An area organization dedicated to connecting the community to the arts receives a grant to help expand space in their facility in downtown Hollister.

A release with full details from the Southern Missouri Arts Connection (SMAC) is below:

White River Valley Electric Cooperative (WRVEC) awarded a $3000 Plugged-In Grant to SMAC to enhance community outreach through a renovated classroom space. This main area in their location on historic 7 Downing Street is also a place to unite our community through art while also serving as overflow space during gallery events. To celebrate this recent classroom space renovation, the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting from 2-3 p.m. Monday, April 25th at historic 7 Downing Street. 

Founded in 2014, SMAC’s mission is to connect the arts and community for the enrichment of all. The location features a gallery, newly renovated classroom, and studio spaces. With the first volunteer renovation phase in 2020 of 7 Downing Street, SMAC began offering a monthly gallery exhibit in a space complete with track lighting; the middle space that served as a makeshift classroom with donated supplies and furniture, and five studio rentals for artists. The newly renovated classroom community space features a stainless steel sink and counter, mosaic backsplash, two modern loveseats, LED lighting, shelving with organized storage bins and other updates to store supplies for classes. Another main draw to the design is the addition of lockers that artists can rent to store their supplies for $25 per year to use in the space. 
The vision for the three areas of the SMAC building (gallery, classroom, and studio rentals) emerged from Board President and Programming Chair Tenille Blair-Neff because of her time working at a community studio space in New York. Tenille says, “I found the community atmosphere and connectedness inspiring. It helped me grow as an artist in profound ways.”

As with many other undertakings, SMAC relied on the support of volunteers to renovate the classroom space. Jenni Fansler created design concepts and initiated the start of Phase 1 of the project paid for by SMAC. Board Member and Grant Chair Carla Bradley wrote the grant. To complete Phase 2 with the grant funding from WRVEC Plugged-In Grant, SMAC Vice President and Art Center Coordinator Christine Riutzel collaborated with Board Member and Gallery Chair Mary Evelyn Tucker. Other board members have joined in and are finalizing the project, including Jennifer Smythe, Treasurer Anthony Hunter and President Tenille Blair-Neff.  

Direct results of the grant will be a 20% increase in class offerings, 10% larger class sizes, opportunities for artists to utilize the space for individual and group art experiences, and monthly use of space that is artistically designed for overflow of gallery events. This will result in improved viability of commercial areas and enhancement of the business environment, improvement of community appearance, and increased employment and economic opportunities for artists.

SMAC serves the community of all ages and backgrounds, inviting professional artists, emerging artists, and beginners. Exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public, a hallmark of SMAC’s community support as a nonprofit organization.