grosse pointe art center news

The nonprofit, GPAA, is embarking on its 70th anniversary year in 2008. We are a strong, active, vital art organization in the tri-county area that is at a significant stage in its development. We invite and welcome the entire community to join and participate in our growth

The GPAA has been fortunate these past six years with the use of a space provided by the city of Grosse Pointe Park. Having this space has allowed us to develop our exhibitions, programs, children’s and adults’ classes, workshops, lectures, demonstrations, collaborations with the local schools and universities, artists’ critiques, poetry readings, dance performance, musical events and charitable participations and contributions. Through this development our center has become known as the Grosse Pointe Art Center. By mid-2007, however, it was time for us to find a new space.

In December 2007, we found a space to rent in which to continue our programs. Our grand opening will be with a 70th Annual Members show on Friday, February 15.

We still seek that special angel, however, who may have a vacant building and would like to see it filled with great art, workshops, classes, poetry readings, music, art lectures, critiques, artists, and, students. We would be happy to provide those services for that angel, free of charge!! Please call 313.821.1848, or, 313.822.7509 should you know that angel, or, if you are that angel. In the meantime, we continue our capital campaign effort to raise funds for a future purchase of a building that will accommodate the many programs that we provide for the community.

Many of the Grosse Pointe residents who started and supported some of Detroit’s more recognizable art organizations: the Detroit Institute of Arts, The Scarab Club, and, the Detroit Artists Market were, also, members, supporters, and founders of the Grosse Pointe Artists Association. The GPAA has been a historical part of this community since 1927 when the first chronological note was entered into our history:

The trustees of the Neighborhood Club consider a request from John Vogt
for the use of the gymnasium by Grosse Pointe artists for an exhibit of their work.

Mr. Vogt’s first request was denied, but that did not discourage the enthusiasm and vision of the original artists. They persevered and in 1928, their request was accepted. Art advocates in the community provided support and awards for the show and for the participating artists. Then, as now, arts and cultural nonprofits need public support, endowments, contributions, and donations. Please consider continuing a long Grosse Pointe tradition and support this art organization with a tax-free donation to your Grosse Pointe Art Center, 15001 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Park, MI, 48230. Please indicate if the donation is for the Capital Campaign or general operations.

The Grosse Pointe Art Center Board:
Jon Bell, Hala Besmar, Charmaine Kaptur, Edward Griffor, Susan Browne, Heather Burgess, Nina Goebel, Birgit Huttemann- Holz, Jim Lloyd, Hanne Nielsen, Leslie Rentschler, Betty Ruud, Colt Weatherston, Janet Wisner, and Director, Susan Macdonald

WE HAVE A NEW SPACE!! We have moved and are in the process of painting walls, installing lights and partitions, and cleaning. We are renting the corner building at 15001 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Park, on a busy street with four blocks of merchants and pedestrian traffic. The gallery space is large and open with a perfect arrangement for a large gallery shop. Everyone who has seen the space has been very happy with it. The board knows you will be too.

UPDATE FROM THE GROSSE POINTE ART CENTER

November 2007

Dear Fellow Members and Friends,

To bring you up-to-date and current . . . . . . Northern Trust Bank fundraiser on Friday, October 5, brought in $3,000 for building fund donations. Another $2,000 was raised from new memberships, commission on sold artwork, and door donations. This amount helps to cover our continuing overhead. The evening was a great success. Hear Yea! Hear Yea! The GPAA Building Fund has reached: $28,000.00. This represents a $10,000 grant along with the participation of 48 of our 242 members, and, 47 individuals from the greater community.
The Board thanks those of you who have donated and asks the remaining members to please, also, contribute. If you cannot afford a large sum all at once, please make a donation with a commitment to send in an amount each month. We seek full participation, on all levels, by all members. You will receive a tax donation card for your contribution for income tax write-off.

Your Board has been working very hard these past several months, meeting every other week or more. They feel the weight of the responsibility of deciding on a building to buy, or, a space to rent should the opportunity to buy not immediately present itself. We still seek that angel who has a vacant building and wants to see it filled with great art, workshops, classes, poetry readings, music, art lectures, critiques, artists, and, students. We would be happy to provide those services for that angel, free of charge!! Please call 313.821.1848, or, 313.822.7509 should you know that angel, or, if you are that angel.
The majority of membership [**see below] dues are due in October. Please check your label on the front of this mailing. If the date that appears above your name is prior to 12/07 ……….. your dues are due

10/07
Grosse Pointe Art Center Member
1005 Maryland
Grosse Pointe Park MI 48230

Make Check Payable to: GPAA
Mail Payment to: Grosse Pointe Art Center

Update from the Grosse Pointe Art Center – August 2007

Dear Fellow Members and Friends,

The Grosse Pointe Artists Association is in the beginning phase of their Building Fund effort for the Grosse Pointe Art Center. The first phase has brought in many donations from nonmembers who are elated that there is a first class art center in their community. The GPAA plans to commemorate the initial donors by including their names on a memorable plaque. This is an exciting and transitional time. Remember, we are the first and only Art Center in eastern Wayne County.
We seek full participation, on all levels, by all members. We have a specific escrow fund established. Any money designated for the building fund will be returned, if on the remote chance we do not buy a building.
On another more mundane note, we have found that email updates are very cost effective. And in an ongoing effort to save postage, we need your email address. This information will remain private. All email will be sent via “bcc” (blind copy.) No one will have access to your email address. However, if you do not have an email address, we will send you information via U.S. mail.
We had an Attic Treasure Fundraiser at our old space July 27 and 28. John and Zena Carnaghi and daughter, Janeen Nicole, assisted and brought along many collected items. Others helping were Janet Vogel, Richie Campbell, Charmaine Kaptur, Judith LeBeau, Rosemary & George Bay, MaryAnn Saad and Susan Macdonald. Thanks for your hard work. We still seeking and expect to find temporary space for exhibitions and our well-attended children’s classes. Any suggestions and invites are welcome. Poets Follies continues their presentations at 15120 Kercheval in the Marick Press space.
As a follow up to our June meeting, due to the current focus on fund raising, and the packing of the GPAA belongings at the Art Center, the committee to nominate new Board members has been delayed until September.
Finally and financially, it makes more sense for the Grosse Pointe Artists Association to put their money towards the purchase of our own building than to pay another’s mortgage through rent. Please, send in your building fund support dollars today!!!!

The Grosse Pointe Art Center is the first and only art center in eastern Wayne County. On July 31st we were required to vacate the building we used for the past six years and return it to the owners, the city of Grosse Pointe Park.
While this space has served us well in our development as an Art Center, another building and favorable location can serve us equally as well. We look forward to this change, and a new home, with excitement and anticipation. We have a tremendous opportunity here for expansion and growth.
Where do we go permanently? Our immediate goal is to purchase a building that will accommodate our needs. We have our sights set on the building on the corner of Kercheval and Lakepointe, currently occupied by Grosse Pointe Printing. It is a sound block structure with great (potential) curb appeal and visibility. It has twice the space of our old facility and would allow for permanent classrooms, artists studios, and Gallery Store. The Mayor and the City Council have given it their blessing, and have even set aside money for a facelift. GPAA member Bill House drew-up some wonderful sketches of the proposed interior and exterior. You’re welcome to view them.
As part of this community, you have supported the arts by supporting us. We ask for your continued support in the form of a financial contribution, or, the purchase of a building for our new art center. Although the current center is supported and operated by the Grosse Pointe Artists Association, we would be very happy to have the new art center named after a major contributor. You can make donations using the enclosed envelope. You can also make pledges and spread donations over any time period you like. We request participation on a grand scale. The immediate and long term benefits to the community are enormous!

We want to thank you in advance for your generosity…
any questions as we go forth, call Jon Bell at (313) 821-1848