Pure Michigan Travel - Art Galleries & Crafts Highlights

Torch Lake & Elk Rapids

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:42:53 GMT

We go "up north" to Elk Rapids and Torch Lake often during the summer and early Fall. It is a family favorite. Elk Rapids is a small town that transforms itself into a wonderful little tourist community in the summer and fall. You can walk down the main street and visit unique art gallaries, like Mullaly's. Really interesting pieces, and Barb is the owner. Across the street is the Harbor Cafe, which is always great for breakfast. It's sometimes a bit slow and/or crowded, so go just out of the main downtown to FishBonz restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner (near the Village market). The best place for a casual and fun-filled dinner is Pearl's, which is a canjun restaurant with a variety of offerings and a great atmosphere. Back in downtown Elk Rapids are clothing stores, antiques, and a nice coffee cafe with Internet connection. A new restaurant in town is the Siren Hall. It's a little upscale, but the food is very good. A walk down to the marina is always enjoyable after a filling meal. Also, don't miss going to the library up on the hill to sit and look over some books. There's also an old movie theater in town with first-run features. The biggest attraction is probably the park and beach area of the town. All kinds of things to do--right on the banks of Traverse Bay. A walk about the town would not be complete without taking a look at the large older, and fully renovated homes overlooking the water and park area. Several are B & Bs. Drive a little north of Elk Rapids and you'll be along the west bank of Torch Lake. Torch is one of Michigan's most beautiful inland lakes, big, deep, and clean. There are several public launch sites around Torch Lake, we usually use the one on the west side about 13 miles north of Elk Rapids. The far south end of the lake is the "sandbar" area. In the summer on weekends, this area is packed with boats of every type and everyone is playing in the water that is only 1 foot to 3 feet in depth. If you're on Torch Lake and hungry, go over to the east side of the lake about halfway up, and there's the Dockside Restaurant--another favorite spot to eat and watch boats/people. There's tons to do in and around Elk Rapids and Torch Lake. My family loves it up there.

CHARITABLE HARBOR SPRINGS ART GALLERY

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:44:36 GMT

Mark Hoffman and Mary Hramiec Hoffman have the bright green art gallery 2 miles east of downtown Harbor Springs on M119. Known not only for Mary's beautiful oil paintings, they are known locally and nationwide for their giving hearts- the motto of their gallery is "Where your purchase is always a gift" because they donate a portion of their proceeds to local and national charities. Stop in to visit this nice couple and see the artwork that captures our beautiful state perfectly. I bought a framed giclee for my cousin's wedding gift. Their website is www.hramiechoffman.com (231) 526-1011. They are open all summer, but call ahead in the winter for hours.

O'Leary Donates Paint for Renovation of REO Town's Reach Studio Art Center

Tue, 26 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Eastside business owners David and John O’Leary are providing enough paint to cover the 6,000 square foot Reach Studio Art Center in REO Town as part of a renovation project.

Reach us a non-profit art center that’s been open since 2003. The exterior paint is peeling and in need of repair.

“No major renovations have been done since that point,” says Reach Outreach Coordinator Jessica Swisher.

In 2008, 732 young people and 251 adults participated in Reach’s programs.

Through their company, O’Leary Paint, the O’Learys have donated enough paint to give the studio a much-needed makeover. From 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., Saturday May 30, dozens of community volunteers will paint Reach, working in three-hour shifts to ensure the building is finished by the day’s end.

O’Leary got involved with the project after talking with a member of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, who mentioned that Reach needed help with a renovation.

“It’s such a worthwhile cause,” David O’Leary says. “It’s an easy one to get behind. We’re lucky to have people like this in the community. If this isn’t a worthwhile project, I don’t know what is. It didn’t take a lot of selling.”

The rain date for the project is Saturday, June 6. For more information, click here.

Source: Jessica Swisher, Reach Studio Art Center

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Story Courtesy of http://www.capitalgainsmedia.com/

From Polka-Dots to Consciousness: The Heidelberg Project, Detroit

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:34:51 GMT

On a beautiful, sunny, warm but breezy day in the heart of Detroit, Campus Martius Park welcomed the polka-dot king, Tyree Guyton, to its stage to spread a message of social awakening to an eclectic crowd of gatherers of Detroit artists, musicians, educators, and professionals. The presentation, part of the Campus Martius Park/Au Bon Pain/Borders bookstore Saturday Book Club series, included readings from contributors of the book "Connecting the Dots" as well as the opportunity to ask Mr. Guyton questions and have him sign the book. Of the questions asked, the artist reiterated the need for communities to bind together and decide their own course, not to necessarily wait for others to decide for them. When asked about controversy, the man who makes art from discarded objects who has seen a lot of controversy in his day, responded controversy is good because it forces people to make a decision, to take a stand. As Tyree and the contributors stood on the stage at Campus Martius Park, another group of pioneers whiled away the perfect afternoon. The Detroit Petanque Club took advantage of the sandy, gravel border of the Campus Martius green by playing its bocci-like pasttime, and teaching the game to interested passers-by. Of those passers-by, chasing after a three year-old daughter, was the sporadic sighting of Derrick May, one of the three inventors of Detroit Techno music, there to support the Detroit arts scene. From Campus Martius to Lafayette Coney Island, for the often imitated taste of loaded coneys and chilli-cheese fries. A perfect day in Detroit...

City of Birmingham Cityscapes Sculpture Exhibit

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:54:12 GMT

The 2008 Cityscapes Sculpture Exhibit is truely a world class sculpture exhibit. With the inclusion of Artists; Mark di Suvero, Dennis Oppenheim, John SauvÃ©, Ken Thompson, Nathan Diana, Chris Yockey, Harry Gorden, Jay Wholley and Jene Highstein. The 2008 Cityscapes exhibit is a result of the Curator, Artist John SauvÃ© and the partnership of the SauvÃ© Art Foundation and the Hill Gallery. The Cityscapes Sculpture Exhibit is privitely funded and a pure passion project for Curator John SauvÃ©. A one of a kind experience and a must see opportunity for a world class sculpture education.

Travel blog visits Detroit, leaves impressed by architecture, music and the people

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Acclaimed travel blog, gadling.com, visits Detroit and does a good job at discovering the city.

Excerpt:

But the Motor City, the land of the Model T, Motown and Madonna (and other famous musicians too numerous to mention) isn't just an empty shell. Nearly a million people still live here, for starters. As startling as its collapse is the fact that the city continues to move on as if things were almost normal. For sure, this is a place of grand ruins, hopeless politicians, monstrous mansions and grinding poverty, but somehow it all just works. Sometimes just barely. Sometimes surprisingly well. There simply isn't any place like it. Not in the Rust Belt, not in the Midwest, not anywhere.

Even as times get tougher, there are so many reasons to drop in on Detroit. You can come for the music, for the art, the bars, the history, the cars. Come for the gambling, or the grand architecture. Don't be surprised, though, if you leave most impressed by the people.

Some of the most genuine folks you'll find anywhere in the country live in Detroit. Sure, the streets may appear mean, but mostly, the people are anything but. So, talk to strangers. Ask them questions about the city. Find out where they like to go drinking. Don't worry about coming off like a crazy person – around here, that can often work to your advantage.

Read the entire article here.

Story Courtesy of http://www.modeldmedia.com/

The Cycling Salamander

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:47:37 GMT

The vibrant country air, the scent of fresh flowers. Afternoon breezes blowing in the long grasses. Such are the stimuli when disembarking, after a long drive. at the Cycling Salamander just south of Charlevoix. Before entering the gallery itself, one stops by a lovely fish pond guarded by a semi-nude bronze of exquisite proportions. More of the wonderful work of William Tye lie inside. The interior of the gallery is rustic with creaky hardwood floors, a lofty roof with exposed rafters, old-world-charm windows. It is jam packed with wonderful exhibits by several Michigan artists - vibrant watercolours, whimsical pastels, sculptures. Some are of universal design, others portrait the life and culture of the state. The back yard has a quarter mile walkway past a swamp full of cattails and noisy birds then through raspberry patches and a hardwood lot. Tastefully located at various points are more sculptures, making the whole exercise even more relaxing and interesting. To promote local artists, Rebecca Glotfelty, the proprietor, holds open houses every so often and invites an artist to attend. My next trip to Northern Michigan will coincide with one of these shows. If the artwork I have seen at the gallery is intriguing, then meeting the artist should be a treat. A visit to the gallery is a lovely relaxing break. The only thing missing from the ambiance is a fine bakery!

Christmas 'Round the Town

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:38:32 GMT

Shopping house to house on Thanksgiving weekend. This is an annual event with many artists who open their homes to shoppers. The Lake Odessa and Woodland Communities are involved along with local merchants. It is a wonderful time to nibble your way from house to house and see the unique items that have been crafted. Maps of the homes that are invloved are available at Carl's Super Market in Lake Odessa.

Harbor Springs - Artist Paradise

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:34:50 GMT

Just about anywhere you turn in Harbor Springs, you have a beautiful view. Down in the downtown area you have a charming avenue of shops, art galleries and eateries. On to the docks and beach, just a few steps away the blue blue waters of Lake Michigan beckon. A short hike up to the Bluff area reveals the harbor in all it's beauty. So, what's an artist to paint first? I painted the view of the harbor from the Bluff. (actually a number of times in different seasons) for my blog http://michiganpaintings.blogspot.com where I feature only Michigan paintings of Michigan places by a Michigan born and raised artist!

Fine Art Find in the North Woods

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:25:44 GMT

Thinking I would save some time, I decided to take Road G12 across Menominee County. I’m glad I did. Set among northern Michigan flowers, a birdbath, and whimsical lawn ornaments I discovered Ginny Cappaert’s lovely art gallery. The garden ambience continues inside, and the owner’s warm personality infuses the shop. As well as Ginny’s favorite cookbooks and teas, the shop features fresh flowers, watercolors by the owner, and works by several other Michigan artists. The one of a kind artwork may include jewelry, ceramics, glassware, scarves, sculpture, or woodwork. As seen in the picture, the displays themselves are works of art. I bought a vase of blue, red, and yellow glass. Even my teenage daughter was impressed. “That is an interesting art object.” With my stop at Ginny’s gallery, I did not save any time but I sure did have fun. The gallery is located at W4363 G-12 Rd, Stephenson, Michigan, about 30 miles southwest of Escanaba.

ceramic arts

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:34:38 GMT

While enjoying a visit to Fayette, MI, I stopped at a local ceramic art studio/gallery. There were many nice pieces there. Since coming home, I regret not making a purchase. I want to order something now. I cannot locate the artist's contact information on the internet. Is there a directory of Michigan artists? I don't remember the name of the artist or gallery.