Please note: All information contained within this post was provided by the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC). New exhibits open on Thursday, July 25 with an Opening Reception 6 -8 p.m. (Free and open to the public.)
Artist Kelly Smith
It’s July and the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center is sizzling with workshops, classes and camps. The Michigan Fine Arts Competition wraps up on July 11 and a new set of exhibits, featuring the work of Linda Soberman, Mosaic Artists of Michigan, Kelly Smith, and Group of 10 opens July 25 and runs through August 22.
Summer Art Camps- Still Available
“Art camp is a wonderful way to spend part of the summer,” said Annie VanGelderen, President & CEO of the BBAC. “The kids truly have fun while they are learning important artistic tools and creating projects of all kinds. Parents love art camp too—as it provides worthwhile summer time fun and an artistic outlet for their children.”
Genuine art-making experiences are available and it’s not too late to register for summer camps. Campers in middle school and high school can learn more about fashion, animation, jewelry/metals, or preparing a portfolio for college visits. Week long drawing skill workshops are also still available.
Campers in grades 1-8 can sign up for two weeks or four separate one-week options; clay, fashion, metals and jewelry, wheel throwing and more. There is also plenty for the Pre/K and Kindergarten set.
Camps Coming Up the Week of July 7
Youth Art Camp: July 7-18, 9 am to 3 pm
Campers rotate by age group to different studio classes for drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, metals/jewelry and mixed media.
Drawing Skills Workshops Especially Designed for Teens.
Choose from July 7 – July 11, 12:30-3:30 and/or July 14-July 18, 12:30-3:30.
For more information re: camps contact the BBAC, 248.644.0866, www.BBArtCenter.org
Register Online, By Phone or In-Person
Online: BBArtCenter.org, Phone: 248.644.0866 Summer Hours: BBAC Office & Exhibitions 9 am–5 pm, Mon.–Sat.
Looking Ahead: Planet Lori Art Camp- Aug. 25-29 (Ages 5-15)
This free week of camp is designed for children who have experienced or are experiencing a parent or close relative with cancer. Art can be healing and help children who are also dealing with this difficult process, even if they are not directly affected. The camp runs daily August 25-29,
9 am – 3 pm. Visit www.PlanetLori.com. Eligible applicants are accepted on a first come basis.
Adult Workshops to Consider in July
The Natural Way to Draw
This course is an introduction to basic freehand drawing. The emphasis is on media, concepts, drawing from observation and development of technique. This is a project-centered class with demonstrations, specific assignments and instructional guidance.
1105.54.01.14 Saturdays, July 12 – August 16, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 6 sessions
$162 Members, $202 Guests, $20 Materials Fee, Instructor: Bonnie Weir
Painting: Introduction to Encaustic
Artist Marilyn Derwenskus – Neighborhood. Detail. Watermedia
Instructor Christine McCauley will teach students will learn the basic techniques required to create true encaustic paintings, experimenting with color mixing, surface preparations, painting, carving, bas-relief and other techniques.2112.54.04.14 Intro/Beginner, Saturdays, July 12 – August 16, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, 6 sessions, $180 Members, $220 Guests, $65 Materials Fee
Watermedia Painting Workshop: Focusing on Concept & Image to Create Powerful Paintings Visiting Artist Marilyn Derwenskus will share the sources of ideas for the visual artist and how to adjust design and technique to strengthen the communication of the artist’s idea. This strategy clearly embeds power in the painted image. Design and technique will be reviewed throughout the week as well as a final critique. 2112.54.05.14, All Levels , Monday – Friday, July 21 – 25, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, 5 sessions, $298 Members, $338 Guests
NEW EXHIBITS, JULY 25-AUGUST 22
The exhibit “Where Were You” is a multi-image installation, “created to provoke and confront complacency with narratives about remembrance, the commonality of loss, and the identity of women,” said artist Linda Soberman. “I use imagery steeped in historical context coupled with multiple forms of media expression to question how art can translate difficult subject matter into contemporary terms.”
Mosaic Artists of Michigan is a group of about 50 artists who banded together to share, educate and promote the resurgence of fine art mosaics. Visit www.mosaicartistsofmichigan.com.
Kelly Smith’s “Organic Rediscovery” takes a different look at the repetition of simplicity. Her art is primarily inspired by nature. Group of 10 is a group originating from the Palette & Brush club; their exhibit is paintings in a variety of mediums
Meet Me @ the BBAC: Aging is inevitable but loss of creativity is not.
The BBAC’s newest access program is Meet Me @ the BBAC. This unique opportunity provides an expressive outlet and dialogue forum for individuals living with early and mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease, along with their caregivers. The interactive program combines art-looking and art-making. It is based on the highly successful Meet Me at MoMA program, developed in 2006 by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The BBAC works with care organizations and residential groups that benefit individuals with Alzheimer’s; fees are on a sliding scale. There are also monthly sessions for the general public. For more information: BBArtCenter.org
About the BBAC
The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center has been providing “art for all” since 1957 and is a regional non-profit art center committed to promoting visual arts experiences. Each year more than 500 classes are offered for all skill levels and ages preschool to senior citizens. Throughout the year, nearly 5,000 individuals are served by classes, workshops, art camps, outreach programs, special events and exhibitions that are free and open to the public (with an additional 75,000 impacted by Art Birmingham, the BBAC’s annual fine art fair). The BBAC also supports hundreds of artists each year, with opportunities to teach, exhibit, and sell their work. The BBAC is a 25,000-square foot facility, with nine classroom studios, four exhibition galleries, and retail Gallery Shop. BBAC summer hours for the office, exhibitions and Gallery Shop: Mon.-Sat., 9 am-5 pm
The BBAC is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit the BBAC at BBArtCenter.org, phone 248-644-0866 or visit our Facebook page. The BBAC is located at 1516 S. Cranbrook Rd., Birmingham MI 48009 between 14 and 15 Mile Rds.
About Sarah Hovis