About The Program
Ever wonder what really drives an artist’s work? Get the inside story at Center (On), SCA’s monthly series featuring intimate conversations with creatives across our organization. Every fourth Friday from February to November, members can cozy up for a free, hour-long deep dive into the creative process. (Non-members: $10)
June Center (On) Featured Exhibit:
Theater
Friday, August 28 | 10-11 AM
Free for members, $10 for non-members
Let’s squeeze every bit out of summer as we can, let’s take a look at our final theater production of the season, Once. Join some of our summer theater’s creative team closing weekend to chat about the summer, learn more about the process of building a show, and maybe even learn more about how we put live instruments on stage for this music-focused musical.
About This Month’s Center (On) Speaker
Jaer Medina
Jaer Medina (b. 2001) is a Chicano artist and educator based in Holland, Michigan. He is a graduate of GVSU’s Department of Visual and Media Arts. Working across photography, collage, sculpture, and social practice, he builds his work with readily available tools. He often tinkers with found materials, home printers, and simple tools, such as hammer and nails to create work that is grounded in accessible craft. His practice challenges urban-normative ideas of culture by centering the space-making and creative traditions of Midwestern Mexican-American communities.
Outside his visual art practice, Jaer runs CREA, a community-centric art space and incubator exploring the role of art in public life through exhibitions, workshops, neighborhood newspapers, and other forms of public programming. He also serves as an instructor and program assistant at CultureWorks Transformative Art + Design Academy.
Up Next: Friday, August 28 | Center (On): Theater
Save the Dates
Each month the Center (On) will feature a different artist, performer or department at SCA. Talks will take place the fourth Friday of the month now through December 2026 from 10-11 AM at Saugatuck Center for the Arts. More info to come, so check back regularly!
August 28 | Center (On): Behind the Scenes of Once
Let’s squeeze every bit out of summer as we can, let’s take a look at our final theater production of the season, Once. Join some of our summer theater’s creative team closing weekend to chat about the summer, learn more about the process of building a show, and maybe even learn more about how we put live instruments on stage for this music-focused musical.
September 25 | Center (On): Vendors
Creativity, local food, and community have more in common than you might expect. The SCA Farmers Market is where they all meet.
From growing and harvesting to cooking and sharing a meal, creativity is woven throughout the food system. Join SCA Market Manager Sue Poolman, SCA staff, and local market vendors for a conversation about the important role farmers markets play in building healthy, vibrant communities. Learn why the SCA hosts a farmers market, hear firsthand from the growers and food artisans who make it special, and discover how the market helps local economies thrive.
We’ll also share how Double Up, SCA Market Bucks, and Kids Bucks benefit local families, and how guest programs throughout the summer make fresh, local food more accessible to everyone in our community.
Come explore how the SCA Farmers Market nourishes not only our bodies, but also our community, connection, and belonging.
October 23 | Center (On): Exhibitions / akeylah wellington
Join exhibiting artist akeylah wellington for a special Center (On) conversation exploring Plastic, Plastic, her newest exhibition. Through vibrant, oversized sculptures made from woven plastic pony beads, akeylah transforms familiar childhood craft materials into playful works that invite curiosity and reflection.
Hear directly from the artist about the ideas, memories, and cultural influences behind the exhibition, including the role of traditional Black hair adornment, nostalgia, humor, and material experimentation in her practice. Following the conversation, akeylah will lead a guided behind the scenes tour of the exhibition, offering additional insight into the work on view.
December 4 | Center (On): Creative Fellow / Heather Winia
Join Heather Winia, movement educator, facilitator, and creative guide, for a reflective session on her year-long Creative Fellowship at the SCA. Heather will share what she learned, the impact of her fellowship, and her discoveries about flow, movement, and embodied creativity. Through interactive exercises, participants will engage with her practice, exploring gentle movement, body awareness, and creative expression while connecting with themselves and the community around them.
