by Val Allen
2020 – A year of Pivots
2021 – A year of Moving Forward
Looking back our team here at Studio 23 made the best of a situation during 2020. We all had each others back and we all knew when one of us was down, the others were there to energize and encourage. The best part was when we reopened in June and each day we could begin planning for times that would be better. Thank you to everyone who continued to visit and show support for our exhibitions we had the remainder of 2020.
Our current exhibition, Rosemary Kavanagh’s My Bay City Family Tree will be extended until March 10, 2021. During the month of January 2021 you can view the exhibit by appointment only. February 2021 we return to our regular hours of Tuesday–Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm.
Teenworks and Kids’ Kreations 2021 will be virtual for 2021. Our Bay County art teachers are doing all they can to keep creativity alive in their classes as they work virtually. After a survey was completed by the teachers, we realized that our annual student exhibit would go virtual this year.
We are keeping it simple and easy for students and their parents to send images of artwork via this application with the intent that we produce a virtual exhibition complete with an online gallery for the students that include high school, middle school, and elementary school.
Here is a flyer that will take you to the application and we encourage you to spread the word for students to participate. We are planning a contest where each student’s name that submitted an image will be included in a drawing for art-related gifts.
Studio 23’s The 100 Day Project
Our next step to finding optimism and purpose as visual artists for 2021 is the start of our annual Studio 23’s The 100 Day Project. We started Studio 23’s The 100 Day Project in 2018 and I used a book by Twyla Tharp to connect the dots for motivation. Today, I am reminded of a quote from her book, The Creative Habit, that stated, “Remember this when you’re struggling for a big idea. You’re much better off scratching for a small one.” With that in mind, I’m happy to announce that our third year of The 100 Day Project is about to begin!
I will host a Zoom information session on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 1:00pm. Click here for the Facebook event to attend. This session will introduce the new features and procedures for our 2021 project. If you are new to The 100 Day Project or a past participant you will find that this session can be the refresh button for your art practice.
There is a penny a day ($10.00) subscription for current members of Studio 23/The Arts Center. If you are not a member of Studio 23 and would like to participate it is a total of $50/$40 seniors 60+ which includes your subscription and a one year membership into both Studio 23/The Arts Center and Studio 23 Artists Collective.
This year we will be starting a Private Facebook Group specifically for 2021. Your subscription includes five Zoom sessions for Day 1, 25, 50, 75, and 100 that are designed to keep momentum running high! For more information contact me at curator.studio23@gmail.com. You can also go ahead and apply by submitting this application.
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION:
ANNOUNCING STUDIO 23 EXHIBITION SCHEDULE FOR 2021
Teenworks and Kids’ Kreations 2021 goes Virtual!
ONLINE GALLERY OPENS MARCH 1, 2021
Teenworks & Kids’ Kreations celebrates the artwork created by students attending art classes throughout Bay County. This is a wonderful opportunity to see their imaginative art displayed in a virtual exhibition in the online gallery on our website.
Land to River
March 25 – MAY 15, 2021
This invitational exhibit features artists as communicators, explorers and environmentalists. This is a collaboration between Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy and Studio 23.
Virtual reception: Thursday, March 25, 2021, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Painters and Potters 2021
May 27 – July 10, 2021
This annual exhibit showcases the artwork created by the talented students and instructors of Studio 23 during the 2020–2021 terms. You are invited to meet the artists and instructors, plus learn more about our education programs during the reception.
Virtual reception: Thursday, May 27, 2021, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Afterglow: Immediately after reception
Bonnie Lalley, artist and illustrator
July 22 – September 11, 2021
Bonnie Lalley is a full-time artist, illustrator, and art instructor at Delta College. She lives in the countryside by choice, as flora and fauna are the motifs she loves best. Her 100-year-old home and studio in the Thumb reflect her aesthetic with vintage colors and patinas.
Gallery Reception: Friday, July 30, 2021 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Chalk Walk Art Festival 2021
August 14, 2021
This annual festival features chalk art, live music, art market and food vendors on the sidewalks of historic Downtown Bay City near Wenonah Park.
50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region
September 23 – November 13, 2021
This eight-week exhibit showcases the works of 50 artists selected by a jury of experts in visual art and community leaders from the region. The Great Lakes Bay Region includes the counties of Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw.
Gallery Reception: Thursday, September 23, 2021, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Richard VanNostrand Photography
November 27, 2021 – January 8, 2022
This exhibition includes photographs by award-winning Bay City photographer Richard VanNostrand. The family collection includes themes of nature, history, sports and community.
Public Reception: November 27, 2021, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Featured exhibition for Black & White Affair: Friday, December 10, 2021
Your support of all of the programming we did for 2020 such as our Friday Live Videos, Virtual Summer Solstice and MI Artists All-State Virtual Reception is much appreciated and I am grateful! The overwhelming response to our Black & White Art Auction was icing on the cake for 2020. We cannot do any of this without all of our members, artists, sponsors, and 50 Art Advocates contributions. Many thanks and I look forward to future projects in 2021!
Kind regards,
Val
Valerie Allen, curator
Studio 23 is part of the Amazon Smile gives program for nonprofits. Please consider using this when ordering from at smile.amazon.com and choose Studio 23 as your nonprofit.
