Polish Artists Highlighted at "Festival of the Arts" Showcase

By Raymond Rolak

Polonia was well represented with presenting artists and patrons alike.  Henryka Olbrot, acting president of the co-sponsoring Lakeland Society of Artists said, “It was a great turnout at the opening reception and it was rewarding to see people buying.” 

“Artists need to sell,” added Olbrot.  The stylish program book, edited by Tim Wittlinger was in demand by both artists and patrons alike.  The souvenir booklet was donated by Yager and Associates of Northville, Michigan, a financial planning firm.  There were acknowledgements to the Wayne State University College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, Center for Creative Studies and Cranbrook Academy of Art.  Also included was comprehensive information regarding the artists, titles, and prices of the pieces offered.    

As patrons and guests strolled the artists preview reception they enjoyed the wine tasting, sweet table provided by Polanka Market in Livonia and chamber harp music by Susan Behrens.  “The presentations are beyond my expectations,” said retired Ford engineer William Hall.  “These dill sauced meatballs are pretty good also,” he added smiling.  

The Best of Show was a mixed fiber piece by former gallery owner Cynthia Trevino- Bodene.  Previously she had art retail shops in Berkley and Plymouth.  She was trained at the Kendal School of Design in Grand Rapids.

Evelyn Bachorski-Bowman who got the Blue Ribbon for Sculpture with a mixed media contemporary piece said respectfully, “I was inspired to honor the courage of my brother, who has experienced many handicapped challenges while growing.”  The offering got plenty of close-up viewers. 

Regarding the Bachorski-Bowman piece, gallery viewer Edmund Zdrowski said, Look at the degrees of texture, I can look right through the piece and I view the terror and hurt in the presentation.  The artist conveyed her message, I see the pain.”

The Viewers Choice Award went to Laura Calhoun for her oil.  She recently returned from a charcoal tutorial in Rzesow, Poland.  The next meeting for the Lakeland Society of Artists is Sunday, October 9, at Nativity Episcopal Church at 2:00 p.m.  (21220 West 14 –Mile Road Bloomfield, MI  48301.)

In other art news, there will be a remembrance of longtime and celebrated Lakeland Society of Artists contributor, Donna Andruccioli-Vogelheim.  Her water-color mastery will be on special presentation at the Providence Hospital Foundation show.  It is titled, “Donna Vogelheim - Healing Power of Art” and will run from October 6, through November 30, at the Providence Park Campus in Novi at the Assarian Cancer Center.  The Nancy A. Fox Art Gallery will have selected Vogelheim pieces available as part of their fine arts show.  There will be an artist’s reception on October 6, at 7:00 p.m.

The upcoming weekend offerings at the Wayne State University Hilberry Theater will include the repertory production of “A Day in Hollywood-A Night in the Ukraine.”  It has songs, humor and the usual cast of zany characters.  The costumes alone are worth the view, a visual time machine. www.hilberry.com/show1.html

On October 15, the Wayne State University Art Collection partnering with the Professor Stanley Rosenthal and the Printmaking Department of the James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History will present the Arthur C. Danto printmaking open house.  The demonstration will be held on the second floor of the WSU Art Building.

The event will be open to the public, free of charge, 10 am to 3 pm, to experience the production of art prints in a professional print shop atmosphere.  In addition, two creations and special edition Danto prints, “The Writer Herbert Gold,” and “Bull” will be made as part of the exhibition.  Students and enthusiasts can witness the whole process and the prints will be available for purchase.

Also at WSU a watercolor retrospective will be shown through October 14, featuring paintings of the Great Lakes and artistic visions of that water resource. 

Another print presentation will run through October 23, at the University of Michigan Museum of Art.  Contemporary Chinese woodblock prints will be showcased.  Forty-one innovative printmakers from China are having their contemporary works presented.

An upcoming special presentation at the Detroit Institute of Arts to plan is “REMBRANDT and the Face of Jesus.”  It will run from November 20, thru February 12. A great stocking stuffer?  Works will come from over 30 museum lenders.  For advance tickets: www.dia.org