The Macoupin Art Collective, also known as The MAC, is

a non-profit art school and gallery in Staunton, Illinois. Founded in 2017, The MAC provides art instruction and fosters a creative community for people of all ages and skill levels in Macoupin County and the surrounding region. 

Key features of the Macoupin Art Collective include:

• Diverse art classes and workshops: The MAC offers a wide array of hands-on classes in different media, including pottery, stained glass, painting (oil, acrylic, and watercolor), jewelry-making, mixed media, and soap-making. There are options for regularly scheduled classes, single-day sessions, and drop-in opportunities.

• Emphasis on ceramics: The collective has a well-equipped ceramics studio that features multiple potter's wheels, a slab roller, and a variety of tools and equipment for aspiring potters.

• Community outreach and accessibility: Committed to making art accessible, The MAC offers free after-school art activities for children and provides free art materials to the community through a "Craft Cabinet" on a "take what you need, pay what you can" basis. It also has an "Art Bus" to take art-making on the road to local events.

• Support for artists: Beyond classes, The MAC holds community events like markets and gallery shows, giving local artists a platform to display their work.

• Specialized programs: The MAC runs programs for specific community groups, such as the "Expressive Arts" sessions designed to provide a safe, creative space for seniors.

• Community-focused thrift store: The collective also operates The MAC Thrifter, a "pay what you can" art supply thrift store, to share donated materials with the community.