Tag Archives: sale

Blandford to host art show, sale to benefit The Highlands

Citizen Journalism, , , ,

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

“The Highlands” by Kathy Mohl (Courtesy, Blandford Nature Center)

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.

Used book sale this Saturday at KDL Wyoming branch

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Calling all book lovers, there will be a used book sale this Saturday at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW.

The sale will take place from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the library. An array of titles will be available. The $3 a bag of books will start at 2 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Friends of the Wyoming Library.

Public Museum’s shop participates in Museum Store Sunday Nov. 29

Entertainment,

By Christie Bender
Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today its Curiosity Shop will participate in Museum Store Sunday, taking place on Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sponsored by the Museum Store Association, Museum Store Sunday celebrates museum stores and their ability to sustain a museum’s service to their community and public. The GRPM’s Curiosity Shop features local artisan jewelry, apparel, artwork, gourmet treats, stationary and educational gifts both online and in its physical location. Purchases at the GRPM’s Curiosity Shop support ongoing work of the Museum, including exhibitions and programs.

“We’re excited to participate in Museum Store Sunday once again this year,” said GRPM’s Gift Shop Manager Stephanie Dykert. “We all know about Black Friday and Small Business Saturday; this is another way to support the Museum through holiday gift giving. Just as we curate our Collections, we do the same when we select local products and items that reflect on the Museum’s experience and mission to inspire curiosity. We’re happy to offer such a diverse range of gifts that will appeal to shoppers of all ages.”

On Museum Store Sunday, the GRPM’s 10% member shopping discount will be extended to all patrons on Nov. 29 only, both in the GRPM’s Curiosity Shop and online store; members will receive an additional 10% off purchases.

The GRPM’s Curiosity Shop carries a wide selection of unique products, related to history, science, and culture including exhibit mementos, GRPM branded souvenirs, educational science kits, books by local authors, Michigan merchandise and more.

Shoppers can make purchases online anytime at shop.grpm.org. Options are available for direct shipping as well as contactless curbside pick-up at the Museum’s 272 Pearl Street location. The Curiosity Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Museum admission is not required to shop. Limited capacity, masks required.

Products from local artisans and vendors within the Curiosity Shop include: Cellar Door Artisans and Preserves, Imagination Starters, Daddy’s Dough Cookies, Wildship Studios, Megan Altieri, Artist & Author, The Mineral Man, Hanover’s Michigan Mints, Fresh Coast Candles, Westside Collaborative, Mitten State, Michigan Awesome, Michigan Mittens,  Cherry Republic, Keweenaw Gem & Gift, Roeda Studio, Little Flower Soap Co., North Country Candy & Gifts, Reggie James and Raggedy Amy Studios.

 

The GRPM is currently open and welcoming visitors to explore the three floors of core exhibitions, along with Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks and Under the Arctic. Limited capacity; advance ticketing is required. For additional details about the updated GRPM visitor experience, visit grpm.org

Grand Haven Main Street hosts Summer Sweep 2020

Entertainment, Local Entertainment,

Grand Haven Main Street merchants will be rolling out their summer clearance inventory to their sidewalks to make room for the fall inventory. The Main Street merchants will be slashing prices and offering great deals Aug. 21 through Sept. 7. This is the perfect time to head to Grand Haven Main Street and find that perfect item that you have been spying all season long.

This year may look a little different, with the dates being extended, it gives you the opportunity to choose when is best to visit your favorite stores. Merchants will provide a sample of their sale items just outside their storefront to give you a taste of what is waiting for you inside. You can decide which day best works for you while still maintaining your social distancing. Take advantage of the amazing sales and discounts our merchants will be offering just for you.

“We are excited that Grand Haven Main Street is still able to offer the annual Sidewalk Sales, it may look a little different, but we want to keep our guests safe while making sure our merchants are successful,” said Todd Anthes, Grand Haven Main Street Chairman. “We have the opportunity to welcome visitors to Grand Haven, while giving them a choice of when it is best for them to shop our boutiques and specialty stores,” added Anthes.

Grand Haven Main Street Summer Sweep will begin August 21 and run through September 7. Merchants will be slashing prices and offering big discounts on their current items to make room for their new, fall season inventory.

For more information about this event, visit downtownGH.com or follow them on Facebook at “Grand Haven Main Street.”