Revitalizing the Arts Culture

In art – like all things – it is often a small idea that leads to a monumental happening. For my gallery, this monumental happening was our most recent art show. The show titled, Social Discourse: An Arts Experience, was a juried exhibition of Michigan artists’ work. It started as an idea among local art enthusiasts and – with the help of Michigan State University – evolved into a thought-provoking exhibit.

It officially opened on May 22, with the grand opening on June 6. Despite raging storms, more than 400 people attended the grand opening reception. The show closed on Saturday, June 28 with total attendance counts exceeding 2,000.

The Social Discourse exhibit gave our Michigan artists an opportunity to use their art to ask questions and ponder answers to the most pressing issues of our time. From politics to the environment, artists stirred interest and inspired discussion.

The multi-media exhibit featured many provocative pieces. Some artists used drama, while others used humor. No matter the approach, each piece evoked emotion in the audience members.

For me this was an extremely successful show. While the numbers were impressive, the unique nature of the show – and the success of the show taking into account its unique nature – was really what stood out. The fact that such a progressive exhibit could stir so much interest in our city is inspiring. For me, this represents a first step toward the establishment of a renewed focus on arts and culture in our downtown. It is very, very exciting.

Here’s to small steps. Here’s to the big picture. Here’s to art.

Mother Nature and Her Paintbrush

In my last post I made reference to the storms that swept through our city last weekend. It got me thinking about the artistic perspective of these storms that devastated not just Lansing, but practically the entire Midwest. Trees were uprooted, homes were destroyed and lives were forever changed. Yet, somehow we will all rebuild. Nature will restore itself and the cycle will begin again. It is a beautiful process, really.

With all the ugly that Mother Nature produces, there is great beauty in every aspect of our planet. There is an artistic quality to the landscapes, bodies of water, starry skies, sunrises, sunsets – all of it. As a matter of fact, nature is often a common inspiration for artists. Whether painting landscapes in the traditional sense, creating an abstract piece or painting a picture with words, nature inspires.

So, as I look around at the neighborhoods ravaged by these storms and I turn on the news to see families who survived storms far more powerful than ours, I am hopeful. I am hopeful that artists out there will capture the tragic beauty created by Mother Nature’s brushstrokes.

Here’s to Mother Nature and the powerful paintbrush she wields. Here’s to art.

Success Amid the Storm

Last week was the grand opening reception for the art show going on right now at my gallery – a juried show that addresses timely, social issues using art. Unfortunately, as we prepared to unveil our exciting show, tornado sirens were wailing and the entire city was under severe weather warnings. Needless to say, excitement in the gallery was not in short supply.

Unfortunately, many of those who were planning to attend and had not yet arrived – some traveling from areas where the storms nearly shut down freeways – had to seek shelter somewhere other than the gallery. Such is the unpredictable nature of Mother Nature herself (another post for another time).

Regardless of the weather and its initial impact on attendance, it has been a successful show.

This show – Social Discourse: An Arts Experience – is a unique show by many standards, but is truly unique for our city. Its unique nature has attracted some that might not attend an art show. Some of the content is dark and some is of a lighter nature. However, it all makes you think. It makes you think about our world and the social issues that define us as individuals.

As I look ahead at the last two weeks of the show, I am excited for the new faces we will see and the lives this art will touch. Rain or shine, we are proud to provide a unique arts experience to our community.

Here’s to the rain that couldn’t destroy our parade. Here’s to art.

Artistic Style on the Open Road

This morning I was driving to a meeting and, while stopped at a stoplight, took a minute to take a look at all the different cars on the road. So many colors. So many styles. Some old. Some new. Some high-end labels. Some practical purchases.

For many of us, our cars are nothing more than a necessity – a way to get from point A to point B. However, for some, the car is an outlet for self-expression – an extension of personal style.

As an artist, I find two things very interesting about cars. The first is the evolution of body styles that have occurred over the last century. While engineering, aerodynamics and fuel economy have had a lot to do with this evolution, so too have the preferences and personal styles of the consumers. The second item I find interesting – the item I find most interesting, actually – is personal style itself. This is the style that is revealed not in the mini-vans used to cart the kids to soccer, but in the “dream car.”

When people escape the confines of practicality and cost, personal style and artistic preference become glaringly apparent. Whether someone dreams of fast car or simply a pricy label, a red car or a neutral beige, through their preference they reveal a lot about who they are as a person. After all, to a certain extent, even the most expensive of accessory is an extension of our own artistic taste.

Here’s to the cars that we drive and those we dream about. Here’s to art.

Home is Where the Art Is

Movie night at my house this past weekend featured the 1939 MGM classic The Wizard of Oz. What a great old movie. And when Dorothy put on those ruby slippers, clicked her heels together three times and said “there’s no place like home”, she hit the nail right on the head. I think we all agree, artist or not, there really is no place like home. For me, home is my sanctuary, a place of inspiration and creativity. I talked about this a little bit in my May 13 post, A Morning Without Art.

However, with summer upon us, the artistic inspiration of the home takes on a new meaning for me. Right now, when I look at my home and take a glimpse around my neighborhood I see colorful signs of life. Brand new shrubs. Vibrant annuals. Artistic arrangements of flowerbeds and walkways. It’s beautiful. The artistic way my neighbors and I arrange the landscapes surrounding our homes gives passers by a glimpse into who we are.

As artists, we celebrate life in art, and what better place to celebrate life than in our own backyards. It only makes sense to my our most personal place the one place that is the most clear representation of who we are as people. Home is truly where the art is. There really is no place like it…anywhere.

Here’s to summer and our backyard creations. Here’s to art.

Painting Pictures with Words

Words make everyday communication possible. We need them to express our most basic human needs. However, we often forget their artistic quality. For years, writers have been painting pictures with words. From classic literature to poetry; from the daily newspaper to our favorite magazines – an artful arrangement of a few prepositions, adjectives, nouns and verbs can grant us entrance into the lives of others (both fictional and real) and keep us connected to the world in which we live. It is truly amazing.

Every time I pick up a book or even the newspaper, I am in awe of the talented artists that both give me an escape and keep me informed. When you think about it, this blog is an extension of my artistic touch. While I am no Charlotte Bronte or Mitch Albom, the words I use to give each of you a glimpse into my life and my thoughts on art are clear examples of artistic expression.

Here’s to words and the colorful pictures they paint. Here’s to art.

Artistic Expressions of Patriotism

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I treasure long weekends. This Memorial Day weekend was no exception. Memorial Day signifies the start of the summer season and is a holiday I look forward to every year. With such a tough winter and an unusually chilly spring, the signs of summer were especially exciting this year. The aroma of fresh cut grass and caramelized barbeque sauce – it was great. Of course, in addition to kicking back with family and friends this weekend, I made sure to take a few moments to reflect on those who have served and are serving our country at home and around the world. These are the people that have made and continue to make freedom possible. While I have no trouble finding patriotic inspiration myself (my husband serves our country), I thought I would help all of you find your patriotic inspiration through art. To view artwork with a patriotic theme, you can go to the official Norman Rockwell website at http://www.normanrockwell.com/index.php and check out the Patriotic section. Or, visit http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Hassam/index.asp to experience the patriotic works of American Impressionist Childe Hassam. And if all else fails, visit your local antique store. I’m sure you’ll run across all sorts of carved, stitched, woven, hooked, whittled and molded expressions of patriotism there.

Here’s to our country and those who make freedom possible. Here’s to the artists who help us pay tribute. Here’s to art.