Maryjo Lemanski

a long-time Ox-Bow friend and a recent participant of Cabin Rentals

Noosa Main Beach, Mixed Media, 61 X 81 cm, 2020

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up, and how did you come to Saugatuck? I grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, which is an hour from Saugatuck. I was the oldest of six children, and our summer vacations were often limited to places close to home, where a picnic lunch was made and a day at the beach was planned. We also visited South Haven for the same purpose, but Saugatuck remained in my memories. Water Street Gallery began representing my work in 1980. My visits to Saugatuck were frequent due to openings, etc. I purchased the Water Street Gallery and we bought a cottage in Saugatuck. We moved here full-time in 2015. Describe your own art practice and your arts advocacy work. I received a BFA and an MFA in Painting and Printmaking. I began teaching art in unconventional educational classrooms—adult ed, special ed, community ed, and juvenile homes. I learned as much about life as I did about teaching art to students who had few opportunities to be creative. It was some of the best teaching of my life.

I began working at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts as an art instructor of children and adults in their school. My position changed to Art Coordinator, where I created programs that coincided

with traveling exhibits from their permanent collection. The exhibits traveled to underserved communities in Michigan. Many of the schools and sites we worked with were the same students that I had taught in the past. I became the Director of Museum Education, and this position was as an administrator instead of a teacher. The skills I learned were invaluable in my next profession as an art dealer and owner of Water Street Gallery in Douglas, Michigan. My challenges as Director were to instill creativity and a nonconventional energy into the library and the docent program. I purchased the Water Street Gallery in 2005. As a gallerist, [I connected] to the artists I represented as a fellow artist. I also found a close connection to my clients through my teaching and museum education experience.

My own art practice was ever present through all of my teaching positions. Most of my jobs were part-time. I found my time in the studio precious and challenging. I exhibited in galleries in Chicago; Naples, Florida; Kalamazoo; and Saugatuck. I have returned full-time to my studio, which feels like home.

When and how did you first come to know Ox-Bow? I came to Ox-Bow in 1985 for a monotype workshop. My first view of campus and thoughts were that this was heaven for artists, or a haven for artists! I took workshops over the years in printmaking, attended lectures, and volunteered for the fundraisers. I also taught workshops for community members. I recommended students to Ox-Bow to attend classes and promoted all programs for many years. I was asked to join the Auxiliary Board and served on that board until it transformed into the Stewardship Committee, which Carol Sarosik and I co-chaired. We had an active committee of 15 members, who were instru-

mental in promoting the Friday Night Open Studios, the Benefit, and other events. I joined the Executive Board and remained on the board until 2018. the process of artmaking. I attended an online class with an artist not associated with Ox-Bow and [have] yet to create work from this class. I used the weekend to explore new materials, images, and process. It was an oasis.

What keeps bringing you back to Ox-Bow? It is an addictive place. I can’t stay away. It can be as solitary as you make it or as social as you want. It is a safe space to retreat from life. No pressure or expectations. I need Ox-Bow in my life.

I needed some time and space to reflect on my life and work. ... I used the weekend to explore new materials, images and process. It was an oasis.

You participated in a cabin and studio rental in 2020; tell us about your stay. What made you come to Ox-Bow in this capacity? Did you focus on specific work while you were there? What did this time and space mean to you during the pandemic? I needed some time and space to reflect on my life and work. My studio provides me with a solitary place, but I needed to change the environment and FOLLOW MARYJO’S WORK AT www.maryjolemanski.com