ARTS&LIFE ART PHOTOS COURTESY OF BBAC
Expressing Their
Creativity Local Jewish artists shine at BBAC mixed media exhibit. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Steve Rubin’s Vivid
Susan Shlom’s The Diva
Details
Images from BBAC: Current Students Works Competition can be seen through March 4 — 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Saturday — at 1516 Cranbrook Road, Birmingham. (248) 644-0866. bbartcenter.org.
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FEBRUARY 25 • 2021
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hen the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center announced winners of its 2021 BBAC: Current Students Works Competition, it was referring to projects completed by adult artists who value continuing education. Many had earlier works shown — and bought — in galleries and art fairs. Some of the competitive student works, on view at the BBAC through March 4, already have been sold. They are among 163 varied media pieces — including paintings, prints and jewelry — on display. Area artist Claudia Shepard served as juror to decide awards that included cash prizes, tuition certificates and gift cards for art supplies totaling more than $3,000. • One familiar honoree, Patti Tapper of Orchard Lake, shows two paintings with the winner being Peonies, an acrylic on canvas. Her artistic attention has moved through jewelry, ketubahs and quilts. “Each of my daughters gave me flowers one Mother’s Day,” Tapper explained about the source of her imagery. “I took photos of the bouquets and painted what was shown. I love
the joyful color scheme.” Tapper, who was a painting major at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, takes satisfaction from her experiences with the professional artists teaching at the BBAC, which she describes as having an “uplifting atmosphere” for “creative professionals.” • Susan Shlom, of West Bloomfield, was recognized for The Diva, another acrylic on canvas, also colorful but showing an outdoor image with an Impressionist approach. “This is a fall scene,” said Shlom, who has found it exciting to be able to paint, display and have someone purchase her work during COVID. “I’m very affected by nature, and I paint every day.” Shlom, who taught English and social studies for 24 years at Hillel Day School, has shown her work at many galleries that have served Oakland County and continues taking classes because she believes “everyone needs to study.” • Jewelry holds the focus of Jodi Galperin, of Farmington Hills, whose necklace, On the Frontier, is another award winner. “I call it raw and rustic,” said Galperin, who likes working
