WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org
Blandford Nature Center and LaFontsee Galleries are partnering to present Art is Second Nature– an art show and sale to benefit the ongoing efforts to restore The Highlands to a natural landscape. Art is Second Nature will be hosted on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Blandford Nature Center located at 1715 Hillburn Avenue NW.
This show and sale will consist of pieces by more than 40 artists, all of who have been inspired by the beauty of The Highlands. Piece sizes will vary and prices will range from $200 up to $4,500. All exhibited work will be for sale and proceeds will go towards returning the 121-acre former golf course into a natural space the public can explore and enjoy.
Once a golf course, now a nature preserve
“Walking through the sea of native wildflowers that now covers The Highlands in the summer, it can be hard to believe that it was a golf course just four years ago,” said Blandford’s President and CEO Jack Woller. “This property has become a center of species diversity and a staple in our community for people to enjoy nature, but there is more work to be done.”
Blandford Nature Center and the Land Conservancy of West Michigan teamed up in 2017 to purchase the former golf course. Today, The Highlands features native grassland covering 75 of the 121 acres, eight wetlands, and three miles of trails, including segments of accessible paved and crushed gravel trail. The proceeds from Art is Second Nature will go towards continuing the restorative work at The Highlands, but also maintaining the land for years to come.
“A lot has been accomplished on the property in the last few years. From here, we’re hoping to improve public access through infrastructure at The Highlands while ensuring the area continues to support biodiversity,” Woller continued. “We’re so grateful for LaFontsee Galleries and the participating artists for contributing to an event that will help us achieve our goal.”
Artists will be present for the duration of the show alongside their work, expressing their vision of and depicting scenes of The Highlands.
“When I visited The Highlands for the first time scouting out what I was going to paint, I was struck by the light. It blew me away,” said artist Stephen Duren. “There is ‘California light’ where I grew up, there is ‘Michigan light’, and now there is ‘The Highlands light’. I used colors that I have never used before in my work. I couldn’t do just one piece, I had to return to do more.”
Sharing their vision
This art show and sale will include names such as Stephen Duren, Kathy Mohl, Justin Kellner, Jason Quigno, Rachael Van Dyke, and more. A full list of participating artists can be found on Blandford Nature Center’s website.
Admission to this event is free and no registration is required to attend, but guests will have the option of making donations in support of the conservation efforts at The Highlands. Light refreshments will be provided and all ages are welcome.
Anyone unable to attend on Oct. 22nd will be able to view and purchase remaining pieces through Blandford Nature Center’s online gift shop until sold out. In-person viewings at Blandford Nature Center can be scheduled during normal business hours (Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) by calling the front desk at 616-735-6240. For more event details or to visit the online gift shop, attendees can visit www.blandfordnaturecenter.org.
