Join the Holland Area Arts Council and the West Michigan Puppetry Guild for Puppet Palooza, a free family-friendly celebration of creativity, storytelling, and performance on Thursday, June 25 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Enjoy hands-on puppet-making, roaming puppeteers, interactive displays, opportunities for young puppeteers to perform, and hourly shadow puppet performances by acclaimed artist Jason Yancey. Bring the whole family for a day of imagination, wonder, and puppetry fun.

Milo G. Beman IV

Visionary. Explorer. "Green" Painter.

"I have been blessed with a wonderful gift and enjoy doing art very much. What art means to me is to create something special, be creative, and to express my feelings. Most of my paintings are done in a variety of ways using wrapped canvas or canvas panels. I enjoy painting nature and capturing real-life experiences. Sometimes I collaborate with photographers and use their images as my guides. Painting stones for gardens has also become a new hobby of mine - and they've become quite popular."

Milo G. Beman IV is a passionate, self-employed artist and illustrator whose love of art began in early childhood. His first drawings - bold, colorful renditions of his favorite television characters - quickly evolved into more refined works that reflect a deep sense of observation and imagination.

Today, Milo's work spans a broad range of media, from pen and ink, colored pencils, and charcoal to painting with oils, pastels, acrylics, and gouache.

Inspired by masters such as Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Toulouse-Lautrec, he continues to explore the expressive potential of visual storytelling, blending classical influence with a voice that is distinctly his own.

Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Milo has cultivated his talent with the unwavering support of family, friends, and mentors. Through patience, dedication, and a passion for detail, he has developed a vibrant, personal style that speaks to his inner world - and invites others in.

A self-proclaimed "Green Painter," Milo often uses recycled materials, especially cardboard, for preliminary studies in oil or pastel. This environmentally-friendly practice allows his pieces to dry quickly, while also giving new life to overlooked materials.

Milo draws inspiration from many sources: natural landscapes, cherished travel memories, old postcards, photographs, magazines, and the people around him. Portraits, still lifes, and everyday scenes are common subjects, each sketched with care, often labeled with color notes before being brought to life through his paint application.

In addition to earning a certification from the Art Institute of Chicago and completing commissioned works, Milo has written and illustrated multiple children's books. With a strong desire to continue learning and growing, he is committed to refining his craft and capturing the world through his distinct and heartfelt lens.

Commission inquiries, email: cosmobeman@yahoo.com

Facebook: Milo Beman

Contra Dance in Holland! 
Friday, June 12 for an evening of live music, joyful movement, and welcoming community dancing at the Holland Area Arts Council.

Live Music: Community Band & Friends
Caller: Georgia Crandell
6:30–9:00 PM
Suggested Donation: $10–25
Snacks at the break — bring something to share if you’d like!
Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8th St, Holland, MI

No partner or experience needed — every dance is taught, and beginners are welcome!
Come dance, listen, laugh, and help grow West Michigan's contra dance community.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1405105741424306 

SCREENLESS

Words and Music with Friends

Jack Ridi and Rob Kenagy with the Terminal Buds

Poet Jack Ridl has published eight collections, the latest All At Once.

More than 80 of his students have earned MFAs in poetry; over 100 are publishing He offers a video each Thursday, The Sentimentalist. Find him at Ridl.com.

Monday, June 8, 7 p.m.

Holland Area Arts Council

Rob Kenagy's music and poems have been featured in literary journals, underground zines, and beyond. Rob, Jonah Ogles, Steven Bakker, Joel Boyles, and Johnny D perform together as the Terminal Buds.

A collaborative fiber arts event at the Holland Area Arts Council with Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild, Out On The Lakeshore, Carolyn Stich, and Community Action House. Featuring fabric dyeing, live demonstrations, and handmade goods from local artists. Contribute to a collaborative weaving wall and try out other fiber art activities with a focus on sustainability.

• Collaborative art activities

• Demonstrations

• Dye your own t-shirt

• Fiber artist vendors

• Food trucks

• T-shirt painting with Carolyn Stich

• Free admission

The Art of Thinking on Your Feet - Lessons from Improv

Boost your confidence and creativity, learn to trust your instincts, engage your active listening skills and exercise your funny bone. You'll become a more confident speaker, collaborator and quick-thinker. You don't need any acting or comedic experience and you will find many ways to apply what you learn to your everyday life.

Ages: 18+
Mondays, 4/13 - 6/1 (no improv class 5/4 - Tulip Time or 5/25 Memorial Day)
6:00pm-7:30pm

CLASS FEE: $25 per session $125 for 6 week session

Work on your Fiber Arts WIPs ( Works in progress) with the expert guidance of Alicia and Patti . Did you attend a fiber arts class with us and still need to complete your projects? do you have unfinished pieces of embroidery or weaving that you’d like some hand holding to finish? Drop in fee of $10

The Art of Thinking on Your Feet - Lessons from Improv

Boost your confidence and creativity, learn to trust your instincts, engage your active listening skills and exercise your funny bone. You'll become a more confident speaker, collaborator and quick-thinker. You don't need any acting or comedic experience and you will find many ways to apply what you learn to your everyday life.

Ages: 18+
Mondays, 4/13 - 6/1 (no improv class 5/4 - Tulip Time or 5/25 Memorial Day)
6:00pm-7:30pm

CLASS FEE: $25 per session $135 for 6 week session

The Art of Thinking on Your Feet - Lessons from Improv

Boost your confidence and creativity, learn to trust your instincts, engage your active listening skills and exercise your funny bone. You'll become a more confident speaker, collaborator and quick-thinker. You don't need any acting or comedic experience and you will find many ways to apply what you learn to your everyday life.

Ages: 18+
Mondays, 4/13 - 6/1 (no improv class 5/4 - Tulip Time or 5/25 Memorial Day)
6:00pm-7:30pm

CLASS FEE: $25 per session $125 for 6 week session

Partner up with a family member or friend for a lesson in slab building, where the two of you will create, decorate pottery pieces together. Participants will be notified when pieces are ready for pickup approximately 3 weeks later.

Friday • May 8th • 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 9+ (minors with adult)
$140.00 for two people
Register Online

A play about A. C. Van Raalte and the founding of Holland, Michigan.

Written and Directed By Max Bush

Purchase tickets HERE

Appropriate for ages 14 and older.

Create your own souvenir with this fun, hands-on screen printing activity. Participants will print a custom design on a reusable tote bag to take home. All supplies are provided.

Thursday • May 7th • 10:00am to 7:30pm
$15.00 per bag, available while supplies last
Drop in during HAAC business hours

A play about A. C. Van Raalte and the founding of Holland, Michigan.

Written and Directed By Max Bush

Purchase tickets HERE

Appropriate for ages 14 and older.

Make your own artwork based on Mary Ellen Kettlehutt’s entry for the Top 20 Tulip Time poster competition. Exploring the wonderful world of paper collage, Mary-Ellen will talk about her process in making her tulip time poster before guiding you through the techniques of paper collage. A great way to celebrate Tulip Time!

Wednesday • May 6th • 1 pm - 3 pm
Age: 16+
$20 per person
Register here

A play about A. C. Van Raalte and the founding of Holland, Michigan.

Written and Directed By Max Bush

Purchase tickets HERE

Appropriate for ages 14 and older.

Come to the Arts Council to paint bisqueware pottery in traditional Delft patterns! Using glaze, you’ll create a functional and beautiful piece to be kiln-fired and ready in about three weeks.

Tuesday • May 5th • 5:00pm - 7:00pm
$20.00 per piece (plus postage if required)
Register Here

A play about A. C. Van Raalte and the founding of Holland, Michigan.

Written and Directed By Max Bush

Purchase tickets HERE

Appropriate for ages 14 and older.

Pottery Trunk Show

Join us for an evening of pottery art, creativity, and community at the Holland Area Arts Council.
We’re turning the HAAC parking lot into a pop-up market featuring our ceramic artists selling their work right from the trunks of their cars!

Monday • May 4 • 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
HAAC Parking Lot
150 East 8th Street in Holland
(behind the building)

A play about A. C. Van Raalte and the founding of Holland, Michigan.

Written and Directed By Max Bush

Purchase tickets HERE

Appropriate for ages 14 and older.

Learn the basics of paper quilling while creating delicate tulip designs for a handmade card or a piece of art ready to frame.

Saturday • May 2nd • 11:00am - 1:00pm
Ages: 16+ 
$10.00 per person
Register here

Celebrate Tulip Time with a hands-on cookie decorating class. Participants will decorate tulip-shaped sugar cookies using colorful frosting and easy piping techniques. This beginner-friendly class includes all supplies, and no prior experience is needed.

Saturday • May 2nd • 11:00am - 1:00pm
Ages: Children welcome with accompanying adult (Please book each person attending) 
$20.00 per person
Register here

The Art of Thinking on Your Feet - Lessons from Improv

Boost your confidence and creativity, learn to trust your instincts, engage your active listening skills and exercise your funny bone. You'll become a more confident speaker, collaborator and quick-thinker. You don't need any acting or comedic experience and you will find many ways to apply what you learn to your everyday life.

Ages: 18+
Mondays, 4/13 - 6/1 (no improv class 5/4 - Tulip Time or 5/25 Memorial Day)
6:00pm-7:30pm

CLASS FEE: $25 per session $125 for 6 week session

The Art of Thinking on Your Feet - Lessons from Improv

Boost your confidence and creativity, learn to trust your instincts, engage your active listening skills and exercise your funny bone. You'll become a more confident speaker, collaborator and quick-thinker. You don't need any acting or comedic experience and you will find many ways to apply what you learn to your everyday life.

Ages: 18+
Mondays, 4/13 - 6/1 (no improv class 5/4 - Tulip Time or 5/25 Memorial Day)
6:00pm-7:30pm

CLASS FEE: $25 per session $125 for 6 week session