William Bonifas Fine Arts Center

Come on in..

..and celebrate excellence with us here at the Bonifas Arts Center!

In the Gallery, Fires Around the Lakes: Ten Years After a juried glass competition from artists living and working in states bordering the lakes. Juror Herb Babcock and a host of wonderful artists attended the opening reception, gave talks, and blew glass at Big Ole Days.

Pieces blown that day by Albert Young of Detroit, Chuck Pritchard of Kiel, WI, Lynn Denning of Harbor Springs, MI, Al Hansen of Escanaba, MI, and Beth Cox of Perronville, MI, are on display in the Kasota Gallery. Eight gorgeous blue glass pieces in the Venetian Style are for sale on a Silent Auction basis. Come in to the 7th Street entrance and place your bid through July 30.

Thanks to Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs for their continuing sponsorship of our Galleries!

Bring your lunch to the Arts Center on these Wednesdays to enjoy learning about glass in its many manifestations. All Brown Bag Lunches begin at noon and last about an hour. There is no charge.

7/1 Noon - "Paul Stankard: inventing illusions" 46-minute video featuring the hot glass creation of Stankard's wildflowers and insects.
7/8 "American art glass, 1880-1930" video.
7/15 "Beads and beyond with LeRoy Goertz" video showing the creation of beads, perfume bottles, and hummingbirds.
7/22 "Walls of light: history of stained glass" video depicting glass from 5000 years ago in the Middle East to today.
7/29 "Glass Masters at work: Lino Tagliapietra" video showcasing one of the men who helped shape the world of contemporary studio glass.

See you there!

And there's more to do!

Yoga classes meet again on Wednesday, July 15, at 6 p.m.
Legacy, power trio from Mississippi brings Celtic music to the Arts Center stage on Saturday, July 11, at 7 p.m. Tickets $15.
Teen Scene begins on Monday, July 20, offering art under the leadership of artist Eddie Moritz from 1 to 3 p.m. Five sessions, $20 (ask about scholarships).
Shoot for the Arts annual clay shoot at Black Duck Sporting Clays in Rapid River on Saturday, July 18. If you've never shot before, this is your time - expert, patient, friendly staff makes it fun and easy!

There's something for everyone in the Arts!

We're sending a huge thanks to all who helped celebrate the incomparable Lynn Soderberg at her 60th birthday concert. Who knew 60 could look, sound, and act so superbly! Ms. Soderberg donated her time and talent for a smashing fundraiser, delighting the crowd in the sold-out auditorium.

Thanks, too, to the Bright Spots: Nancy Bluse, Jimmy Bruce, Tom Knoll, and Marie Peterson, for their excellent performances. And there are also Ed Dwyer and Jim Soderberg, who ran lights, accompanists Tom Knoll and Marie Peterson, Lobby manager Susie Coplan, and sound from Peter Denman and Pat Feldhusen. Ushers were some of Lynn's students.

THANKS!

Don't forget to keep us in mind in 2009. We're open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Annual membership is just $35 for an individual and $50 for a family.