Entering its 14th year, the Lansing JazzFest is a two-day FREE music festival that brings national, regional, and local acts to an audience of roughly 15,000 people from across Michigan and nearby states. JazzFest’s music truly is living music, history in the making. Each artist at the festival is asked to play an original composition, something that hasn’t been played at any other festival.This year’s festival will take place Friday, August 1, and Saturday, August 2, 2008, in the streets of Old Town, surrounded by the best of the Capital City’s art galleries as well as unique retail stores and grand architecture. Vendors line the streets offering ethnic food, beverages, art, clothing, and crafts, and nearby galleries and boutiques open their doors during festival hours.

Lansing JazzFest continues to grow thanks to the contributions of its sponsors and volunteers.

Location

The Lansing JazzFest takes place in the streets of Old Town Lansing, at the intersection of Turner St. and E. Grand River Ave.

Become one of the many thousands of people each year who look forward to the second weekend in June for one of the premier events the community has to offer.

Listen to local music by some of our areas best musicians. Stop by our concessions tent to enjoy a soda or bratwurst. For those 21 or older quench your thirst with an “adult” beverage at the Sidewalk Cafe.

It Happens RAIN OR SHINE
6/13/2008 - 6 PM - 10 PM
6/14/2008 - 10 AM - 6 PM
6/15/2008 - 11 AM - 5 PM

Friday Night 6/13/2008
Go Friday evening from 6-10pm
for a FREE evening of Pre-Fair music.

Artists can register online

Click here for information
on fees & services.

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2008 Fair was March 10, 2008.

For more information visit http://www.flintartfair.org/

We are constantly erasing the Dogs never ending abstract creations from this front window. I haven’t had the heart to erase their newest creation, an impressionistic masterpiece. Ale looks quite proud of it don’t you think?

The 44th Annual MSU Spring Arts and Crafts Show will take place
May 17th, 9 am - 6 pm, and May 18th, 10 am - 5 pm!

329 booths of unique, hand-made items from artists and crafters around the country will be displayed on the grounds of the MSU Union.

You won’t want to miss this final UAB event of the semester!

Please contact UAB at 517-355-3354 for more information about the show.

The University Activities Board annually sponsors two major regional arts and crafts shows at the MSU Union. The Holiday Arts and Crafts Show is held the first weekend in December. The Spring Arts and Crafts Show is held the third weekend in May in conjunction with the East Lansing Art Festival. Please call the UAB Office at (517) 355-3354 for more information. Both shows are free for the public to attend.

The Holiday Arts and Crafts Show is one of the state’s largest indoor holiday shows with over 200 exhibitors. This Saturday/Sunday show is held throughout the four floors of the MSU Union building with attendance figures regularly exceeding 30,000. Please call the UAB Office for current booth fees.

The Spring Arts and Crafts Show is held outside on the grounds of the MSU Union. This show is held on Saturday and Sunday with over 300 exhibitors displaying items in a park-like setting on the MSU campus.

Most exhibitors utilize portable structures for their displays. The UAB Office can provide current booth fee prices. The East Lansing Art Festival is staged one block north of campus with over 225 exhibitors. More than 60,000 people annually attend these two outdoor shows.

To participate as an exhibitor, interested parties must first apply online to be placed on the mailing list. Please click on the link below and select “New Patron Request” from the Arts and Crafts Show Main Menu. Complete the new patron request form, and select mailing list(s) you would like to participate in (the annual holiday show, the annual spring show, or both). Once placed on the mailing list, exhibitors will receive a Patron ID Number (required to apply for the shows), and application date reminders (postcards) for upcoming shows. Once the new patron request is completed, patrons may edit their information at any time by selecting “Edit Patron Information,” also on the Arts and Crafts Show Main Menu.

The University Activities Board requires that the exhibitor produce the majority of the item that is displayed. Commercial/Buy-Sell products and food items are not permitted and will be removed from the exhibit if found to be displayed.

Hundreds of artists from Michigan and beyond come to Downtown East Lansing to exhibit art of all kinds. Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Blown Glass, Wood, Metal, Photography and more fill the booths that line our downtown streets.

The Festival features a variety of activities, performances, and demonstrations as well as food from dozens of vendors with tastes from around the world!

Go to their website to learn more.

More About the East Lansing Art Festival

Established in 1964, the East Lansing Art Festival is held every spring during the weekend prior to the Memorial Holiday weekend. Known for featuring the highest caliber fine art and fine craft, this highly anticipated Festival attracts 70,000-80,000 attendees from across the region. Through the jury process approximately 230 artists from across the United States and Canada are invited to exhibit each year. Jurors also invite emerging artists to participate through a competitive selection process. Emerging artists must be affiliated with an institution of higher education within the last 2-3 years.

* 230 artist exhibitors from all over the U.S. and Canada
* 8 emerging artists affiliated with Michigan universities, colleges or art schools.
* Free performances on two stages highlighting a wide variety of music.
* Free arts activities for children and families.
* An international-style food court offering flavors from around the world.

East Lansing is a charming University town with a wide variety of shops, restaurants, galleries and the beautiful Michigan State University campus across the street. The East Lansing Art Festival is produced by the Art Festival Board of Directors under the auspices of the East Lansing Arts Commission/City of East Lansing.

The East Lansing Art Festival is held the weekend preceding Memorial Day weekend. The festival operates 10am-6pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday.

This is also the same weekend on the MSU Campus is the Spring Arts and Crafts Show. This fair is separately organized and run by the University Activities Board Office.

Once again perfect weather for a day of art in Mid-Michigan. Travels included stops in Downtown Lansing, Okemos and Williamston Michigan. Russ and I started our day two blocks from the Capital during the lunch rush. That was a new experience for me. I enjoyed the hustle on the streets and businesses. Our first stop was one we happened upon after parking, Grand Art Supply 107 N. Washington Sq.; Lansing, MI 48933. TOYS! Brushes, paints, inks, clay, shine, bulk, texture, colors, panels, canvases . . . TOYS! Can you tell I was excited. I was able to control my purchase down to a just a couple things knowing I had a whole day of shopping ahead. The gentleman working was knowledgeable and helpful in assisting us with our selections.

Just down the street was our first scheduled stop. The Lansing Art Gallery located at 113 S. Washington Sq.; Lansing MI 48933 ph: 517-374-6400. The open layout was inviting. Good lighting and art presentation. Talent burst from every piece. I was truly impressed with the standards kept throughout the Gallery regarding quality. The prices were fair. The selection of wall art was excellent. Upstairs is the Exhibit Area where High School Art was on display. Award ribbons next to many pieces. This is where The Social Discourse Exhibit will be held in July. I did find out that the pieces I submitted were not selected. Bummer. That’s okay . . . On to the next stop.

Because we were so close we thought it would be fun to re-visit Impression Five Science Center located at 200 Museum Drive; Lansing, MI 48864. We hadn’t been there since we were kids. I remember it to be magical and was excited to experience a little of that again. However cool it was the magic no longer there. Replaced with wisdom I suppose. Harrumph!

A quick stop at Art Unlimited 4692 Okemos Rd.; Okemos, MI 48864 ph: 517- 349-8278, just long enough to realize it was indeed a place create your ceramic and fused glass masterpieces. This is a stop for other day. So off we went to The Framer’s Edge & Gallery located 1856 W. Grand River Ave; Okemos, MI 48864 ph: 517-347-7400 First off the bat you notice an spectacular display of frame styles. They are a work of art themselves but were not as spectacular as the selection of art already framed and for sale. The owner has excellent taste. She has many prints available, ready to be framed as well. The sales woman was genuine and friendly and was able to help Russ find a print he had been looking everywhere for. She took his information and call him back the very next day. Take a look. Hearts found naturally in nature.

Williamston was charming and fun. For such a small town we certainly had enough choices for shopping. We started at Kathy’s Kreme of the Kropp - 110 E. Grand River; Williamston, MI 48895 ph: 517-655-3732. A boutique of everything cute. Tons of small cute items for gifts. Upstairs was stuffed with 50% off bargains. Whoohoo. I bought garden accents, Russ bought a cement head!

Around the corner was a Glass studio. Sadly it closes at 2pm and we were too late. We also missed a couple Antique shops due to weekend only hours. The coffee shop however was open as well as a nice book store.

My favorite in Williamston was our last stop of the day. The building located at 118 W. Grand River Ave. Williamston, MI 48895 is home to two businesses. Bloom by owner Aly Wendt 517-655-6800 and C A Concepts Studio by designer/artist Christine Freeman 517-803-4332. These two have go it goin’ on when it comes to home and garden accents and design. The store was filled with old and new items. Mixing the old with the new with creative re-assigning was carried out eloquently also. Old Windows hung sideways from the ceiling. Engine parts were welded together to create 3 foot tall metal flowers. Two planters stood as tall as I did. Their smoothly finished exterior disguised the fact that they were palm tree trunks! Holy Moly how cool is that!

Two antique “million drawer” dressers stole my heart. Christine took my name and will call me if she finds any more on her travels. We looked at two presentation books filled with her interior design work. WOW! She really should have her own show on HGTV. I was amazed to find this kind of talent tucked away into a small store in a small town in Williamston. She is AMAZING! If you are interested in a designer I highly recommend her.

4 Weekends Only

Starting Friday, April 25 and ending on Saturday, May 17, 2008

Store Hours:
Friday 12 Noon – 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Wrought Iron, Aluminum Wicker
Casual and Patio Furniture
Craftmade Fans and Lighting
• Custom Orders Available
• Factory Over-Runs
• One-of-a-Kinds
• Discontinued Items

Directions: M-52 to M-21 West, South quarter mile on Delaney Road
Cash, Check and Visa/MasterCard – All sales are final.

Artwork represents a diversity of styles and a range of media including watercolor, oil, acrylic, pen & ink, collage, handmade paper, printmaking, clay, photography, pastel, metal work, jewelry, fiber, glass, metal, wood and more.

For more information call 989.723.8354

Shiawassee Arts Center
206 Curwood Castle Drive, Owosso
Open Tuesday-Saturday 12-5pm,
Sunday 1-5pm,
(989) 723.8354, sac@shiawasseearts.org
Public Welcome, No Admission

You never know what you’ll find framed in Old Town. left to right (Me, Brook, J.R., Kim, Russ)

The First Sunday Galley Walk today was so much fun. The weather was great! Sunny and 60! I arrived around 3 o’clock to find Old Town full of people. Every store including The Artisan’s Circle was filled! I was thrilled! I had friends and family stop in today to support my new endeavor which made it special. Thank you much.

Finds were had from The Walking Horse Gallery, The Artisan’s Circle and Haze Inc. including canvas paintings, ornate floral jars, jeweled pendants, handmade mugs, coffee table books and greeting cards. Kim found an elaborate ornate floral jar for her daughter’s sweet 16 along with a bag that played a ROCKIN’ Birtday tune to put it in from the Walking Horse Gallery. They also had a selection of Greeting cards by Susan Mrosek which I fell in love with. Russ was on a mission to purchase a large canvas painting by Mark Hahn we saw on our last Art Day in Old Town. We arrived to find Haze Inc. in the process of moving to their larger building next to the Creole Gallery on Turner Street. Despite the exhaustion from days of moving Hazel was more than helpful with acquiring the requested piece for Russ to purchase. Thanks Hazel.

Brook delighted us with her poems. My favorite was about the color Gray in Michigan. Kids are great. When you hear her rendition you won’t feel quite so “Gray” about our Michigan Weather. I believe you’ll feel comforted. I plan to create a painting with her poem as inspiration. I’ll share her words with the painting.

On the way back to our vehicles we snapped a picture to preserve the fun.

Hosted by The Lansing Art Gallery

Social Discourse: An Arts Experience

A State-wide Juried Exhibition
May 22 - June 28th, 2008

For over a century, artists have been questioning the structures of society. This has included challenges to class, gender, race, and violence. We (The Lansing Art Gallery) are now asking Michigan artists to create art that deals with the concerns of our time at the individual, community, national and global levels. Ask questions, and seek answers with your art.

Deadline Entry: April 11, 2008

Awards:
Best of Show - $1000
Second Place - $500
Third Place - $250

Based on the Exhibit theme I will be entering these paintings. It would be great exposure to be selected for the Exhibit. I think Women of the World is my Front Runner. What do you think?

Wish me luck.

Interested in Exhibiting? View Prospectus PDF

I am pleased to announce my partnership with THE ARTISAN’S CIRCLE in Old Town Lansing, Michigan.

I met with Deirdre Hunt and Paula Gibson this mornings at 9am. “Oh, you came early!” Deirdre said with that accent I could listen to all day long. She immediately called another owner from home for the jury process. Three owners of the co-op must approve the work of a new artist before they are allowed to join. Both Deirdre and Paula were eager to see my paintings. They’d been looking for another wall artist. I went to my Bravada, freshly polished yesterday for good luck, and grabbed my smallest bin of paintings holding many 8×10 seascapes. “Good. A variety of sizes.” She said enthusiastically as I walked in the door. “I’m off to a good start” I thought. They led me toward the back of the Gallery where I proceeded to lay out some of my paintings. Deirdre loved my wavy frame and how the fish swam right out of the picture onto it. She picked it up to take a closer look. Paula remarked on how nicely the backs were finished, “It makes a difference,” She said.

Things just kept getting better as I showed them my work. I was energized by their excitement. I took 6×6 Dreamy Window Ceramic Tile out of the bubble wrap and set it on my table top easel. “Do you have the originals for these?” Deirdre asked. I felt she was asking because she was in question if I was the creator. She was, and rightfully so. Everything in the THE ARTISAN’S CIRCLE must be a creation of the artist. When I explained the process and showed her the original she was satisfied. “It looks just like Yorkshire” she exclaimed.

Paula had a great idea to display the tiles alongside the originals. When she held them together in the air to demonstrate her vision I whole-heartedly agreed. It was perfect! Paula arranges items and displays in the Gallery daily to create energy and a continual new look and feel especially for the repeat customers. I agreed with the ideas and practices this veteran artist had to offer for my own work specifically as well as thoughts about the business end of art. She is very passionate about what happens to not only the gallery but with the artists and customers as well. I felt both ladies were genuine and knowledgeable which was an essential component for me to join their circle.

Many wonderful exchanges were made and I did decide to join. I am excited and a bit nervous with the unknown. It’s quite an investment of money, time, emotion and energy. I do love what I know of Old Town with it’s First Sunday of the Month Gallery Walks and all the festivals through the warmer months. I’m excited to be a part of such a talented group and look forward to getting to know them. Please visit . I’ll be working 24 hours a month in the Gallery. I’d love to see some familiar faces when I’m there. Our hours are:

Taste & Tour of Old Town - Sunday, April 6

Sample the food of Old Town as well as get a glimpse of some of the newly renovated lofts in the area, noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6.

Formerly Old Town on Ice, the Taste & Tour of Old Town gives visitors a chance to taste specialties from Rendezvous on the Grand, Vernadine’s Soul Food, Grand Cafe Sir Pizza, Pablo’s Panaderia, Mama Bear’s Cafe, Poppa Leo’s Pizza, Golden Harvest, Olympic Broil and October Moon.

New this year are loft tours, which give Old Town residents a chance to show off their living space. Visit the Old Town Commercial Association office, 1232 Turner St., for a map of the tour the day of the event.

Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 the day of or $5 for just the tour portion.

For more info, visit www.iloveoldtown.org or call 485-4283.  - Emily Smith

I love win-win situations. Even more, I love win-win-win situations. Three benefactors in one! The Gifts of Art Program offered through the University of Michigan Hospital is just that.

• Hospitals benefit by not having to purchasing artwork.
• Patients, families and staff get entertainment, distraction and escape from their stressful situations.
• Artists works are seen by a large number of people.

Gifts of Art brings the world of art and music to UMHS patients, their families and friends, and staff. They offer 54 different Exhibit galleries viewed by an estimated 10,000 people every single day. Donated artworks are on display for a period of 8 weeks. Items sold during or within 30 days after the exhibit will be assessed a 35% commission which helps support the Gifts of Art Program.

Make a Art Date at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor Michigan.

 

“University of Michigan Hospital Gifts of Art Program

Gifts of Art brings the world of art and music to UMHS patients, their families and friends, and staff. This comprehensive program, one of the first of its kind in the nation, was developed as an extension of the Hospitals’ commitment to excellence in patient care, research, and education.

Gifts of Art offers artistic and aesthetic opportunities for its patients, their families and friends, and staff intended to revitalize and enrich their lives, assist and enhance the healing process, and reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with health care settings. In addition, Gifts of Art provides leadership in developing and exploring the relationship between the arts and healing.”

They offer a variety of art related services including 54 different Exhibit galleries, live music and an art cart program.

EXHIBIT GALLERIES

Gifts of Art’s eight galleries annually feature 54 different exhibits, including two and three-dimensional spaces that are viewed by approximately 10,000 people each day. This makes our galleries some of the most widely visited indoor, non-museum exhibit spaces in Michigan.

The artwork on display is richly diverse in style, medium, form and subject, and provides an ever-changing sampling of the best art the region has to offer. View our current exhibits online. For a quick reference for exhibit information, including gallery locations and hours, please go to our printable Exhibit Schedule Card (pdf).

Gifts of Art does an annual Call for Entries to select artwork for the Exhibit Galleries. Find out more about our Call for Entries. In addition, Gifts of Art hosts an annual Employee Art Exhibition that offers Health System faculty and staff an opportunity to display their creative works. Learn more about the annual Employee Art Exhibition.

How to purchase art: To purchase a piece of art on exhibit with Gifts of Art, please call (734) 936-ARTS. Gifts of Art accepts checks, visa and U-M employee payroll deduction.” . . .

“ART CART

The Art Cart program is a lending library of framed poster art. Volunteers take two colorful carts of framed posters to the patient floors in the adult and children’s hospitals and offer patients a selection of artwork to display in their rooms. The simple choice of artwork is one way we try to give patients a sense of control at a time when so much is decided for them. Many times these images have a profound affect on patients and become valued “companions” in their hospital experiences.”

Contact your local Hospital’s marketing Department to see if they offer a similar service. If not, suggest the idea as a win-win-win proposition. An exhibit could start out as a “one time test run trial” and progress from there as comfort levels increase. Volunteers could run a significant amount of the time involved to coordinate. Perhaps the local Arts Council could help in getting started.

I had the best day yesterday. I spent it with a friend walking around Old Town Lansing, Michigan. The weather was perfect for this time of year, mid 50’s and sunny. We visited many Art Galleries and Studios. I have to admit I was a bit surprised by how much character was in the area. There were special touches everywhere. The restaurant we ate at called Mama Bear had Paw Prints painted on the Metal structures under the awning outside the building. October Moon has multiple large planters on the sidewalk by the road to mark her spot. I can’t wait to see it in bloom this spring. Old brick buildings and murals were also a favorite of mine.Of the galleries we visited here are my favorites.

The Artisans Circle 1236 B. Turner St., Lansing, MI 48906 517-374-9864. This is an artist co-op, which I am considering joining. They opened in October 2007 and feature locally-made artwork in a variety of media including painting, pottery, leather work, quilting, blown glass and many other unique creations. I felt the quality of work here was excellent. These are a talented group of individuals. I very much enjoyed talking with Deirdre Hunt about the possibility of partnering with these artists to sell our wares.

Haze Inc. Gallery and Ceramics 119 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906 517-918-8446. Haze Inc. has been in Old Town for quite some time. Hazel Hotwagner who teaches and sells ceramics owns it. At the back of this store she has a kiln and tables set up for her classes. The front half she has other artists creations on display for sale. I saw some very nice art pieces as well as many nice craft items. This is somewhat an artist cooperative as Hazel offers space to artists at a small price and gives them a place to display works and join resources to help each artist make the most from their talent. They are moving to a different part of Old Town soon. This is another location I am considering to sell my works.

Hazel is a great resource and gave me a referral to Commercial Blueprint on Cedar Street in Lansing to have my works scanned and reproduced. The reproductions I saw in the store were excellent and the Artists were able to sell them for a very reasonable price. I was impressed and will be giving them a call.

October Moon 1209 Turner St. (soon to be 119 E. Grand River Ave.), Lansing, MI 48906 517-485-4100. I absolutely loved October Moon. After I visited her store I felt like I had been somewhere special. The owner is beautiful and greets you with a wonderful smile. She is very down to earth, just lovely herself. The store is packed with a good variety of things. Lots of small boutique items, a large assortment of marinates, dressings etc., charming house wares and gift items like leather picnic bags and unique slippers. I purchased a beautiful blue bud vase with heavy magnet attached. Sounds a bit odd I know but it’s so charming. I plan to display clippings from seasonal blooms. When they wilt I won’t feel bad to toss and replace because it’s just a few blooms and because the vase is magnetic, I won’t have to worry about it tipping over or the cat getting to it. The clincher with October Moon - she wrapped my vase in tissue paper and made it pop up over the top of the bag like a gift, then tied a beautiful freshly cut pink rose to the handle with brown twine. I felt special for my tiny purchase. She gave me an ‘I’m moving card” that also said “Thank you for being a part of my little store”. I can tell she means it.

Absolute Gallery and Custom Framing 307 E Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906 517-482-8845. Absolute Gallery is a large gallery receiving the most wall art award for the day. There were lots of excellent works on display at reasonable prices. Framed art on old brick walls and tons of loose prints and originals in bins to flip through, large greeting card assortment featuring artists’ works for $3 each. She also has over 7,000 frame moldings, wow!

Walking Horse Gallery and Gifts 1212 Turner St., Lansing, MI 48606 517-484-9545. Don’t let the name fool you. This is not an equestrian art gallery. They do have some very nice original equestrian works but also an assortment of well just about everything else. I particularly liked her wreaths and a metal wall piece with excellent patina made to look like an old outdoor wall lantern.

Other places we missed for one reason or another.

ae Gallery 523 E. Grand River

A Simple Elegance 317 E. Grand River

Creole Gallery 1218 Turner St. - Weekends Only

Honora Bird Studio and Gallery 1207 Turner - Enter from the Back

Little Blue Hippo Art Studio 511 E Grand River

Studio 1210 1210 Turner St.

Old Town is Wonderful and from everything I see and hear it’s growing by leaps and bounds in beauty and culture. Forget filling the gas tank. Instead I suggest taking advantage of this local attraction.