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.

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.

Asking Questions and Providing Answers Through Art

As artists we are naturally creative thinkers. When we look at the world we see something we can change – something we can make better. That is why it is only natural for there to be a certain amount of social discourse among artists.

When we see problems like the casualties of war and negative impacts of global warming, we are naturally inclined to, first, question and, second, offer our opinions and, occasionally, our solutions. Sometimes these questions and answers come in written form like poetry and novels. Other times, they can be seen on canvases and digital displays. In either case, they are our artistic representations of the wrong that we see and the right that we want to see.

The last few years have been very tumultuous years for our country and our world. The discourse in societies in nearly every corner of our planet gains momentum every day. As this happens, we are captivated by each question and each suggested answer.

This idea is the premise behind my gallery’s upcoming show. The show is titled Social Discourse: An Arts Experience. Its main purpose is to give Michigan artists – as the Lansing Art Gallery’s primary mission is to support our artists right here in Michigan – the opportunity to ask their questions and offer their answers on the current events and social issues of our time.

The art and the way it addresses the subject matter is so compelling. I realize this may seem like a plug and maybe it is. However, I truly believe the subject matter from this show is both timely and important.

As artists, our work is both an expression ourselves and a creation of something that is intended to improve the world in which we live. The questions that are being asked and answered through the artwork in this show provide a little insight into the minds of our Michigan artists and the issues that are important to them – issues that are likely important to all of us, as well.

Here’s to artists inspiring change. Here’s to art.