In February, the ACWL-Nuveen put out a call to artists for our annual juried exhibition. We love this show because it helps us keep our finger on the pulse of the diverse art being made by artists across Michigan, and it gives us a chance to showcase their talent. This year we had a record number of applicants – 61 artists from both peninsulas and entrants from Indiana and Illinois, for a total of 110 different artworks!
The art for this year’s exhibit was juried by Traverse City-based artist, Carolyn Swift. Ms. Swift’s studio practice includes a focus on printmaking, drawing, painting, and collage. She has an extensive national and regional exhibition record, and her beautiful artwork can be found in numerous public and private art collections. Carolyn is also a retired art instructor having taught at the College for Creative Studies, downtown Detroit, and for the Clarkston Schools where she helped establish an elementary school art program. Her knowledgeable art background primed her for the difficult task of narrowing down the artwork selected for the show to 25 artists exhibiting 30 unique pieces.
(untitled), Adam Hopwood atlantique- very unique, Alexander Fekete Penumbra (Sundial), Taimur Cleary
The 2023 Juried Exhibition, on display March 17 – April 22, with a public reception March 18 from 1-3pm, will have something for every art-lover including custom glass and wood sculpture, mixed-media & video, ceramics, jewelry, painting, printmaking, photography, drawing and fabric art. The artists selected for this year’s exhibition include Nicole Szymanski, Westland; Clayton Cudney, Montague; Sean France, Montague; Raelynn Jewison, Muskegon; Taimur Cleary, Harvey; Jeff Hellmann, Norton Shores; Julie Westmaas, Norton Shores; Cody Jonaitis, Muskegon; Russ Barneveld, Grand Rapids; Nancy Armitage, Whitehall; Timothy Norris, Muskegon; Patricia Opel, Muskegon; Christy Dehoog Johnson, Spring Lake; Ann Kraus, Whitehall; Corene Kufta, Muskegon; Hunter Markiewicz, Muskegon; Catherine McClung, Spring Lake; Adam Hopwood, Portage; Alexander Fekete, Marquette; Kristy Dalman, Fennville; Matt Schellenberg, Farmington Hills; Lori McElrath Eslick, North Muskegon; Bethany Daniels, Norton Shores; Cindy Awrey, Holland; and John Herron, Evanston, Illinois. Congratulations to all and thanks to the many artists across the state who took the time to submit to the 2023 Juried show.
Along with the adult Juried Exhibition, the ACWL-Nuveen provides a separate exhibition space for area youth aged K-12 to show off their creativity and talent. The youth division is not juried - all art is welcome - but participants will need to pay a $5 entry fee per piece and drop off their artwork Tuesday, March 7 – Friday, March 10 between 11:00am and 5:00pm. Juror Carolyn Swift will be reviewing all the youth art on display in-person and awarding cash prizes in each of the four grade categories. You can read the complete entry guidelines here: www.artswhitelake.org/youth-exhibition
We encourage the public to stop by and view this special exhibit during our regular hours March 17 – April 22. For further information please call - 231-893-2524 or stop by 106 E. Colby St., Whitehall, or email Director Erin Peyer – nuveen@artswhitelake.org. This exhibition has been generously sponsored by - Shelby State Bank and Laura Schultz. We are grateful for their support and encouragement of artists of all ages!