Artist Spotlight

Posted 8 July 2022

Congratulations to the winners of our Summer Solstice Art-a-Thon Plein Air Paint Out!

On Saturday, June 25, 13 artists visited 12 farms growing sugar beets for Michigan Sugar and spent the morning and afternoon painting the fields, buildings, and scenery of the farms. Artist checked in at Studio 23 beginning at 8 a.m. and had paintings finished and framed by 4 p.m. the same day.

   

The following morning, Rob Clark of Michigan Sugar set out on the difficult task of choosing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, as well as several honorable mentions. Artists who placed in the top 3 received cash awards generously sponsored by Michigan Sugar Company. Many of the farmers and owners of the featured farms joined us in the gallery to see the work on display. Paintings were then displayed in the front window of Studio 23 to be enjoyed by our community.

Thank you to Michigan Sugar for making this event possible!

First Place: Barbara Plezia with the Maxwell Family of Maxwell Farms

Second Place: Victoria Jendretzke

Third Place: Elli Hennessy

Honorable Mentions:  Tom Myers, Anna Rogers, Bruce Francke, and Ruth Howell

 

Upcoming Events at Studio 23

Painters & Potters 2022
Student & Faculty Exhibition

Opening Reception Thursday, July 21, 5-7 p.m.

This annual exhibit showcases the artwork created by the talented students and instructors of Studio 23 during the 2021–2022 terms. You are invited to meet the artists and instructors, plus learn more about our education programs during the reception.

 

Wildlife, Landscapes, and Fundamentals: A Nature Photography Comprehensive with Zachary Branigan

Join Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy executive director, Zachary Branigan, for a highly detailed, hands-on nature photography three-part course! This course will include the fundamentals of proper exposure, manual control of your camera, specific techniques for capturing landscapes at any time of day, and how to shoot wildlife all year around. The course will include a creative discussion about getting the mood and atmosphere you crave, critiques of your work. and plenty of one-on-one instruction! Whether you are a seasoned photographer looking for advice on how to break out of a creative rut, a new photographer trying to master your camera or manual exposure, whether you shoot film or digital, or whether you have a $10,000 camera or an iPhone, this dynamic course will provide you with value. Zachary is a trained photographer with over 20 years of experience and has had his work exhibited and published locally and in national outlets such as US News and World Report.

This three-week workshop begins Thursday, July 14, 6-8 p.m. (July 14, 21, & 28)

Registration Required, $75

Chalk Walk Art Festival

Saturday, August 13, 2022

This annual festival features chalk art, live music, and food vendors on the sidewalks of historic Downtown Bay City near Wenonah Park.

For artist registation and more information, visit studio23baycity.org/chalkwalk-festival/

 

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Posted 13 May 2022 | exhibits

Studio 23 Collegiate Spotlight: Jocelyn Gonzales

Studio 23 is pleased to announce the launch of our Collegiate Spotlight Program! The Collegiate Spotlight will feature the artwork of area college students with a developed portfolio of artwork. Students will be recommended for the Collegiate Spotlight by area college faculty and staff and approved by Curator of Exhibits and Membership, Amy Gibas.

Students will be featured in the Tabor Gallery of Studio 23 for 7 to 8 weeks with four rotations from January through September, when the Tabor Gallery will be handed over to our Textile and Fiber Artist in Residence for a solo exhibition. Students will have the opportunity to work with Amy to arrange, hang, or otherwise display their work, gaining valuable hands-on experience.

 

   

We are happy to inaugurate our Collegiate Spotlight program with Delta College student Jocelyn Gonzales! Jocelyn was recommended for the Collegiate Spotlight by Delta College faculty and will have her artwork featured in the Tabor Gallery during May and June.  Jocelyn is an artist and Art Education major living in Bay City, Michigan. She loves gardening, riding her bike, and playing games with her friends and family.

Jocelyn has also been recently hired as an instructor for children’s classes here at Studio 23! Reflecting on her time as a young student, Jocelyn says “I remember having so much fun when I was younger taking classes at Studio 23. Now, I teach here and I’m so excited to show kids like me everything that art can offer them.”

Welcome Jocelyn!

 

Upcoming Events

Fiber: Four Voices, Diverse Visions
May 26—July 9
Opening Reception Thursday, May 26, 5—7 p.m.

Invited artists are C Joanne Grabinski, Carol Irving, Marti Liddle-Lameti, and Sally Rose. Each artist brings a unique creative process to the exhibit ranging from felting, weaving, organic installation, fashion, and needle art. The Rowley Gallery will be filled with texture and color.

 

Free Spin Art
May 28th, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Free event sponsored by Feet on the Street

Kids Rock Painting
June 7th, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Free event sponsored by Feet on the Street

Adult Craft Bar
June 9th, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Project prices vary from $1-$30

Studio 23 Artist Collective Plein Air at Saginaw Bay Yacht Club
Saturday, June 4th, 9 a.m.—4 p.m.

Join the Studio 23 Artist Collective for a morning of fun, laid-back plein air painting at the Saginaw Bay Yacht Club! No competition, no pressure! A great way to warm up for the Summer Solstice Plein Air Paint Out! Call or visit us online to register!

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Solstice Art-a-thon
June 21—26, 2022

Our Summer Solstice line up features classes and professional development workshops for artists throughout the week and a Plein Air Paint Out with cash prizes sponsored by Michigan Sugar. You can sponsor your favorite artists in our Plein Air Paint Out through Facebook fundraisers to help support Studio 23 and make events like Summer Solstice Art-a-thon possible.

Summer Solstice Art-a-thon is presented by Studio 23’s Artist Collective, a group that learns and creates together. Michigan Sugar supports the local arts, and we thank them for their dedication to our community.

For full schedule visit studio23baycity.org/summer-solstice.

 

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Posted 11 March 2022

Fiber Art with a Capitol A: Interview with C Joanne Grabinski

Studio 23 is pleased to announce our new Artist-in-Residency program! We are currently accepting applications from fiber and textile artists residing in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, or Wisconsin. The selected artist will receive funding to aid in the creation of new work to be exhibited at Studio 23 from September to November 2022. This exciting new opportunity is made possible by the C Joanne Grabinski Artist-in-Residency fund.

C Joanne Grabinski has been an active member of Studio 23 for several years, and was kind enough to share with us why she decided to create this fund and her thoughts on the importance of recognition for the fiber arts.

 

 

How did you first become involved with Studio 23?

As I stepped away from my long academic career at the end of 2010, I made the decision to follow two new creative paths—one as an artist and the other as a creative writer. As new opportunities opened for me to pursue my intent to become an artist, I first learned about Studio 23 through Tara Welch and Val Allen the evening they attended the Judges’ Panel (announcement of the Top 10 Adult Finalists and the Top 5 Youth Finalists) for Art Walk Central 2015. Since then, I have participated in Studio 23’s 100 Day Project and the Painters & Potters Exhibit. Some of my artworks have been juried into both the 50 Artists-Great Lakes Bay Region and Mi Artists All State exhibits. I have contributed toward several Studio 23 fundraisers, including the Black & White Affair and the Renovation Project.

 

Why did you decide to fund the Artist-in-Residence opportunity?

As Studio 23 became my “art home”, I wanted to find a new way to fund something further for this excellent non-profit arts organization. In 2021, I asked Tara to identify several potential initiatives that would allow Studio 23 to develop a new program or expand on an existing project. When we met to discuss these potential projects, I was immediately drawn to the idea of the newly-started Artist in Residence program. In 2019, I went to my first artist residency at Golden Apple Art Residency in Maine; I will be there again this summer for a second art residency. Although Studio 23’s Artist in Residence program is quite different in style and format, I understood the value of such an experience for an artist. Studio 23’s new program also brings many benefits to Studio 23 through the artist’s interaction with students and the broader community the organization serves. Now, my funding for this program will help to support two artists in residence each year, starting this year and continuing into the future. This is a perfect match between my artistic/creative life and my philanthropic interests/goals.

 

Why do you feel recognition for fiber and textile arts/artists is important?

Well, the simplest and most direct answer to this question is, “I am a fiber artist.” My “career” as an artist, begun in 2012, still feels quite new. In my relatively short time in the art world, my artwork has been accepted more quickly than I ever expected. Frustratingly, I also have had to defend my original fiber artwork as ART and not “just craft” or “only hobby”. My specific fiber art medium is needlepoint, so I’ve spent many moments explaining—or trying to—how what I do is different from the wonderful craft or hobby needlework done by many others. I also have learned that fiber/textile art is most often exhibited in invitational and/or juried exhibits specific to fiber/textile arts. Likewise, fiber/textile artworks are less often featured in magazines focused on ART/fine art or fine Craft than in magazines specific to fiber/textile arts. In my own short career as an artist, I have had the privilege and honor of my work being accepted, recognized and rewarded in both invitational and juried exhibits open to artists and artworks in all ART mediums. I feel strongly that fiber/textile artists need to be seen in and recognized in both medium-specific AND medium-diverse exhibitions, residencies, publications and other opportunities open to artists from across the art world. I have personally learned and grown better as an artist because I had access to, dialogue with, and acceptance into both the specific and the diverse art worlds.

 

You can see the work of C Joanne Grabinski during Fiber: Four Voices, Diverse Visions, along with artists Carol Irving, Marti Liddle-Lameti, and Sally Rose beginning May 26th at Studio 23.

Application for the Artist-in-Residency program for Fiber and Textile artists is open through Friday, April 29th, 2022. For details and application, please follow the link here, or contact Curator of Exhibits Amy Gibas at agibas@studio23baycity.org with any questions.

 

Upcoming Events and Workshops

Family Paint Night: Marvelous Midnight
Friday, March 18th, 5:30 p.m.

Join instructor Courtney Clark for a fun evening of paint, pizza, and fun! Courtney will take you through a fun colorful painting step-by-step. Pizza, breadsticks, and salad provided. Bring beverages of your choice! $25 per person and $20 for each friend/family member you bring and includes all the supplies you need to create your own magnificent landscape that you can hang together with your families creations. Recommended ages: 7+

Please register 2 days or more prior to the event as spots are limited.

 

This Must Be the Place
The artwork of Jay Handy
March 24 – May 14, 2022

Photographs submitted by Bay City residents are the inspiration for artwork created by Jay Handy. Photos that help display the rich lives and beautiful moments that have taken place in Bay City were chosen to be incorporated into Jay’s compositions. The artwork is a celebration of our community, where full cycles of life have occurred for generations.

Gallery Walk & Talk with Jay Handy
Friday, March 25th at 4:15 p.m.

Opening Reception
Friday, March 25th, 5-7 p.m.

 

Community Printmaking Workshops with Artist-in-Residence Jay Handy

Saturday, March 26th
10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.

In this 2-hour workshop led by artist in residence Jay Handy, participants will learn the technique of ‘chine colle’ printmaking. Jay will guide the group through the process of etching a Plexiglas matrix, as well as applying, embedding, and properly wiping off ink. Finally, the prepared plate will be sent through a press with a sheet of art paper, leaving the creator with their work of art to bring home.

A $5 payment is required to reserve your seat for this workshop. Space is limited. Please call Studio 23 at 989-894-2323 to reserve your seat.

This workshop is generously sponsored by the Bay Area Community Foundation.

 

 

More Upcoming Workshops

Try It Session: Adult Origami March 26, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Melt making w/ Dark Candles April 2, 1-4 p.m.

Beginner Stained Glass w/ Donna Martin April 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Woven Bracelet Workshop w/ Angela Griebe April 23, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

 

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Art Education with Autumn
Posted 30 December 2020 | art, artist, classes, painting

Art Education with Autumn

Starting in 2021 we’re going to feature a Studio 23 artist/student and the work that they’re doing. We’re starting with our artist friend Diane Arendt.

Art Student of the Month: Diane Arendt

I sat down with Diane a few weeks ago to talk art, her art background, and life in general. Diane has been taking art classes at Studio 23 since 2015. Her main concentration being acrylic painting. You’ve probably seen her beautiful art work up on the walls of Studio 23, as she has been in many exhibits over the years.

Diane actually started creating at a young age. She studied art in college and worked a side job like so many students do. Diane’s side job was at a dentist office and one day while assisting the dentist she met a patient named Larry. Little did she know, she had just met her husband. Diane and Larry were married and started a family. Like so many of us, her art was put on the back burner. Diane spent many beautiful years raising her son, volunteering, and overcoming health issues. But, as her son grew older Diane knew she was ready to dive in to her art again. She started taking classes at Studio 23 as refresher courses but, has really stayed for the comradery with like-minded artists. Diane told me she is constantly learning from painting with others because she gets new perspectives all the time- ideas she never would have considered, otherwise.

Interviewing Diane and hearing her fascinating story of life and art, I learned that her major concentration in college was actually multimedia art. She also talked of her love for Norman Rockwell. How she admires his realism. She very much appreciates his ability to “say something” with his art. When we were done talking I really just had one question for her… “What would you say to someone who’s considering taking an art class at studio 23?” Her response was quick and sure, “Do it. Do it!! You’ll be in a great environment, you’ll learn more than you ever knew you could and you’ll make friends along the way.”

If you’re like Diane and you’re ready to dive into art, you can give us a call at Studio 23/The Arts Center or sign up online. www.studio23baycity.org. Winter classes start the first week of February so sign up today!

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Posted 4 May 2020

Supporting local artists and art education.

#GiveLocalBay is tomorrow!

Studio 23 has continued to make the arts accessible to all during this #stayhome order. Our members and donors like YOU, help us continue our mission. You can make a difference tomorrow and donate to help us reach our goals. The funds raised will support visual art education, local artists and daily operations.

In 2019 we:
– Offered visual arts education to three elementary schools
– Created with over 2,100 children
– Hosted over 5,900 people in our galleries
– Hosted 50 Artists of the GLBR and awarded over $3,000 in cash prizes

We need your help! Please join our campaign and help us reach our goal of $5,000! We need you to tell your friends and family members about the important work we do and ask them to join us in helping to make a difference. Read below to hear from a local artist!

Get ready to give! On May 5th, starting at 12AM on May 5, visit https://www.givelocalbay.org and make a donation to us and/or to any of the great participating nonprofit organizations in Bay and Arenac counties. You will have 24 hours to make your donation, and all giving will end at 11:59PM on May 5.

Questions? If you have any questions or would like more information, let us know. Thank you in advance for your generosity to our organization!

My name is Katrina Rae, I’m a pastel artist. I reside in Frankenmuth, MI. I’m honored and humbled to have been one of the artist chosen for the 50 Artist of the Great Lakes Bay Region. I’m tremendously honored to have received the Award of Merit Peoples Choice Award, in the company of so many talented and gifted artist, for my piece, Thailand Tree Frog.

What this award has given me is encouragement to continue with my current artistic direction, to evolve and grow. Receiving a peoples choice award is exciting, due to being chosen by the people. The monetary addition to the award is aways a pleasant financial boost. Winning a monetary award helps aid in the purchase of supplies and entry fees needed for the next project or exhibition. The project I was able to fund with my prize money, is a series called Street Stings, this is my entry for ArtPrize 2020, held in Grand Rapids, MI. This was a large piece requiring additional pastels, wood, and insulation board, which is my painting surface. Additionally, I was also able to purchase materials needed to build a crate used for transporting my paintings.

I’m proud to be a member of Studio 23/The Arts Center, with Curator Valerie Allen. Studio 23 gives artists visibility and education, through their various events, classes and exhibitions. I’m also grateful for those who continue to support and sponsor the arts, and local art centers like Studio 23. The arts are such an important and vital part of our community.

Being a part of this exhibition has been a wonderful experience, and I look forward to more events and exhibitions in the future.

– Katrina Rae, Local Artist

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Posted 16 April 2020

Curator’s Clipboard: There is so much talent here!

    

Hi! It’s Val, curator of Studio 23!

Hello from my home! I didn’t expect that we would be working from home but here we are. Actually, we are accomplishing quite a bit keeping the arts relevant and accessible to all via the internet. Within a week of the shelter at home order, our team rallied and began a creative stream of social media content that is serving as a source for visual art to bring encouragement, escape and education to the Great Lakes Bay Region.

The hashtags #Studio23OnTheGo and #MakeArtVirtual will now retrieve many informative videos, posts and events. I’m proud that we were in the forefront of joining forces with the Make Art Virtual movement and became part of a coalition with Midland Center for the Arts. This type of connection leads to a strong, robust art community and can only further prove that Mid-Michigan is full of talent!

We have had a few weeks now to refine our Facebook Live event titled, “Live Art Talk and Art Project. This 45-minute segment on the Arts Around the City Rail Trail highlights an art image by one of our 50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region. To date we have featured artists Rosemary Kavanagh, Sally Rose, Sheri Moore, Sylvia Coon, Bonnie Lalley and this week we will feature Josh Roupe.

Here is a sampling of their artwork and we thank them for sharing their talent!

Rosemary Kavanagh

Bonnie Lalley

Sylvia Coon

       Sally Rose

 Sheri Moore

               Josh Roupe

As the curator of Studio 23 and a professional artist, I have been creating artist demonstrations focusing on art materials and techniques. These presentations are inspired by the aesthetic of our featured artists. Since all of this is done live via Facebook, we sometimes have surprises while filming, often many comments from viewers and we are always learning new ways to connect regional artists with our audience.

Another exciting development that came about because of our increased awareness into virtual connections is the formation of our Studio 23 Books on Art Club. We are reading the book “The Last Painting of Sara De Vos by Dominic Smith and will be having a virtual Zoom meeting next week. All of these online applications will serve us well into the future and allow us to expand our mission beyond our brick and mortar space! However, we hope that soon our community will begin to return to a new normal and we will see our friends again in the gallery. Until then, please enjoy these images created by Studio 23 member artists during our time of shelter.

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“Wishing all love and happiness today!” Mark Piotrowski
“Walking through my woods during this time of seclusion, I made a great early morning discovery to paint.” Alan Maciag

Stay safe and keep well, Studio 23 family!

Kind regards,

Valerie Allen, curator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted 20 March 2020

Curator’s Clipboard: Interview with Bonnie Lalley, Artist/Illustrator

 #Understory #BonnieLalley #MichiganArtist

Hi! It’s Val, curator of Studio 23! It is a true pleasure to introduce artist Bonnie Lalley and her exhibit titled Understory. Bonnie has created 47 artworks for this exhibit. The mixed media pieces range in size from approximately 12″x18″ framed to well over 8 feet. Some are exquisitely framed in custom and handmade hardwood frames by Timothy Lalley, a known artisan in the Thumb area and Bonnie’s husband. Others are installed as if they are vintage tapestries, without a glazing treatment and inviting the atmosphere to age them naturally over time. Such a great concept! I had a chance to ask Bonnie questions regarding her life, her creative process and philosophies and here is the content. I hope you enjoy reading!

Interview with Artist Bonnie Lalley

  1. Please describe the logistics of your exhibit.

Understory is comprised of 47 pieces of paintings on paper. The title describes the vegetative layer that lies beneath the canopy of trees. This title was chosen by Elizabeth Lalley, who, as well as being my daughter, is a curator of contemporary art in Chicago. This title is apt and poetically describes the source of much of my imagery. It is used loosely, as Elizabeth describes it, for I am “under water as much as under bushes looking at things…”

  1. Which is the most autobiographical artwork?

I would have to say Beasts and a Ladyis the most autobiographical piece for reasons only I would know. The “lady” is not me, but, the imagery, the colors—everything—are redolent of childhood imaginings for me.

  1. How do you describe your process? Is it collage? Is it mixed media? Is it painting?

My process is difficult to describe because I feel I have found my voice. I don’t follow any system. The way I work—by painting and drawing images and then cutting and arranging them on a larger paper ground—is very free and unplanned. I am able to move things, change background colors, layer, stencil, etc., in a manner that is fluid, like music. If I call them “collages” it suggests that I use appropriated imagery, which I don’t. I draw and paint everything. So not being able to give them a tidy category has kept me out of a lot of juried shows! (Ha ha!)

  1. You talk about your art being inspired by flora and fauna. Can you tell us more about that and also about your gardens?

My family culture was always centered around nature, whether we were living in Detroit or on my grandfather’s farm. Botany and beauty were important topics of discussion: “Did you see the sunset? Did you hear that bird? Someone saw a patch of Blue Fringed Gentian…” My mother had beautiful flower gardens, and I try to emulate that, but I find it much harder than she made it look! I have English roses that I cherish, but my gardening skills are not so great. I find I would rather be in my studio painting flowers than digging in the dirt. However, hope springs eternal, and I make new promises every year to have the best garden ever! This year is no different (a double ha ha!).

   

  1. I’ve seen your studio space—small, intimate, and, in my mind, an artist’s hideaway. Why does that setting work so well for you?

Because it is near a teapot and toaster. Actually, somedays I kind of long for a few more square feet for really large pieces.  Having said that, I make it work. I love my little studio…

  1. You and your husband are both artist and artisan. Do you often talk about the creative process? Do you inspire each other with ideas and, if so, can you be specific about your collaborations?

Regarding his cabinetmaking and my art, we tend to both be internal. Regarding our house and garden restoration, though, we collaborate on all levels. This we both enjoy, and we recognize each other’s talents and have equal input. The other important collaboration that happens is the framing of my work with his spectacular handmade frames.

  1. If you were to invite an artist to your beautiful home for dinner, who would you invite and what would you serve?

Can I invite three? Or a combination of the three and two of them dead? If I could do that, it would be Mary Delaney, who was an 18th-century English aristocrat who in her 70s developed the style of painting, cutting, and assembling pieces into beautiful botanical compositions. Her work inspired the first piece I did, which was the beginning of this body of work. Next, I would have Maria Sibylla Merian. Born 350 years ago, she left her husband and Holland and with two young daughters travelled by ship to distant tropical countries. She painted some of the most beautiful and best-regarded botanical and reptile/animal illustrations. She was one of the first to understand and illustrate the life cycle of moths and butterflies. I would love to talk to her about her travels and the natural world she witnessed. Finally, I would invite Cornelia O’Donovan, who is a young contemporary British artist whose work I admire. We both have a love of early textiles, so we could talk about that. Her imagery is so freely composed—I really love that.

Oh, and I would serve shrimp and grits with a side of greens cooked in a little bacon fat, a garlicky salad, and gingerbread with orange curd and whipped cream. This is because I just made this for friends and the cooking gods were with me.

  1. What is your art teaching philosophy in a nutshell?

To teach skills and philosophy; i.e., “methods and materials” and “art is important.”

  1. If you were not a visual artist, what would you be?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm—a grower of cardoons in France.

Thank you, Bonnie for sharing your thoughts with us during this time of sheltering! You gave us much food for thought on living your best life as an artist. This exhibit will unfold virtually over the next few days on our website and Facebook page.

The exhibit is generously sponsored by Chemical Bank. 

Thank you for your support of the visual arts in the Great Lake Bay Region.

Stay safe and keep well, Studio 23 family!

Kind regards,

Valerie Allen

Curator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted 21 February 2020

Curator’s Clipboard: Artists as collaborators!

 #Collaboration

Hi! It’s Val, curator of Studio 23! The artist Robert Rauschenberg has been a major influence in my life since art school. He lived between 1925–2008 and was very prolific in mixed media artwork involving printmaking, painting, photography, and performance art. He led the charge for many collaborations between visual artists, scientists, musicians, dancers and social activists and he strived to promote world peace and understanding. “There is no reason not to think of the world as one gigantic painting,” stated Rauschenberg in 1971. Not only does that quote speak to me of all the possible materials we can use in our artwork but also the big picture of defining collaboration as a complete creative process. Here are just a few of the collaborations we initiated at Studio 23 so far in 2020.

On January 25, Studio 23 collaborated with City Market Bay City for “A Taste of Art” held during the market’s Sample Saturday. Faculty members from our education department demonstrated drawing, painting, printmaking and offered a station for market-goers to do their own mini paintings. I’m happy to announce that this community event was successful and our collaboration will now be scheduled four times a year with the next “A Taste of Art” being on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Below you will see artists from left to right,  Amy Gibas, Julie Tyslicky, Ruth Howell, Deb LaRocque, Misty Coss, all instructors at Studio 23.

              

Studio 23 is collaborating with Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy to present Land to River, an exhibit that features artists in the role of communicators, explorers and environmentalists. Artists include: Mark Bleshenski, Zachary Branigan, Frits Hoendervanger, Erwin Lewandowski, Alan Maciag, and John Sabraw. This exhibit will open on May 14, 2020 at 5:00pm. The topics of conservation, restoration, education, utilization and activation as it relates to over 6000 acres of land in our region will be addressed through the message of visual art with the opportunity for our community members to participate in workshops and environmental events. This exhibit is sponsored by Waste Management.

The Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra and Studio 23 presented Where Art and Music Unite, a collaboration that featured artist Valerie Allen painting to the music of Haydn, Torke, and Copland performed by the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra and led by Conductor Fouad FakhouriThe painting was then auctioned at the afterglow for the evening. The collaboration also included a food drive for Hidden Harvest, a regional organization that strives to alleviate hunger and food waste in the counties of Bay, Midland and Saginaw. 

       

Kind regards,

Valerie Allen

Curator

Current Exhibit:

Teenworks & Kids’ Kreations continues until March 7, 2020

Don’t miss this popular exhibit featuring the young artists of Bay County. The exhibit features over 375 creations by elementary, middle school and high school art students. We have a family-fun scavenger hunt for this exhibit and if you correctly answer the questions you will receive a label. Collect a label from each exhibit in 2020 and you will receive a prize in December. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Wednesday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm. We are closed Sunday and Monday.

Upcoming Exhibit:

Understory: Bonnie Lalley, artist and illustrator

March 19 – May 2, 2020

Bonnie Lalley is a full-time artist/illustrator and art professor 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. There will be large scale collages as well as mixed media works custom framed by artisan Timothy Lalley. 

Artist’s reception: Friday, March 20, 2020, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 

A Conversation with Artist Bonnie Lalley: Saturday, April 11, 2020, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Meet our member, Alan Maciag
Posted 11 February 2020

Meet our member, Alan Maciag

Our newest “meet our member” features Alan Maciag, an artist who has been involved with Studio 23 since he was 19 years old. I’m really enjoying these opportunities to get to know our members better and to show the community how you can be involved with your local arts organizations.

We started our chat by asking how his education career related to his art career. Al taught for the Frankenmuth school district, teaching art. During his education he learned many mediums to teach the kids, but as he was teaching he was also getting ideas for his own techniques. As a teacher it was his job to give his students the basics so they could have the skills to succeed.

Reminiscing on how Alan got involved with Studio 23 we ventured down memory lane. The Little Red School house was a memorable experience for Alan. He met local artists that he bonded with and learned from. Artists like, Dr Culver Jones and Don Coates, two original founders of Studio 23. Alan has great memories of working with them and attending receptions with them. The place to be was Studio 23 on a Friday night to celebrate the newest exhibit!

Alan is well known in our region for his style of plein air painting. He originally started painting houses in Frankenmuth, Petoskey and Charlevoix.  He started selling prints to get his name out there. He knew that if people saw his name, they would remember it because it is unique. Now he is well known for his farm scenes and animals. Although he said he doesn’t paint horses, we know him for his cows and pigs! Currently Alan has over 300 paintings in different galleries around the state.

Networking with communities and galleries has really helped Alan’s art career. Social media is one of the most important ways for him to network. Check out his friends list, over 4,000! Social media is a great way to share the newest pieces you are working on and to celebrate when a piece sells. I know many of us love watching Alan’s newsfeed to see what he is working on next.

The advice Alan will give to artists is to find what you want to do. Think about what you know and maybe that will be what you create. For example, Alan started painting the farm scenes with memories of being at his grandparents home in the thumb. Artists should also start looking for groups that do the same medium. A lot of these groups, like us at Studio 23 have collectives and exhibit opportunities that you can be connected with.

When asked about his exhibit that he had at Studio 23 back in the early 2000s he has a very fond memory of shoes. Alan had his first solo show with us and wanted to pay homage to the people that influenced his life. For this series he asked each of those people to send him their shoes and he painted each pair. I wish I had a picture to show you, but I can imagine this scene in my mind. What a powerful statement to see their shoes and know that they made an influence on someone that was memorable. He spoke about how the families still own the paintings that he did, and one family even passes it around the siblings so they all can share the sentimental piece.

#meetourmember sessions are so fun to me. I love learning about why they feel Studio 23 is an important place to be. I encourage you to go out and create! Come to us when you are ready to find your tribe of artists and be a member of our great space.

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Posted 4 February 2020 | art, art center, art gallery, artist collective, community, gallery, member, membership, painter, painting, studio 23

Meet our member, Amy Gibas

#meetourmembermonday

Studio 23’s mission is to provide the Great Lakes Bay Region with a vibrant arts center dedicated to making the visual arts relevant and accessible to all. It is our passion to connect artists with our local community and to engage our community with art!

This past week we sat down with Amy Gibas, a member of Studio 23 to talk about her journey with art and how Studio 23 helped connect her with artists right outside her studio doors.

Amy Gibas has been involved with Studio 23 since 2012, if our memory serves us correct! Amy taught Sip N’ Swirls at Studio 23, during her BFA program at Saginaw Valley State University. Then she moved on to complete her MFA at Ohio University. Luckily, we had Amy move back to our community to begin her career in the Great Lakes Bar Region. Right away she wanted to reconnect with the art community, to work alongside artists just like she did in school.

On FaceBook she saw a post for the 100 day project with Studio 23. This opportunity helped connect her with local artists and our Curator, Valerie Allen. Val and Amy shared a vision to create a group for artists that would help engage with one another, participate in professional development and notify each other of exhibition opportunities. Amy tells us that Studio 23’s Artist Collective was formed by the excitement around the first 100 day project.

You can be a part of the Artist Collective by becoming a member of Studio 23. Through the collective they host various events throughout the year, focusing on networking and professional development. They also have a private FaceBook page where they share information weekly on exhibit opportunities across the state and encouragement on artwork.

Amy’s best advice to up and coming artists is “Don’t give up and don’t sell out. Always make the work you are passionate about!”

Join Amy and the many other artists in our collective by becoming a member today!

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