The Gift Shop at Anton Art Center

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Greeting cards at The Gift Shop

Do you enjoy giving and receiving greeting cards? I still do, and here at The Gift Shop we have unique cards for any occasion. Many of them look great framed and added to your wall-art!
Today we will look at the cards of Bonnie Nowakowski, Lyn Rushing, and Catherine Firmbach.

Bonnie Nowakowski is new to The Gift Shop, and we are happy to have her. Her greeting cards are prints taken from her original artwork of pressed flowers from her garden. Talk about original!

greeting cards from Bonnie Nowakowski's original artwork

Lyn Rushing's cards are also unique. She creates each and every one using collage.

greeting cards by Lyn Rushing

Catherine Firmbach is a gifted photographer. In addition to her prints and framed photographs, she has brought us her beautiful greeting cards.

Greeting cards from Catherine Firmbach

The Gift Shop has greeting cards for every occasion...suitable for framing!

Coming Soon to Anton Art Center: "Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Show" March 9 - April 11, 2019
This very special show is a juried student competition & exhibition!
Opening Reception & Award Ceremony
Saturday, March 9, 2-4pm
Refreshments provided by the Clinton Township Optimist Club
Grades 7-9 Awards at 2:30pm
Grades 10-12 Awards at 3:30pm

Awards are sponsored by Blick Art Supplies, the Kenneth and Patricia Hoover Educational Foundation, and the Anton Art Center

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

New and returning fashion to The Gift Shop

This year, The Gift Shop welcomes new and returning fashion artists. Let's look at the work of Gary Henderson, Wendy Kwiecinski, and Rosie Kiley.

Gary Henderson is a new artist to The Gift Shop. Gary is a skilled leather worker and he has brought in highly detailed purses, and wallets.

Wendy Kwiecinski has been a favorite in our Holiday Markets for years. Now she has joined The Gift Shop. Wendy's motto is: "repurposing with a new purpose". Old fabrics have found new life in the colorful backpack pictured.

Rosie Kiley has been a favorite in Holiday Market and The Gift Shop. She makes the prettiest purses. They are a perfect size...not too big, not too small.

Showing now at Anton Art Center:

"Gold" January 19 - February 21 Selected works from members of the Lakeside Palette Club of St. Clair Shores, the Mount Clemens Art Association, the Romeo Guild of Art, and the Warren Tri-County Fine Arts Association, Inc. Juried by Keith Rayner. Reception and Awards Saturday, Feb. 16 2pm - 4pm.

"Michigan Annual XLVI" Opening January 26 and running to February 22. The 46th annual statewide juried fine art competition and exhibition. Juried by George N'Namdi. Featuring a special second installment historical display in the adjoining history gallery by Selfridge Military Air Museum.

Make sure to see these excellent shows before they close. "Gold" closes on Thursday February 21, and Michigan Annual XLVI and Selfridge Historical Display close on Friday February 22.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

New and returning tile artists at The Gift Shop

Wall tiles can be so decorative, and versatile. They are small enough to fit anywhere, yet still have an artistic impact. They are wall-art with the depth of 3D.
Today we will look at the tile work of Linda Buck, the team of Rick Pruckler and Tonya Lutz ,and Lin Viglione.

Linda Buck joined us for the first time for Holiday Market 2018. Now she is in The Gift Shop. She creates her using black clay with impressed images. After firing the tiles are decorated. Pictured are three of Linda's beautiful tiles.

Rick Pruckler and Tonya Lutz have been very popular tile artists here for years. It is no wonder why...they're tiles are rich in detail, and beautifully glazed. Here are three of their lovely tiles.

Lin Viglione is one of our most multi-talented artists. She is a photographer, clay artist, sculptor, card maker, and collage artist. Pictured is her beautiful, and delicate"Queen Anne's Lace" plaster tile.

Come in and see these great tiles, and the work of all of our new and returning artists. Don't forget...Valentine's Day is only a few days away. Get your love something unique from The Gift Shop!

Showing now at Anton Art Center:

Paint, Sip, and Snack Come spend a fun night out with the Anton Art Center as we paint together and enjoy O'Halloran's great food and drinks Tuesday, February 12 6pm-8pm.. (O'Halloran's is right across the street from Anton Art Center) Kathie Bugajski will walk us through the steps to create and personalize your acrylic painting. All supplies will be included.
O'Halloran's will have food and beverages for purchase (Happy Hour until 7.)
Cost: $40.00 Register by phone 586-469-8666 or online at https://www.theartcenter.org/book-online//

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Celebrate Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day will be here soon! Here at The Gift Shop, we have unique and thoughtful gifts for the ones you love. Here are just a few of the choices available at The Gift Shop.

Of course, for the lady in your life, jewelry is always a winner!

Rose gold pearls set of necklace and earrings by Antonietta Woerner.

Burgundy pearls set by Maria Silamianos.

At the top of the photo is a very unique felted and embellished cuff bracelet by Skylar Bre'z. Next are two pretty memory wire beaded bracelets by Martha Millis.

Sweet little ceramic heart pins by Joanie Ugelow.

You have chosen some jewelry. Now how about a special box to keep it in?

Painted, wooden jewelry/treasure box embellished with an "Acrylic Flow" top by Sue Kimmen.

Maybe some heart-decorated dishes are to your liking.

Two ceramic heart-themed dishes by Joanie Ugelow.

Need a little bag to hold your gift(s)?

Cute-as-can-be "Tiny Totes" by Peggy Philippi.

We also have unique hand-made Valentine's Day cards for your sweetie.

"Couple on the beach" card by photographer Catherine Firmbach.

Unique printed heart card by lithographer Abigail Davidson.

These are just a few of the choices we offer for you Valentine's Day gift giving. Come in and be inspired by our selection of unique hand-crafted gifts.

Showing now at Anton Art Center:

The Michigan Opera Theatre will perform at the 2nd SatARTday event. Join us on Saturday, Feb. 9th 7:30-9pm. This exciting performance is free, and open to the public.

Paint, Sip, and Snack Come spend a fun night out with the Anton Art Center as we paint together and enjoy O'Halloran's great food and drinks Tuesday, February 12 6pm-8pm.. (O'Halloran's is right across the street from Anton Art Center) Kathie Bugajski will walk us through the steps to create and personalize your acrylic painting. All supplies will be included.
O'Halloran's will have food and beverages for purchase (Happy Hour until 7.)
Cost: $40.00 Register by phone 586-469-8666 or online at https://www.theartcenter.org/book-online//

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

"Artist of the Month" for February

The Gift Shop "Artist of the Month" for February is Russ Manasse.

Russ is an accomplished wood artist. He works with many kinds of wood, taking each piece from the raw state, to a truly beautiful work of art.

In this bowl, Russ has combined different woods, and shaped them to create the beautiful design.

Here is another bowl pieced together from different woods, shaped, and smoothed to lovely shine.

One of the very effective techniques Russ has used is to select one piece of wood, shape, and smooth it, leaving part of the piece rough and natural. By the way, this bowl's colors are completely natural, not enhanced at all. Isn't it stunning?

Two bowls with very different effects. The one in front has been carved and smoothed to a lustrous finish. The bowl behind it has also been carved and smoothed, but has that rough and natural edge, giving it a completely different character.

Here is another view of two pieces. The bowl in back is the lovely decorated bowl seen above. Next is an intricate spindle, carved, turned, and smoothed. Classically beautiful.

I think you will agree the Russ Manasse is a gifted wood artist. Come in and see his works for yourself. One of his pieces could be the perfect Valentine's gift for a man in your life.