September - December 2009 |
DIRECTORS LETTER: Susan Macdonald In 1998, while working in Detroit, I frequently rode the SEMTA catching it at Maryland and Jefferson in Grosse Pointe Park. On occasion I would look into the empty building on the corner thinking and wishing the space into an art gallery. Imagine my surprise in 2001, when the Grosse Pointe Artists Association received the building for their use, and again in 2002, when I was offered the position as Director. It has been a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Since 2001, there have been many triumphs, some disappointments, lots of laughs, friendships formed, lessons learned and tears shed. As I move on to another facet of my life, so too the Grosse Pointe Art Center is moving on to a new stage. As many of you know, I have resigned as Director. This summer the Grosse Pointe Art Center’s Search Committee has been very diligent and is finalizing a candidate for the Directors position. Our successful art center has benefited through the work, the devotion, and the hours of volunteerism by many tough individuals who have all had the same vision . . . to establish a viable, productive, successful first-class art center in southeast Michigan. We can all be very proud of our accomplishments. The art center will continue to thrive and succeed because of you, the supporters Thank you for the opportunity to make a personal dream come true. I have been most happy working as your Director and wish all the best to our new Director. Please extend your support to her, as you have all so generously extended your support to me.
Call and Response Our annual AUCTION will delight and entertain the entire family as you view and bid via silent auction on the beautiful and creative art work that was inspired by the talented children in grades K-5 in our community. Entertainment will be provided by the Rosetta Pebbles, a band composed of local teachers, Ron Aldrich a fabulous strolling magician, and face painting with Hala Besmar. We are very grateful for the support of our local retailers and members who are supplying fun food and drink for your enjoyment. Please encourage your family and friends to support our wonderful Art Center and share a festive fall afternoon as we raise much needed funds for GPAC. Have you purchased your tickets yet? We offer a discount for advance purchase and remember the mantra “bid often, bid high! PRESIDENTS LETTER: Birgit Huttemann-Holz Birgit is currently taking a lovely vacation with her family overseas. She will be returning the first part of September to welcome the new director and complete the plans for the National Encaustic show in October.GIFT SHOP NEWS: Janet Wisner & Jan Nutting The Gallery Shop welcomes Jan Nutting as co-manager. Together we plan on expanding our “Made in Michigan” one of kind artistic items, new gifts have already arrived. In our jewelry department we have pretty new bead and stone bracelets by Janeen Nichol and Marci Fredrickson has made cool wood and glass pendants with beautiful graphics. A new artist for GPAC, Siouxsan Miller creates funky, retro prints, perfect to cheer up your kitchen or the cottage. She and her partner in craft, Anne Simonetti, have also created a Made in Michigan line of “green” candles that smell fabulous, are from soy wax, use no lead wicks, and come in cute, recyclable tins with soy-ink labels! Plus check out their soap singles, trios, or the candle/soap gift sets, beautifully packaged for giving (perfect hostess gifts for weekend visits) and they’re priced right too! Consider placing your art in the gift shop-we are always welcoming fresh new works, we offer the best commission around, have a great location, and are willing to show a myriad of media. Call one of us to set up an appointment. GPAC wants to support YOU. Thank you for shopping locally. We’ll see you at the Gallery Shop. Jan Nutting cell: 586 995 9900 email: jannutting@grossepointeartcenter.org
EXHIBITION COMMITTEE NEWS: 7th Our Rivers, Our Lakes First Place George Bay Cry & Rejoice Our current show, Our Rivers, Our Lakes, was established in 2003, the year after Robert Kennedy Jr., President of the national Riverkeepers organization, visited Detroit and designated the Detroit River as part of the national Riverkeepers Organization. In a desire to give homage to Michigan’s great waterways and the artists who celebrate their beauty, the Grosse Pointe Art Center, began an annual show devoted to Michigan’s rivers and lakes. The shows in the past seven years have been inclusive of life in, on, and around the waterways of Michigan, focusing on beach scenes, boating, picnics along the lakes, flora and fauna supported by the rivers and lakes and environmental concerns of rubbish washed ashore. This year, the artists seem to be of one mind and the show almost splashes with the depiction of that water. It is refreshing and filled with colors that range from the intense blue of deep water, to the transparent greens of waves, and the whites of their crests. It is one of our best shows yet and not to be missed. “EMBEDDED LIGHT” NATIONAL ENCAUSTIC SHOW “Embedded Light” is the first national encaustic art exhibition in the greater Detroit Metropolitan area. This is a national juried Encaustic Exhibition offering a unique educational event for the purpose of furthering knowledge and support for encaustic arts. In order to demonstrate the potential of encaustic this exhibit will feature contemporary work from encaustic artists throughout the United States. The juror, Chris McCauley, attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and received her Masters in Fine Art from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. She has been practicing the art of encaustic painting since 1992, and has lectured on the topic at Columbia College in Chicago, the College for Creative Studies, the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, the Ann Arbor Art Center, and the First International Encaustic Conference at Montserrat College of Art. The exhibition is Co-sponsored by Grosse Pointe Art Center and International Encaustic Artists and organized by Birgit Huttemann- Holz.
Holiday Shop is Comin’ to Town We know that summer has practically just arrived weather-wise, but we are already planning for this year’s Holiday Shop. Please start creating your submissions for this year and watch for the call for entry. Once again, we will transform the entire gallery space to an artist market, bringing local, one-of-a-kind works to Grosse Pointe for hand-made, creative gift giving. Last year, Winter Wonderland went beautifully because of the “wonderful” artists and shoppers, and we can only get bigger and better in our downtown Grosse Pointe “VILLAGE” location. We want to offer a fantastic selection of art and inspired gift items and need your beautiful creations. If you would enjoy volunteering in the Holiday Shop, please join the committee and prepare for the “merry making it happen.” We are looking for this year’s theme and decoration ideas! Contact Jan or Janet in the Gallery Shop to inquire about entries, join the committee, or suggest a theme. Remember, just over a 100 days until December 1st! EDUCATION COMMITTEE NEWS Adult Classes are scheduled to begin Oct. 1st. Fine Art for Kids with Hala Besmar begins September 23rd. Please check our website for the most current information or call the Art Center.
GROSSE POINTE ARTISTS ASSOC. BOARD & DIRECTOR 2009-2010
MEMBERS NEWS A membership in the GPAA would be a great Holiday gift. First year membership is only $30, student $20, Individual $50.00, Associate $100, supporter $250, donor $500, Benefactor $2500, and Founder $5000. Whatever your level we welcome your membership. For details on the various giving levels please contact the Art Center.
WANTED WEBMASTER: do you love the computer, have a desire to give back and time to kill? OK who does, but we desperately need a web master to free Nina up so that she can continue to create her fabulous graphic work. Please reach out you will not regret it! Dreamweaver knowledge preferred. GALLERY/GIFT SHOP VOLUNTEERES are needed everyday from Tuesday to Saturday to man the phones, welcome visitors, help with mailings and sell our art work. Join the group of dedicated GPAA Members who have already lent a hand. You never know who will enter our doors! Call 821-1848 to volunteer. VILLAGE BLOCK PARTY: ARTISTS needed to demonstrate and share their creative talents at our OPEN HOUSE during the fun activities offered on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 & 14th. This will be another great opportunity for the G.P.Art Center to shine while contributing to the “Kercheval in the Village” exciting community party. So, all you “party-people members” step forward, volunteer and lets make this a smashing 2 day open house block party, definitely one to remember. Susan and Brigit would love to hear from you @821-1848 or gpaa@grossepointeartcenter.org. CALL & RESPONSE AUCTION: please share your favorite goodies by bringing your delicious treats to our Sunday September 27th, family-friendly auction event. Please leave the sauces at home and bring bite-size goodies both savory and sweet. Thank you! FAIR IN THE FALL: the GPAC in partnership with Beaumont Hospital will be offering a drop-in Art Therapy workshop for all ages from 10 a.m. to 2p.m.on Saturday October 17th. This wonderful fall event organized by the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce will be held October 16, 17, and 18 and will include a street festival, food vendors, games, pumpkin patch , hayrides, beer tasting and more. A “TIE ONE ON” Scarecrow decorating contest will be held with kits selling for $20.00, scarecrows must be displayed from October 12-17. Register by October 12, details at the GPCC 313-881-gpcc or grossepointechambercommerce.org
GROSSE POINTE ARTISTS ASSOC.CALENDAR OF EVENTS
AUG.21 – SEPT.26 7TH ANNUAL “OUR RIVERS, 6:30 PM SEPT.7TH LABOR DAY SEPT. 8TH BOARD MEETING 7 PM SEPT.13-26 DAVID MIKESELL/VICTOR RYTKO SHOW SEPT. 18TH MUSIC LIVE EVENT 7 PM SEPT. 25 POET FOLLIES SEPT.27 “CALL & RESPONSE” OCT. FALL CLASSES OCT.2-3 ART DETROIT TOUR OCT. 9TH ENCAUSTIC OPENING 6:30 PM OCT. 13TH BOARD MEETING 7 PM OCT. 20th BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 5:30-6:30 PM OCT. 30th MUSIC LIVE 7 PM NOV.10th BOARD MEETNG 7 PM NOV.20TH HOLIDAY SHOW 6:30 PM NOV.27TH SANTA PARADE DEC. 8TH BOARD MEETING 7 P Please check our website www.grossepointeartcenter.org and our new GPAA calendar for details.
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