by Val Allen

Curator’s Clipboard: Happenings in our galleries and beyond!

 #Curatorslife

Hi! It’s Val, curator of Studio 23! January is our time to refresh and renew our gallery space and plan new opportunities for artists of the region. Last year we organized the Studio 23 Artists Collective and we are thrilled at the response from our artist members of Studio 23. We hosted three plein air events, an info session on the 50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region, a talk on abstraction for the realist artist and a private curator’s VIP tour of the 50 Artists exhibit.

This year we kick off with The 100 Day Project that actually was visualized and started by our Artists Collective. The 100 Day Project is designed to jump start your creative process for the new year as well as promote the habits that can enhance your artistic productivity. It is beneficial for all creatives including visual artists, performing artists, entrepreneurs and visionaries. Bring your questions, your project ideas and your notebooks to our check-ins that are scheduled every 25 days. Here is a link to our first check-in. This event will be held on January 22, 2020 starting at 5:30 pm at Studio 23. Studio 23 is one of several art organizations across the nation that start on January 22, 2020! The national site is The 100 Day Project and the concept originated in Marquette, Michigan. It is now international!  You can register your project in advance at this international link for The 100 Day Project.

Our next exhibit will open on February 6, 2020. Teenworks and Kids Kreations celebrates the artwork created by young artists from Bay County. The age range is elementary through high school and the variety of images and depth of talent is incredible. Please join us for the opening public reception on February 6, 2020, 4:00pm – 7:00 pm. In addition, we will have a Sunday Open House on February 9, 2020, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. This event corresponds with the Indulge  Day in Downtown Bay City!

This image is our publication winner for the exhibit.The artist is Riley Larkin, an art student from John Glenn High School. Her teacher is Amy Pobanz. Congratulations, Riley!  

Finally, we are happy to announce that Studio 23 is now placing art in our Regional Artists in Public Spaces program. The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is now our new neighbor on Water Street so it is very natural that we would place the beautiful abstract art by Sheri Moore into their busy boardroom. Sheri Moore is a graduate of Saginaw Valley State University. Her inspiration comes from human interaction and personal experience, especially travel. “I paint by feel, by trusting my gut, exactly the same way I have operated my whole life. I trust my instincts,” Sheri says.

Feel This by Sheri Moore                                          Sheri Moore                                         Boardroom installation

Kind regards and remember #collectartbuylocal,

Valerie Allen

Curator

UPCOMING EVENTS

WHATS NEXT BAY CITY – Bay Arts Council , Bay City Players , Bay Concert Band , Studio 23 , The Bay County Historical Society , Bay County Library System, Bay Sail, The State Theatre and Delta College Planetarium Presents:
Comedy Night with Rob Little
Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 7pm
State Theatre, 913 Washington Ave. Bay City, MI 48708
Box Office: 989-892-2660 x2
Tickets: $27 Reserved Seating
All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.

Don’t let the “Little” name fool you. Little is BIG! But that has never slowed him down. “Yeah, I’m big, and all my relatives are too. Heck, we just got our family portrait done by aerial photography. And there are only three of us.” The truth is, Rob is big in more ways than one. With a grin on his face, a gleam in his eye, and a passion for comedy that is larger than life, he’s the biggest thing to happen to comedy in a long, long time. www.roblittle.com

January 22, 2020 @ 5:30pm

This event is designed to introduce new Studio 23 member artists and welcome back returning members to The100DayProject! Bring your questions, your project ideas and your notebooks. Studio 23 is one of several art organizations across the nation that start on this day! Attending this session will check off one of your 100 days as well as set you up for success through April 30, 2020. You can register your project in advance at this link. http://the100dayproject.com/registration-form/

January 25, 2020 @ 11:00am–3:00pm 

Event at City Market Bay City! Saturday, Samples and Art, a fun collaboration between Studio 23 and City Market on Saturday January 25, 2020 gives you “a taste of art” from 11am – 3pm. Artists and Studio 23 instructors will be stationed throughout the market creating their artwork and ready to discuss their process as well as classes they teach and programs such as the 100 Day Project at Studio 23. There will also be an art station where you can create your own Paint n Take for $10.  Our new class schedule and a registration station will also be available at this event for your convenience and classes will begin the week of February 3, 2020.

January 28, 2020 @ 6pm

Join Studio 23 as we guide you in personalizing ‘Night Route’ during our Out on the Town Sip ‘N Swirl at Courtyard by Marriott!

$35 gets you all your instruction and supplies. While painting, you’re encouraged to grab some food. Marriott has a great menu to order dinner and drinks from and will be offering specials on both exclusively for our Sip ‘N Swirl painters.

Dinner, drinks, and painting… what a fun way to spend an evening.

You MUST register in advance for this class either online or by calling 989-894-2323!

by Megan Koch

Welcome to 2020 at Studio 23!

Welcome to 2020!

The past year came and went so fast for us here at Studio 23. We are so thankful for a successful year of programs, workshops, and exhibits. A big accomplishment for us included our 60th Anniversary renovation. Can you believe that we have been your community arts center for that long? I know I can’t. The galleries and classrooms got a big facelift, and we are now able to host even more programing. We feel so lucky to be in a beautiful space every day. The new ceilings, lights, and floors feel like a modern art gallery you would see in a large city. If you haven’t been in to see the new space, please stop in. I’d love to show you around.

5,900 visitors walked through our galleries in 2019. The quality exhibits we hosted, the festivals downtown, and the programing we offered helped achieve that high count of visitors. 

Art Around the City got a big expansion this past year. Public art is important, and because of this project you get to see 50 local artists on our rail trail systems in Downtown Bay City and Uptown Bay City. 

We have a lot of ENGAGING activities for you in 2020. Can you tell we picked a theme word for 2020? Our mission is to make the visual arts relevant and accessible to all. The only way to do this is to engage with our community. New this year, there will be a hands-on art activity with each exhibit. Your current membership now gets four makers projects that you can do for FREE. Our artist collective, which every current member is a part of, has tons of programming ready to go. We really want you to think of our galleries and classrooms as a place to come and be creative and network with your community.

Please encourage friends and family to come walk through the gallery, take a class, or enjoy an event or festival. As always, my door is always open! Please stop in and say hi or reach out to me with any questions. 

Yours in creativity,

Tara Welch

Executive Director

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 11, 2020 @ 3pm

Studio 23 and Artigiano Bay City as part of Downtown Bay City‘s Lifestyle + Wellness Weekend present an artist conversation with Ju-Yu “Louise” Chen on the Healing Power of Art. This informal presentation will be in Artigiano Artisan Cheese Shoppe at 815 Saginaw Street in Bay City. Louise will focus on one of her original watercolor paintings that has profound personal meaning for her. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the discussion.

January 15, 2020 from 6 pm – 9 pm

The Mandalorian Featured Sip ‘N Swirl w/Star Wars Trivia

If you’ve never heard of The Mandalorian, you’re not living on planet Earth! (Maybe you’re from Dathomir?) Join us for Star Wars trivia while we paint a picture including everyone’s favorite baby!

Tickets are $45/person and include all your supplies, instruction, and dinner from BJay’s Pizza.

Star Wars-themed prize will be awarded for our trivia winner!

Register online or by calling Studio 23 at 989-894-2323!

WHATS NEXT BAY CITY – Bay Arts Council , Bay City Players , Bay Concert Band , Studio 23 , The Bay County Historical Society , Bay County Library System, Bay Sail, The State Theatre and Delta College Planetarium Presents:
Comedy Night with Rob Little
Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 7pm
State Theatre, 913 Washington Ave. Bay City, MI 48708
Box Office: 989-892-2660 x2
Tickets: $27 Reserved Seating
All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.

Don’t let the “Little” name fool you. Little is BIG! But that has never slowed him down. “Yeah, I’m big, and all my relatives are too. Heck, we just got our family portrait done by aerial photography. And there are only three of us.” The truth is, Rob is big in more ways than one. With a grin on his face, a gleam in his eye, and a passion for comedy that is larger than life, he’s the biggest thing to happen to comedy in a long, long time. www.roblittle.com

January 22, 2020 @ 5:30pm

This event is designed to introduce new Studio 23 member artists and welcome back returning members to The100DayProject! Bring your questions, your project ideas and your notebooks. Studio 23 is one of several art organizations across the nation that start on this day! Attending this session will check off one of your 100 days as well as set you up for success through April 30, 2020. You can register your project in advance at this link. http://the100dayproject.com/registration-form/

January 28, 2020 @ 6pm

Join Studio 23 as we guide you in personalizing ‘Night Route’ during our Out on the Town Sip ‘N Swirl at Courtyard by Marriott!

$35 gets you all your instruction and supplies. While painting, you’re encouraged to grab some food. Marriott has a great menu to order dinner and drinks from and will be offering specials on both exclusively for our Sip ‘N Swirl painters.

Dinner, drinks, and painting… what a fun way to spend an evening.

You MUST register in advance for this class either online or by calling 989-894-2323!