Hidden Lake Exhibition Approaching

The Hidden Lake Gardens Exhibition is fast approaching. The LCVA is looking for nature inspired art to be displayed at the Hidden Lake Gardens Visitor Center from February 22nd through April 6th. A desert reception will be held on March 15th, 1-3 pm where the public is welcome to come and visit with the artists. On March 15th all visitors are FREE.  If you are an LCVA member and you are interested in displaying your work please contact Janet Graham by January 23rd. Her email address is grahams4@tc3net.com . If you would like more information on becoming an LCVA member click here.

The Candlelight Show

The LCVA and The Image Gallery have teamed up for a new exhibition titled "The Candlelight Show".

Candlelight artists include:

Janet Dant Graham

Gerry Church

Gregorio Perez

Dates:  January 15 - February 15, 2008

Location:  The Image Gallery, 126 South Main St., Adrian, MI

Hours:  9:30-5:30 M-F, 9:30-1 Sat

Artists Reception:  Friday, January 18th, 6-8pm

Bathroom Renovation

FINALLY!!!!

Myself and Chris Graham are meeting at the gallery on Tuesday, January 15th at 5:30 pm to run a water line to the bathroom sink.  If you would like to help out please stop by.  Here is a list of things that needs to be done if you want to help.

1.  The back closet needs to be cleaned out completely.  Stuff either needs to go to the basement or thrown away.  If you can do this before the 15th our work will go quicker.

2.  The front closet needs to be cleaned out completely.  I have been tearing out some drywall and have made a mess of it.  When the drywall is patched and painted we'll move the stuff back.  It can be relocated to the gallery floor since we have no exhibits in January.

3.  The walls in the gallery could use some serious sanding...not hand sanding....power sanding.  If you're interested and have a power sander then please go for it...I have one if you want to borrow it.

4.  There are two areas in the front closet that need drywall replaced....small patches approximately 14x24.  If you have any spare drywall, tape and mud we need some.  But, this must wait until after we install the water lines.

5.  When all the drywall is patched we'll need somebody to paint.  Got any spare white paint at home sitting on a shelf?  We need some.

6.  Janet will be repainting and putting in a new tile floor in the bathroom after the water lines are installed.  If you're interested in helping her with that please let her know.  grahams4@tc3net.com

7.  We wont get everything done in one night.  I'll be in and out of there a few times next week.  If you want to go on your own time.....let me or Janet know and well give you the door combination.

     

What's New for 2008?

What's new in 2008?  Well let me tell ya.....we're going to try to some new stuff.  First, can I see a raise of hands from those of you who think our monthly board meetings are BORING!  My hand is raised.  I would like to hold board meetings privately starting in 2008.  But, the monthly meeting is going to be an entirely new format.  I'd like to see these meetings be social/educational events.  We'll start having artist of the month competitions, possibly some art demonstrations, critiques and maybe even visit a few local galleries/studios.  And, if you bring the desert, I'll bring the coffee.  Let's have some fun.

We have a committee working on a very special fundraiser during the Spotlight Exhibition.  It will be formal and fun.  I always look forward to the updates from the planning committee.

I'm pretty certain the Box Show Fundraiser will be replaced with something new.  Janet has some great ideas bouncing around in her head.

We're going to start exhibiting artwork at the Image Gallery starting in January.

We've planned a very special exhibition at Hidden Lake Gardens this coming Spring.  HLG is taking care of everything....advertisements, mailings, and reception.  All we have to do is supply the art.  I'm really looking forward to this event.

And, don't forget the annual Art-a-licious Festival.  The 2008 festival will be bigger and better.  We perked a lot of interest with this event.  It's a BIG event that takes a lot of hard work and time to plan and prepare for.  If you are interested in helping out please contact Pi Benio at pbenio@adrian.edu

We're also going to try something that I'm pretty sure has never been done before.  We're planning an exhibition of Adrian College Students AND Siena Heights University students.  We're calling it the College Town Show.

As you can see we've got some exciting events on the horizon.  I'm pretty excited about 2008.  I think you're going to like what we have in store for you.

Gregg Perez

LCVA President 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate through this blog?

I know the address isn't very catchy, but it's here to stay or at least until we grow out of it.  A lot of you Google the LCVA to find this site, which is OK but it doesn't always take you to the "home" page.  Here's a tip......If you click on the big text at the top of the page it will always take you to the "home" page where you will find the latest blog entries.  So if you get lost....just click on the big text at the top.

Where can I get membership information?

We have pamphlets at the gallery or you can click on "Membership Info" under the category "Exhibitions and Other Important Stuff".

Is the gallery moving or what?

That's a good question that gets asked a lot.  Here's an honest answer.  We're a non-profit organization that operates on a very small budget.  And, we are getting a SWEET deal on rent at our current location.  But as everyone knows the location isn't exactly prime territory.  So, we're always looking for new "opportunities" for alternative exhibition locations.  We have had some really cool prospects recently.  Some of them didn't pan out.  Some are still promising.  I hesitate to give out any more information until prospects are solidified.  Until then, lets just call them really cool prospects.  If we do move, we plan on keeping the gallery to convert it to studio space or workshop space.  We currently have members who are "in" with the City of Adrian downtown development squad.  We're in a good position to jump on good prospects.  It just may take some time.  

Why should I become a member?

Everyone has different reasons for becoming a member.  Personally I joined to learn more about how the art world functions.  The truth is there are plenty of exhibition opportunities for artists in Lenawee County.  And, there are many artists in Lenawee County who take advantage of those opportunities.  We have great local artists who do not exhibit locally because very few people perceive Lenawee County as an art community.  Some people say that reality is perception.  Changing this perception takes a lot of effort and guts.  The purpose of the LCVA is to grow the art community and to change this perception.  As a group of artists we can change how people feel about Lenawee County easier than if artists tried it alone.  My favorite comment said to me during the Art-a-licious festival was, "gee, I never realized we had such wonderful local artists."  So, if your a novice artist the LCVA can teach you all about exhibiting your work.  If you're a working artist, the LCVA can help you transition into a professional career.  And, if you're a professional artist...the LCVA needs you.  Our professional artist members are the backbone of the organization.  Working with other professionals is certainly a great way to establish a network within the artist community.   

Gregg Perez,

LCVA President       

 

January News

During the month of January....

Gerry Church, Janet Graham and Gregg Perez will be exhibiting work at the Image Gallery.

The LCVA gallery will be closed for some minor remodeling.

The LCVA will be exhibiting work at the Michigan Welcome Center.

Everyone should be getting ready for the New Work Exhibition and the Hidden Lake Gardens Exhibition.  See 2008 calendar of exhibitions.  

Michigan Welcome Center

The LCVA is looking for artists interested in displaying one or two pieces of 2D art for a display case at the Michigan Welcome Center located on US 23 just north of the US 223 exit.  The work will be on display for the months of January and February.  There are size restrictions so if you are interested please send the following information to Janet Graham as soon as possible....

Medium, width, height and depth of work.

Some small 3d work would be acceptable if it is no larger than 8-10" in depth.

Send inquiries to Janet Graham at grahams4@tc3net.com 

Board Meeting Cancelled

Due to the ice advisory the Board meeting scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 18 @ 7:00 pm.

2009 Membership Information

Our Purpose:

Organized in 1998, the purpose of the Lenawee Council for the Visual Arts is to promote the creation, display and appreciation of the visual arts in Lenawee County. Our diverse membership base includes professional artists, vocational artists, patrons of the arts and those who simply appreciate art.

The LCVA Gallery has approximately 1000 square feet of space and exhibits several shows per year. All exhibitions are free and open to the public. The LCVA also offers classes, workshops and community events.

Join the LCVA and receive discounts on classes, invitations to exhibitions, a newsletter, and the satisfaction of helping us promote the visual arts in Lenawee County.

Membership:

Lifetime Exhibiting Member, $500

You and family members may show work in all member exhibitions. You will receive invitations to all LCVA functions, a lifetime subscription to the newsletter, and discounts on LCVA-sponsored workshops.

Lifetime Patron, $500

You and family members receive invitations to all LCVA functions, a lifetime subscription to the newsletter, and discounts on LCVA-sponsored workshops.

Exhibiting Member, $35

Exhibiting Family, $50

Exhibiting members/families may show work in all member exhibitions throughout the year. You will receive invitations to all LCVA functions, an annual subscription to the newsletter, and discounts on LCVA-sponsored workshops.

Senior Exhibiting Member (65 and older), $30

Senior Exhibiting Couple, $40

Same as Exhibiting Member except at a discounted rate.

Supporting Member, $25

You will receive invitations to all LCVA functions.

Exhibiting Student Member, $15*

Students enrolled in area colleges will receive all the privileges of Exhibiting Members.

*Students may also receive a free membership by agreeing to gallery sit once per month.

Join Today!

New members, non-lifetime membership fees are prorated on a quarterly basis.

The LCVA membership year corresponds to the calendar year (with all memberships expiring December 31).

Please send membership information (name, address, city, state, zip, phone number, email address and primary media) and check (payable to Lenawee Council for the Visual Arts) to:

Lenawee Council for the Visual Arts

112 West Maumee Street

Adrian, MI 49221

phone: 517-265-4403

Gallery Hours:

Thursdays, 4-8pm

Fridays, 10am - 2pm, 4pm-8pm

Saturdays, Noon-4pm

President: Gregg Perez, gandkperez@tc3net.com

Vice President: Janet Graham, grahams4@tc3net.com

Treasurer: Mike Jacobitz

Secretary: Jenna Bush, jbush28@verizon.net

Holiday Salon Exhibition 2007

The Holiday Salon is fast approaching - hopefully you've all been busy in your workshops/studios! The drop off date for work will be Tuesday, November 6th from 4-7 pm. If you can't make it, please contact me to arrange another time. If you would like to drop off your work before November 6th please place work in the back hallway or behind the desk.

Installation will be on Wednesday, 11/7 from 5-9 pm. Help is always appreciated. We will also have flyers available during the drop off time for you to pick up and distribute to help advertise the show.You may bring as many pieces as you'd like but they might not all be up right away - we will put up additional pieces as things sell.

We voted in the 20% commission at our last meeting so please price your work accordingly. 2-D pieces must have a wire for hanging. We have plenty of pedestals and possibly shelving for 3-D pieces. We will also have a place for unframed work to be displayed.

We will be having 2 events during the show to help boost sales:The Downtown Merchants Holiday Open House will be Friday, November 9th (opening day of the exhibit) from 4-9 pm. Gregg Perez will be demonstrating linoleum cut printing that evening (with a workshop to follow 11/17). We'll be serving holiday cookies and punch.Winterfest will be on Saturday, December 1st from 10-4 pm. We will be having free children's art activities and cookies that day. If you would like to get involved in either of these events by donating cookies or helping with children's art activities, please contact me. Gallery sitters are always needed as well. Check the LCVA blog to see the current sitting schedule and either email me or call me to sign up. Please call with any question or concerns. Thanks for your help in making this a great Holiday Salon!

Janet Graham
LCVA Gallery Director
Grahams4@tc3net.com

LCVA at the Boulevard Market

Be sure to stop at the Boulevard Market for a little cheese and a side of art! Jill shaffer, Marjorie Castle, Janet Graham, Gerry Church, Kimberly Myers-Pinkel, Mary Gautz and Gregg Perez are displaying work there until October 16th. The Boulevard Market is located on the corner of East Chicago Boulevard and Evans Street in Tecumseh, MI.

LCVA does Hidden Lake Gardens

We've arranged for a great opportunity for LCVA Artists!

We have set up two dates this fall for artists to visit Hidden Lake Gardens and paint/photograph/draw/get inspired. Then you'll have approximately 2 months to finish/frame/etc. your creations on you own.

In January, we will be displaying our work at Hidden Lake Gardens. We haven't determined the exact dates yet but we should know within the next few weeks.

The two working dates are Saturday, October 20th and Saturday, November 3rd. We will be working from 9 am until whenever you're done (they close at dusk). You may come either day or both days.

Please contact Janet Graham at grahams4@tc3net.com to reserve your spot - or if you have any questions. We need to let them know the artist's names 3 days in advance of each date for us to get free admission. Hope to see you there!

Impression, Composition and Improvisation by Carlos Tobar

The LCVA presents:

Impressions, Composition, Improvisation by Carlos Tobar

October 4th - November 3rd, 2007

Local treasure Carlos Tobar offers a glimpse into reality as he sees it. A native of Ecuador and self taught artist, Mr. Tobar invites us into his past and present through vibrancy of color and form.

Join us on October 6th, from 5-8pm for our wine and cheese reception with the artist.

Artists reception sponsored by....The HathawayHouse

Gallery Hours:

Thursday 4-8pm

Friday 10-2pm, 4-8pm

Saturday 12-4pm

Art, art, and more art....You gotta love it!

The Bank of Lenawee's "Lenawee Live" Exhibition was installed today and once again there was a tremendous turnout of Lenawee County artists who submitted work. If anyone happens to see Pi Benio please thank her for the exhausting work she does to make this show happen. The Lenawee Live awards presentation will be held this Friday, September 14, 2007 at 6 pm.

Art-A-Licious: Get ready for an exciting art festival this weekend in downtown Adrian. The event includes, art demonstrations, Lost Arts, downtown merchant sales, Elenor Brown Dance Center Dancers, Croswell singers from "Urinetown", River Raisin Ragtime Revue, Drew Carter Band, Skate Board Design, Drum Line Competition, Adrian High Jazz Band & Lady Blues Choir, Encore Studio Dancers, Saline Big Band and the LCVA's Box Show. Art-A-Licious is this Friday, September 14th, noon-8PM and Saturday, September 15th, 10AM - 8PM.

LCVA Box Show: We began accepting boxes this past Thursday and so far we have 38 entries. We will continue to accept entries during regular gallery hours until the Final Auction Bid Party on Saturday, September 29th, 5-8PM. Duane Bastian will be this years Juror. He will also select the 2008 Spotlight Exhibition artists from entry packets which are due September 29th at 5PM.

The Boulevard Market: A call for art was sent out this past week for 2D and 3D work to be installed at the Boulevard Market in Tecumseh during their "Art Affair" week. Anyone interested in displaying their work should contact Gregg Perez at gandkperez@tc3net.com . (Edit: Work will be collected after the 16th and installed on the 19th. The work will be on display from September 19th through October 16th).

Spotlight Show Prospectus 2008

The Spotlight exhibition 2008
The Lenawee Council for the Visual Arts invites its members with exhibiting status to apply for the 2008 LCVA Spotlight Exhibition. Two or three artists will be selected by the Box Show juror, Duane Bastian. Select artists will exhibit multiple works at the LCVA Gallery May 15 - June 14, 2008. Artists not selected will exhibit their work January 5 - February 2, 2008.

Eligibility
Participation is open to all LCVA Exhibiting Members (new and current). Entries must be original works of art or fine craft. Works produced from kits, published plans, or commercially reproduced or giclee prints will not be accepted.

Entry

To apply, artists must submit materials for the juror's review by taking them to the LCVA Gallery no later than 4 PM on Saturday, September 29, 2007. Packets should be labeled with the artist's name and "Spotlight Exhibition". Duane Bastian, local artist and retired Art Education Professor, will select artists to be included in the LCVA Spotlight Exhibition from these materials. Packets must include:

-10-20 works, via slide representation or digital images. (Please make sure your digital files open on the LCVA computer when you drop off your packet.)
-A script giving titles, sizes, and media for the slides or digital files
-An exhibition list/resume
-A brief artist's statement that relates to the images submitted
-A check for annual exhibiting membership for those who are not currently members at this level.

Slides

Slides must be 2"x2" mount size, no glass mounts. Artwork consisting of multiple panels, diptychs, or series meant to be viewed as one unit must be on one slide. Detail slides are welcomed. Each slide must be labeled clearly with name of artist and title. Indicated top of slide with an arrow on the correct viewing side of the slide. Slides may be picked up at the Gallery after juror selections have been made.

Digital Entries

Digital entries may be submitted on a CD and dropped off at the LCVA Gallery. Images must be in .tif or .jpg format and include name and title. CD's may be picked up at the LCVA Gallery after juror selections have been made.

Exhibition Agreement

Artists selected for the Spotlight Show will be responsible for gallery preparation, installation, tags, and removal. Work submitted for the selection process are used to determine the best candidates for the show and assures the juror that the artist has a sizable body of quality work and will continue to produce such. The work submitted via slides or digital is not required to be displayed in the 2008 Spotlight Exhibition. The submission of a work of art to this exhibition shall be understood to constitute agreement on the part of the artist with all conditions set forth in this Prospectus. Submission of work constitutes permission to photograph it for publicity purposes and documentation for permanent records. The LCVA reserves the right to refuse any entry and to withdraw any work from the exhibition by Board majority vote.