Hop into art, culture at annual event

Published 10:02 am Thursday, June 12, 2014

Visitors to Benton Harbor’s Art Hop can stroll through the Arts District from gallery to gallery and stop by Water Street GelatoWorks for a cool treat. (Photo by Joshua Nowicki)

Visitors to Benton Harbor’s Art Hop can stroll through the Arts District from gallery to gallery and stop by Water Street GelatoWorks for a cool treat. (Photo by Joshua Nowicki)

BENTON HARBOR — If art is your thing — any kind of art — then the Benton Harbor Arts District will be the place for you to celebrate the summer solstice this year.

“It’s a long party,” said Dixie Inocencio, who serves as secretary on the New Territory Arts Association board of directors. “Last year, our solstice Art Hop was phenomenally successful.”

This year, the Arts District will definitely be hopping on June 20, with activities starting at 6 and lasting until 9 p.m., and most of the events will be free.

As usual, a number of art galleries in the area will be hosting open houses, welcoming visitors in to view the artwork on display, and many will be offering hors d’oeuvres, wine and other beverages. Restaurants in the area will also be open to serve Art Hop event-goers.

At the ARS Gallery, visitors can view “Oil, Water & Glass,” which includes paintings by Susan Henshaw and glass sculptures by Water Street Glassworks’ Jerry Catania.

Brad Bigford will be showing pieces from his collection, “Stolen Masterpieces,” at the Terrazzo Gallery. Working with layers of painted wood, Bigford creates reproductions of famous masterpieces by such artists as Dali, Duchamp and Botticelli.

The Oak Room will present “The Nathan and Peyton Show,” which will feature paintings and sculptures by Nathan Margoni and Peyton Brown.

Other businesses in the Arts District will also be participating with their own events, including art exhibits and special sales.

The OutCenter will be showcasing the artwork of Thomas Allen with an exhibit entitled “Summer Camp with Thomas Allen​.” Known for stylish photographs that have been inspired by pulp fiction novels and paperbacks, Allen’s work has appeared in a number of national magazines.

The 3 Pillars Music Store will host an open house with light bites and beverages. There, event-goers will find musical instruments and accessories as well as “pre-loved” albums, 45s and CDs. Instrument repairs will also be available.

Cycle-Re-Cycle will be participating with a special Arts District sidewalk display of childrens’ bicycles that they will set up in front of Water Street GelatoWorks.

Featuring art and unusual, rare and antique books, Wall Street Antiques will be offering special treats for Art Hop visitors, and 6 Degrees  Resale Store will be providing complimentary wine and chocolate as well as a 16 percent off “Art Hop Sale.”

For those who are interested in listening to live music, there will be several different options to choose from that evening.

Thayer, Inc. will have an art exhibit featuring Kat Kinsgley and the Brunson Hill Art House accompanied by the live music of Ed Skjordal, as well as appetizers, wine and lemonade.

The Citadel Dance Center will host an open house with live performances by faculty and students, with wine and hors d’oeuvres being served.

Finally, the big addition to this year’s Summer Art Hop will be a Cabaret Concert with Paul Mow and Aiden Ankli at the Livery.

“I think it’s going to be spectacular,” Inocencio said. “Paul Mow is a Coloma native who studied opera in New York and has won several awards. He has now returned and is teaching at the Citadel. He is also the director of theatrical productions at Southwestern Michigan College. He and his student, Aiden Ankli, will be performing together.”

Mow and Ankli will be accompanied by Eric Oliphant on drums, Dustin Lowe on guitar and Brent Decker on piano. Doors open at 7:30, and the concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets for the show are $15.

There will also be an opportunity for the public to join in a collective project entitled “Two by Two:  A Community Glass Project.” Interested visitors can design and create their own 2-by-2-inch glass tile at Water Street Glassworks. Those will then be included in an installation in the Arts Park in the Arts District.

For more information about the various events taking place during the Art Hop, visit the New Territory Arts Association Facebook page at www.facebook.com/newterritoryarts.