Summer Art Hop showcases work of ‘I am the Greatest’

Published 1:20 pm Friday, May 25, 2012

During the week of the Senior PGA, the New Territory Arts Association will host two events, including a three-day Bier Garden Thursday through Saturday and a Summer Art Hop.

The Summer Art Hop, themed “I am the Greatest,” is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in Benton Harbor’s Arts District.

The “I am the Greatest” project celebrates the life and influence of Muhammad Ali, world heavy-weight champion, philanthropist and social activist.  Sixteen sculptures by John Sauve will be installed at various Art Hop venues within the Arts District as well as in St. Joseph.

Art Hop will kick off with an opening reception at the Anna Russo-Sieber Gallery at 6 p.m. Free to the public, the reception will offer local food, wines and music by indie artist Morgan Ingle and the soulful  tunes of Charlene Jones.

• 3Pillars Gallery presents “Land, Legends and Landscapes, Images of the Region.” The exhibit features photographs by David Knight and paintings by Kristin K Hosbein.

• Edward Jones Financial Services will exhibit the work of artists Leigh Ann Tutton and Tom Turner.

• The Livery will hold two exhibits in its upstairs balcony: “Transit of Venus” featuring multiple artists and “Relapse and Recovery” by David Wilkinson. Live music will be provided by Lindsey Lou & The Flatbelly’s at 9pm.

• Murfee’s Boutique will introduce work by therapist Eugenia Apawu of the Beauty & Body Wellness Day Spa.

• Charlie’s Piggin’ N’ Grinnin’ will display works by artists Randy Willis and Iggy Conkin, in addition to free arts-and-crafts activities for kids.

• The Oak Room at the Citadel will be in full splendor with entertainment, drinks, light hors d’oeuvres and an Art and Food Fair on the open lot next door. Students from the Citadel Dance and Music Center will perform from 5 to  7:30 p.m., followed by a late-night comedy set by The Oak Room Players.

• OutCenter will exhibit artist Adam Thomas’ new collection of whimsical paintings with abstracted backgrounds. Thomas, a native of Battle Creek, has shown in more than 20 galleries and venues in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina.

• The Dorris Akers Gallery at Water Street Glassworks will host a “Studio Showcase” exhibit with metal artists and glass artists Cynthia McKean, Carolyn O’Hearn, Cynthia Fielding, John VanAmerongen, Todd Knight, Lucy Olechowski, Wes Hunting, and Barbara Yerace. The entertainment for the evening will be boro flameworking demonstrations in the front of the building, glassblowing demonstrations in the hot shop and blacksmithing demonstrations in the new outdoor viewing studio.

• The Phoenix presents “Found Botany: A Fusion of Science, History, and Art” by  artist/photographer Andy Sawyer.

• Participating artists include at the 210 Studios include Brad Bigford (sculpture), Angela Caldwell (jewelry), Angela Clark (“Occasions by Friends”), Pam Harper (blown glass), Cheri Lesaukis (jewelry), Laurie Pagona (“Chaos Red), Adam Thomas (paintings), and guest artist David Smykle.