Studio 23 has two grand exhibit spaces: the Rowley Gallery on the north side, and the Tabor Gallery winding through the south corridor. Our yearly exhibitions include the All-Area Exhibit, Kids Kreations, and Teen Works. Studio 23/The Arts Center holds multiple cultural and various medium exhibits such as The East Asian Art Exhibit and Native American Art Exhibit, digital photography, traditional black & white photography, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and a variety of other mediums. The goal of Studio23/The Arts Center is to promote a variety of diversity and culture, and to serve the greater Bay Area Community.

2008 Gallery Exhibition Schedule

Bay City Times Retired Photographers Show
December 1, 2007 (Black & White) – January 30, 2008

Teenworks
February 13 – February 29
This is always one of our most popular shows annually. Area middle school and area high school students exhibit their art works—their teenworks—and fill the gallery with the energy of youth, with unbridled imagination uninhibited by the constraints of adulthood. The students’ works encompass traditional media like painting, drawing, ceramics, and extend into constructions and thematic assignments that bring special vitality to the displays.

Additionally, a very special exhibit will occupy in the Tabor Gallery this year during Teen Works. Students in Region 12 will display art works in competition to become part of the Governor’s Traveling Show for six months and to be placed on exhibition in shows in Lansing. The competition involves students from around the entire state of Michigan. This juried show is provided by the Michigan Art Education Association, Region 12.

Kids Kreations
March 12 – March 30
One factor remains constant every year when people attend Kids Kreations—smiles! The persons are few and far between who do not enjoy this show without a smile on their faces from the beginning of the exhibit to its end. Artworks by area elementary students demonstrate the human imagination at its most vital. A dozen students can create a dozen totally original views of the same concept. Young minds open to new approaches present amazing perspectives and unique approaches.  

Facial Visions
April 17 – May 4
“Extraordinary” helps to define this collection of two-dimensional and three-dimensional black and white photographic portraits. This is a hands-on exhibit of portraits of people who are visually impaired. These photos of the visually impaired are produced through adaptive techniques allowing them to be “seen” with the hands of other visually impaired people. Sighted persons will be able to enjoy these sensitive portraits in their usual manner as well as using the technique of the visually impaired. Portraits of visually impaired area residents will also be included in the show. This will be a unique experience for all of us to remember for many years.

A.G. Edwards Corporate Art Collection
May 15– June 15
Contemporary Prints
A. G. Edwards Corporation has agreed for Studio 23 to present part of its corporate collection of contemporary prints. This exceptional exhibit will provide a fascinating look at the growth and development of contemporary American art in the last forty years. In the late 1980’s, A. G. Edwards began acquiring contemporary prints by noted American artists such as Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Donald Judd. Highlights of this exciting collection include abstract prints by Helen Frankenthaler, collages documenting various Christo projects, and minimalist prints by Sol Le Witt and Ellsworth Kelly. Even those of us unfamiliar with this aspect of American art will enjoy a dynamic and fascinating experience viewing this exhibit.

Lon Ferguson
2006 All Area Exhibit Winner
June 27 – July 27
Photography
Lon has an MGA in Photography as well as a Bachelors Degree in Architecture.   His currently is an assistant professor of Digital Photography at Central Michigan University. 
Popular cultures throughout the world and history have had religions, myths and folklore that attempt to describe the indescribable. These beliefs have as a common thread an otherwordly or alternate reality that shares time and space with ours. The stories in this portfolio are allegories that explore an illusory landscape of the unconscious that reside in a multi-layered world of many dimensions.

All Area Juried Show
August 8 – September 7
Mixed Media
Nothing demonstrates the artistic talents found in our own artists like the All Area Juried Show. Encompassing Bay County and beyond, local artists present their finest works in a demonstration of skills and artistry par excellence. The range of media is broad and includes oil, acrylic, printmaking, watercolor, photography and ceramics. The scope of this exhibit is always extensive and the artworks themselves filled with surprises and visual pleasures.

Kathy Jones
September 19 – October 19
Contemporary Paintings
This one-woman show presents the paintings of area artist Kathy Jones. Kathy considers herself to be a colorist. And her paintings vividly express her focus on the relationship of color and energy. Energy in all its variations is present through the use of bright, bold, and complementary colors. Viewers at this exhibit will discover the vibrancy and strength of colors working together and colors in opposition of each other. From Kathy’s point of view, color and energy can be one.

Studio 23 Student Show
October 22 – October 26
A variety of media from our Studio 23 Students including children, youth and adult classes.

Creative Minds. Changing Minds
November 8 – November 14
Sponsored by the Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards
A two-year traveling art show featuring work by artist who happed to use Community Mental Health services in the state of Michigan.  The arts help people break through the stigmas surrounding mental health issues.  Acting, doing art, and making music help people recover from mental illness and substance use disorders.  The arts help people with developmental disabilities build new life skills. 

Holiday Mart
November 20 – November 23
Holiday Mart was a special treat last year to those looking for an early approach to holiday gifting. With over fifty local artists offering works for sale, this year will provide another great opportunity. Featured items include ceramics, textiles, paintings, prints, wood carvings, jewelry, clothing, and special holiday items. Up and running for only four days, Holiday Mart deserves a place on your calendar right now.

Harry Ahn
December 6 – January 10
The Human Spirit – Oils

Harry Ahn derives great pleasure from making “a nobody” into “a somebody.” He enjoys turning “a nothing” into “a something.” And Mr. Ahn finds he is able to do exactly this with his portraits in oil. As Mr. Ahn says, “We need to look no further than ourselves to find masterpieces. I see beauty in the everyday things that surround me.” The Human Spirit is a collection of portraits stretching from a homeless wanderer to anyone you might just pass on the streets of Bay City. It’s all in the eye of the beholder and Harry Ahn has an artist’s eye.