HELLO AND WELCOME

TO THE MACOUPIN ART COLLECTIVE

The Macoupin Art Collective is a nonprofit art school and gallery that’s been spreading creativity and good vibes since its founding in March 2017. Originally housed in a renovated 1920s automotive dealership on Main Street in Staunton, Illinois, the space buzzed with artistic energy and nostalgia. In October 2019, The Collective packed up all its creative magic and rolled it just down the street to a fresh new spot—ready for even more colorful adventures and artistic inspiration!

WHO'S WHO OF THE MAC

A woman with long, wavy hair, glasses, wearing a black and white striped shirt with a graphic print, smiling and standing with her hands on her hips inside a lively store or market.

Brandace

  • Our brilliant founder of The MAC! What started as a dream is now a thriving community space where all ages come to create, connect, and explore.

    brandace continues to nurture The MAC as a space for courage, creativity, and community. It’s not about titles—it’s about open doors, messy tables, and keeping the creative spirit alive every day.

A woman with long brown hair smiling outdoors on a sunny day.

Laura

  • The official wrangler of generous gifts, with a knack for creating the perfect donation baskets, as well as distributing art supplies to the neighboring communities. When off the clock, you’ll find her soaking up the great outdoors in any weather and happily making art!

A woman with shoulder-length red hair, wearing earrings and a black dress, smiling with her hands on her hips outdoors.

Ruthie

  • You might spot this Renaissance woman in your neighborhood on the ArtBus, our mobile art studio. But organizing ArtBus visits is just one of her roles! Ruthie has been an instructor since The MAC's early days, teaching ceramics, watercolor, acrylics, oils, shrinky-dinks, paper-making—there’s nothing she can’t handle. When she’s not coordinating, teaching, or creating, she’s recommending The Boxtrolls to anyone who’ll listen.

A woman with blonde hair smiling and posing outdoors on a sidewalk in front of a row of buildings, wearing a black lace top and striped shorts.

Steph

  • Our resident photographer and marketing friend who lives her best life with a camera in one hand and a coffee in the other. When not capturing moments or crafting stories, you can find her painting the world in watercolor.

A cluttered art studio or workspace with wooden shelves, books, art supplies, and plants. Hanging paper cutouts of hands and leaves decorate the background, with light coming in from large windows.

The MAC is a creative playground!

Dive into our ceramics studio, where eight potter’s wheels spin magic, a clay extruder and slab roller stand ready for your next masterpiece, plus loads of extra tools, tabletop space, and shelves begging to be filled with your creations. If painting, drawing, or textile arts are more your vibe, our versatile general studio has you covered. Feeling crafty? Our crafting area is stocked with supplies and tools perfect for spontaneous projects. And that’s not all—we have tons of other resources for every kind of artistic adventure, including private studios soon to be revamped for visiting artists to rent. Come unleash your creativity at The MAC!

Hands shaping wet clay on a pottery wheel.
Close-up of hands forming clay on a pottery wheel, with various pottery tools and containers in the background.
A circular sign with the text 'the mac' on a wooden-paneled wall.
Close-up of various paintbrushes with different bristle types and sizes.
Stained glass butterfly ornament hanging in front of a window.

At the Macoupin Art Collective, we're all about good vibes and fun art! Whether you're a curious newbie or a seasoned pro, our doors are wide open for you to explore, learn, and create. From hands-on workshops to fun community events, we’re here to spark your imagination and help your creativity soar. Come join the fun and be a part of our artistic journey!