First Friday Special! ArtRat presents Janiah Skye & Milt Klingensmith

For this month’s First Friday Art Walk Downtown, ArtRat is proud to present the work of two great Michigan artists!

Janiah Skye is a budding artist currently based in Grand Rapids. She made her downtown debut as part of ArtRat’s ArtPrize 2025 group show, ‘In the Works!’ “My work is primarily digital, ranging from photography to collage to drawing to photo manipulation,” she writes. “It often focuses on womanhood — personally, historically, collectively — using lots of body imagery. Recently, I have begun visually exploring my emotions through character imagery. In Mindscapes, I use a character that I call Eye Guy as a conduit to visually investigate my thoughts and emotions in a safe and playful way.”

A painter, illustrator and animator whose work has appeared in American Illustration, The Society of Illustrators L.A. and Communication Arts, Milt Klingensmith has taught at Grand Valley State University and Kendall College of Art & Design. ArtRat is delighted to showcase his charcoal paintings as well as his books Charcoal Paintings (so far) and The Grass Horn.

More about First Friday Art Walk Downtown:
Want to learn about the latest in contemporary art and find fine art that delights you? Each location will have special events throughout the year! Whether you’re new to the art world, you’ve already invested in your own collection, or you’re seeking the perfect pieces for private and commercial design projects, you’ll gain insights and information during a fun day out on the town.

ArtRat’s gallery partners include: 

• AllArtWorks

• Avenue for the Arts (106 Gallery)

• The Art of Life NOW!

• Arts Marketplace

• Cocoon Art Space

See you First Friday!