MEMBER SPOTLIGHT!

Linda Gardiner TRAVERSE CITY

Linda Gardiner is not afraid to try new things. A long-time lover of art, Linda majored in Textile Design at Michigan State University and also studied Marketing, a combination which has paid off for the diversely talented artist who sells her work at the annual Merry Marketplace at CTAC in Traverse City and through Etsy and Instagram. Since Linda became a member in 2015, she has taken a variety of courses and shared her talents as an instructor, putting her bookbinding and papermaking skills to use! Linda also enjoys working with textiles and makes a range of storage bins, boxes, and bags from canvas and other materials, which she stencils and paints.

Linda said she enjoys the income that she has earned as an artist but relishes the satisfaction of creating pieces that others love to own. Recently, a customer commissioned a whole set of boxes and storage bins for her house.

Linda keeps her profile up-to-date on the CTAC website as an Artist Guild Member and encourages other artists to consider joining the Artist Guild. “Art is a window into our humanity. Art makes us human. I have gained so much from the connections that I have made with other artists,” said Gardiner.

In addition to the canvas storage pieces she makes to help people stay beautifully organized, Linda herself is organized enough to take on a major volunteer role as a Host Home Coordinator for Paint Grand Traverse. Linda’s decision to take on the role of Coordinator came after hosting plein air artist Crista Pisano from

New York State in her own home. After that experience, Linda shadowed Paul LaPorte, who had masterfully handled this job for several years. And for 2023, she had all the host homes set months in advance, with extra hosts available should someone need to cancel.

“Paint Grand Traverse continues to inspire artists and non-artists alike as we see our area through the eyes of these magnificent artists,” said Gardiner. Linda says she is looking forward to the artists’ arrival in June, and she knows she will have a wonderful reunion with the returning artists, as much as she will enjoy meeting the plein air artists who are trying Paint Grand Traverse for the first time.

The days are long for the artists, as they must complete at least five paintings over the course of six days before they get sold at the Fresh Paint Party on Friday, June 23. “Making sure the plein air artists’ needs are met and that they have safe and comfortable rooms to return to after painting outdoors from dawn to moonrise is something the home hosts take very seriously,” Gardiner adds. Having talented and organized people like Linda as members and volunteers is one of the reasons CTAC continues to thrive.