These exhibits are currently displayed on the main and upper levels of Artworks until Oct. 27. They both feature artwork from several local artists as well as artists from the Western Michigan area.
“Simply Natural” highlights different styles of woodwork and carvings. Woodcarvers Tom Roos and Richard Boitos, gourd artist Karen Hundt-Brown and artist Dan Reska, have their works displayed in this exhibit. There are many interesting pieces on exhibit, with anything from a lampshade carved from a gourd to faces and birds carved out of wood.
Hundt-Brown, an artist from the Grand Rapids area, enjoys carving various pieces out of gourds. Hundt-Brown creates items that vary in different shapes and sizes.
“I’d like to encourage people, especially artists, to always venture out and try different mediums,” Hundt-Brown said. “I challenge my students, as well as my friends who are into art, to try something new. If you’re really passionate about art, you should want to elevate your art form to the next level.”
The “Fall into Art” exhibit features different pieces such as jewelry, paintings, baskets and prints. This is one of the first sponsored exhibits in Artworks. Throughout the exhibit, the public is invited to participate in the People’s Choice Awards to vote for their favorite piece. In addition, there will be a judge’s award. The winner will receive a prize at the conclusion of the contest.
Cheryl Gould, a Big Rapids area artist, submitted her reduction prints to “Fall into Art.” They are images of trilliums, a type of wildflower which she was inspired to recreate because of their colors.
“I want to encourage Ferris students to get up to Artworks,” Gould said. “Visit the traveling exhibit upstairs; there’s local art on the main floor and classes downstairs. It would be great to have a lot of Ferris students down here at Artworks.”
In addition to these exhibits, there will be a reception on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 2-4 p.m. It will feature demonstrations from the artists in the “Simply Natural” exhibit. The reception will also announce the winner of the People’s Choice Awards for artists who participated in “Fall into Art.”
Artworks and their member artists encourage students as well as the public to visit the exhibits. It is also suggested that people vote for their favorite artwork by Friday, Sept. 21. If you have any questions about the exhibits or the reception, call Artworks at 796-2420.