Exhibit: Bay Area Artists light up local school
Exhibit: Bay Area Artists light up local school
By KAYLA GAHAGAN, DMG Writer
DOLLAR BAY — It’s been four years since the Bay Area Artists Annual Independence Day art exhibit has had an area to call its own for the day.
On Sunday it did and the Dollar Bay/Tamarack School multi-purpose room was transformed into an art exhibit showcasing local talent.
“I’m very happy with the way things turned out,” said Dennis Lahikainen, director of the Bay Area Artists.
About 40 artists submitted work for the exhibit, including mediums of watercolors, colored pencil, oils, acrylic, fiber and sculpture, which were then judged by Peggy Sandin of Ironwood.
The exhibit, which has formerly been housed at Michigan Tech University or the Houghton Fire Hall garage, was sponsored this year by the school, a mini-grant from the Copper Country Community Arts Center and the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs.
Lahikainen said he thinks the location drew more people to the event. He hopes for even more participation next year.
“We had six times as much space now, so we want six times as many artists,” he said.
Almost ten pieces of the artwork sold, which is a success, although that is not what the exhibit is about, said BAA member Kathy Johnson.
“That’s not why we run this show,” she said. “We have artists that are just taking classes as well as professional artists. Everyone can have a (part) in it. That’s what the community arts should do.”
Lahikainen agreed. “It’s a place for artists to come and show work and improve in association with other artists and improve their technique.”
Terri Stahl, of Indiana, came to visit friends who had submitted work in the exhibit and she said she wished that the exhibit could be displayed for an extended period of time in a more public place, such as a bank. That way, people who wouldn’t normally come to an art exhibit might be exposed to the local artwork.
“I’m very impressed,” she said. “There’s such a broad range of styles and levels. There are some really great pieces.”
Kayla Gahagan can be reached at kgahagan@mininggazette.com
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