When I was first promoted to vice president a few years ago, I’ll admit — taking over this column felt a little daunting. My predecessors were writers. Really good ones. They had the experience, the education, and the confidence that I wasn’t sure I had at the time. Writing a regular column felt overwhelming.
So I decided to approach it differently.
I write this column the same way I greet you when you walk into Crooked Tree — like we’re connecting one on one. So grab a cup of coffee or tea (and yes, if you stop by, we do actually have a coffee pot and I’d be happy to offer you a cup). I’m excited to share what’s happening here, and even more excited when those conversations continue in person. You are always welcome.
Today is one of those moments I really love sharing.
We are opening two new exhibitions today, featuring well over 200 works of art and nearly 150 artists throughout the building. It’s a lot. Will you be able to take it all in during one visit? Maybe. But my guess is that if you come back again during the next six weeks, you’ll notice something you missed the first time. That’s part of the joy.
On the main floor, we’re opening “Between Us,” an exhibition featuring artists from across the state. Every piece was juried around the idea of connection, distance, and everything that exists in the in-between. The interpretations are wide-ranging — some immediately clear, others more subtle. Some works may invite a longer pause, a deeper reflection, or even a moment of recognition in your own life — those “in between” spaces we often overlook.
Upstairs in the Carnegie galleries, we’re showcasing work by 118 CTAC Guild Members in our annual Artist Guild Member Salon Show. This exhibit rotates between our Traverse City and Petoskey campuses and is hung salon-style — a historical approach to displaying art that allows maximizing the space to showcase more work than most exhibits. More than anything, it gives a true sense of the incredible depth of talent that exists right here in our community.
I also want to include the space we affectionately refer to as the LibraGallery located in the Carnegie (part library and part gallery) where we feature a different Guild Member Artist in a pop-up exhibit every three weeks. We kick off the new year with fiber art from Traverse City artist, Linda Gardiner.
And speaking of community — I can’t think of a better way to represent it than these exhibitions together.
No pun intended, but the community between us, among us — our neighbors next door, across Traverse City, throughout northern Michigan, and across the state. We are all part of something bigger, and it takes spaces and places that bring us together. Crooked Tree Arts Center is proud to be one of those places — a space that honors creativity and creates connection.
We invite everyone to join us for the opening reception tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 17, from 3–5 p.m., as we celebrate these artists, these exhibitions, and this community. You are part of it, and we want to share it with you. Free and open to the public.
In addition to celebrating the exhibitions, we’ll also be recognizing the Downtown TC Community Mural installed outside the Larry C. Hardy Parking deck. At 3:30 pm, we’ll be joined by community partners from Downtown Traverse City and Look, Wonder, Discover to talk about the mural and the collaborative spirit behind it.
Coming in March is the annual Youth Art Exhibit featuring floor to ceiling student art from more than 20 area schools. This is a fan favorite and touches nearly everyone in the community …. a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, neighbor and more!
One last thing — parents, I see you. We know summer planning can feel stressful (especially when it still feels so far away). Our Summer Art Camps will be released during the last week of January. We’ll post the camps a few days before registration opens so you have time to explore dates, themes, and options. We want to be part of the solution — in a fun, creative way.
Because at the end of the day, we really are all in this together.
We are community.