This exhibition represents the work of a group of visual artists who meet weekly to paint at the Old Art Building.  The opening reception is Friday, May 31from 5 to 7:30 pm and is open to the public.  The exhibit will continue on Saturday, June 1 from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, June 2 from 11 am to 5 pm.  For more information, call (231) 256-2131.

This beautiful exhibit, featuring Artcenter Traverse City members Lisa Perrine Brown, Charles Perry Jones, and Connie McKinney, will be at the City Opera House through May 31, 2013, and offers a touch of whimsy, fun portraits, and an altered reality.

Exhibit hours are Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Artcenter Traverse City has been serving this community for over 60 years and is now looking to expand and improve its programming and seeks to acquire a new home to better serve all artists and the community at large. To assist with this major initiative, the Grand Traverse region has been chosen to participate in a survey to measure the impact of a new art center facility for northwest lower Michigan.  Artists and non-artists alike in the five-county region of Grand Traverse, Benzie, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Antrim are encouraged to participate in this important cultural analysis. 

The Survey is part of an assessment of arts and their impact on communities nationwide, according to David Lawrence, president of Artcenter Traverse City.

“ArtServe Michigan, a statewide arts and cultural advocacy organization, is collaborating with Artcenter Traverse City and Northsky Nonprofit Network to assess interest by residents of the region,” said Lawrence.  “The survey seeks input from artists and creative practitioners in the development of expanded programming and a new home for Artcenter Traverse City.”

He said the collaborative is also seeking input from non-artist members of the community for the proposed development.  “We welcome and encourage participation by everyone - community members, arts supporters, and arts professionals.

The survey was funded by a grant from Rotary Charities of Traverse City.

It takes a few minutes to complete. Responses are confidential and anonymous. The survey will be open through May 31, 2013.

To participate in this important survey, visit: http://tcartsurvey.org/

The Survey will be an invaluable resource in documenting the many ways in which the arts make lasting impacts economically, aesthetically, socially, and culturally to this diverse region, noted Lawrence.  “Participation in it will support the efforts of the region to thrive as a vibrant center and cultural destination.”

Presented by Grand Rapids artist Margo Burian at Lake Street Studios, Glen Arbor. Please visit http://www.lakestreetstudiosglenarbor.com/ for more details.

"Modern Twist" explores innovative shapes of bamboo from the mid - 1960s through now, at the Dennos Museum, TC, Feb 22- June 1.

Student Exhibition: April 12-26 - Opening reception Apr. 12, 6:30 - 8 pm

Grissom & Radca/Member Exhibition: June 7 - July 7 - Opening reception June 7, 6 - 8 pm

Foster, Scruggs, Waterloo: July 12 - August 4 - Opening reception July 12, 6 - 8pm

Denison, Harold, Blocksma: August 9 - September 1 - Opening reception August 9, 6-8 pm

Annual Juried Exhibition: September 6- 29 - Opening reception September 6, 5-7 pm

Michigan Watercolor Society Exhibition: October 4 - November 3 - Opening reception October 4, 5- 7 pm

Special Event: Art Walk - Friday July, 12

Please visit http://oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/ for more information.

From March 10 - June 2, come experience Line Work - a collection of "installation drawings" by Larry Cressman at The Dennos Museum Center - dennosmuseum.org

From March 10 - June 2, come experience The Wings of Icarus - collection of works based on the story of Icarus by Rufus Snoddy at The Dennos Museum Center - dennosmuseum.org

Murals, sculptures and more from Roosevelt's 'New Deal' era are on display in 1930's and 1940's post offices throughout the country.

Click here to read the article (page 10 of Cherryland Electric's "Michigan Country Lines" publication).

Dear Artcenter Traverse City member or friend,

I am writing to you today for three reasons. First is to thank you for your interest in Artcenter Traverse City.

The second reason I am writing is to make sure you didn't miss the article that appeared in Saturday's Record-Eagle, page 3-A (click here to read the article online or see below). The article is about the historic barn on the old State Hospital property and our interest in using it to create a sensational art center for our region.

The third reason I am writing is to ask you to support this proposal, as noted in the article. There are a number of ways you can do that for us:

• Write a letter to the Record-Eagle in support of the Artcenter using this facility (write a letter to the editor by clicking here) 
• Write a letter to the Parks and Rec Joint Authority, who owns the barns, showing your support for the idea (send letters to: Joint Recreational Authority, c/o LIAA, Attn: Matt Cowall, 324 Munson Ave., Traverse City, MI 49686)  
• Join us at the February 6 meeting of the Parks and Rec Joint Authority, where they will be discussing this proposal and others; it will be held at the Garfield Township Hall (3848 Veterans Drive) in the main meeting room on the second floor at 7:00 p.m. 
• Spread the word by telling your friends about the possibility of a permanent home for Artcenter in that facility

If you have any questions about this proposal or other ideas on how to support it, feel free to contact me by e-mail.

Thanks again for your continuing interest in the success of Artcenter Traverse City.

With a passion for art,

David H. Lawrence
President, Board of Directors
Artcenter Traverse City   

info@artcentertraversecity.com

___________________________________________________________

We would like to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and support for our Historic Barns Park proposal! We understand that there have been some questions and concerns about the proposal, the Dairy Barn, and the possibility of an arts center on the grounds of the Commons, and would like to invite you to read more below:

How does this complement the existing master plan for the renovation of the barns?
The Artcenter proposal is seen as an appropriate fit for the use of the barns as defined by the Brainstorming the Barns project in 2007. While the other objectives identified as outcomes in that study are being met with other operating partners, this brings the ART component to the Historic Barns Project. It is also complementary in the sense that we would be bringing people and the community to the site year round.

This meets the objectives set out for multi-generational use of the facilities and serves multiple demographic profiles: young, old, students, professionals, visitors, residents, and artists of every stripe.

Did the Art Center develop this proposal collaboratively with the groups and individuals already involved in the renovations, specifically the Joint Recreational Authority?
Yes. We worked with the Botanical Garden Society, and with the architects they and the Joint Authority have already engaged. The Joint Authority was aware of our interest and told us to prepare our proposal and present it as we did. While they were not involved in the preparation of the proposal, our concept and programming are compatible with their objectives and the management partnerships that are in place.

Are the Art Center's proposal and plans available somewhere?
Yes. The proposal is available from the Parks and Rec Joint Authority and also from the Artcenter website.

I personally think the old power plant at the Commons would make a better arts center - it has much bigger windows.
With a responsibility to the community, it is incumbent on the Artcenter to prudently examine all options available to us in ways that maintain fiscal sense for a non-profit organization. Building #206 meets those criteria. The power plant building has not been made available to us.

I would also like to see the barns used in a way that maintains their agricultural heritage.
The plans for the barns are on track to meet three of the original four objectives established in 2007, as a result of the Brainstorming the Barns initiative. Activities involving SEEDS, the community gardens project, and the botanic garden project already in place are agricultural, recreational, and community in nature. This proposal helps the Parks and Rec Joint Authority meet the fourth objective: to use the facilities to support and promote art. This proposal also included building classrooms that can be made available to the community, including classes or gatherings associated with agricultural initiatives.

What about the Botanic Garden of Northwest Michigan?
Artcenter has been in conversation with BGS through the development of the collaborative proposal presented to the Joint Authority. BGS has been a partner with Artcenter and has enthusiastically embraced the idea of using the facility as a center for the arts.