day Weekend is the Mephit Fur Meet (also known as MFM) in Memphis, TN. Well, technically it’s in Olive Branch, MS just over the state line. New MSCA president Charles Ettinger will be set up there. Admission is $45 and includes a t-shirt. Charles designed 2010′s  MFM shirts.

The DeSoto Arts Council‘s 3rd Annual Craftsmen Festival is next weekend, September 8th from 9am-4pm at the Banks House Gallery in Hernando, MS. It will feature fiber-to-fabric demonstrations on the grounds of the historic house at 564 W. Commerce Street, which is just west of Highway 51 and I-55. The DAC will also have it’s Art & Quilt Exhibit & Sale there September 8th through October 31st.

The MSCA held it’s art show “Drawing Inspiration” there last Feb/Mar.  Banks House Gallery & Gift Shop hours are Thursday thru Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm.

The last weekend of September is a busy weekend for the MSCA! First up is the Kenosha Festival of Cartooning in Kenosha, WI Septemeber 27-29. MSCA member Greg Cravens will not only be attending the festival, but will be allowed to speak to the crowds of cartoonists- at least twice in fact! Greg is scheduled to speak at the Kenosha Public Museum on Friday night at 7pm and Saturday afternoon at 1:30pm.

MSCA’s Kevin Williams and Muley The Mule will be returning to Leland, MS on the 29th for the town’s annual Frog Fest. Kevin and fellow MSCA members DaMarco Randle, Janet Wade, and Antone Wade, will be performing Muley The Mule and Friends’ “Talent(less) Revue” and “SuperMule and the Cookie Caper” puppet shows.

Leland (and neighboring Greenville) was the boyhood home of The Muppets creator Jim Henson and “The Birthplace Of The Frog“. There’s a great little museum on the banks of Deer Creek (where Jim played as a kid) that you’ve got to check out if you are a fan of the Muppets!

MSCA member Lin Workman will be heading south into Mississippi as well on the 29th, but he will be heading to the Backwoods Comics Festival in Louisville, MS. Lin will be an artist guest there, along with “Arlo & Janis” creator Jimmy Johnson. Lin will be promoting his geek blog/webcartoon site Have Geek Will Travel and drawing sketch cards.

Also on the 29th, it’s time again for the 18th Annual Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival in Memphis! It will be held at AutoZone Park (home of the Memphis Redbirds) from 11:00am to 4:00pm. There will be a variety of ice cream, frozen treats, snacks, and drinks from many local vendors, a great silent auction, face painting, photos with costumed characters, games and activities for children big and small, the Entertainment Stage featuring live entertainment and fun contests, and more! All proceeds from this family-oriented event will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis.

The MSCA will have a group art show at the Adam B. Shaw Studio/Gallery – 2547 Broad Avenue as part of the Broad Ave Fall Art Walk on Saturday, October 20th from 2-8pm. The Broad Avenue Arts District is in Memphis, just off Sam Cooper near Hollywood- and east of Overton Park.

Don’t forget that next Thursday is the MSCA monthly dinner meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza near the U of M, and the next MSCA Meet (EAT) and Draw at Lonnie Tant’s Italia Pizza Cafe is the 4th Sunday of the month at 2pm in Southaven.

It’s going to get busy around here- “stay tooned”!