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Artistry by Kristin MacKenzie Hussey

Nestled amid the picturesque landscapes of Leelanau County, artist Kristin MacKenzie Hussey has made a name for herself with her charming watercolor paintings that capture the whimsical and nostalgic essence of this beautiful region. A gifted designer and co-owner of The Warren Collective in Leland, Hussey’s art has blossomed in popularity, captivating locals and visitors alike. One of the most awe-inspiring experiences for Hussey was her participation in the Consenses Walks project in Leland. “Participating in the Consenses project was such a beautiful experience. I was so honored to be asked to join a handful of incredible local artists to play a game of Art Telephone, so to speak,” she said.

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Old Art Building’s Consenses hosts artistic game of “Telephone”

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When Leelanau County singer-songwriter Joshua Davis introduced his song “Up to the Light” at an April concert at the Old Art Building, he shared the story about the song’s inspiration and announced its part in the Consenses Walks project about to be unveiled in Leland, an artistic game of “Telephone” including seven local artists. The game challenged another artist, anonymous to him, to respond to his song in their own creative format, just as he’d sat down with the Infinite Disc sculpture on the Leland River to form his own creative response to it. The chain was to continue until all of the artists formed creative interpretations in their own mediums. Davis, sculptor Charlie Hall, painter Kristin MacKenzie Hussey, poet Michelle Leask, potter Benjamin Maier, fabric designer Maggie Mielczarek, and ice cream maker Joe Welsh are part of Consenses, a challenge for artists of varying mediums living in the same community to work together in an anonymous chain of inspiration until all five senses are represented. Leland is home to the second completed Consenses Walks founded by Sally Taylor, an artist, musician and former music professor at Berklee College of Music.

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Joshua Davis headlines April 15 concert at Leland’s Old Art Building

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Tickets are still available for Leelanau County resident Joshua Davis’ concert on Saturday, April 15, at the Old Art Building in Leland. “There are so many reasons I love the Old Art Building besides the fact that it’s a quick drive for me,” Davis told the Glen Arbor Sun. “I love the history of the building. I love the community that supports it. I love that it embraces all mediums of art, and the sound (there) is killer. It’s one of those really special venues.”

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Andrew Dost brings Christmas mischief, fun to Leland’s Old Art Building

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Andrew Dost, the Frankfort native and Grammy Award-winning member of the indie rock band Fun., whose hit single “We Are Young” topped the charts for six straight weeks in 2012, will headline a sold-out Christmas Variety Show at the Old Art Building in Leland on Friday, Dec. 23. Read our full interview with Dost, who talked about why he returned to northern Michigan, therapy dogs and his beloved Pitbull named Carly, his love for cooking and foraging, his support for LGBTQ activism, and what he envisions for future Christmas variety shows at the Old Art Building. Spoiler: Dost wants fun, silly pet tricks including rats dressed in basketball jerseys all going after a meatball.

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Leland Old Art Building’s fall fiber event presents Georgina Valverde

The Old Art Building in Leland will present the 21st annual Focus on Fiber event over the weekend of October 7-9. This year’s event highlights the work of Chicago-based artist Georgina Valverde and her exhibition entitled Atavia. An artist conversation will take place on Friday, October 7. The free reception opens at 5:30 pm with the artist talk beginning at 6:00 pm. The exhibit will continue from 10 am-4 pm both Saturday and Sunday.

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Miriam Pico Younce plays Old Art Building

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The Old Art Building in Leland will host acoustic songwriter and singer Miriam Picó Younce and her husband Ryan Younce on Thursday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m. for a free evening of positive, inter-generational music. This family-friendly performance includes some cover tunes along with an array of Miriam’s originals. We caught up with Miriam to ask about this concert, about her inspiration and muse, about the various artistic mediums she marries in her work, and about her perfect northern Michigan summer day.

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Old Art Building launches Music in the Air Summer Concert Series

Relax and enjoy music on the front lawn of Leland’s Old Art Building during the second annual Music in the Air summer concert series. This series of free concerts kicks off on Thursday, June 30, at 7 pm with Traverse Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quintet performing patriotic brass. Nine more performances, including a variety of musical genres, will follow throughout the summer. The public is welcome to bring along their own blankets, chairs, food, and beverages.

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A Summer Romance: Michigan State University finds Leland

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The Old Art Building in Leland will present a retrospective exhibit showcasing the artwork of former students and instructors who took part in a 50-year summer program established in 1939 Leland by Michigan State University (MSU). “A Summer Romance: MSU Finds Leland,” will open May 12-18.

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Old Art Building in Leland holds annual icebreaker, outdoor sculpting event

The second annual Icebreaker ice sculpting event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Old Art Building in Leland. The event features a sculpting demonstration by a professional ice artist, along with teams comprised of community members of all skill levels.

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Grandfather Color wants the world to get well

You sit down with this wild-bearded, twinkly-eyed man at a table full of colored pencils and ornate coloring sheets that he created. You’re not sure why you’re here, except for feeling nostalgic for simpler times when you were just a worry-free kid. Soon, you’re pouring your heart out to Grandfather Color as you scribble, finding joy and solace through the creativity of color. Grandfather Color, otherwise known as Richard Stocker, is the facilitator behind myriad efforts to heal the world, person by person, by guiding them through their healing process using color. He is also the facilitator of the new “Get Well World” and “Color COVID Away campaigns that are just unrolling across Leelanau, Benzie and Grand Traverse counties.

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