GLEN ARBOR — Chase away winter doldrums with creative fun and joyful spirits at Glen Arbor Arts Center’s Blues Busters Art Play Day.
Area artists Jessica Kovan and Lauren Everett Finn co-lead the fourth annual February Blues Buster event on Feb. 21. Open to all adults, the event promises art exploration experiences and merriment.
“They make it a delightful day to bust the blues, that sometimes come out in February, with food and interesting projects,” said gallery manager Sarah Bearup-Neal. Expect cookie breaks and an “obscene amount of chocolate.”
Blues Busters Art Play Day reflects GAAC’s commitment to celebrating the transformative power of creativity.
The event draws inspiration from GAAC’s current exhibit, “INteriors.” The first exhibit of 2026, the show runs until mid-March. It features the work of 27 exhibitors primarily representing Northern Michigan. The collection of works in familiar and novel mediums offer a look into visible and invisible interiors.
Likewise, event projects will explore the interiors of one’s inner landscape to create expressive art pieces.
“We always have a theme. It will be a surprise and fit in very well with ‘INteriors,’” Kovan said. “We’re already laughing about it.”
Finn, an abstract painter, is widely known for her florals, also for boldly collaging elements on canvas. Kovan’s mixed-media works are characterized as thoughtful, layered storytelling. Both bring their experience as instructors to the blues busting event.
“We designed it to be a play day with art — letting go of your inner critic, like when you were a little kid, which I think we don’t allow ourselves very much,” Kovan said.
She said fun is the day’s objective as attendees develop art skills to take home from teachings in color use, composition and use different mediums to unleash creativity.
“The day is lighthearted, joyful and fun,” Finn emphasized.
No art experience is needed to join the play day. The event is open to anyone who needs a February break. Past Play Days enrolled individuals from age 18 to 80. Some came from as far as Ohio, Iowa and Arkansas to chase away their winter blues with Finn and Kovan.
The accomplished artist friends differ in their approaches to art, but both enjoy taking a less serious tone in the workshop projects to spark creativity.
“They do a beautiful job of threading from one project to another,” Bearup-Neal said.
Session size is limited. Interested individuals are encouraged to register early at glenarborart.org. The cost is $95 for GAAC members, $110 for nonmembers. All supplies are provided.