Tag Archives: sculpture

Michigan Artist Series ‘Billy Mayer: The Shape of Things’ opens at GRAM

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“Writer’s Block”: Billy Mayer, 1987. (Supplied)

The  Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) announced today the next installment of its Michigan Artist Series, Billy Mayer: The Shape of Things. The exhibition is on view at the Museum through Feb. 2, and features the work of one of West Michigan’s most acclaimed sculptors.  

The late Billy Mayer (1953-2017) created work in numerous media and materials that addressed the mundane elements of daily life as well as bigger, broader ideas about human existence. The Shape of Things brings together a major installation, as well as large and small-scale sculpture that demonstrate Mayer’s creative imagination, his impressive skill with various materials, and his wide-ranging sources—from Surrealism and Pop Art to rock and roll and magic tricks. Mayer painstakingly crafted every element of his art by hand, and mastered many materials and techniques during his lifetime, from glazed ceramics, to glass, and metal. 

“Billy Mayer’s artwork reflects just how intensely engaged he was with the world around him,” commented GRAM Chief Curator Ron Platt. “Because of his great facility with materials, he was able to translate his inner vision into complex, delightful, and engaging works of art.” 

The Shape of Things features sculpture from three primary bodies of work: brightly-colored aluminum sculptures of figures and objects in unique configurations; realistic trompe l’oeil replications of everyday objects with unusual display; and Mayer’s most ambitious and important work, the large-scale installation, Here. 

“Here”: Billy Mayer, 1993-2015. (Supplied)

Here is a shelf-mounted installation of over 400 individual ceramic skulls, each topped with a different everyday image or object—a guitar, a hammer, the McDonald’s arches—all handcrafted in clay. In its totality,  Here creates a visual diary of the artist’s daily life, a self-portrait of his thoughts, memories, and experiences. 

In addition to his art, Mayer had a distinguished teaching career at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where he taught for thirty-nine years. GRAM held an opening reception and panel discussion for The Shape of Things on Thursday, August 29 honoring Mayer’s legacy as an educator. Chaired by GRAM Chief Curator Ron Platt, the event featured former students and colleagues of Mayer’s who shared their personal experiences of his impact on their art education and subsequent careers. 

Support for the Michigan Artist Series is generously provided by: Steelcase Inc., Beusse & Porter Family Foundation, The Jury Foundation, and Greg and Meg Willit. 

Behind Door K: Tanglefoot artists open studios for community to explore

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Tanglefoot artists celebrate 27 years

By Tanglefoot Artists

 

Join the artists of the Tanglefoot studios on the near West side as they celebrate the cultural legacy they’ve built throughout the years: a testament to the power of beauty, the necessity of art, and the importance of gathering community around you. This year marks the 27th annual open studio sale in the historic warehouse, making it the longest-running open studio event in the greater Grand Rapids area.

 

In a yellow brick warehouse on the near West Side, a former flytape factory has been taken over by some of the city’s most well-known working artists. Nearly 30 years ago, as spaces in the building began to be rented as studio space for artists, early artists like Elaine Dalcher, Michael Pfleghaar, and Nikki Wall decided to welcome the public into their working creative “homes” for an intimate, celebratory chance for friends and family to purchase artwork, right before the holiday gift-giving seasons began. That was just the start of what was to become one of the Grand Rapids art scene’s most important events of the year.

 

This fall, on Friday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 18, artists will open their studios once again for the 27th Annual Tanglefoot Artists Open Studio event. Full of chances to meet accomplished local artists, sip a glass of cheer, and find just the right piece of art for yourself or a loved one, the yearly event is known for its hospitality and its variety of price points, allowing for all to support their local artists in meaningful ways.

 

The longest-running open studio event in the greater Grand Rapids area began in 1990, with artists Elaine Dalcher and Michael Pfleghaar opening their studios and inviting fellow artist Nikki Wall, who would soon be a resident artist at the Tanglefoot building herself, to join them. The event was so popular it became a yearly tradition.

 

Tanglefoot building (Credit: Tiffany Szakal)

“We Xeroxed the hand-drawn announcement, folded it in half and sent it out to our friends, families, colleagues and clients,” said Dalcher.

 

Nearly 300 people showed up that first year, and as word spread the event grew to welcome thousands upon thousands of art lovers over the years.

 

This year, the event promises to include some new surprises for regular attendees, as resident artists are welcoming in select guest artists to participate in the annual open studio event.

 

“It’s the truth: every year is special. Why? Because we consciously try to add new things to the show,” said Jason Villareal, long-time resident and participant in the fall event. This year, resident artists are inviting guest artists to join them in their space.

 

“We’ve had guest artists in the past but not this many. It’s a lot of new additional work to enjoy!” said Villareal

 

Visiting artists like Deborah Rockman, Holly Bechiri, and Sung Yi will help eight of the year-round residents fill room after spacious room within the rambling old warehouse with beauty.

 

Over the years, the annual celebration of artists and community has built a legacy for itself as a leading example of how to support local artists, creating an intimate and welcoming opportunity to build community. With artwork for sale, starting as little as $3, from some of the most well-established artists in the area, attendees may want to bring their pocketbook for a chance to support their local creatives while taking home quality work for themselves or for upcoming holiday gift needs.

 

Available for purchase will be paintings, prints, large-scale sculptures, greeting cards, and photo-based art. Just as important as the chance to purchase art, though, these artists recognize the importance of finding chances to reconnect with their community as the holidays approach.

 

“Winter’s settling in, and people are ready to be festive,” said Dalcher. “If people are interested in the community of artmaking and the process of artmaking in our community, then this is a place to come and see working studios, and get a chance to talk to the artists.”

 

”We also have a reputation for good snacks,” she said.

 

The event is open and free to the public Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Tanglefoot Artists Open Studio Event 2018
  • Show Dates and Times: Friday, Nov. 16, 5-9pm
    Sunday, Nov. 18, Noon-5pm
  • Location: 314 Straight Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Follow Tanglefoot
2018 Participating Resident Artists include:
2018 Guest Artists include:

**Watch for additional guest artists to be announced**

 

 

 

‘Common Ground’ African American Art Exhibition through March 20 at Muskegon Museum of Art

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Crossroads, 2010
Karsten Creightney, ‘Crossroads’ 2010. Collage, water, acrylic, oil and wax on wood panel. Flint Institute of Arts

By Victoria Mullen

Treat yourself to a visual feast! Common Ground, an amazing exhibition of African American art, is a collaborative effort between the Flint Institute of Arts, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and the Muskegon Museum of Art. The exhibition showcases the best of each museum’s renowned collections of African American works dating from the 19th century to the present–60 paintings, sculpture, and works on paper that chronicle a cultural history of nearly 200 years.

Five thematic areas—Examining Identities, New Self-Awareness, Towards Abstraction, Gaining Access and Political and Social Expressions—give a broad overview of African American art history from the talent and determination of the earliest artists to internationally acclaimed work by leading contemporary artists.

Charles Henry Alston, Untitled (Couple), 1945-50, oil on canvas, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Charles Henry Alston, ‘Untitled (Couple)’ 1945-50. Oil on canvas. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Artists represented include Charles White, Elizabeth Catlett, Henry Ossawa Tanner and Jacob Lawrence. Works by Michigan artists are included as well, among them Richard Hunt, Senghor Reid, Hughie Lee-Smith and Charles McGee.

The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave., in downtown Muskegon. Hours are Sunday 12-5pm, Tuesday through Saturday 11am-5pm, Thursday 11am-8pm, closed Mondays.

General admission: $8 adult, $5 adult student with I.D, free for ages 17 and under and for MMA members. Free admission Thursdays, from 4pm to 8pm only, compliments of Meijer. More visitor information may be found here.