By Margaret Foreman, Holland Area Arts Council

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Holland Arts Council presenting their statewide art competition, and the Arts Council plans to begin their 50th Anniversary celebrations with the opening of MI Arts.

Artists 18 and over from all over the state submit up to three works of art each. A juror narrows the submissions, and the resulting work is exhibited in the Arts Council’s Padnos and Armstrong Galleries. The Arts Council does this to fulfill their mission to educate, engage and challenge the community through the arts.

For MI Arts 2017, the Arts Council presents Jay Constantine as juror. Constantine pulls from art, history, science and magic to create thought highly detailed, thought-provoking pieces. He has been teaching painting at Kendall College of Art and Design for 36 years and was instrumental in creating the undergraduate painting major and the MFA in painting. He shows at galleries locally and in New York and Chicago. Visit jayconstantineart.com for more information and to view his artwork.

Constantine was tasked with narrowing down the entries to curate an exhibition of painting and drawing, wood and ceramic sculptures, photographs, prints, fiber and other media including kinetic and installation work. Artists submitted 194 pieces, and Constantine selected 80 to be included in the exhibition.

Light refreshments and snacks will be served at the opening reception with the artists and juror on Friday, August 25th from 6-8 pm. Constantine will announce first, second and third places as well as honorable mentions and discuss his selections. The opening and exhibition are free and open to the public. The exhibition will be on display through November 4th.

The Holland Area Arts Council is located at 150 East 8th Street. Call 616.396.3278, email helpdesk@hollandarts.org or visit www.hollandarts.org/exhibitions for more information.