Local artist is best of show

By Norm Wheeler
Sun editor
Batik artist Jennifer Flynn of Empire won Best of Show in Fiber/Fabric at the Ann Arbor Michigan Guild Summer Art Fair. The popular art show includes entries from all over the United States and Europe. The award recognized Jennifer “for bringing the best in fine art and contemporary crafts to the community”. There are two best of show awards given at the art fair where 420 members exhibit on two streets. Jennifer was one of 100 fiber artists from all over the world to exhibit at the show, and now she has a huge blue ribbon to show off at the Empire Gallery on Front Street.

This is the second summer for the gallery located in the Blue Heron building. Featured are 60 local and Michigan artists. “We’re encouraging emerging local artists to promote all ages in their creativity,” Flynn notes. “We have work from 80-year-old photographers to 10-year-old metal sculptors.” Jennifer’s husband Don Flynn’s picture framing and wood turning skills are on display and include great wooden bowls. There are fish carvings by Duncan Ramsay of Benzonia, and also an amazing cherry and maple hand-carved artist-designed desk by Dan March of Bear Lake. (Dan is now in Iraq with his Army Reserve unit.) “Dave Tyrell, who manages the EZ mart shop by the blinker in Empire, just started doing jewelry after admiring it here all last summer,” Flynn adds. “Now he brings new jewelry every week and is one of our best sellers.”
So if you’re a local artist or craftsperson, or just a shopper looking for cool stuff, don’t miss the Gallery of Empire. Look for the Blue Heron on the building, or call 326-2083. Several of Jennifer’s and the gallery’s works can also be seen at www.jenniferflynngallery.com, or you can email her at jflynnart@bignorth.net or call 882-4765.