Change is inevitable — and something we all have to navigate, quite honestly, every single day.
Right now, we’re in the midst of one of the most welcome changes of all: the long-awaited arrival of spring. The trees are beginning to blossom, and here in northern Michigan, we’re especially lucky to be surrounded by orchards that put on a breathtaking display each year.
Those blooms feel like a promise — gentle, beautiful reminders that summer is just around the corner.
And truly, after these past few months, I think we’ve all earned a collective high five.
Change shows up in many ways — sometimes quietly, like the shift in seasons, and sometimes more visibly, in the spaces we create and share with one another.
Our galleries have just undergone a transformation as we installed five new exhibits. Yes — you read that right. Five.
Four of these exhibits will be on display through the end of the month, with a fifth featuring Guild member, Terrie Collins, in the Libragallery through May 23. What ties these exhibits together is a shared theme of connection and community.
The Cornwell exhibit, 350, features juried artists from across the state responding to the question: What will our world look like in 100 years — in 2126? The answers come through a wide range of perspectives and mediums, reminding us that we are one community shaped by many voices.
In the East Carnegie, we’re proud to present a collaboration with Grand Traverse Industries.
Their clients have been creating art at CTAC for over a year, and The Art of Connection highlights work made since fall 2025. The color. The energy. It’s impossible not to smile. There’s a freedom in the work — an emotional honesty — that feels especially meaningful right now.
It’s also a powerful reminder: as the world continues to evolve, art created by living, breathing artists holds something irreplaceable. It captures real human emotion, lived experience, and connection in a way that cannot be replicated.
In the Carnegie Rotunda, we feature work from the Crooked Tree High School Portfolio class, led by Royce Deans. This is a full-circle experience—students not only create the artwork, but also curate, frame, and install the aptly named, Tomorrow’s Artists Today. It offers a deeper understanding of the creative process, including the often unseen business and presentation side of being an artist.
Our final exhibit, Connections and Flow, highlights the work of two photographers connected through a mentor and mentee relationship. It’s yet another reflection of how meaningful human connection shapes creativity in ways that simply can’t be manufactured.
A Season of Change, A Community of Connection
That’s what we’re about at Crooked Tree Arts Center—connection, community, and creativity.
We are living in a changing world. But it is also a beautiful one—one that we can continue to navigate together.
As we continue to navigate change — together — I’m reminded how important it is to stay connected to one another and to the creative community around us.
If you’re looking for a place to do just that, I encourage you to attend the northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Summit on May 15 and 16 (tickets on sale now at nwmiarts.org.. It’s an incredible opportunity to connect with artists and arts administrators, share experiences, and find inspiration as we collectively navigate the evolving world of arts and culture.
In the meantime, we always welcome you to stop by Crooked Tree Arts Center. Our doors are open — free and accessible to all.
And if you’re looking for a simple, joyful way to start your weekend, join us this Saturday for our Free Family Drop-In Art from 10 am to noon. Leave the mess to us, explore new materials, and enjoy a creative morning together.
Because in a changing world, moments of creativity keep us grounded — and connected.