October 4 – November 1, 2013
Opening Reception Friday, October 4, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Gallery Talk Saturday, October 5, 2:00 p.m.
After spending many years perfecting his techniques in fused glass, and exhibiting his glass works all over Michigan, Stephen Palmer has recently taken on a new challenge. Drawing on the traditions of collage, assemblage and bricolage, he has begun building sculptural fish from a hoard of found objects of every kind. Many of his larger fish start with cast off wooden crutches. Others start with shallow wooden boxes, paddles, or other objects. Palmer uses golf tees, discarded toys, dominoes, small tins, odd bits of hardware, old kitchen tools, paint brushes and assorted household objects to fill out the bellies, fins and heads of his fish. Once the elements are assembled, they are wrapped with wire. Quoted in a recent article in the Petoskey News, Palmer says, “The use of crutches for my fish represent what humans are doing to the oceans and the fish of the world.” In repurposing discarded materials, he hopes to point to the damage done to the environment through the careless use of resources in our throw-away culture.
Stephen Palmer “Limon”
Stephen Palmer was born in Berkeley, California. He earned his PhD in Education at Eastern Michigan University, and his MA in Education at Michigan State University. He was an Assistant Superintendant with Birmingham Public Schools, an Elementary School Principal in West Bloomfield and Harbor Springs, and taught in Holly and Flint for many years. He has exhibited his work in galleries and art fairs all over Michigan, and has many years of experience serving and volunteering with non-profit galleries and art organizations. He lives in Traverse City, Michigan and is represented by Tamarack Gallery in Omena, Michigan.
Please join us in welcoming Stephen Palmer at an opening reception on Friday, October 4 at 7:00 pm. We will host a gallery talk with the artists on Saturday, October 5 at 2:00 pm. The opening reception and gallery talk are free and open to the public. Visitors will enjoy an opportunity to meet the artists and gain some insight into their works.
This exhibit is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kresge Foundation.
The mission of Paint Creek Center for the Arts is to enhance life in the region by promoting, encouraging and creating opportunities to participate in and appreciate the arts. Paint Creek Center for the Arts is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 7:00pm, Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm, and Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm. PCCA is located at 407 Pine Street in downtown Rochester at the intersection of Pine and Fourth Streets. For information on exhibits, classes, the Art & Apples Festival, special events or volunteer opportunities, call 248-651-4110 or visit www.pccart.org.
About Sarah Hovis