Ann Arbor Area Pastelists will be exhibiting their pastels, August 1-September 30, 2011
The Side Door Gallery presents:
What If? by Valerie Mann
June 6, - July 31, 2011
Artist Reception: July 22, 2011 6-8pm
From Val:
The title of this show is a reflection of the development of my studio practice. As I get older, I try to take down barriers and make less rules for myself. I'm not talking about personal values or ethical behavior here, but methods of thinking, looking and problem-solving. I try to ask myself “What if I tried this color next to that color?” or “What if I drew this in wire or rubber?”, etc. I love working with so many different kinds of materials for so many different reasons. The more I explore them, the broader and deeper is my pool of options.
When I teach a class, I often have my students spend part of the first day writing a list of all the things they know how to do – not necessarily all art-related. I have them keep that list in their sketchbooks and tell them to consider that as their tool box. I try to follow that line of thinking, myself, and add to my tool box along the way.
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Julie Fremuth is a nationally known master bookmaker, as well as a two and three dimensional mixed media artist.
After more than twenty years as a paper and book conservator for University of Michigan's Clement's Library, she has a keen awareness of the process involved in centuries-old books, papers and printing. Her works involve layers of collage, washes, drawing and painting. Her portraits have a strong folk art quality, in a new material. When asked about a particular piece of figurative work, her response will not only include process, but many personal stories of her hopes, dreams and daily struggles. The work may also include the "secret" language of reverse writing that she has used since childhood. Her non-figurative work is rich with line, color and form, filled with individual stories.
Julie is the featured artist for the 2011 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original's. Her poster design is a subtle and whimsical composition of empty pairs of pants suggesting "the human character and presence without literal figural form".
Here's the story of "Morel and Frog" By Gregorio Perez
We love these new cards from the Arts and Crafts Press. Rich
colors and beautiful designs letterpress printed on creamy textured rag
paper, these cards are almost too nice to send (we've already framed a
couple). The Arts and Crafts Press is a small publisher founded by
Bruce Smith and artist Yoshiko Yamamoto which creates greeting cards
and artworks that are letterpress printed from hand cut blocks inspired
by the turn-of-the-century movement. We are also stocking some elegant
prints by Yoshiko Yamamoto as well as tiles she produced in partnership
with our friends at Motawi Tileworks. 
Nancy Peterson / Beaver Island Jewelry, has just brought in some beautiful new pieces. Check it out! You can also see more pieces at www.BeaverIslandJewelry.com]]>
Ben and Elisabeth Seymour, Dexter natives, have joined us at The Side Door Gallery. They have lived and taught in Rural Alaska for seven years. From the Islands in the Bering Strait to the villages situated on the Yukon River, Ben and Elisabeth found they were in a unique position for seeing and recording life and landscape of rural Alaska from close up.