I’m a glass half-full kind of person, so while I always feel a bit sorry to see summer wind down, I’m also really excited for what lies ahead, especially at Crooked Tree Arts Center. When I talk about summer, I’m referring to it in the context of the school calendar — once the kids start gearing up for school, it feels like the season is wrapping up.
But I digress. Like everyone in Traverse City, we’ve had an action-packed, energy-filled summer. And while that buzz is great, the energy of fall in northern Michigan is something special, too.
This fall, we’re bringing new exhibits into the galleries, shaking things up with a dynamic mix of not just visual art but also the written word and readings.
“Michigan: An American Portrait” is an art and culture exhibition that looks at the history, people, and natural environment of the state of Michigan. Through original works of art by Michigan artists, relationships between place, identity, and the human experience are explored. This project was inspired by the PBS documentary film, “Michigan: An American Portrait,” as produced by film producer David Crouse, along with Chip Duncan and Bob Huck. The exhibit features work by Doug Coombe, Robert deJonge, Elizabeth Fergus-Jean, Raymond Gaynor, Bill Hosterman, Carol Irving, John Perkins, Elizabeth Pollie, Bill Schwab, and Robert Scudder.
Our Carnegie Galleries will soon host the “Times 2” exhibit, an exciting open call to Michigan artists to create art primarily from recycled, upcycled, and found materials. “Times 2” reflects not only the second life given to these materials but also our collaboration with Oliver Art Center, as they host a similar exhibit Oct. 11-Nov. 8. These exhibits will showcase the power of recycled art to transform discarded objects into extraordinary works of expression.
In addition, we are thrilled to introduce “The Ekphrastic,” a new venture for Crooked Tree Arts Center, where the written word meets visual art. Local writers will craft responses inspired by the artworks in our galleries, creating a dialogue between text and image. Throughout the fall exhibition season, visitors of all ages will be invited to contribute their own poems or reflections, which will be displayed alongside the art. We’re particularly excited to engage local schools with this project, offering students the chance to participate in a unique writing exercise during gallery field trips. In addition to showcasing the written word, we’ll be hosting two special readings where authors can share their work aloud. Join us on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to all!
We’re also excited to offer a robust lineup of classes and workshops this season, with registration now open and some already filling up fast. We’ve brought back some popular favorites like Preschool Process Art with Laura Adams, Art Explorers (formerly Art Exploration) for grades 1-3, and the High School Portfolio class, along with the Beach Stone Ring and Pendant workshop. New this season, we’re offering a Master Painting class with Rufus Snoddy, where students will dive into surface manipulation and exploration. Plus, Royce Deans is leading a printmaking class where students will carve woodblocks to create unique designs and textures.
Plus we’re hitting the road! On Sunday, Sept. 15, we’ll be at the Flintfields Horse Expo, featuring talented local artists who specialize in horse portraits and paintings. We’ll also have a fun kids’ art activity to engage families. If you haven’t experienced Flintfields yet, it’s a must-see. This world-class venue hosts horses from around the world, and my first visit was unforgettable — I had no idea such a gem was right in our backyard. The experience was educational, enlightening, and honestly, so much fun. Plus, some of the horses have just returned from the Olympics!
Let us help you ease into the fall season with these events and join us Friday, Sept. 13, for the opening reception of the fall exhibits. As always, receptions are free and open to the public. It is a fun opportunity to meet the artists, connect with a friend or neighbor and surround yourself with the incredibly dynamic community that we are fortunate enough to call home. The fall exhibits are open through Oct. 26. Crooked Tree hours are Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.