DOWAGIAC — Those interested in friendship and the arts should take a look into the Dowagiac Junior Arts Club, club officials said.

The Dowagiac Junior Arts Club, a women’s club that hosts programs and luncheons relating to the arts, is currently seeking new members to its club.

“We are always interested in new members, and that is something we want to emphasize,” said Club President Norene Martin. “This is a social group with a great group of ladies from all over. We want to add to that.”

The club meets the first Wednesday of every month in April through December. Each meeting includes a program and a luncheon. The programs are held in varied locations, recent programs included a trip to Notre Dame and Dowagiac. The programs include speakers talking to club members about a number of topics including interior decorating, gardening, hat making and, at one recent meeting, Jackie Onassis.

“We go to different programs. We go to different restaurants,” Martin said. “We make an effort to have a lot of variety. … [The topic of one program] might not appeal to everybody, but a lot of our ladies like it. We try to do something different by having a topic of interest every month.”

Despite visiting many different locations in the Michiana region, Martin said the club still holds a focus on Dowagiac.

“We are trying to do a tour of Dowagiac business, because it is good for the economy here,” she said. “After all, this is the Dowagiac Junior Arts Club, so we thought it would be nice to go to the Dowagiac stores and patronize them, especially for some of our members who live in places like Eau Claire or Decatur, because they might not shop here.”

Though Martin said the programs and luncheons were a draw to the club, the main benefit she has found in the club is the social aspect of leading local women.

“You build up a relationship with the others [in the club] and because we have people from all over, you get to talk to someone who may not be from your area,” Martin said. “The club lets you branch out and try different restaurants and different areas. Especially if you are new to the area, that is wonderful, because you get to try all of these places you never would have thought of.”

Martin said she hopes to see increased membership within the year, but that the club will continue to focus on building friendships and new experiences regardless of attendance numbers.

“We are here to enjoy ourselves and get to know the other ladies in the club,” she said. “It is just very fun and lovely.”

Prospective members can contact Martin at magiclake@comcast.net.