Month: April 2016

Fifth Annual GHHS Juried Student Art Show

C2C Gallery is celebrating 5 years of student recognition and partnership with Grand Haven High School art teachers and students.

This is an opportunity to support young artists and enjoy wonderful student art work.

C2C Gallery located in downtown Grand Haven has hosted a juried jewelry and ceramic art exhibition of GH high school’s students since 2012. This year is the 5^th annual show. In addition to the show at C2C there are several other downtown businesses that will be showing two-dimensional work.

On Friday, May 6 from 6 to 8pm, Art lovers, families and participating students are invited to attend the Opening Evening recognizing their creative talents. More than 15 ceramic and 15 jewelry creations have been selected. This is presented in conjunction with Downtown Art Hop and First Friday Events at C2C and other Grand Haven businesses.

Sheri Greene, GHHS ceramics instructor, says “these students have created some outstanding art works, especially when considering their level of experience in the ceramic and jewelry making mediums. 

They are talented, creative and hardworking.“ Sheri Greene and Cyndi Casemier, C2C Gallery, are the jurors for the ceramic and two-dimensional work. “I am amazed each year with the creative ideas that the students show in their work,” says Cyndi Casemier, ceramic artist and owner of C2C Gallery.   “Grand Haven families are very fortunate to have these classes available to their children.”

In 2014, jewelry was added to the exhibit. Irene Sipes, GHHS jewelry instructor, teaches bead wrapping with wire, small loom beadwork, and metalwork. Julie Sanford of Sanford Designs and Stacy Broas, of The Creative Fringe, are the jurors.

The work will be displayed alongside professional work and you will enjoy the creativity and imagination of the students.

Two-dimensional art will be on display at The Creative Fringe, Tlaquepaque, Glik’s, Calico Cat, Dockside Clothing, Down to Earth, Michigan Rag Co., Patricia Chocolates, and Santos Stefanos.

Thank you to Sheri Greene and Irene Sipes for their ongoing dedication with our youth.  Their assistance with this show makes it possible.  We are so very lucky to have you as instructors in our school system.

(Irene Sipes, Sheri Greene, Julie Sanford, Cyndi Casemier, missing is Stacy Broas)

Pan Fried Salmon

Fast and amazing dinner in about 10 minutes.  Serves 4.  

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound salmon

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil

• ¼ cup Zack’s jalapeno peach sauce (can use peach preserves) optional

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat oil in pan on medium high heat.

2. Remove bones from salmon. Angela runs her finger up against the bones and they pop forward. Remove with tweezer or your fingers.

3. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Spread peach sauce on salmon. Let it rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, although this is not necessary if time is an issue.

5. Place in hot pan skin side down. turn to medium. Cook 5 minutes.

6. Turn over. Cook for 3 minutes.

NOTES

Getting it exactly right might take a time or two, because different sizes will cook differently. This salmon was a full pound and an inch thick.

This recipe is from Angela Roberts who authors a blog titled Spinach Tiger.   You can find the Zack’s Peach-Jalapeno Sauce online.

There’s still a month left to see our current Exhibit, by renowned painter Erv Lewandowski, in person.  Erv’s coloured paintings were selected for two shows in February.  

Erwin P. Lewandowski – Falling Water XII – 17″x 18.5″ – Colored Pencil

“Falling Water VII” by artist E.P. Lewandowski was selected by Gallery 25N and ART-CONNECTIONS.net for the “Blue” Online Gallery Exhibition. The exhibit features 15 international artists from China, Taiwan, Spain, Romania, Iran, USA, Canada, and Australia.

“Falling Water XVI” by artist E.P. Lewandowski received the Award for Distinction from the Colored Pencil Society of America Explore This! 12 Competition.

If you’re near downtown Grand Haven this week, stop in the gallery to appreciate Erv’s beautiful and thought-provoking work for yourself…below is our Q&A with Mr. Lewandowski…

Ten Questions to the Artist

What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?

A high for me is viewing artwork that appeals to my creative side. 

Do you have an influence or theme that guides your work?

Every artist aspires to find that unique subject that excites the soul, inspires the creative process, and challenges his or her skills. I was fortunate to discover a comfortable venue with waterscapes a number of years ago. This area of interest is priceless, ever-changing, and available throughout the world.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

The culinary world has a special appeal to me. I love to cook, and find food preparation one of several interests that keeps my creative side challenged on a daily basis; especially, after drawing sessions.

What profession would you not like to do?

Accounting is a necessary evil in life for an artist.

Who are your favorite artists?

As a college student, I was influenced by a number of gifted artists from KATHE KOLLWITZ [GERMAN ARTIST], to Alan Magee [professional illustrator], and to Picasso [e.g. early drawings]. Today I find pleasure in knowing and enjoying the artwork of professional artists like ELIZABETH TYLER [WATERCOLORIST/ACRYLIC PAINTER], Abe Toshiyuki [watercolorist], Angus McEwan [watercolorist], Kolbjorn Haseth [watercolorist/acrylic painter], and a number of gifted men and women in the Colored Pencil Society of America, Pencil Art Society of Canada, and International Guild of Realism.

What is your favorite tool used to create your work?

 I draw for a living and consider graphite pencils, Prismacolor colored pencils, and pigment ink liners to be my tools of interest.

What is your favorite word?

Color. I find color to be a challenging experience with every creative endeavor.

What is your least favorite word?

Impatient.

Who is your favorite musician?

I enjoy the music of several talented men and women. The top of my list includes pianists JOHN FLUKER, Jim Chappell, and Wayne Gratz.

How much formal education have you received? Related to your craft.

I had the good fortune of studying art at Central Michigan University with several very talented men and women instructors in the early 70’s.

Thank you to Erv for answering our questions.  I always learn something about them and the artists/musicians that appeal to them, helping me grow as an artist, too.

All of our artists at C2C have spent many years honing their skills and techniques within their art form.  It is fun to hear when one of them is recognized in a juried show.  

Cindy Edgerle spends half her year in West Michigan and the other half on Maui.  Yes, she lives a charmed life.  Cindy began creating jewelry using gold, silver, and precious gems more than 20 years ago.  Maui has a wonderful arts center. The Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center allowing residents to take courses and work in several crafts:  clay, metal, glass, jewelry, and painting.  It is 25 acres of classrooms, exhibit spaces, and stages.  Each year, this art center hosts a juried art show for Maui residents.  Cindy’s necklace and bracelet was selected for it.  

Mahina (necklace & bracelet) Hawaiian half-moon fish hooks
Argentium silver jewelry
21.5″ round necklace, 8″ bracelet

Cindy Edgerle

Congratulations Cindy!  We are looking forward to receiving your new jewelry when you return to Michigan.

2016/2017 “Sculpture on the Grand” Call to Artists

Call to Artist:

The 2016/7 Sculpture on the Grand is a new project for Grand Haven, Michigan. Grand Haven is recognized as Coast Guard City USA located on the west shore of Lake Michigan. Our town is a unique mixture of world-class beaches, historic waterfront town and vibrant business community. The Tri-Cities area, encompassing Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg, have a total population of approximately 40,000. The close-knit community is known for its high level of volunteerism and philanthropic involvement.

Grand Haven’s ArtWalk is a volunteer managed art show which runs simultaneously with Grand Rapid’s ArtPrize. ArtWalk’s success in drawing visitors from all over the State to view art is the predecessor and reason for our desire to continue the effort of having our community recognized as an “art lovers community”. A place to view a variety of artwork, enjoy our natural environment, and shop in privately owned small businesses.

The Grand Haven Main Street Downtown Development Authority (MSDDA, downtowngh.com) is inviting sculptors to submit images of their proposed sculptural work.

General Information:

• Sculpture on the Grand is designed for artists who create and execute original, professional quality work. The Sculpture on the Grand offers exhibitors a beautiful setting in which to display their work throughout the downtown and centertown area of Grand Haven.

• Multiple employee studios engaged in production work are not eligible to participate.

• Items made using commercial molds or patterns and hobby crafts are ineligible.


• All work shown must be for sale.

• All work must be hand made in the USA or Canada by the exhibiting artist. The sculpture should be created primarily as an aesthetic expression, no craft. Work must be produced by the sculptor or under their personal supervision. All work displayed must be produced by the exhibiting artist or two person team collaboration and MUST be consistent with the images submitted. Work should be made by hand or with appropriate tools and casting techniques. Eligible media categories include metal, ceramics, glass, wood, resin and stone, concrete. Original art ONLY.

• The original work must fit within a 3 foot by 3 foot by 6 inch concrete pad. The work must have an ability to be fastened to the concrete pad for stability and security of the work. A plaque meeting the city’s guidelines will be created to designate Title, Artist name and or Collaborator, price, and any possible sponsorship.

• A jury consisting of one curator residing outside of the West Michigan area, Grand Haven’s City Manager, and two MSDDA volunteers will select artists based on originality of design, technical expertise, overall aesthetics as well as presentation.

• The jury panel reserves the right to refuse exhibition of work that is not consistent with submitted images and the rules listed above.

• If selected, the work will be on display for a minimum of one year. The work will be available for sale. In the event, that the work is sold, a new piece may be installed to complete the 12 month agreement. The city of Grand Haven has the right to display the work for more than a year, upon agreement of both the artist and city.

• The City of Grand Haven will cover liability insurance for the artwork upon its installation. Artists are responsible for proper insurance while work is in transit and installation/removal phase. Agencies suggested: Nicole Rant, Bridgeview Insurance Agency, nrant@bvagency.com. All sponsoring organizations, and their directors, officers, employees, agents and volunteers, are not responsible for damage, theft, damage or loss of artwork.

Application Process:

• Five images are to be submitted for each application entered by the artist. They should be in a jpg format of at least a 300 dpi resolution.

• Images and application must be received by April 29, 2016

• Artists will be notified of receipt of application.


• Artists will receive acceptance or denial no later than May 10, 2016.

• Your application will be kept on file for 12 months, in the event of additional funding. •Artists and representative will determine timing with regard to installation.

Artist Application for 2016/17 Sculpture on the Grand

Name:

Address:

City:

Email:

Website:

Phone:

Title of Work:

Medium:

Dimensions:

Sale Price:

Description of work in less than 50 words:

Please include 5 jpg images of the work with a minimum resolution of 300ppi.

Application due by April 29, 2016

Send to:

Cyndi Casemier

C2C Gallery

Via email at c2cgallery@gmail.com

Five years ago next month, we opened C2C Gallery.  It began with the idea of selling my ceramic work and helping other area artists promote their artwork too.  Linda Ippel connected me with three area artists – Don Prys, Jodi Steen, and Jack Hillman.

Jack Hillman

Jack called me, introducing himself, and asked if he could schedule a time to meet.  Our friendship began from that first phone call.  He was that kind of person – always humble, kind, interested in what you were doing, and always wanting to learn more.  Jack was my first artist in a summer series called “Artist at Work”.  We organized five different events where artists creating in different mediums would work for several hours on a Saturday afternoon either outside our front door on First Street or inside Harbourfront Place.  We hosted Jack Hillman, kinetic metal sculptures; Lee Brown, wood and stone totems; Shawn Williams, pastel drawings; Julie Sanford, jewelry fabricating; and myself, throwing on the potter’s wheel.

Jack was our first “Artist at Work”.  He set up an entire metal workshop right outside our door.  He torched metal, bent it,  and soldered it.  It was fun to watch.  My daughter and nephew walked up and down Washington Avenue promoting Jack working in metal.

Bob Walma created a video of him working on that Saturday in July of 2011.  Thinking back on the day, I remember being hot, hoping for a good visitor turn out, and being so very grateful to this artist and his wife, Cheryl.

There is a poem that sums up Jack’s view of his world.  I found it on his website.   I thought I would share it.  Jack died Friday evening, April 8, 2016 from pancreatic cancer.  Cancer is such an ugly disease.  I am still stunned that I won’t see or talk with him again.  He will be missed by many.  Thoughts keep circling in my head about Jack’s quiet questions asking to learn more; his voracious thirst for knowledge; and his willingness to help.

to share a smile

with

fascination

i

watch

the wind

the light

waters

patterning

interrelationships

flight and music

reflecting

allowing them to

inspire

contemplative

soaring

lyrical

expressions

in formed metals

flowing

gentle wisps of line

uniting

joining 

with the sky

spaces

being

Last year, our downtown area started a new project of hosting public sculpture.  Jack was the first artist to contact me.  He created a kinetic sculpture just for Grand Haven.  He named it “Into the Wind”.  I believe it is the last sculpture that he developed.

It has been an honor to know this man.  Thank you Jack for being such a gift to me and your community.

Installation Video at the Grand Rapids Charter School where Horizon Dreams is installed.

Spring is on its way.  Here in Michigan, we continue to be reminded that we can still have winter – snow, rain, sun, clouds.  One of our artists, Christi Dreese, has been busy painting all winter.  We have one of her new paintings.  It’s focus is of beech trees here in the midwest.  I have a thing for tree bark.  I love its texture and differences between species.

Beech trees have a smooth bark that creates a wonderful surface for decorating.  I can think of a fun project with kids using charcoal to draw on the tree.  Returning later in the summer or the following year to see if their design still remains.

Did you know that Native Americans would carve into beech trees?  There is a tradition: the creation of “arborglyphs” for honoring those who have passed, carving words into the species tree that is most associated with learning, words, books, and knowledge.  So, if you are hiking in the midwest, have a closer look at the beech trees that you find.  You may find carvings that were not done as vandalism but honoring a loved one.