Art Showcase Magazine - Spring 2013 by Jonathan Himlin

SPRING 2013 ON THE COVER:

The Toledo Museum of Art presents Contemporary Aboriginal Australian in its new exhibition: Crossing Cultures. Dick Nguleingulei Murrumurru, Kunwinjku, about 1920–1988. Barramundi 1980 Ochres on stringybark Promised gift of Will Owen and Harvey Wagner; EL.2011.60.16 © 2012 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VISCOPY, Australia

CONTENTS 06 CROSSING CULTURES 10 DESTINATION: NEW BUFFALO 12 STAYCATION 16 18 20 23

ANN ARBOR STYLE FESTIFOOLS’ MARK TUCKER ART ON THE EDGE: ART X DETROIT CALENDAR OF EVENTS ART NEWS

06 ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN CONTEMPORARY ART

DESTINATION: NEW BUFFALO

The Toledo Museum of Art presents Crossing Cultures, a visually dazzling and diverse exhibition of amazing contemporary Aboriginal Australian art from April 12-July 14.

Explore New Buffalo and other beautiful waterfront coves in Southwest Michigan.

TRAVEL & CULTURE

16 STAYCATION ANN ARBOR STYLE

FESTIFOOLS’ MARK TUCKER

Weber’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel provides all the elements for a relaxing getaway, right here at home.

The 7th Annual FestiFools celebration takes place on Main Street between Washington and William from 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 7.

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PEOPLE IN ART

Photo by Myra Klarman

PUBLISHER Jonathan E. Himlin ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Rory Russell CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Rieke Miller Nicole Rupersburg Sandra Xenakis ADVERTISING 734.904.5904 Rory@ArtShowcaseMagazine.com CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Calendar@ArtShowcaseMagazine.com WEBSITE www.ArtShowcaseMagazine.com SOCIAL MEDIA www.facebook.com/ArtShowcaseMag

Art Showcase Magazine is Southeastern Michigan’s premier print resource for fine entertainment in the arts. Our mission is to cultivate among our readers enhanced support, awareness and accessibility to local high art and culture. We help our readers to maximize the enjoyment they find in the arts, and we assist them in pairing their lifestyle interests with local arts opportunities. Opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photographs, or illustrations without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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Craig Koomeeta (Wik-Alkan, born 1977, Aurukun, West Cape, Far North Queensland), Freshwater Crocodile, 2002. Ochres and acrylic on milkwood, 134 x 22 cm. Promised Gift of Will Owen and Harvey Wagner; EL.2011.60.47 © 2013 Graig Koomeeta

ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN ART

Toledo Museum of Art Presents Visually Dazzling, Diverse Exhibition of this Amazing, Contemporary Art; Exhibiting from April 12-July 14. BY STEPHANIE RIEKE MILLER

On April 12, 2013 the Toledo Museum of Art will unveil the first major exhibition of Aboriginal Australian art in the Midwest in more than 20 years. Crossing Cultures: The Owen and Wagner Collection of Contemporary Aboriginal Australian Art from the Hood Museum of Art, which will be on view through July 14, 2013, includes approximately 120 works of contemporary Indigenous art by artists from urban and rural communities. While the exhibition spans five decades, most of the works were created after 2000, broadening the definition of Aboriginal art and reinforcing the idea that Indigenous art and contemporary art are not contradictory terms. “This extraordinarily captivating and visually dazzling exhibition continues the Toledo Museum of Art’s historical legacy of bringing important and often unfamiliar art and culture to its audiences,” said Toledo Museum of Art Director Brian Kennedy. “In this era of increasing globalization, innovation and intercultural exchange, it is critical that museums stretch and challenge their artistic comfort zones.” Kennedy, who wrote an essay for the exhibition catalog, became acquainted with Indigenous Australian artists while serving as director of the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra (1997–2004). He later met art collectors Will Owen and Harvey Wagner when he hosted an Aboriginal art exhibition in 2006 while director of the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College. Owen and Wagner first became interested in

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Michael Riley (Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi, 1960-2004, Sydney, New South Wales), Untitled (from the series Cloud), 2004. Inkjet print on Ilford Galerie paper, ed. 2/5, 150 x 112 cm. Promised Gift of Will Owen and Harvey Wagner; EL.2011.60.59.

Indigenous Australian art after viewing Dreamings: The Art of Aboriginal Australia, the seminal exhibition at the Asia Society in New York in 1988, the bicentennial of the first fleet’s arrival from Great Britain and the colonization of Australia. Two years later they made their first trip to Australia and started their collection.

As Owen writes in his essay in the exhibition catalog: “The kaleidoscopic variations in Aboriginal art entranced us. We came to this work as art lovers, and our first criterion in acquiring work was always an aesthetic one. Did a work appeal to our love of form and color, and did it resonate with our experience and understanding of contemporary art? Most important of all: would we want to look at this painting on a wall in our home for months or even years at a time?” Over the years the collectors embarked on several subsequent trips to Australia, which resulted in deeper relationships with artists, dealers, scholars and communities; many more purchases; and a “fuller appreciation of both the physical and cultural impetus behind these art works.”

Ronnie Tjampitjinpa (Pintupi, born c.1943, Walungurru [Kintore], Western and Central Desert, Northern Territory), Fire Dreaming at Murmunya, 2003. Acrylic on canvas, 183 x 122cm. Gift of Will Owen and Harvey Wagner; 2011.43.109 © 2013 Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York/VISCOPY, Australia.

“What had begun for us as a purely aesthetic adventure thus became an odyssey of cultural immersion,” writes Owen. “We had at first wanted to understand Aboriginal culture in order to better parse and respond to the iconography of the paintings we were collecting. But we soon came to feel that we were discovering a new way of looking at the world itself as well as a new world of art. Paintings and sculptures and photographs were providing us with an education in Aboriginal ontologies—in history seen from the perspective of the colonized. We caught glimpses of a vastly different social order. And finally we came to understand that this education in values was one of the prime movers for the artists as well:

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their art was a means of teaching outsiders a few fundamental truths about the ways in which they lived their lives and defined the world.” In 2009 and 2011, Owen and Wagner donated 400 works from their collection to the Hood Museum of Art. In addition to being a collector, Owen writes a weekly blog on Aboriginal art and culture: http:// aboriginalartandculture.wordpress.com/. Among artists represented in the exhibition are Michael Riley, Shorty Jangala Robertson, Danny Gibson Tjapaltjarri, Destiny Deacon and Walangkura Napanangka. Curated by Stephen Gilchrist, curator of Indigenous Australian art at the Hood Museum of Art, and coordinated in Toledo by Brian Kennedy, Crossing Cultures encompasses the broad range of media and materials employed by contemporary Aboriginal artists, from acrylic painting on canvas to earthen ochre painting on bark, as well as sculpture and photography. It was not until the early 1970s that many Indigenous Australians began to record their ancestral stories with permanent materials and that Aboriginal imagery was first experienced by outside audiences.

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“The diversity of artistic perspectives assembled in Crossing Cultures speaks to the richness of the contemporary Aboriginal art tradition, which has been called ‘the last great art movement of the 20th century,’” said Gilchrist. “The objects included in this exhibition reference and reinvigorate traditional iconographies, speak to the history and legacy of colonization, and meaningfully contribute to the growing international discourse on contemporary Indigenous art.” It is estimated that Aboriginal people have inhabited the Australian continent for 50,000 years. Aboriginal Australians occupy the entire continent and one goal of the exhibition is to reflect the different Aboriginal cultural regions throughout the country. The focus of the exhibition is on young artists who are breathing new life into ancient stories and broadening the possibilities of Indigenous Australian art. These artists have inherited but also transformed the visual iconography of traditional Indigenous art. Consequently, visitors will see contemporary paintings that summon aspects of “the Dreaming” as well as photographs from urban-based artists who depict the contemporary realities of Indigenous Australians.

Above: Ricky Maynard (Big River/Ben Lomond, born 1953, Launceston, Tasmania), Wik Elder, Arthur (from the series Returning to Places that Name Us), 2000. Gelatin silver print, ed. 3/15, 55 x 45 cm. Promised Gift of Will Owen and Harvey Wagner; EL.2011.60.73. © 2013 Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York/VISCOPY, Australia Opposite Page Left: Walangkura Napanangka (Pintupi, born c.1945, Walungurru [Kintore], Western and Central Desert, Northern Territory), Lupul, 2005. Acrylic on canvas, 122 x 122 cm. Gift of Will Owen and Harvey Wagner; 2009.92.321. © 2013 Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York/VISCOPY, Australia. Opposite Page Right: Leon Puruntatameri (Tiwi, born c. 1949, Milikapiti, Melville Island, Northern Territory), Tokwampini, 2001. Ochres on wood, 210 x 16.5 x 17 cm. Promised Gift of Will Owen and Harvey Wagner; EL.2011.60.27. © 2013 Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York/VISCOPY, Australia.

For Indigenous Australian peoples the Dreaming refers to ancestral stories about the creation of the universe, the spiritual beings who journeyed across and named the land and the social and religious laws they passed down. The works in the exhibition palpably embody Aboriginal Australians’ intense observation of and respect and reverence for the landscape. The Hood Museum of Art organized this traveling exhibition with the generous support of Kate and Yaz Krehbiel, Class of 1991, Thayer 1992, and Hugh J. Freund, Class of 1967. The exhibition is on view there through March 10, 2013. The Toledo presentation of Crossing Cultures is made possible by members of the Toledo Museum of Art and with the support of the Ohio Arts Council through a sustainability grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Admission to the exhibition and to the Museum is free. The companion catalog is available for purchase through the Museum Store and online at toledomuseum.org. Admission to the Museum is free. The Museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 6 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays. Friday evening hours are made possible by Fifth Third Bank. The Museum is located at 2445 Monroe Street at Scottwood Avenue, just west of the downtown business district and one block off I-75 with exit designations posted. For general information, visitors can call 419-255-8000 or 800-644-6862, or visit toledomuseum.org.

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TRAVEL & CULTURE

DESTINATION: NEW BUFFALO

BY JONATHAN E. HIMLIN

AND OTHER BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT COVES IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

As I board the Amtrak at the station in downtown Ann Arbor, I’m filled with great anticipation. In a few short, traffic-free hours I’ll disembark in New Buffalo, Michigan where only steps from the platform I’ll check into the Marina Grand Resort (www.marinagrandresort.com), a stunning, Scandinavian-inspired luxury hotel property that opened in 2006. Arriving at my suite, I am immediately taken by the amenities: a full, European kitchen, dining area and living room with fireplace; a separate bedroom with lavish bath and a king-sized bed; and both rooms have access doors to the patio, which practically sits on the marina itself. From here, I will launch my exploration of a few of Southwestern Michigan’s costal resort towns that attract visitors from all over the country with the promise of superb summer fun—on the water and off.

The Harbor Grand Hotel, built in 1996 and renovated in 2006, is the Frank Lloyd Wrightinspired sister property of the Marina Grand Resort, which stands right next door. The Harbor Grand has an indoor pool and Jacuzzi, a massage center and a small fitness room. Both properties abut the full-service marina in New Buffalo, Michigan.

On the Water With such phenomenal water resources at play, Southwestern Michigan is an easy sell to summer vacationers eager to cool off with a splash of outdoor adventure. The coast is lined with soft, sandy beaches and towering dunes that give way to a vast, majestic body of water large enough to display the curvature of the Earth. Among the best is Silver Beach County Park in St. Joseph (101 Broad Street / 269.982.0533). Located at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, Silver Beach is clean and spacious with plenty of room for a game of beach volleyball or frisbee and public access to the South Pier. It also happens to be next to my favorite beachfront pizza place, Silver Beach Pizza (www. silverbeachpizza.com).

Meanwhile, if fishing fits your fancy a little better, try Headhunter Charters in Berrien Center (www.headhuntersportfishing.com) or Sea Hawk Charters (www.fishseahawk.com) out of Stevensville. And for some coastal camping, swimming and even hang gliding (for you daredevils) take the family to Warren Dunes State Park (12032 Red Arrow Hwy., Sawyer, MI 49125 / 269.426.4013) and hope for big wind gusts.

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But if your aspirations surpass a day spent lounging on the beach (not that they need to) you’d do well to visit Third Coast Surf Shop (www.thirdcoastsurfshop.com) in New Buffalo. According to Outside Magazine, Third Coast is one of the best places to learn how to surf in North America. Lake surfing has become increasingly popular, especially for beginners who don’t want to battle 20-footers. They also offer stand-up paddle board and kayaking lessons on the Galien River.

For the Land Lovers When your fingers and toes are good and waterlogged it’s time to find some land-based diversions to enjoy. If golf is your game, there are two courses in Benton Harbor worth a shot: The Golf Club at Harbor Shores (www.harborshoresgolf.com) and Lake Michigan Hills Golf Club (www. lakemichiganhills.com).

Artists have been flocking to these tiny resort towns for decades— many from the Chicago area—to escape the big-city bustle in favor of a more laid back lifestyle. In Harbert, Jill Underhill Gallery (www. jillunderhillgallery.com) is a favorite that features sculpture by John Searles and fine landscape paintings by Eric Tore and others. Another fine choice is the Craig Smith Gallery of Contemporary Art (www. craigsmithgallery.com) where the abstract paintings always catch my eye. In downtown New Buffalo I prefer the Roger Harvey Gallery (www. roger-harvey.com), and in St. Joseph it’s the Krasl Art Center (www. krasl.org) with its collection of contemporary sculpture that is most impressive to this appreciator of art. Gallery H (www.galleryh.net ) is an excellent choice if you find yourself in the historic town of Three Oaks. And farther inland in Niles, Michigan lives perhaps my favorite Michigan abstract painter, Elizabeth Coyne (www.elizabethcoyne.com). Her work is brilliant and for serious collectors only.

St. Joseph. In fact, The Bistro was voted the regions best fine dining restaurant by Shore Magazine and has been honored with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for having one of the most outstanding wine lists in the world. Speaking of wine, it’s worth noting that the Southwestern Michigan wine scene is growing like the very vines that yield its grapes. And while no one would mistake the area for Napa or Sonoma, some local producers are beginning to turn out some nice juice. With more than a dozen wineries operating in the area, a decent wine trail is easily accomplished. I recommend Hickory Creek Winery (www.hickorycreekwinery.com), Old Shore Vineyards (www.oldshorevineyards.com), Wyncroft Winery (www.wyncroftwine.com), Tabor Hill Winery (www.taborhill.com) and Karma Vista Vineyards & Winery (www.karmavista.com) to start.

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Food and Drink Good meals can be easily found if you know just where to look. The Brentwood Tavern is one such example, featuring artisan comfort cuisine from its location within the Marina Grand Resort in New Buffalo. On the menu are gourmet pizzas fired in a wood-burning oven, fresh seafood, Amish roasted chicken, steaks and chops, with eight craft brews and an interesting wine list that carries several Michigan wines. Timothy’s Restaurant at the Gordon Beach Inn in Union Pier (www. timothysrestaurant.com) offers a menu loaded with seafood, which is no surprise considering Owner and Chef Tim Sizer was born and raised in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph and has spent most of his life and his culinary career on the water. And as much as I enjoy a good slice at Silver Beach Pizza, Bistro on the Boulevard (www.theboulevardinn. com) is far and away the best option for a fine dining experience in

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STAYCATION ANN ARBOR STYLE

Weber’s Restaurant & Boutique Hotel Provides All the Elements for a Relaxing Getaway at Home. BY JONATHAN E. HIMLIN / NICOLE RUPERSBURG

As winter gives way to spring and summer, couples and families are beginning to make plans for vacations. But as prices at the pump remain high, just getting to your destination can leave a large dent in your pocketbook. And let’s face it, opportunities for extended time away from the office are few and far between these days. That’s why more and more would-be travelers are opting for weekend getaways a lot closer to home. The perfect place to turn your home town into your own personal resort exists right under your nose, and it won’t bust your budget. So what are you waiting for? Get a sitter for the dog, pack lightly and bring the entire family to Weber’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel for a fun and relaxing staycation, Ann Arbor style. With 75 years of history behind it, Weber’s is a mainstay in this town. You don’t last three quarters of a century in business without doing something right, especially in the hospitality industry where options are plentiful and competition is fierce. Family owned and operated from the start, Weber’s continues to find the balance between tradition and cutting edge; between luxury and affordability, offering resort-style service with friendly, approachable appeal. “We try to be comfortable, not upscale,” says owner Ken Weber. “Our goal is to be personable. We don’t have the fanciest food, it’s not the dressiest place, but those kinds of places you can’t afford to go to every day.”

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Weber’s features well-appointed guest suites, a recently renovated lounge, the timeless Four Seasons pool and recreation area, plus amazing food and wine offerings.

vintage • artisan • eco-funky There’s no doubt that Weber’s makes it a point to impress you while you’re here. A major $4 million renovation, which was completed in October 2011, reveals a stunning new façade for the restaurant and hotel, as well as updates to the property’s entryway, lobby, lounges, ballrooms and pool area. The moment you step through the door, clean lines and modern yet comfortable appointments greet you, along with the friendliest staff in town. From the front desk to the servers in the restaurant, from room service to housekeeping, this is a staff that goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. “Having all of the comforts of home is important,” says Weber. “But equally as important is that we provide our guests with the hospitality that conveys Weber’s genuine personality.” The Plan Once checked in, one of 158 well-appointed and meticulously clean guest suites awaits you. The beds are comfortable and all the modern amenities are present: large-screen television, business desk, complimentary high-speed internet access, in-room coffee maker, minirefrigerator, iHome radio and more. Get settled in, unpack, watch a little TV or take a relaxing bath in the jetted tub (available in some suites) to unwind. If you’re like me, you might want to start off your stay with some room service — maybe the fried calamari, fresh shrimp cocktail, turkey club sandwich or spinach bread accompanied by a nice glass of vino will tide you over until dinner. No matter your selection, it arrives promptly and without the usual inflated prices that you find at most hotels.

Whimsical art & jewelry crafted from found materials, unique gifts, vintage ﬁnds and artsy doodads.

407 N. FIFTH AVE • KERRYTOWN • ANN ARBOR 7 3 4 . 3 0 2 . 3 0 6 0 • F O U N D G A L L E R Y. C O M

Inevitably though, you’re bound to be drawn to the hotel’s most unique amenity — its giant indoor atrium, which houses the pool, hot tub and sauna, and also features a workout room, a recreation area, game room and the Cabana Cafe for poolside refreshments. Poolside rooms accessible via spiral staircases and first-floor walk-outs present convenient access for families planning to spend a lot of time splashing about. However if you enjoy sleeping in, keep in mind that the atrium is quite a lively place frequented by laughing and playing children, and the pool opens at 9:00 a.m.

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The Restaurant & Bar Finally, it’s dinner time. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening meal just for two, a family dinner or a large-scale group feast, Weber’s Restaurant will accommodate you. They strive to offer high-quality food made from scratch and simply prepared. Here, you can get a $15 meal or a $50 meal: guests feel equally comfortable having Alaskan king crab legs in a business suit or a late-night burger in jeans. There are several different “rooms” in the restaurant, so much so that it can feel almost labyrinthine. There is the airy Bavarian-themed main restaurant with high ceilings flooded with natural light. There is the cozy, Euro-rustic “Le Bistro” room, the most tucked-away space for setting a romantic mood. Next to Le Bistro is the Ventura Bar, which features Weber’s award-winning cruvinet wine system—a 16-bottle specialized system that keeps wine as fresh as the day it was opened weeks later— which was recognized in Wine Spectator’s 30th anniversary restaurant awards list in 2011. (Weber’s continues to receive the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year with a well-rounded list of over 200 wines. They have received this honor every single year since 1985, one of only three restaurants that have retained such consistency.) There is also the lovely outdoor terrace, blooming with annual flowers in the summer months (see photo at right). Adjacent to the terrace is Habitat Ultralounge, the more casual bar area that features live entertainment and dancing six nights per week.

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Speaking of live entertainment, one of the staples at Weber’s over the years is their dining room piano player Tim Knapp. He’s been with them since the ‘80s and plays every night from 6 to 9 p.m. (except Mondays). Knapp is known for playing solo piano versions of songs from bands people wouldn’t expect—think psychedelic rock and ‘80s new-wave like Depeche Mode, U2, Pink Floyd. Weber’s serves upscale regional American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night. The restaurant is known for its high-end seafood and daily fresh fish features, which they source from Foley Fish of Boston. But they are best known for their signature prime rib. “The whole business was built on prime rib,” Ken Weber says. “We are one of the biggest prime rib houses in the country. We sell more than anywhere else in the state.” The outdoor terrace at Weber’s blooms with annual flowers and is adjacent to the Habitat Ultralounge.

The menu is significant. It includes classic American seafood and steakhouse favorites like escargot, Blue Point oysters and a hearty, aromatic baked French onion soup. Their creamy Maryland style crab cakes with a slightly sweet corn salsa and a mustard sauce with just a touch of heat is one of their most popular items. They of course have a huge selection of steaks and seafood entrées, but there is also a wide variety of salads, sandwiches and smaller plates from which to choose. They also make as much from scratch as possible, including soups, sauces and most dressings. They even cut all their own meat in-house. In addition they have a full bakery in-house where they make all their breads and desserts. “We want the menu to be an exciting mix of old and new,” explains Mike Weber, vice president of food and beverage. “We have more classic American entrées, and our chef has freedom to innovate and try more modern culinary-driven dishes as well. There is a good mix of staples that have lasted 75 years with newer food that is more contemporary and exciting. Our general philosophy is high-quality ingredients with simple preparation.” It bears repeating: you don’t make it 75 years in this business without doing something right. And for my money, Weber’s does it all. That’s why they are consistently rated one of the top hotels in Michigan. And that’s why I spend all my staycations with Weber’s. Weber’s offers a variety of getaway packages and special offers. For more information, visit www.webersinn.com or call 734.769.2500 for

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SPRING 2013 • ART SHOWCASE MAGAZINE

Photo by Myra Klarman

PEOPLE IN ART

FESTIFOOLS’ MARK TUCKER

BY SANDRA XENAKIS

The 7th Annual FestiFools celebration takes place on Main Street between Washington and William from 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 7.

Years ago, I had the good fortune to see the Paul McPharlin Puppetry Collection (not usually on public view) at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Howdy Doody was there; so were an antique Punch and Judy duo and other famous puppet celebrities, some centuries old. Standing in the FestiFools studio on University of Michigan’s campus this month, I experienced the same fascinating glimpse into another world, a world of possibility outside the realm of the ordinary. So, what is a FestiFool? The short answer is it’s a giant puppet made of papier-mâché and painted bright colors, animated by three or more people in rakish costumes dancing in downtown Ann Arbor for an hour in April. But that doesn’t begin to describe FestiFools. Not really. The walls of the studio are two stories high. Overhead hang dinosaurs, an elephant head, fabulous fish and birds, a purple octopus and twelvefoot figures with craggy faces and colorful bodies that defy description. Nearby is a huge hourglass echoing this year’s theme, “Timefoolery.” On large worktables lie cardboard and bamboo armatures in various stages

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of completion, plaster molds, and larger-than-life torsos, faces, and other puppet parts. Founder and creative director Mark Tucker teaches at the University of Michigan’s Lloyd Hall Scholars Program (LHSP). In his previous incarnation as art director of Michigan’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, he spent time on sabbatical in Viareggio, Italy. Viareggio has a 130-year tradition of street events featuring enormous puppets. There he learned the art of carta pesta (papier-mâché) from the float builders. Tucker’s eyes turn starry as he gazes at a photo of a Viareggio display. It’s a monumental moving float with giant heads swinging out from both sides and a stage with literally dozens of performers. “This is five stories high,” he says. “It’s a dream of mine, to make things on a different kind of scale.” Back in 2006, wondering whether he could bring this type of creative energy to the streets of Ann Arbor, Tucker teamed up with Shoshana Hurand, one of his former students.

the original volunteer steering committee/staff (now called Fools’ Court members); artists-in-residence Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles, master puppet artists from New York City and, of course, the puppets. It also includes hundreds of folks from the community who help with construction, serve as animators and merrymakers, bring their kids in costumes to watch, and participate in the general hilarity. Numerous parents say their children look forward to FestiFools all year.

“Shoshana brought her desire to connect community with the arts and I brought my desire to see a large spectacle of creativity,” Tucker says. “I was teaching art to non-art majors and wanted to raise the bar on what they were doing. If they were going to show their artwork in public, it seemed to me they’d put much more into the work than if it stayed in the classroom.” Tucker and Hurand went to work. With U-M’s blessing, they enrolled 20 students in designing and building the puppets. They rented a garage as their first studio. They enlisted the moral and financial support of key individuals from the Ann Arbor City Council, Main Street Area Association, and Main Street Ventures to help produce the first event in 2007. Hurand peppered Ann Arbor with posters, contacted dozens of media, and made sure the community turned out for the party. Even so, no one knew what to expect.

A lot of work goes into creating these fantastical creatures for just one hour of merriment. Do any of them make repeat appearances? “We try not to reuse the puppets,” Tucker admits. “Occasionally, one will escape and run down there on its own. For ourselves and for the audience, we feel it’s important to keep it fresh.”

Photo by Myra Klarman

“I was on the phone with Groove [the student group that provided stomp-like music] just before the event, asking if anyone was there,” Hurand recalls. “They said come and see. When we got there, we could barely fit on the street. We’d done something right!” With the success of FestiFools, in 2011 they started a companion event called FoolMoon, featuring hundreds of people carrying lighted paper sculptures on poles (luminaries). FoolMoon takes place two days before FestiFools; this year it’s on April 5, dusk to midnight, also in downtown Ann Arbor. While most of the artful puppets for FestiFools are created by students with help from volunteers, 99% of the FoolMoon “content” is provided by the community.

WonderFool Productions, the nonprofit that now produces these events, offers workshops in making luminaries every Sunday in March. Shary Brown, WonderFool producer, estimates that three or four hundred people showed up for the first FoolMoon, and another 2,000 came to watch. She points out that the event crosses generations and demographics. “The early people are a lot of families, and there’s a very different crowd at the end. That’s when the party people come out. It’s magical!” If you can’t attend a workshop, you can purchase a $20 kit that contains all the materials for making a luminary, do it on your own, and bring it to FoolMoon. Sales of the kits serve to raise money for FestiFools. Today, the FestiFools cast includes students from LSHP; U-M’s School of Art and Design;

But Tucker worries about running out of space to build and store the puppets. “We really need a community studio. Last year, 60-70 volunteers wanted to work here every Saturday and Sunday. Even with the entire staff here every weekend, we couldn’t accommodate all those who wanted to come and be part of it. We need a much larger space with proximity to downtown, someplace that would be a showcase, where we could hold parties and fundraisers.” In a larger studio, WonderFool Productions could pursue its mission to accommodate children’s classes, working with schools that don’t have art programs. And Tucker could realize his dream of creating gigantic displays. “This is a good start, but someday I would like to see it grow,” he says, hefting his book of photos from Viareggio. The 7th Annual FestiFools celebration takes place on Main Street between Washington and William from 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 7. FoolMoon will be held on April 5 from dusk to midnight, also in downtown Ann Arbor. For more information, please visit www.festifools.org.

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ART ON THE EDGE

ART X DETROIT: SHOWCASING ITS FLOURISHING ARTS SCENE PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCED FOR MIDTOWN’S FIVE-DAY ARTS EXPERIENCE, APRIL 10-14, 2013

The Kresge Foundation celebrates creativity and imagination as 38 Kresge Eminent Artists and Artist Fellows debut exciting new works and performances in Art X Detroit. Art X Detroit: Kresge Arts Experience will take over Midtown this spring as the free, five-day arts experience celebrates Detroit’s arts scene April 10-14, 2013. Throughout more than a dozen venues in the vibrant Midtown district, the public is invited to experience an exciting collection of visual art installations, dance, musical and theatrical performances, literary readings, and much more created by the Kresge Eminent Artists and Kresge Artist Fellowship Awardees. Art X Detroit is funded by The Kresge Foundation. A complete schedule of events is available at www. artxdetroit.com. “A thriving arts and cultural community not only enriches the quality of life for residents and visitors to southeastern Michigan, but inspires

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fresh ideas and fuels the creative vitality of the region,” said Rip Rapson, Kresge’s president and CEO. “In attracting local, national and international audiences to experience the works of these artists, Art X Detroit celebrates the Detroit metropolitan area as a hub of innovation and human energy. We’re proud to support the event and celebrate the Kresge Eminent Artists and Artist Fellows.” The Kresge Foundation has provided $2 million to support more than 70 artists living and working in Metro Detroit through its Kresge Eminent Artist and Artist Fellowship programs since 2008. The Eminent Artist and Artist Fellowship programs are administered by the College for Creative Studies.

Art X Detroit Highlights The event will feature exceptional works and performances by acclaimed Eminent Artists Bill Harris and Naomi Long Madgett, and art enthusiasts will experience some of Detroit’s most creative talents at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD), the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall, College for Creative Studies and other great venues in Midtown’s Cultural Center. A special visual arts exhibition runs through April 28 at MOCAD.

Bill Harris

Naomi Long Madgett

The opening night of Art X Detroit is a multi-venue celebration on Wednesday, April 10, 6:15–11:00 p.m. at MOCAD and the N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art, with special live performances at the First Congregational Church and Wayne State University. The opening night reception is free to the public; however, registration is required. RSVP by Monday, April 8 at www. artxdetroit.com/opening-night or call 313.420.6000.

SPRING 2013 • ART SHOWCASE MAGAZINE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - SPRING 2013 VISUAL ART | MUSEUMS ARAB AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM The Arab American National Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The Museum is located at 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn. Open Wed. thru Sun. Info: 313.582.2266, www.arabamericanmuseum.org. CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY Thru Aug 4 VISIONS OF OUR 44TH PRESIDENT A groundbreaking, collective art exhibit, created to honor and celebrate the significance of the first African American President of the United States, Barack Obama. Forty-four busts was created from a model that served as a blank canvas, giving each of forty-four contemporary artists from across the country free reign to creatively interpret this milestone in American history. The Museum is located at 315 East Warren Avenue, Detroit. Open Tues thru Sun. Info: 313.494.5800, www.thewright.org.

FLINT INSTITUTE OF ARTS Thru Aug 13 AROUND THE WORLD WITH 80 OBJECTS Rarely seen selections that cross borders and time have been drawn from the FIA’s vault and assembled into this provocative and stimulating exhibition. Thru Sept 1 MICHAEL DUNBAR: EXPLORATIONS IN SPACE FIA grounds and Hurand Sculpture Courtyard. Flint Institute of Arts, 120 East Kearsley St., Flint. 810.234.1695. www.flintarts.org. FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK Thru April 28 CONNECTED AND DISCONNECTED: THE SCULPTURE OF HANNEKE BEAUMONT In the sculptor’s first major museum exhibition in the United States, Meijer Gardens is honored to present this major endeavor featuring fourteen sculptures and a select group of large-scale drawings. Works in terra cotta, bronze and iron will be featured.

DIA Thru May 28 VAN GOGH’S BEDROOM IN ARLES One of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous paintings from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris is on exhibition for a limited time. It will be displayed in the Dutch galleries. Thru June 16 MOTOR CITY MUSE: DETROIT PHOTOGRAPHS, THEN & NOW This exhibition includes select photographers who, through their personal vision and photographic skill, have captured subjects, past and present, specific to Detroit, its changing landscape, architecture and auto industry. Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, www.dia.org.

Thru Oct 2013 BERNAR VENET A special, yearlong exhibition showcasing the revolutionary sculptor’s iconic work in steel. Five of Venet’s large-scale sculptures are installed outdoors. 1000 East Beltline Ave., NE, Grand Rapids. www. meijergardens.org. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER Permanent galleries, lectures and special events. Holocaust Memorial Center, 28123 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills. 248.553.2400. www.holocaustcenter.org.

ELI AND EDYTHE BROAD ART MUSEUM Thru Apr 15 JOCHEN GERZ: THE GIFT: LANSING, MICHIGAN Thru May 26 GUILLERMO KUITCA:DIARIOS Thru May 26 NAIZA KHAN: KARACHI ELEGIES Mar 22 -June 23 PATTERN: FOLLOW THE RULES The new, striking contemporary museum is designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid. The Broad Museum, 556 East Circle Dr., East Lansing. 517.884.3900. www.broadmuseum.msu.edu.

KELSEY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY Free Admission. 434 South State St., Ann Arbor, 734.764.9304. www.lsa.umich.edu/kelsey. MOCAD (Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit), 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit. www.mocadetroit.org/upcomingexhibitions. THE TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART Thru April 21 GEORGE BELLOWS AND NEW YORK, 1900-1930 George Bellows (1882–1925) was a painter, illustrator, and lithographer from Ohio who moved to and painted scenes of urban New York City.

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Apr 12 -July 14 CROSSING CULTURES Features more than 120 works of indigenous art from Australia representing the many art-making practices of Aboriginal peoples across the Australian continent, including acrylic paintings on linen and canvas, earthen ochre paintings on bark, and sculpture in a variety of media. Represented are both influential artists who contributed since the 1970s and those who are breathing new life into ancient stories. Free admission. The Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., one block off I-75, Toledo. 419.255.8000. www. toledomuseum.org. U-M MUSEUM OF ART (UMMA) Thru March 31 FRANCIS ALYS: GUARDS Belgian artist Francis Alÿs’s video Guards (2005) documents sixty-four of the Queen of England’s guards on a “walk” throughout the City of London. Thru May 5 EL ANATSUI: WHEN I LAST WROTE TO YOU ABOUT AFRICA A major retrospective of internationally renowned artist El Anatsui organized by the Museum for African Art, includes approximately sixty works drawn from public and private collections worldwide. Thru June 9 BUDDHIST THANGKAS AND TREASURES This exhibition features thangka paintings and other objects used by Buddhist monks and devotees from the Walter Norman Koelz Collection of Himalayan Art at the University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology.

Thru Apr 7 RUTH GILMORE LANGS: THE MOCEAN PAINTINGS The Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, 734.994.8004. www.annarborartcenter.org. Thru Apr 7 FRANK JAMES FISHER: GRAPHICALLY SPEAKING The Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, 734.994.8004. www.annarborartcenter.org.

Thru June 16 FLORENCIA PITA/FP MOD Explores the provocations and intersections of digital technology, material experimentation, femininity, and ornament in the work of Argentina-born, Los Angeles-based architect and designer. Apr 6-Aug 11 LAURIE ANDERSON: FROM THE AIR New Media Gallery installation consists of a small clay sculpture with projected video that features what appears to be an almost holographic- like miniature Laurie Anderson telling us a story, seated with her dog, Lolabelle. Admission to the Museum is free. $5 suggested donation is appreciated. 525 S. State St., Ann Arbor 734-764-0395. www.umma.umich.edu.

GALLERIES | ART EVENTS

Ongoing on Thursdays PENNY W. STAMPS SPEAKER SERIES Mar 14: Lynda Barry: Accessing the Imaginary Mar 21: Ken Burns: Unscripted Mar 28: Carmelita Tropicana: Kunst Waffen April 4: Paola Antonelli: Perspectives April 11: Massimo Banzi: Open-Sourcing Imagination Thursdays at 5:10pm. Free admission. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. http://art-design.umich.edu/stamps. Thru Mar 22 BLACK DETROIT 21 Exploring the topics of identity, territory, protest, sexuality, and transition. Work-Detroit, 3663 Woodward Ave., Detroit. www.art- design.umich.edu.

Thru Apr 24 EARTH CHALLENGE 4 New exhibition explores “People of the Earth: Cultures.” Two Twelve Arts Center, 216 W. Michigan Ave., Saline. 734.944.ARTS. Info: www. twotwelvearts.org. Mar 19-Apr 3 PRISON CREATIVE ARTS PROJECT The 18th annual exhibition of prisoner art from around the country. More than 300 works of art by over 200 artists. Free and open to the public. Duderstadt Center Gallery, UM North Campus, 2281 Bonisteel Blvd., Ann Arbor. Info: 734.647.7673, www.prisonarts.org. Mar 23 30 X 30 =1 30 artists accepted the challenge to create 30 works of art to be sold to benefit one great cause – the Ann Arbor Art Center’s Art for Kids Campaign. All works of art will be sold for $40 and will be on display and available for purchase from 12:00-5:00 pm on March 23. The sale will reopen on March 24 at noon if not sold out. The Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, 734.994.8004. annarborartcenter.org. Mar 25-May 5 Reception: Fri Mar 29, 7-9 NINA HAUSER: WITH MY iPHONE AND EYE Hybrid Photography. WSG Gallery, 306 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734.761.2287. www.wsg-art.com.

Thru March 24 TED RAMSAY: SPATIAL NARRATIVES IN PAINT New evocative work by the artist. WSG Gallery, 306 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734.761.2287. www.wsg-art.com.

Mar 30-May 11 Reception: Mar 30 5-8pm ENDI POSKOVIC: BIG TRIUMPH/MAJESTIC LAND A 10-year survey of printmaking work with a number of new pieces. River Gallery, 120 S Main St., Chelsea. 734.433.0826. www.chelsearivergallery.com.

Thru Mar 30 DENNIS MICHAEL JONES: SOMETIMES Explores the ambivalence of life’s directions. Northville Art House, 215 W Cady St., Northville. 248.344.0497, www.northvillearts.com.

Apr 3-29 BARBARA CAMPBELL Photography. Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor. 734.769-2999. www. kerrytownconcerthouse.com.

Thru Apr 5 NANCY FLANAGAN: NEW WORK Landscape paintings. Chelsea Center for the Arts, 400 Congdon St., Chelsea. www. chelseacenterforthearts.org.

Apr 5-27 LINE & BRUSH: TWO FIGURATIVE VISIONS Showcasing the work of Vianna Szabo and Amy Foster Northville Art House, 215 W Cady St., Northville. 248.344.0497, www.northvillearts.com.

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The Ann Arbor Art Center Upcoming Exhibitions

The Ann Arbor Art Center announces the opening of two new art exhibitions: Ruth Gilmore Langs: The MOCEAN Paintings and Graphically Speaking: Recent Work by Frank James Fisher. Both Exhibitions will be opening on Friday, March 8 at the Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty Street with Opening Receptions from 6:00 8:00 pm. The Exhibitions will be on display in the second floor Exhibitions Galleries through Sunday, April 7.

Ruth Gilmore Langs: The MOCEAN Paintings

Ruth Gilmore Langs: The MOCEAN Paintings features the recent work of this celebrated artist whose large-scale oil paintings are vibrant, abstracted expressions of often highly personal subject matter. Langs explores her memories, both fond and unpleasant, of her childhood in the Florida Keys. Her palette evokes the intensity of sun and heat and brims with the brilliant hues of tropical sea life, all the while serving to heal familial rifts. Ruth Gilmore Langs has exhibited her work for over 20 years and is featured in public and private collections across the country. Gallery Talk: On Thursday, March 14 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm Ruth Gilmore Langs will share insight into her working process and highlight specific works that are on view in the exhibition.

Graphically Speaking: Recent Work by Frank James Fisher

Graphically Speaking: Recent Work by Frank James Fisher features a mix of the artist’s signature print ceramics and tea-cans. The result of a well-honed advertising aesthetic formed by 25 years in the Detroit advertising community, the work of Frank James Fisher gives a second voice to headlines, promotional copy, logos, branding, and graphic design by manipulating the content into a deeper narrative. His print ceramics are reminiscent of cuneiform clay tablets and stone hieroglyphics in both shape and in their attempt to communicate to the reader/viewer, while his ea-cans are inspired by petrol and kerosene containers as he investigates the engineered beauty of machine fabricated, industrial metalware through clay. For more information please visit www. annarborartcenter.org. Or stop by the Art Center located at 117 W. Liberty in downtown Ann Arbor. M – Sa, 11-6, Sun., 12-5.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - SPRING 2013

Mar 28-May 5 Reception: Fri Mar 29, 6-9 Gallery Project presents CIRCUS, a multimedia exhibit in which 26 local, regional, national, and international artists explore the changing nature of the circus in American culture, examining such notions of living the dream and ultimate possibilities. The exhibit opens on Thursday, March 28 and runs through Sunday, May 5, 2013. The opening reception is Friday, March 29 from 6-9.

According to our folklore, it began with running away. The ill-suited participant in mainstream society ran off to become part of something less rigid, less strict, and less “normal.” Through the circus, they participated in a dream life, where they were no less welcomed than anyone else, and where things were possible that elsewhere would not be. This version of the circus serves as an analogy for living a dream instead of living a practical stable life. But the truth about the circus, especially in the present-day, is more complex. Nowadays, circus professionals are often highlytrained performers who enrolled at specials schools to learn and hone their craft. Professional circus shows, from Barnum & Bailey to Ringling Brothers to Cirque du Soleil, are comprised of hard-working, talented performers who in many cases have gotten to their current position only after years of dedicated study and practice. The power of the Circus, both historically and presently, lies in its ability to redefine and challenge our beliefs about the possible: conquering what is dangerous, doing what is thought to be physically impossible, reconstructing what is anatomically “correct”. In this exhibit, artists explore the issues that arise in the context of circus-- spectacle, mystery, deception/ truth, physical acts of danger and athleticism, sexiness/ the grotesque, a fascination with the strange and unusual-- and investigate its history, politics and aesthetics, as well as its colors, costumes and performers. Gallery Project is located at 215 South Fourth Avenue in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Spring gallery hours: Thursday thru Saturday, noon-9; and Sunday, noon-6. The gallery is closed Monday thru Wednesday. For more information, contact us at 734-997-7012, or by e-mail at galleryproject@gmail.com, or the website at www.thegalleryproject.com.

Apr 13 ANNUAL FIBERFEAST The Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild’s annual event with a luncheon, fashion show, and sale. Sat 11:30 am, at Morris Lawrence Building of Washtenaw Community College, Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor. Tickets: $30. Contact Jill Ault at jillault@umich.edu Apr 6, Sat 6-10pm AAWA OPEN HOUSE For the first time in our 62 years, the Ann Arbor Women Artists have a home for meetings, workshops, rentals, figure drawing and a communal studio. Join us for food, drinks, live music, and a silent auction. $5 at the door. All proceeds benefit our new space. 4844 Jackson Rd, Suite 100 Jackson Square Plaza, next to Colton Bay. Contact: katiehalton@gmail.com. Apr 5 3RD ANNUAL FOOL MOON Fri. dusk to midnight This sublime moonlight event features an enormous procession of community-made illuminated sculptures carried by dancing teams of merrymakers as they thread their way downtown to Washington and Ashley Streets in the heart of Ann Arbor. Pageant participants and revelers alike will enjoy delicious moonlit treats and craft brewed spirits; roving, shimmering, shadow puppet performances, building sized experimental films, and many more luminary surprises. Washington Street, Ann Arbor (Between Ashley and Main) www.festifools.org.

Photo by Myra Klarman

Gallery Project: CIRCUS

Apr 7 7TH ANNUAL FESTIFOOLS Sun 4-5pm Magnificent, huge, bizarre, politically incorrect, human-powered papier- mâché puppets join thousands of Foolish friends frolicking about downtown Ann Arbor for one fun-filled hour. A new local tradition, kicking off Ann Arbor’s outdoor festival season, FestiFools is a gigantic FREE public art spectacular, created by UM students and community members. Main Street, Ann Arbor (Between William and Washington) www.festifools.org.

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Apr 10-14 ART X DETROIT Art X Detroit: Kresge Arts Experience will take over Midtown this spring as the free, five-day arts experience celebrates Detroit’s arts scene. Throughout more than a dozen venues in the vibrant Midtown district, the public is invited to experience an exciting collection of visual art installations, dance, musical and theatrical performances, literary readings, and much more. A complete schedule of events is available at www.artxdetroit.com. CALL FOR ARTISTS: JUNK TO FUNK ECO-FASHION SHOW A fun filled benefit event where artists, designers, ecologists and fashionistas are all invited to create wearable art from recycled items or repurposed clothing. Deadline for submissions: Thurs April 1. Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St.,Tecumseh. 517-423-6617, www.theTCA.org.

Mar 19-24 51ST ANNUAL ANN ARBOR FILM FESTIVAL Don’t miss it! The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America, established in 1963. Internationally recognized as a premiere forum for independent filmmakers and artists, each year’s festival engages audiences with remarkable cinematic experiences. The six-day festival presents 40 programs with more than 180 films from over 20 countries of all lengths and genres, including experimental, animation, documentary, fiction, and performance-based works. All things 51st Annual AAFF can be found at www.aafilmfest.org.

ART NEWS

Call for Artists: New Artwalk Planned for Downtown 5th Annual “SculptureWalk Chelsea” Ann Arbor in June and October 2013. Deadline for Submissions is April 5, 2013 “SculptureWalk Chelsea” is open to all artists 18 years of age and older. Artists may submit up to three (3) original sculptures. Please download and print a copy of the application and complete it in its entirety. Artists are required to include a copy of their resume, and an artist statement. Each application must include a CD with digital images of the artwork and each image file name must specify the entry number, title and artists last name (ie #1-SportFish-Smith). Each image submitted via CD must be a high resolution, 300 dpi image that measure 5’’ X 7’’. Email submissions will be accepted. File size should be 72 dpi at 8” x 10”. Each submission must also include information about each sculpture which includes title, dimensions, media, date created, and retail price. Each artist selected will receive a $600 stipend. Questions? Contact Patti Schwarz (program coordinator) at 734.433.0826  or sculpturewalk@chelsearivergallery.com.

In Memory of Martha Rock Keller

A new website, www.ArtwalkAnnArbor.com, will post details of the event as soon as they are available, and a Facebook page and Twitter account will also be employed to communicate with patrons leading up to and during the event. Sponsorships are currently available. Interested businesses should contact Jonathan Himlin at 734.273.9760

Photo by Melanie Maxwell

Martha Rock Keller, one of Ann Arbor’s favorite artists, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at the age of 86. She earned her BA at Ohio Wesleyan University in 1948 and worked at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York 1948-49 before receiving a MS Endocrinology at Syracuse University in 1951. Martha married Robert Keller in October 18, 1952. She studied privately with U-M art professor Frede Vidar before enrolling in Michigan’s art school; she earned her M.F.A. in printmaking in 1969.

Artwalk Ann Arbor, a new art walk event that will take place in downtown Ann Arbor, is being planned for dates in June and October 2013. Presented by Art Showcase Magazine, the new Artwalk Ann Arbor will be a traditional evening art walk that aims to include as many as a dozen downtown area venues within reasonable walking distance of one another. A guide map and other key information about Artwalk Ann Arbor will be featured in the May and September issues of Art Showcase Magazine. This is a free event.

Intensely interested in art history, esthetics, and philosophy, she also contributed criticism to the Ann Arbor News and Ann Arbor Observer, as well as Heresies, New Art Examiner, and other art journals. She co-authored, with Michael Curtis, the book Public Art in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County. She had numerous one-person exhibitions and was last affiliated with the Ann Arbor Art Center (board of directors 1975) and WSG gallery of Ann Arbor, where she remained active until her death. A long time supporter of public art, Martha acted as commissioner (1998-99) on the Commission of Art in Public Places, Ann Arbor. Donations may be made in her name to the Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W Liberty St Ann Arbor, MI 48104, or the Glen Arbor Art Association, 5970 Pine St Glen Arbor, MI 49636.

SPRING 2013 • ART SHOWCASE MAGAZINE