Opening the Boxes

Sunday, March 6 was the opening of the Peggy Midener exhibit at the Jordan River Art Center, 301 Main St., East Jordan. Art patrons, crowded the upper and lower galleries to see the more than 160 works of art, a retrospective by Peggy Midener. Peggy, soon to be an octogenarian, shows the development and growth in her visual experience related to her life time experiences Thirty six (36) of the works are “boxes” created after her move to East Jordan in 1979 where for the first time she had space to create her art. The boxes are all of recycled material, all collected over many years; some objects were donated by the Evan Lumber company where Peggy was allowed to search the discard bins, other sent to her by her daughter, Wendy and family from England. Whatever the objects were they were transformed into the boxes’ messages and no longer revealed to their former use.

During the opening, Peggy opening the boxes and related their message. well Each Wednesday, March 9, 16, 23, 30 Peggy will open again open the boxes and relate their messages. Because of their fragile nature docents and patrons are asked not to open them. The messages range from the Greco-Roman, Christian world, through every period in history, environment, special events and persons, and even politics.

A favorite is “Pike Dreams” which was inspired by a hand carved antique fishing lure. It shows fish ”eating little people”, fish hooks, small fish swimming, and an image of man all related to tell the story. “Transition Temple,” as seen in the picture shows the relationship between the Greco-Roman and the Judeo-Christian World. When opened many images including Adam with the fig leaf and the sacrifical lamb becomes apparent.

The exhibit will be open 1-4 daily through April 1. Many of the art works are for sale as well as posters and catalogs for a donation. For further information contact the Art Center, 231-536-3385 or Peggy, 231-536-2117.