We are so excited to share the news with you: Artcenter Traverse City was granted permission to use the Con Foster building for our summer workshop series, June - September 2012!  We just know our students will be thrilled to be working right on the water, near amazing restaurants, beautiful galleries, and wonderful downtown shops.

Click here for the article from the Record Eagle.

Fiber Frenzy, etc. is a gigantic sale of “gently used” handmade textile art at bargain prices on Memorial Weekend to benefit the Old Art Building in Leland.  This sale is a chance to scoop up the arty, the unusual, the prized, wearable fiber art, jewelry, textile art for interiors, and fiber art supplies.  All proceeds to be applied toward the purchase of technical equipment for the stage at the Old Art Building.

A Sneak Preview sale will be held on Friday, May 25 from 5 to 8 pm.  Light refreshments will be served with an admission charge of $5.  The Fiber Frenzy etc. Sale will take place on Saturday, May 26 from 10 am to 3 pm.  A Half-Price Sale will be held from 2 to 3 pm with free admission all day on Saturday.

For more information, contact Judy Livingston at (231) 256-2131.

Art of the Watershed Series Opening Reception
Thursday, May 17, 5 - 8 p.m. at the Watershed Center, 13272 S. W. Bay Shore Dr.

Leelanau Women Artists will captivate you with art quilts, paintings, sculpture and basketry.

A portion of sales will protect Grand Traverse Bay and its majestic watershed.

Leelanau Women Artists featured in this exhibit are Edie Aylsworth-Scott, Jane Batteiger, Jane Ditri, Kristin Hurlin, Debra Lanning, Catherine Siterlet, Carol Spaulding, and Desiree Vaughn.

For more information, contact Denise at (231) 935-1514.

During the month of May the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts will be hosting an exhibition of works by well-known artists and instructors Edee Joppich of Northport and Ted Peterson of Glen Arbor. This display will include watercolor landscapes and abstract and representational pieces in watercolor and collage.

An artist reception will be held Friday, May 4, 5 - 7 p.m.

The Oliver Art Center exhibit will be open to the public May 4 - 31, Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sun. 12 - 4 p.m. 

The next Northern Michigan Unique Market will be held Saturday, April 28.

The market festures diverse artistss and artisans from northern Michigan twice monthly on Saturdays.  Market hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Annz Metalz Designz, 13692 S. West Bay Shore Dr.  Upcoming market dates are May 12 & 26, June 9 & 30,  July 14 & 28, August 11 & 25, and September 8 & 22.

Vendor space is also available at upcoming markets.

For details, a schedule of shows, or a vendor application, visit www.traversebest.com/nmum.

Art and the Garden

June 8 – July 6, 2012

Two local organizations, Artcenter Traverse City and the Botanical Garden Society of Northwest Michigan, are collaborating to present Art and the Garden, a celebration of art and the beauty of the garden.  While some of these events will take place at the site of the new garden on the same property as the Historic Barns Park, others
will be held at various locations around the Traverse City community. Following are some of the component events being planned for this unique celebration.

Art and the Garden Juried All Media Competition and Show – This all media competition features substantial monetary prizes.  Art will be submitted by May 5, with judging and hanging completed by June 8.  The show will hang until July 6. 

Friday, June 8 - Opening Evening Event – This event will be held in the space where the all-media show is hung.

Saturday, June 9 - Installation of a Garden Sculpture – Artcenter Traverse City has donated a piece of sculpture to be placed in the new garden.  Join us for the celebration of this installation.

Thursday, June 14 & Friday, June 15 – “Painting the Suggestion, Not the Fact” Workshop with Robert Fionda – This is a two-day watercolor workshop that explores unique painting styles for floral and garden environments.  Emphasis is on developing an interpretative, personal approach that suits the visual idea of the artist.  Click here to register!

Friday, June 15 – Lecture with Karen Klein – Constructing still life drawings that are both real and imaginary, Karen Anne Klein draws from objects that exist, but places them in situations that look possible, yet defy logic, perspective and time.  She will discuss her methods of constructing her drawings and the techniques she has developed working with a combination of watercolor and color pencil. 

Saturday, June 16 - Plein Air Painting Event – This one-day juried event will be open to all plein air painters.  Works will be submitted at the end of the day and judged with monetary prizes and a late day celebration with wine and presentation of awards. Rain date is Sunday, June 17.

Friday, June 22 - Benefit Concert and Dance – Michigan favorites and popular roots music band Steppin' In It, along with Rachael Davis, wil perform a benefit concert and dance on the future site of The Botanic Garden of Northwest Michigan and The Historic Barns Park, located on the former grounds of the Old State Hospital.

Saturday, June 23 – Children’s Art and the Garden – This special “Kids’ Day” will feature music, kids’ art projects with a garden theme, and a special performance of ROYGBIV, a play based on the book of the same name. 

 Click here to download a one-page listing of events.

For more information about the Botanical Garden Society of Northwest Michigan, visit: www.northwestmichigangarden.org

Click here for a map to The Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
Click here for a map to 630 Mercato. (Coming soon.)

June 15 - "Art-Ful Accessories" 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. in the Carriage House at the Hotel Iroquois
June 21 - "Music in the Park" 8 p.m. - 9 p.m., featuring The Mickeys
June 27 - "Music in the Park" 8 p.m. - 9 p.m., featuring Seth and May
June 30 - "Maritime Art Exhibit Opening" 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the library

July 5 - "Music in the Park" 8 p.m. - 9 p.m., featuring Larry Barris (Jazz Guitar)
July 10 - "Workshops at the Museum" 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Drawing with Bill Murcko
July 11 - "Workshops at the Museum" 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Watercolor with Mary Lou Peters
July 12 - "Music in the Park" 8 p.m. - 9 p.m., featuring Rachael Davis
July 17 - "Workshops at the Museum" 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Felted Turtle with Kim Clare
July 18 - "Workshops at the Museum" 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Drawing with Bill Murcko
July 19 - "Music in the Park" 8 p.m. - 9 p.m., featuring Drew Nelson
July 23 - "Paint the Finish" 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., a family event at Windemere Point
July 24 - "Workshops at the Museum" 10 a.m. - 2 p.m, Island Photo Walk & Workshop with Kate Levy
July 25 - "Workshops at the Museum" 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Pastel with Lily Porter
July 26 - "Music in the Park" 8 p.m. - 9 p.m., featuring Red Tail Ring
July 31 - "Workshops at the Museum" 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Watercolor with Mary Lou Peters

August 1 - "Workshops at the Museum" 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Collage with Pam Finkel
August 2 - "Music in the Park" 8 p.m. - 9 p.m., featuring Kraig Kenning
August 9 - "Jammin for the Arts" 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., featuing The Pines
August 14 - "Workshops at the Museum" Indigo in the New World with Joann Condino (Three Pines Studio), slide lecture and demo.  Hands-on; try Indigo dying on a small handkerchief to take home
August 15 - "Workshops at the Museum" 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Expression of Self Through Paint with Mary Bea McWatters
August 19 - "Ugly Anne Mac Cruise" 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., fundraiser to support arts on Mackinac
August 21 - "Workshops at the Museum" 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Narrative Art with Melissa Croghan
August 22 - "Workshops at the Museum" 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Bicycle Portraits in Paint with Mary Bea McWatters

For more information, contact Macinac Arts Council at (906) 984-4124 or info@mackinacartscouncil.org, or visit www.mackinacartscouncil.org.

Call to Artists --
Gallery space is now available in Traverse City’s newest art venue -- The Traverse City Art and Design Studio. This unique opportunity is offered to artists in the visual, applied and decorative arts. Participation is open to all artists who exhibit original designs in the following media: drawing, painting, sculpture, fiber, wood, metal, glass, ceramics, mixed media and photography.
Contact Mark O’Shaughnessy at 231.632.6642 to this space!