Two Twelve Arts Center Hosts “Earth – A Closer View”

The “Artist of the Month” series at the in Saline has a slightly different twist this month: an exhibit of a collection of work by local artists who are competing in an art challenge.  

“Earth – A Closer View” is the second Earth Challenge art show, said fiber artist and art instructor Kat Campau, who is serving as curator for the show, held at the center’s new location, 216 W. Michigan Ave. in Saline.

“The first one was in January of 2010, and was inspired by beautiful color photos of Earth from space,” she said. “The second Earth challenge started with only black-and-white illustrations of microscopic plant life, and the colors were left to the artists’ imagination.

“The book I chose, ‘Microscopic Art Forms from the Plant World’ by R. Anheusser, is filled with pictures that look like creatures from other worlds. They were so intriguing I decided it would be fun to see how artists would interpret them.”

Artists could work in any medium – and the exhibit includes jewelry, mosaics, art quilts, paintings, furniture, and constructions of unusual items.

Contestants, who were allowed to enter two pieces for the $15 entry free, are competing for cash awards of $100, $50 and $25, donated by the center. Awards include Best of Show, first and second place each for 2- and 3-dimensional art, and a prize for Best Use of Recycled Objects.

“Because the purpose of the challenge is to make people aware of the beauty of our planet, I asked that artists include something recycled,” Campau said. “I wanted people to feel welcome to experiment with using materials that are unfamiliar to them, and discover creative solutions to difficulties.”

One aspect of the two earth challenges has been support of a charity.  “Awareness of the environment should include caring for the people of Earth as well,” Campau said.

She chose the Mercy Education Project, an organization that provides after-school tutoring and GED preparation, adult literacy and other educational life skills development services to girls and women in Detroit who have experienced hardship, including homelessness, poverty and abuse.

“My sister, Sr. Gretchen Elliott, was a Sister of Mercy and an artist as well,” Campau said. “She passed away last year. So in her memory, the entry fees collected for this show will go to MEP.”

Judges for the Earth show are Pam O’Hara from Artistica Gallery in Dexter, and Joan Potter Thomas from Northville Art Center.  

“Both of them are accomplished artists, as well as business people, and they’re open to art in non-traditional media,” Campau said. “I think we have some pieces in this show that will amaze them.”

Winners will be announced at an artists’ reception, 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 17 at the center.

The exhibit will be displayed at Two Twelve Arts Center through June 30, before moving to the to be displayed through July.  Center hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

For information, call 944-2787 or visit www.Twotwelvearts.org.