Watercolor art, Christmas celebrated this month at MHAM

Margaret Harwell Art Museum will celebrate the opening of a new show and a Victorian Christmas during two separate events in December.

An opening reception will be held from 6-9 p.m. Saturday at the museum for “Watercolor Now! 2020,” which will be on display until Jan. 24, according to MHAM Director Steve Whitworth.

A special Victorian Christmas will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 12 with Christmas + Cocoa. This event will include an opportunity to tour the museum and sculpture garden, as well as a drive-thru option to promote social distancing.

Refreshments will be served at both events.

“We want to maximize the number of safe interactions,” MHAM Director Steve Whitworth said in a press release.

The new show is an opportunity to see original, high quality watercolor paintings from artists across the country, he said.

The Christmas + Cocoa event will include carolers singing on the front lawn of the museum and goody bags for the first 150 ticket purchasers.

Both events are free and open to the public, although tickets must be purchased to receive a goody bag Dec. 12. The Friends of the MHAM Sculpture Garden and museum will be decorated for the holiday during both events.

“At this time, face masks for visitors are recommended but not required,” Whitworth said. “We will continue to follow Butler County guidelines and requirements as they are influenced by evolving conditions. The museum will continue to remain as accessible to the public as is safely possible.”

Parties who come together may stay together, others are encouraged to keep a safe distance. Sanitation stations will be available at the entry, and throughout the museum. Special appointments can also be made to see the artwork in smaller groups or by private tour.

Tickets for a goody bag at the Dec. 12 event are $30 for members of the Friends group, or $35.00 for non-members. A Friends membership can be purchased for $25.

The museum will give away 150 goody bags that will include:

• A $100 gift certificate from Whitworth’s gift Chest Jewelers

• A hand painted glass Christmas ornament by the renowned Kathy Dickson

• A greeting card by Tim Edington Photography

• A gift card from Castello’s Restaurant

• A gift card from Donut House

• A souvenir postcard of the painting of the museum by Steve Whitworth

• A bag of Hershey’s hot cocoa mix.

The museum is also currently hosting an auction of several paintings. It opened Nov. 27 and will close at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12. It can be viewed at www.MHAM.org and on the museum’s Facebook page.

Auction items include oil paintings by Eileen Melton and Steve Whitworth; a watercolor painting by Mattilyn Grace Stacy; and acrylic paintings by Rose Anne Huck, Marty Harlan and Grace Blaich.

Tickets to the Dec. 12 event may be purchased at Whitworth’s Gift Chest Jewelers, MHAM during regular hours, or at the opening reception at the museum of ‘Watercolor Now! 2020.’

Sponsors for the Dec. 12 event include: gold, Walmart Supercenter, Commerce Bank, First Midwest Bank and Whitworth’s Gift Chest Jewelers; and silver, Dental Arts, Dowd Supply, Southern Bank, The Bank Of Missouri and Smart Marketing.