New exhibit opens at Lake Effect gallery in Manistique
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MANISTIQUE -- Lake Effect Community Arts Center in Manistique will host a free-to-the-public opening reception this evening for an exhibit featuring Escanaba painter Mara Manning and Manistique sculptor Chet McDougle.
Lake Effect Community Arts Center is in a historic building at the corner of Cedar and Oak streets in Manistique. Like Escanaba's William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, it hosts various exhibitions, art classes and more. The building, which mBank bought in 2019 for the purpose of being an arts center, is occupied by a gallery space on one side and a shop on the other. The focus of both is local art.
The current exhibition, which opened to the public Sunday, is called "Against the Grain" and was designed to highlight the artwork of Manning and McDougle.
"Against the Grain plays with the concept of wood. It is a very cerebral exhibit that makes you think. It invites you to keep an open mind, particularly because some subject matter can go 'against the grain' and challenge perspectives," said Lake Effect Operations Manager Katie Birdsley.
Manning is a drawer and painter who primarily works with oil and cold wax, layering the media. Her pieces are often nature-themed, sometimes abstract and occasionally depict maritime scenes. Her use of paint can be called impressionistic. Holding degrees in drawing, painting and art education, she taught art at Ashwaubenon High School and Bay College. Presently, her art studio faces Lake Michigan from Lake Shore Drive in Escanaba.
McDougle, also creating under the name Violently Brilliant, is a multi-disciplinary artist whose degree in woodworking and furniture design is apparent in his art. His sculptures are usually largely wooden, and they tend to deliver messages about society. McDougle aims for his creations to "challenge viewers to confront the difficult subject matter often omitted from our meticulously curated social media spaces," he states on violentlybrilliant.com. The works are conceptual as well as physical.
"Chet's pieces are heavier, both in subject matter and literally. Mara's appear lighter. The pieces encourage you to look closer to see their deeper meaning and see how the interconnection of trees, roots, and the memories they carry," Birdsley said.
The two artists were paired together by Lake Effect's Christine Worley, president, and Martha Fieber, exhibition director.
The opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern time today at the gallery, 244 S. Cedar St., gives visitors the opportunity to meet the artists themselves.
"Through these conversations you can discover their meaning, thoughts and the specific methods they utilized to bring their vision to life," Birdsley said.
Though the exhibit opened a few days ago and will remain on display until Aug. 30, the reception presents a unique opportunity to engage with a community passionate about art while enjoying light refreshments.
Lake Effect Community Arts Center is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Attendees can enter and view the exhibit for no charge. Today's event is a special case with extra hours.
Next month, a display called "Her Hands, Her Art" will showcase artists Carol Irving and Lily Simmons at Lake Effect Community Arts Center.
The exhibition will feature woven wall hangings as well as hand-drawn digital paintings; its opening reception is scheduled for Sept. 4.