Sunday Paper: Fighting that cabin fever with beauty

We know it’s cold out there. But sometimes you need a little beauty in your life. A little something to get you through those harsh January days. We’re here to help.

Lewis Luman Clark, “Bird’s Eye View of Passenger Pigeons Nesting,” is part of the Grand Rapids Art Museum’s permanent collection. You can visit it for free all day Tuesday, and Thursday evening—thanks to the Meijer Free Days at the GRAM. Photo credit Holly Bechiri.

WEEK IN REVIEW

We took a Snowflake Break downtown

Perhaps you’re not an Instagram addict, so you missed the day our editor and her son braved the cold to head downtown for a day exploring the arts in our city. Where’d they go and what did they discover, you ask?

Stop one, Grand Rapids Public Museum to visit Finny the Whale and his new virtual reality exhibit; and the “Brain: The World Inside Your Head” exhibit (today’s the last day for that one!).

Then up to the “Dragons, Unicorns, & Mermaids” exhibit, full of mythical (and some actual) creatures, recently opened and full of stories. Favorite just might be that vain cowgirl mermaid up there. (Please note there is an extra charge to see this exhibit. Absolutely worth it.)

Reminder: If you live in Kent County, your kids get into the Public Museum for free! Click here for all the pricing and information for your visit.

Next stop:

Andy Warhol’s American Icons at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Up through February 11 so hurry to see this one!

and Carl Wilson’s “Her Purse Smelled Like Juicy Fruit and Other Tales,” also up for just another month. Great stories from a Detroit artist that we talked to earlier about his work and life—if you missed it, it’s right here.

“Wow, I’m looking at a LOT of art right now,” he said. Of course you know he had to visit the permanent collection while there!

Just a few highlights—Top: Lewis Luman Clark, “Passenger Pigeons” (left) and “Bird’s Eye View of Passenger Pigeons Nesting” (center); and the luminous “Evening, Autumn” by Dwight William Tryon (right). Below: “Virgin of Mercy” by Bortolome Bermejo and Martin Bernat, which includes an angel with a serious gift for serving some side eye. All photos credit Holly Bechiri.

First Fridays on the Avenue included…

Encaustic work by Light Gallery + Studio co-owner Matthew Provoast, telling the story of his grandfather’s time in the Vietnam War. This exhibit has plenty to to explore. Click here and scroll to the bottom for hours, location, and everything you need to know for your own visit. Photos credit Holly Bechiri. Click to enlarge.

In the news this week:

Grand Rapids Ballet announces new Artistic Director, James Sofranko.

Photo of James Sofranko courtesy Grand Rapids Ballet credit Andrew Weeks.

Opera Grand Rapids talks to “The Doctor” of opera, Evans Mirageas, about why opera is seeing a boom right now.

Photo of Evans Mirageas courtesy Opera Grand Rapids.

Calvin College opens new exhibition Monday, “The Beautiful,” with over 35 contemporary works focusing on the topic of beauty.

Marissa Voytenko’s “In A Holding Pattern” is part of the exhibit at Calvin College. Photo courtesy Calvin College Center Art Gallery.

Erica Monroe kicks off our “More of This, Please” series with a list of arts experiences in 2017 that kept her hopeful for the future.

Closeup of work by Iris VanHerpen that was at the Grand Rapids Art Museum earlier in 2017. Photo credit Erica Monroe.

“All of these experiences have a nourishing quality, presenting opportunities for self growth, forging and strengthening bonds in the community, through the preservation of tradition and ritual…I believe that supporting local artists and organizations will make my community stronger and more resilient to turmoil and change.”

(Preach, Erica. Preach.)

So now. To get you to ways to your own experiences in the arts:

WHAT NOT TO MISS THIS WEEK

The “Christian Marclay: Video Quartet” exhibit at the Grand Rapids Art Museum is in its last week. Do not miss it. Photo courtesy GRAM.

“All the Way” opens at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre this weekend, telling the story of Lyndon Johnson’s presidency and his work with the Civil Rights Act.
All Tchaikovsky, Friday and Saturday with the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Grand Rapids Art Museum: Carl Wilson, Andy Warhol: American Icons, Christian Marclay: Video Quartet (LAST WEEK FOR THE MARCLAY EXHIBIT. This one is not to be missed—read about why here.)
UICA: Coming Home, through January 28

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