Decorative Tiles in The Gift Shop

Decorative tiles can be just the right size for a small space where you want an artistic impact.
This week we will look at the tile-work of  Barb Schroeder, Kelly Wojdyla-Gray, and Motawi Tileworks.


Barb Schroeder is known for her beautiful scarves, but now she has brought us new artwork...painted hanging tiles. Barb created these tiles using the "Resin Acrylic Flow" technique, that she learned here at Anton Art Center!

 Beautiful set of two 6"x 6" painted tiles by Barb Schroeder

Kelly Wojdyla-Gray is a multi-talented artist. One of her talents is using alcohol inks on tiles. Her colors are vivid, and the effects from the alcohol inks make each tile one-of-a-kind.

"Lantern Flower" 6"x 6" hanging tile by Kelly Wojdyla-Gray

"Bird" 6"x 6" hanging tile by Kelly Wojdyla-Gray

"Iris" 6"x 6" hanging tile by Kelly Wojdyla-Gray

Motawi Tileworks tiles is famous for hand-glazed tiles. The images are crisp and richly colorful.

"Frank Thomas House" 4"x 8" tile by Motawi Tileworks

"Red Peony"  4"x 8" tile by Motawi Tileworks

Showing now at Anton Art Center: 
"Macomb County Art Teacher Show" June 22- Aug. 13. An exhibition of selected artwork of a variety of media by school art teachers living and/or working in Macomb County, Michigan. Featuring a special historical display in the Boll History Gallery. Awards are generously sponsored by Extra Credit Union.
These incredibly talented teachers represent our local school districts, open schools, private, and home schools.

"Governor's Top Thirty Traveling Student Art Show"  July 13-Aug.23. Showcasing thirty framed artworks selected for statewide travel from the Michigan Youth Arts Festival competition, displaying the finest artistic talent in high schools from across the state. Quite a few are from young artists here in Macomb County! Program by the Michigan Art Education Association.

New Art and New Artists at The Gift Shop

The Gift Shop is never the same from week to week. We get new art and new artists all the time. This week we will look at the artwork of Darlene Urbanek, Armando Madrazo, and Pete Wardrope.

Darlene Urbanek is a popular artist here at The Gift Shop. Her animal portraits are especially desirable.

"Laughing Dog" acrylic on canvass by Darlene Urbanek

"Llama Lunch" acrylic on wood by Darlene Urbanek

"Red Panda" acrylic on wood by Darlene Urbanek

Armando Madrazo is an accomplished artist. His extensive travels have inspired many of his oil canvasses. He is one of our newest artists.

"Clipping Roses" by Armando Madrazo

Pete Wardrope is also new to The Gift Shop. His photographs are stunning. He has brought us both prints and note cards of his images.

"Late Afternoon in Venice" by Pete Wardrope

"Assisi, Italy" by Pete Wardrope

Come in and see what is new at The Gift Shop!

Showing now at Anton Art Center: 
"Macomb County Art Teacher Show" June 22- Aug. 13. An exhibition of selected artwork of a variety of media by school art teachers living and/or working in Macomb County, Michigan. Featuring a special historical display in the Boll History Gallery. Awards are generously sponsored by Extra Credit Union.
These incredibly talented teachers represent our local school districts, open schools, private, and home schools.

"Governor's Top Thirty Traveling Student Art Show"  July 13-Aug.23. Showcasing thirty framed artworks selected for statewide travel from the Michigan Youth Arts Festival competition, displaying the finest artistic talent in high schools from across the state. Quite a few are from young artists here in Macomb County! Program by the Michigan Art Education Association.

More Vivid Wall Art at The Gift Shop

We have still more vivid wall art here at The Gift Shop. This week we will look at the work of  Cari Smith-Giammichia, Chris Charron, and Jon Buechel.

Cari Smith Giammichia's beautiful acrylic paintings truly are vivid!

"Flower Power" by Cari Smith-Giammichia

"Flower Twin" by Cari Smith-Giammichia

Chris Charron is an award winning photographer. Here are three photos from his series "Detroit Speaks"

"Danger Reality Ahead" by Chris Charron

"No Game Today" by Chris Charron

"Save Detroit" by Chris Charron

You may remember Jon Buechel's illustrations in The Detroit Free Press. He began with fashion illustration in 1948, and continued with "Buechel's World" 1989 to 2004. We are lucky to have some of his original works.

"Boy and Seagull" by Jon Buechel

fashion illustration by Jon Buechel

Come in and be amazed by these, and so many more wall art pieces available here at The Gift Shop.

Showing now at Anton Art Center: 
"Macomb County Art Teacher Show" June 22- Aug. 13. An exhibition of selected artwork of a variety of media by school art teachers living and/or working in Macomb County, Michigan. Featuring a special historical display in the Boll History Gallery. Awards are generously sponsored by Extra Credit Union.
These incredibly talented teachers represent our local school districts, open schools, private, and home schools.

Coming Soon to Anton Art Center:
"Governor's Top Thirty Traveling Student Art Show"  July 13-Aug.23. Showcasing thirty framed artworks selected for statewide travel from the Michigan Youth Arts Festival competition, displaying the finest artistic talent in high schools from across the state.
Program by the Michigan Art Education Association.
Charity Music Instrument Petting Zoo SatARTday, July 13th, 4-8pm. Bring the kids to this special event where they (and you) can get up close and personal with musical instruments!

Gift Shop "Artist of the Month" for July

Our Gift Shop "Artist of the Month" for July is photographer Catherine Firmbach.

Cathy Firmbach was born and raised on Long Island, New York.  Her Dad put a camera in her hands when she was quite young.  Every few years she stepped up to the next level of cameras until she bought her very first SLR camera with her own savings at the age of 14.  As Cathy said, “I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love photography!  It allows me the opportunity to capture the warmth of time with family, the serenity of the lakes and hillsides, the power of the ocean, the gentleness in every flower, and the magical beauty of hummingbirds as they dart through my

garden.  Photography has become my passion.  It’s my favorite avenue for creativity and self-expression.”

While Cathy misses Long Island and living on the ocean, living by Lake St. Clair fulfills her need to be close to water and provides many opportunities to photograph nature and nautical scenes.  She has a whole new state to discover, savor and photograph. 

We have Catherine's photos framed, made into greeting cards, and even a beautiful serving tray.

Catherine continues to hone her craft, and pursue new photographic challenges. You can see why she is one of the favorite photographers here at The Gift Shop.


Showing now at Anton Art Center: 
"Rainbow" June 1 - July 3. Selected works from members of the Mount Clemens Art Association, Lakeside Palette Club of St. Clair Shores, Romeo Guild of Art, and Warren Tri-County Fine Arts Association. Juried by Valarie Allen. Just a few days left to see this very interesting exhibit!

"Macomb County Art Teacher Show" June 22- Aug. 13. An exhibition of selected artwork of a variety of media by school art teachers living and/or working in Macomb County, Michigan. Featuring a special historical display in the Boll History Gallery. Awards are generously sponsored by Extra Credit Union.
These incredibly talented teachers represent our local school districts, open schools, private, and home schools.