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BAAA Annual Membership Show Opening:   Russell Secrest, above, received Best of Show for his metal sculpture, Copper Band, in the Bay Area Art Association Membership Show. The 2007 Bay Area Art Association (BAAA) Annual Membership Show opened May 17 and ran through June 14 in the Upper and Lower Galleries at the Bonifas Arts Center. "This is always a great show," said Kathryn Morski for the Bonifas. "It's not only a multi-media exhibit ranging from pottery, quilts and sculpture through painting and drawing, but it all comes from artists from our own backyard." BAAA is the area's premiere grassroots art organization, with a mission of promoting local artists' work. This show, with its varied works, demonstrates just how successfully the group accomplishes that mission. Winners were announced at the Artists Reception on Thursday, May 17. BAAA President Janie Paulin presented the awards, and thanked Gallery Crew Suzy Decker, Jesse Farkas, and Carol Jennings for hanging the show. Award-winning artist and teacher Carl Mayer of Marquette judged the multi-media exhibit and found it "delightful, but difficult to judge." Winner of the Jerry McKie Award for Best of Show was Russell Secrest for his sculpture "Copper Band". Brian Burroughs won first prize for "When Our Lives Meet". Newcomer April South-Olsen was awarded second prize for "Self Portrait in the Spring", and potter Al Hanson won third for his untitled raku pot. Honorable mentions were awarded to the following artists: Leora Andrews for "Woodland Splendor"; Sara Bagley for "Happy Birthday to Me"; Sharon Fosmo for "Fish"; John Gustafson for "Reflections" and "Spring Lake"; Kellie Hanson for "What is On Your Mind?"; Jeff Higbie for "Gone"; Maureen Lapinski for "Sassy Stars"; Clara Mosenfelder for "Randy"; Valarie Norman for "Flight 101"; Carol Stoll for "Peace"; Vicki Shirley for "Brown and Blue Marbled Platter"; Pasqua Warstler for "Pulled". An Artists' Choice and a Viewers' Choice award were presented after the exhibit's end, after voting was completed by participating artists and Gallery visitors. The Viewers' Choice Award was voted on by visitors to the exhibit. Gallery guests chose Brian Burroughs' graphite piece "When Our Lives Meet". He will be presented a $50 award. An Artists' Choice Award went to Jeff Higbie for his photograph "Gone". Higbie, too, will receive a $50 award for his prize. Bay Area Arts Association supports professional and amateur artists with such activities as the Artists' Gatherings held several times a year at the Bonifas Arts Center, and Waterfront Art Festival in Ludington Park (coming up on August 4, 2007). Membership is open. For more information call Janie Paulin at 768-3102 back to the top >> History of Bay Area Art Association: Bay Area Art Association was formed in 1974. At that time it was known as the Delta County Council for the Arts. It’s purpose was to convince the Catholic church, the City of Escanaba, and Delta County that there was a need for a unique opportunity to develop an Arts Center. From this action the William Bonifas Arts Center was born. Bay Area Art Association then went on to build a community amongst the local artists, to support their creativity, and to offer an environment where they could display and perform their work. During the last 32 years we have given our members the opportunity to showcase their art work, and the public the opportunity to be exposed to local artists, through the annual Membership Show. We have also provided a venue in the Waterfront Arts Festival for artists to display and sell their work. We have seen this event grow into one that provides hands-on demonstrations, children activities, musical performances and much more. We have also seen the Arts Center grow into an entity providing art workshops and exhibits of a wide-range to our community. We continue to outreach into the artists and general public by providing enrichment and learning opportunities through Artist Gatherings. These evenings showcase a certain medium of interest and allow artists to demonstrate their expertise to others. The audience is then given the opportunity to produce some type of hands-on project to take home. It is our goal to inspire people to learn something new, try a new avenue of interest, and expand their own interests. |
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| Currently, we have between 135 members in the association. Our membership show brings in over 50 artists each year and the Waterfront Arts Festival has 70 to 90 vendors, plus musicians, youth artists, and hands-on demos by the artists in attendance. We are always open to new ideas for the festival in August. Some of our ideas are to expand the food vendors with a high end coffee bar. Also to have a professional “masseuse” for people attending the festival & also for the artists. This would be great for everyone’s aching back & sore feet. If you have any suggestions for the Waterfront Art Festival committee, please email Janie at dreamweaverbasketsup@chartermi.net We are always open to new & different ideas for the festival. back to the top >> WHAT’S NEW with Bay Area Art Association?? Brochure Rack: There is now a brochure rack located in the entrance of the Bonifas for BAAA members’ brochures. We encourage you to take advantage of this for exposure of your work. Our hope is with the traffic flowing through the Bonifas for their exhibits, visitors/tourists will also have access to information on our local artists. So, if you don’t already have one, we encourage you to produce a brochure showcasing your artwork (hint: don’t forget to list local stores and galleries where your work can be seen) and plan on dropping them off in our new brochure rack. This is another good reason to join Bay Area Art Association. The membership fee is only $15.00 per year. Membership also gives you a discount on entries into the Waterfront Art Festival of 10%. Also an opportunity to showcase your artwork in the Membership show in May. This is another free event for our members & gives their artwork the exposure it deserves. Also the Barb Symon scholarship is available to Bay Area Art Association members to apply for in the spring of every year. Contact a board member for an application. Website: Well if you’re reading this, you’ve already found us; our new web page linked to the Bonifas but yet identifying ourselves as a separate organization. Check back frequently on dates for upcoming artists gatherings, new opportunities etc. Barb Symon Scholarship: Once a year we give out a $200 scholarship to one artist wishing to take a workshop to advance their skills. Applications are available by calling 786-3102. This year the scholarship went to Janie Paulin. Janie attended an Antler Basketry workshop on Washington Island with Rich Prange, nationally known basketweaver. It does help to defray the costs of class fees & room and board. Email List: If you would like to receive emails of upcoming events and opportunities, please send your email address to Janie at dreamweaverbasketsup@charter.net . We are trying to save on postage by using emails to share information with our members. Please send me your email address. Thanks, Janie Please email any comments or suggestions regarding our web site to: dreamweaverbasketsup@charter.net back to the top >> |
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