MAPC

🌟Member Spotlight🌟 Today, we are sharing the work of Doug Billings! 🎉

From Doug: As an artist, my primary purpose is to create images, either acrylic paintings or hand pulled prints, based on my interests; which function as pictorial interpretations of my experiences. As a contemporary artist, I use forms of expression; methods, techniques, and processes that are considered to be "modernist" in style.

Find out more @ https://www.wichitagallery12.com

The world lost a really wonderful person in Ian. Ian had a heart full of gold; he was patient, understanding, kind to a tee, observant and just full of so much compassion and care. When the world felt dark Ian always found a silver lining and maintained a bright sense of optimism. On top of being a wonderful person Ian was also a talented artist and musician as well. It was through printmaking that I had met Ian at NIU. I remember in my early days of printmaking I really wanted to hangout with Ian and the other printmakers. Ian and the others all exuded such a cool calm and collected energy that felt infectious (not to mention a playlist of music that always kicked ass). It took me some time to make an impression, but when I did hang out with Ian and the others in the print shop are some of my fondest memories I still hold dear. Ian and I spent so many nights working on prints and drawings into the twilight hours. Talking, music art, theory and life. I like to think of myself as a night owl solely because of the late nights in the studio that we would often share a space/conversation. It's been such a pleasure getting to see Ian flex his talents throughout the years. He's got a serious body of work and it's been cool seeing his process for how he put things together (in studio and from afar). I'm glad we got to continue our conversations post-grad and don't take that for granted. It was cool to see that even though I do horticultural work now it had some connection in the work Ian was making more recent (imagery involving burn piles and prescribed burns). I loved that we got to share that connection and conversation. In some other timeline we got to own that print shop together. I would have really loved that. I hope you rest easy, but damn will I miss you buddy. Sending my love to Ian's partner, family and friends. Photo 1: Credit to DirtyKics Photo 4: "To Departed Friends", Mezzotint, engraving and papier-colle 11" x 11" 2023 by Ian Welch

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY: The Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowship (BASF) program is now open for applications! A partnership between Mid Atlantic Arts, South Arts, and the National Association of Black Storytellers - NABS, the fellowship includes a $5,000 monetary award, a physical award made by a Black Appalachian artist, and a year-long NABS membership. Fellows will also be honored at the 44th National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference November 3-8, 2026.

The deadline to apply is August 3, 2026. Learn more and apply at www.midatlanticarts.org/opportunity/black-appalachian-storytellers-fellowship/.

Image of the 2025 BASF Fellows at the 2025 conference by Joel Chapman

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