Heartland Art Club

Paintings along the Trail of Tears Exhibit 2026
2026-04-04 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | The Galleries at Heartland Art Club, 101A Argonne, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
Heartland Art Club presents
Paintings along the Trail of TearsIn Support of the Steelville Trail of Tears Memorial Monument Fundraiser
Opening Reception: March 6, 2026, 6–8pm
Exhibition Dates: March 4 – April 4, 2026
Heartland Art Club is proud to support the Steelville Trail of Tears Remembrance Committee in their goal to share stories of those who traveled the Trail of Tears through Crawford County, MO from 1837 to 1839.
Paintings Along the Trail of Tears includes artwork from the Steelville Arts Council (STARCO) Plein Air events of 2024 and 2025. With a goal of funding $200,000 to place a permanent monument at one of the encampment sites, these works have been auctioned to assist in raising funds and building awareness of the remembrance effort.
Also on display will be a model of the Memorial Monument, artifacts from the 1830s and other items to tell the story about The Trail of Tears and its massive push by the United States government to forcibly remove all native people from the southeastern United States.
All artwork is being sold without a commission to the Gallery so that all of the proceeds go toward the monument fundraiser.
For more info about the Steelville’s Trail of Tears Remembrance: trailoftears.steelvillehistoricalsociety.com.

Demystifying Portraits in Watercolor with Janine Helton: 3/20/2026 - 3/22/2026
2026-03-20 09:00 - 2026-03-22 16:00
Demystifying Portraits in Watercolor with Janine Helton
In this three-day in-person workshop, you will learn how to create glowing watercolor portraits with radiant flesh tones and luminous color!
Join me at my easel as I explain and demonstrate the use of transparent glazes, considering shapes, color and value to capture the likeness and essence of our subject. Techniques include water-to-pigment ratio, color mixing, building form, lifting techniques, and so much more!
We will work together on one portrait over the three days, but if you are a fast painter, feel free to bring a second pre-drawn portrait of your own to work on as time allows.
Some experience in watercolor is recommended.
Supply ListHeartland Art Club Members: Enter the member discount code to get 10% off at checkout.
Forgot the discount code? Check your email first—we send members a quarterly email reminder with the member discount code. If you still can’t find it, please email us (art@heartlandartclub.org) with your name, email address, and phone number—we’ll verify your membership status and send you the code.
Not a member? Sign up here
Read the Workshop & Class Information & Policies
3 Day Workshop
When: March 20 through March 22, 2026, 9 AM to 4 PM
Limited to 14 participants.
​Location:
The Galleries at Heartland Art Club
101A West Argonne
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122
About Janine HeltonJanine Helton is a watercolor artist who has been recognized in watercolor competitions locally, nationally and internationally. Since childhood she has enjoyed hands-on creative pursuits, but it wasn’t until the fall of 2009 that she began taking watercolor lessons with a local artist in her hometown of St. Charles, Missouri. Janine has since taken workshops from nationally known artists including Carl Purcell, Janet Rogers, Fealing Lin and Ted Nuttall. She now paints daily in her home studio.
Janine is a Best of Missouri Hands Juried Artist, a Saint Louis Watercolor Society Signature Member as well as a Signature Member of Women in Watercolor, the Transparent Watercolor Society, Southern Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, the Northwest Watercolor Society, the San Diego Watercolor Society, the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, the Missouri Watercolor Society, the Illinois Watercolor Society, the Michigan Water Color Society, and the Georgia Watercolor Society.
Website: https://www.janheltonartworks.com/
Email: janine@janheltonartworks.com

Paintings along the Trail of Tears 2026 Reception
2026-03-06 18:00 - 20:00
Heartland Art Club invites the public to attend the opening reception for Paintings Along the Trail of Tears, an exhibition supporting the Steelville Trail of Tears Remembrance Committee.
This exhibition features artwork created during the Steelville Arts Council (STARCO) Plein Air events of 2024 and 2025. These works were produced to raise funds and awareness for a permanent memorial honoring those who traveled the Trail of Tears through Crawford County, Missouri between 1837 and 1839.
In addition to the artwork, the exhibition includes a scale model of the proposed Memorial Monument, artifacts from the 1830s, and historical materials that tell the story of the Trail of Tears and the forced removal of Native peoples from the southeastern United States.
The reception offers an opportunity to view the exhibition, learn more about the remembrance effort, and reflect on this important history.

2025 Volunteer Appreciation Reception
2026-02-28 16:00 - 18:00
Heartland Art Club is an all-volunteer organization, and our volunteers are essential to everything we do. Each year, we host a Volunteer Appreciation Event to recognize and celebrate the individuals who give their time, skills, and energy to support the Club and its mission.
This event is open to anyone who has volunteered, even for a single hour, during the past year. Guests are invited to enjoy light appetizers, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages while connecting with fellow volunteers who share a passion for representational art and for Heartland Art Club.
We look forward to coming together to celebrate our volunteers and to express our sincere appreciation for the many ways they help Heartland Art Club thrive.

BS Saturday – How to Get Juried into Signature Status and Exhibitions
2026-02-28 13:00 - 15:00
Saturday, February 28 | 1:00–2:30 pm
Registration Fee: $5
This BS Business Saturday talk is designed to help artists prepare strong, compliant Signature Membership applications and submissions to juried exhibitions. The session will cover practical tips to ensure applications meet all requirements, follow the rules precisely, and present artwork in the best possible light. Artists considering applying for Signature Membership, either this year or in the future, will gain valuable insight into how to approach the process with confidence.

2025 VxVII Show
2026-01-24 12:00 - 17:00
Exhibition Dates:
October 22, 2026, through January 24, 2027
Pick-up dates are January 28, 2027, through January 31, 2027, from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
The VxVII Show is a favorite at Heartland Art Club, featuring original works of art created in a 5″ x 7″ format. This exhibition offers gallery visitors a chance to explore a wide variety of small-scale, affordable artwork by talented artists, all thoughtfully created to make a big impression in a small space. Perfect for collectors, first-time buyers, and anyone searching for unique, artful gifts, the VxVII Show celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the joy of discovering original art that’s accessible and easy to take home.

The Language of painting with Lon Brauer: 1/10/2026 - 1/11/2026
2026-01-10 09:00 - 2026-01-11 16:00
Painting and Drawing are languages. Visual languages. And as with learning any language one must first grasp the concepts and structure, then dig into the vocabulary.
This course is designed to expose the student to new ways of thinking about drawing and painting and how the two speak to the viewer. We will explore the language and vocabulary of mark-making as we strive to improve our visual skills.
The student will be immersed in a series of exercises that with strengthen and reinforce very basic principles that are often overlooked.
Day one is devoted to what drawing is and how mark-making in drawing leads to new paths for painting. Students will be working with dry and wet media to find fresh avenues for art making.
Day two is open for students to work on pet projects. Anything goes, and Lon will be available to guide and critique as desired.
‘I have been teaching this method that strips away the visual baggage and opens the student up to a new-found freedom in the painting process. Your artwork will take on a dynamism and movement that only a painting can convey. I will show you ways to stretch your visual experience and then gain confidence with your image making thru intuitive choices.’
This is an in-studio workshop. Lon will describe his approach thru demos each day followed up with one-on-one instruction as students give it a go.
The student will be exposed to the following:
· The limited palette
· Mixing colors – what are the possibilities as we expand the palette
· Exploring line as a primary tool
· Mixing wet and dry mediums
· Paint application – what can a brush do
· Converting a subject into shapes
· Introduction to gestalt principles of design
· Starting a painting…developing strategies
· Color, value and line issues
This workshop is suitable for experienced as well as beginner. Lon will be addressing oil paint, pastel, watercolor, and charcoal. Open to all mediums.
Supply ListHeartland Art Club Members: Enter the member discount code to get 10% off at checkout.
Forgot the discount code? Check your email first—we send members a quarterly email reminder with the member discount code. If you still can’t find it, please email us (art@heartlandartclub.org) with your name, email address, and phone number—we’ll verify your membership status and send you the code.
Not a member? Sign up here
Read the Workshop & Class Information & Policies
2 Day Workshop
When: January 10 through January 11, 2026, 9 AM to 4 PM
Limited to 12 participants.
​Location:
The Galleries at Heartland Art Club
101A West Argonne
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122
About Lon BrauerLon Brauer is an American artist known for his work in figure and plein air landscape. Born in 1955 and coming of age in the seventies, he has roots in the abstract expressionist movement. Although a representational artist he steers clear of the overtly literal. His work is a mix of the abstract and representational bringing an expressionistic use of paint and materials to create images that challenge the viewer with new perspectives.
Lon shows his work nationally. He presents numerous workshops on painting techniques and alternative methods. He lives and works with his partner, quillwork artist Djuana Tucker, and owns Lon Brauer Studios in Granite City, Illinois.
Website: https://www.lonbrauer.com/
Email: lonbrauer55@gmail.com
