Mt. Vernon Regional Arts

06/18/2026

⚔️🛡️ CALLING ALL YOUNG MAKERS & ADVENTURERS! 🛡️⚔️

Looking for an epic, creative summer experience for your kids right here at home? The Mount Vernon Regional Arts Council is thrilled to invite your children to step into the armory this August for an incredible hands-on adventure taught by our very own local artist and retired Mount Vernon art teacher, Janie Hood!

We are offering two legendary classes during this 3-day camp:

🛡️ Shield Squad
Become a designer of the ultimate defense! In this workshop, students will build a custom shield and learn the "secrets of the foil-fusion" technique to create a shimmering, multi-colored masterpiece that looks like it was forged from jewels. You'll learn the parts of a shield and leave with a piece of armor that is as tough as it is beautiful.

⚔️ The Sword Smith Studio (Ages 10–15)
Step into the armory and learn the art of sword-making! Due to the complicated design process, this class is designed specifically for older makers who want to master the details. Using advanced layering and metallic wrapping, students will "forge" a realistic, chrome-finished sword, learn the terms of the blade, and create a professional-looking prop for their next adventure.

Best of all? Parents don't need to travel far distances to give their kids an unforgettable experience—it's happening right here in town!

📅 Dates: August 5–7, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM each day
💰 Cost: $50 total (covers all 3 days and materials!)
📍 Location: Right here in Mount Vernon at First Christian Church (off Hickory)

⚠️ SPACES ARE LIMITED! These classes are filling up quickly. Secure your child's spot today before spaces are gone! We do have one scholarship left that will cover all costs of the camp. Reach out to Sarah Sutterfield for details - [email protected]

👉 Click the link to register now! https://www.mtvernonregionalarts.org/event-details-registration/art-adventures-kids-camp-2026

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

Looking for a place to connect, create, and find inspiration?

Whether you’re a seasoned artist, a hobbyist, or someone who doesn't think they have a creative bone in their body but loves our community, you are welcome here!

🎨 Arts Council Open House & Community Meet-and-Greet
📅 This Tuesday, June 9th 5:30-6:30pm
📍 KeenBean Coffee Roasters 1031 Market Street, Mt. Vernon

Come as you are, meet fellow neighbors, and see how you can get involved in shaping the local arts scene. We can’t wait to connect with you—see you there! ✨

06/04/2026

🎸 Become an Art Rock Star! 🎨🪨

Get ready to rock, because we are highlighting another incredible class coming up at this year's Art Adventures Kids Summer Art Camp (happening August 5th–7th)!

Introducing: Rock Stars 🌟
✨ Instructor: Local artist Sharla Hawks

Class Description:
In this workshop, we’re taking art outside the sketchbook! Students will learn how to paint and turn ordinary rocks into works of art. They will leave with a masterpiece that’s solid as a rock! 🪨🎨

Whether they want to create vibrant story stones, colorful desk companions, or fun painted decorations for the garden, Sharla will guide them through all the best techniques for bringing rocks to life with paint.

Spaces are limited, so don't wait to secure your child's spot! We have 1 scholarship still available. Email Sarah Sutterfield at [email protected] for details.

👇 Click the link below to register your young artist today!
https://www.mtvernonregionalarts.org/event-details-registration/art-adventures-kids-camp-2026

06/01/2026

🎂🎨 ART ADVENTURES KIDS SUMMER CAMP SPOTLIGHT: Mini-Cake Masterpieces 🎨🎂

Let your young artist step into the shoes of both a pastry chef and a sculptor! In our Mini-Cake Masterpieces class at the Art Adventures Kids Summer Camp, kids will learn the fundamentals of cake decorating. They will work directly with local baker Amber Ingle to build, style, and structure their very own miniature cake designs. It’s hands-on, sweet, and incredibly creative!

🗓️ Camp Dates: August 5–7, 2026 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
🧒 Ages: 7–15
📍 Location: First Christian Church - 703 S Hickory St, Mt Vernon

Don't let summer slip by without an creative adventure!
👇 Secure your child's spot now:
🔗 https://www.mtvernonregionalarts.org/event-details-registration/art-adventures-kids-camp-2026

Note: Limited scholarships are available. Please email Sarah Sutterfield at [email protected] for scholarship details!

05/20/2026

Are you looking for a summer activity for your kids that has excellent TASTE? Or maybe a camp experience so BRIGHT that the reviews are literally glowing? 🌟

Registration is officially OPEN for the Art Adventures Kids Camp (August 5–7). We only have 60 total spots available! Here is just a taste of what our art campers will be diving into:

🍕 Pizza Picasso & The Cookie Palette: Edible art workshops where playing with your food is actually the assignment!

⚔️ The Sword Smith Studio & The Box Lab: High-action, hands-on building and structural cardboard engineering.

👾 Glow-in-the-Dark Gallery & Neon Clay: Stepping into the dark room to create hidden masterpieces with fluorescent blacklight paints.

🪨 Rock Stars: Transforming ordinary river rocks into stunning, vibrant works of art.
..and did we mention the grand finale? We are wrapping up the entire weekend with a massive FOAM & BUBBLE PARTY hosted right outside by First Christian Church! 🫧☁️

Don't wait until the last minute and let the spots fill up—secure your child's creative adventure today!

👉 Click here to grab your spot: https://www.mtvernonregionalarts.org/event-details-registration/art-adventures-kids-camp-2026
🗓️ Ages: 7–15
📍 Location: First Christian Church, Mount Vernon

(Psst... A huge thank you to First Christian Church and Dade County Art Connect for providing 6 limited financial assistance scholarships for families in need. To apply for a scholarship spot, please email Sarah directly at [email protected] or text 417-319-4728).

04/28/2026

Our hearts (and the Square) are full! 🧡🎨

What an incredible day at the Not So Square Arts Festival! They say it takes a village, but this past Saturday proved that Mount Vernon is more than just a village—it’s a family.

To our amazing vendors, musicians, and food trucks: thank you for sharing your incredible talents with us. Without your hard work and creativity, this festival would simply not exist.

A massive, humble thank you to the volunteers and partners who were the "engine" behind the scenes:

✨ The Logistics Dream Team: A huge thank you to KeenBean Coffee Roasters for the 6:00 AM coffee that fueled our makers! Alongside Leah Kiebach and Dale & Sheri Miller (Water Street Venue) for your expert help with the green space layout, and LeAnne Pfeiffer Photography for making check-in a breeze.
✨ The Kid’s Zone Heroes: Michael & Julia (Martin's Plumbing Mt.Vernon Mo) for organizing volunteers and making the fun happen, alongside Diane Suelter Heisner, Sharla Hawks, Sheri Gabbert, and Ken and Carol Millsap for keeping the smiles going all day!
✨ The Heavy Lifters: Whosoever MV Inc. for being the muscle behind those tents and tables, and Brittni Bates & Ashlee Rummel (Mt. Vernon MO Area Chamber of Commerce) for stepping in exactly when—and where—I needed you the most 💖
✨ Our Community Partners: Melissa Briggs with Meadow Acres for your beautiful farm stand, and the Rotary Club of Mt. Vernon, MO for a fantastic collaboration with the 6th Annual Car Show.
✨ City Support: A huge shoutout to Rob Harrington, Dustin Davis, and Trenton Thompson with the City of Mount Vernon, Missouri for ensuring we had every tool for success.
✨ The Arts Council Crew: Karen Colton- Millsap, Sue Lee, and Susan Stark—thank you for the countless hours of prep and dedication.
✨ My Personal Rock: A special thank you to my husband, Marc Sutterfield, for holding down the fort at home while I lived and breathed this festival for months, and for jumping in to help the moment I needed it.

Mount Vernon is a truly special place. To everyone in the community who showed up to support the arts: Thank you. We are lucky to have so many people working hard to make our town what it is today.

I am personally grateful, humbled, and honored to work alongside each of you. Rest up... because next year is going to be even bigger and better! 🚀

04/16/2026

Be sure to check out our interactive festival map on our website, mtvernonregionalarts.org. We are still adding vendor information so be sure to save the page and check back for more!

We have some amazing vendors, food trucks and musicians joining us. You won't want to miss it!

Here's a preview of just a few vendors you will see on the square on April 25th.

AJ's Confections - providing everything delicious treats. Check them out on their FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AHmog8qgV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

K&A Crochet - just wait until you see their cute crocheted animals 🥹. Check them out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k._.acrochet?

The Burning Quill - the artistry and attention to detail in their work is extraordinary. Be sure to check their website out, https://www.theburningquill.com/

Keck's Longhorn Root Beer - We are beyond thrilled to have Keck's joining us 🎉 Their root beer is amazing!!! Be sure to check their website out: kecksrootbeer.com

The Driveway Diner BBQ - You definitely do not want to miss this BBQ 😋 Don't forget to follow them on their page: https://www.facebook.com/thedrivewaydinerbbq/

03/19/2026

CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

We are thrilled to be working alongside our friends at the Dade County ArtConnect to support the incredible talent in our neighboring communities!

The DCA is currently hosting a special art exhibition in conjunction with Buffalo Days, and they are looking for local creators to join the showcase. This is a fantastic opportunity to share your work with a wider audience and celebrate the vibrant arts scene in our region.

📍 Event Details:
Check out the full call for artists, submission guidelines, and event info here:
👉 https://dadecounty.art/call-for-artists-join-us-at-buffalo-days

Let’s show our support for the arts across the county line! Tag an artist friend below who needs to see this! 👇

Call for Artists: Memorial Day Art Exhibition at Buffalo Days Dade County ArtConnect (DCA) is now accepting submissions for our Memorial Day Art Exhibition,...

01/31/2026

Stay inspired! ✨ Subscribe to the Mt. Vernon Regional Arts Council email newsletter for event dates, artist calls, and more.

Don't miss a thing—sign up today: https://www.mtvernonregionalarts.org/stay-informed