Rooting Deep Opening
The arts came alive during the opening of the exhibit, Rooting Deep, Branching Out , Saturday August 15 at the Jordan River Art Center, East Jordan. Artists and patrons crowded the Center with a steady flow all afternoon. Co-Curator, Brad Kik, stated “We’re pleased with the attendance at the opening. We had a packed room filled with conversation.” Adding to the exhibit were musical performances, poetry and prose readings, a live performance installation, and an announcement of the winners.
Rick Meisterheim, long time friend of JRAC, and Susan Fawcett played wonderful folk music, Holly Spalding, Yvonne Stevens, Sonia Mack, Stephanie Mills, and Jody M. Clark read from their writing published in the show catalog. Cornelia Dhaseleer and her ten year old daughter, Jrah presented a live installation called, Earth, Fire, Water which was inspired from Jrah growing up in a large yard with lots of objects and materials which she would turn into specify site installations.
Three awards were presented to artists by Glen Wolff, Traverse City City artist who stated that in jurying, “I was looking for work that was an organized response, or maybe an insightful glimpse under the rainbow, of what it means to live here....all the time. I was looking for stories as the Island folks stated in their prospectus, ‘Allow viewers to move beyond the romantic and often facile answers to the question: What does it mean to live up north? ‘ Ultimately three pieces spoke to me the most in answering the call with a story, sheer commitment to craft, and professional presentation honoring our hosts.”
Meredith Krell received third prize of $150. in gift cards to local arts-related businesses, for her painting Lake Too Cold, Jeff Krino received second prize of $200. for his work, Rootstand of copper and cypress roots, First place went to Spalding, for her poem, Topography , which said the most with the least.
In all more than 30 artists are exhibiting works in oil and watercolor paintings, ceramics, fabrics, pastels, drawings, books, regular and digital photos, blown glass, cartography, mixed media, found objects, stained glass, furniture, poetry, and other writing, and a video. Unique to the exhibit was the wall installations of 1157 rocks by Chris Allen Wickler. Each rock was attached to the wall by a copper wire hook. The rocks were placed in a heart shape at least six feet in all directions. The video, Art and Agriculture by Bob Russell was set up for viewing in a real ice shanty.
Other Artists participating are Peter Balestrieri, Marcia Borell, Tom Brown, Jody M. Clark, Cathy Cohen, Martha Eldridge, Susan Fawcett, Mary Fuscaldo, Margie Guyot, Gary Howe, Elly Johnson, Dawn Johnston, Jordan Valley Glassworks, Liz Kantzer. Keith Kintigh, Jeff Krino, Meredith Krell, Leslie Lee, Chris Lensch, Stephanie Mills, Mary Ellen Murphy, Michael Murphy, Shana Murphy, Barbara Overdier, Penny Pepin, Bill Perkins, Dan Reszka, Juli Runberg, Holly Spalding, Steve Toornman, Jackie Trimble, Glenn Wolff, and Dana Vannoy.
Other locations to view the Rooting Deep , Branching Out Exhibits are: the Mark Maier Farm, and Bier Art Gallery, Charlevoix; Island Property, Orchard Hill , Bellaire; John T. Unger Studio, Mancelona; Viola Gallery and Seed Studio Gallery,Elk Rapids; and Eco-Learning Center, Traverse City. Maps and specific locations are available at JRAC.
Food was provided by the JRAC Board of Directors, wine provided by Black Star Farms, and Cider by Tandem Cider. The exhibit will be open daily from 1-4 pm through September 18. For further information contact Brad and Amanda Kik, Island, www ArtmeetsEarth.org. or Babs Young, JRAC babsy@elkrapidsnet.com.
