Traverse City Wine & Art Festival to showcase Project 24
From staff reports
The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail partnered with Michigan landscape artist Stephanie Schlatter to capture the natural beauty of the wine region through art.
“This is a landscape that needed to be seen,” shares Schlatter; “a beauty in our own back yard that is rivaled by none.”
During the past year, Schlatter visited all 24 of the peninsula’s wineries and painted beautiful landscapes reflective of each. The project, which commenced May 26, 2015, has recently been completed and is ready to be showcased at the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival on June 25.
“We are thrilled and honored to have such a talented artist focus on our wine trail,” said Lorri Hathaway, executive director of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, “ and we are even more thrilled with the results!”
Project 24 can be viewed through an online gallery at www.lpwines.com/project-24. The paintings are available for purchase during the festival, but may also be pre-purchased with pick-up on June 25. A portion of the proceeds are benefiting the Leelanau Conservancy.
Hathaway is continuing the project with Project 26 (there are now 26 wineries on the peninsula). Renowned Michigan Photographer John Robert Williams is following the footsteps of Schlatter to capture the region, and more specifically, its winemakers through the lens.
“It is an honor to be chosen to work with these gifted and passionate winemakers, to pair their skills with mine, to shine a light on their accomplishments of putting Leelanau County wines on the world stage,” shares Williams. “I will draw inspiration from this year’s festival and look forward to sharing my work at NEXT year’s festival.”
William’s Project 26 will take place over the next year and be showcased at the 2017 festival. You can learn more about Williams and his work at www.jrwpix.com.
Several other fine artists will be featured at the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival, which is being held June 25 at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. The festival, in its eighth year, is completely being revamped this year. Art has become a more prominent feature with an experienced juror, an improved art layout and cash awards.
In addition, the festival is working with Taste the Local Difference to pair local chefs and farmers to prepare fresh cuisine that will pair, of course, with the local wines. There will also be several onsite winemaker experiences including wine varietal tours and a fun education lounge. And, guests can enjoy several relaxing lounges or take a Chocolate and Wine Tasting Tour or a Wine and Cheese Tasting Tour.
Tickets to the festival are $55 in advance and $65 at the gate and are available at TraverseCityWineFestival.com. Tickets include a souvenir wine glass, 8 tasting tickets and a food ticket and all day entertainment with four live bands.
