Glen Arbor Arts Center inaugurates new gallery
From staff reports
The Glen Arbor Arts Center (GAAC)—formerly the Glen Arbor Art Association—inaugurates its new gallery and exhibitions space with “New Gallery/New Work,” on Friday, Jan. 12, from 6-8 p.m. A reception to open the exhibition begins at 6 p.m.
“New Gallery/New Work” is an invitational show that showcases the work of 25 visual artists from Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Manistee counties. Exhibitors were invited to contribute a piece of work created between May 2016 and November 2017. This timeframe mirrors the period during which the GAAC undertook a campaign to expand its building at 6031 S. Lake St. in Glen Arbor.
As part of the exhibition, the GAAC will offer two different “Talk About Art” interviews with two different sets of “New Gallery/New Works” exhibitors on Jan. 21 and Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. in the gallery. Both events offer a chance to hear these artists talk about the process and challenges of keeping their work fresh and new. “Talk About Art” is free and open to the public. For more details about these programs, visit GlenArborArt.org, and click on the “For Artists” tab.
On Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. GAAC gallery manager Sarah Bearup-Neal will talk with mixed media artist Jesse Hickman and painters Richard Kooyman and Sheila Stafford about the challenges and strategies they use to keep their work fresh and new. These conversational interviews explore the process of creative work, and engage artists in conversations about their thinking, their tools, and the materials they use. “Talk About Art” is free and open to the public.
“New Gallery/New Work” is supported by Northern Building Supply. The exhibition continues through Feb. 22. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. during the week, and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call the GAAC at 231-334-6112 or visit GlenArborArt.org. The GAAC is located at 6031 S. Lake St. in Glen Arbor.
Arts Center shows Phinny’s Works in Cloth
The Glen Arbor Arts Center is showing Works In Cloth 2015-2017, a small survey of fiber constructions by Leelanau County artist Molly Phinny. This mini-show is hung in the GAAC’s new Hall Gallery and continues through April 8.
For decades, Phinny’s creative practice focused on landscape painting. She worked in watercolor and acrylic, and painted widely: scenes from her Leelanau County home, from her travels to Europe and throughout the United States. In recent years, Phinny has transitioned away from paintbrush and paper, and embraced thread and needle, fabric and stitching as the foundation of her expressive compositions.
Fiber work is “an extension of my painting,” Phinny said. “It’s still working with shape and color.” Her scissors—instead of brushes—create the shapes. Fabrics supply the color. Phinny composes with vintage textiles [cast-off laces and handkerchiefs inherited from her maternal grandmother], and recycled clothing. Used clothing has history, she said. It is softened by wear. And each piece of denim or corduroy or velvet or cotton comes with a story, which can suggest an idea for a composition.
The GAAC is open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. during the week, and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information please call 231-334-6112.
