Art can be interpreted in thousands of different ways. Since there is no concrete definition of what art is, it can usually be found by accident: a drawing on a sidewalk during the stroll to class or a handcrafted flyer stapled to the wall at a favorite coffee shop.
But for those who crave professional works of art displayed in a gallery setting, it can be hard to find that perfect venue.
East Lansing
There's no need to go far when looking for art exhibitions or galleries showcasing works of art. The Kresge Art Museum on campus has a large collection, including African, Egyptian and Asian art; classic European and American art from the medieval era to the 19th century; drawings and photography; and modern and contemporary paintings and sculptures. The museum also changes exhibitions about once a month. The latest begins Sept. 6 and runs through mid-October. It features Luke Swank, a modernist photographer who was popular in the '30s and early '40s. The museum plans to display 130 of his photographs. All of Kresge's exhibitions are free and open to the public.
The center, where the museum is housed, is home to the Department of Art & Art History. Students display their own work throughout the building and even have a gallery where they can have exhibitions outside of the official museum - Gallery 114. Student exhibits take place during the school year but this year's schedule has yet to be announced.
If Kresge Art Center isn't enough, though, downtown East Lansing has enough galleries to get in an art fix. Local artisans dominate Trillium Gallery, 107 Division St. The gallery showcases paintings, handmade jewelry, blown glass, fiber art, pottery, clay tiles and much more - all made by Michigan artists. They also have a selection of fair trade art from around the world.
Owner Kalli Halpern said she likes to stick with the same artists she has featured for years and doesn't add many new works.
"I want people to know about local artists," she said. "It creates a relationship with the community for them."
Saper Galleries, 433 Albert Ave., believes in a different philosophy. The gallery and custom framing studio is more upscale than Trillium, featuring mostly national and international artists. The large gallery carries many original limited edition prints, entire collections, sculptures and more. The staff is knowledgeable when it comes to art and can assist with searching for specific art, appraisals, selecting the right art, framing and conservation and restoration of pieces.
Jim Doiren, framing specialist at Saper, said the gallery changes their dominant exhibition about twice a year, and Director Roy Saper usually finds showcased artists at art expos.
"Roy prefers to do higher end, national and international artists," Doiren said. "He also likes to keep the artist in the gallery so we represent a particular artist. He doesn't like to show artists shown in other places."
Lansing
Lansing has more art galleries than can be explored in one weekend. Places such as Absolute Gallery, Creole Gallery, Spiderhouse Market and Antiques, A Simple Elegance Gallery, Banyan Gallery and Barebone Studios for Women's Art - are all in Old Town. Each gallery specializes in different forms of art and features changing exhibits.
The Lansing Art Gallery was the first permanent gallery in Lansing, and it is Lansing's oldest nonprofit gallery. It was founded by a few local artists and art enthusiasts. The gallery's exhibit changes every month, and they only showcase Michigan artists. Located right in downtown Lansing at 113 S. Washington Square, the art house has two floors.
The first floor is home to the gallery gift shop - but it's no ordinary shop. They sell everything from full-size pieces of art to gifts to photography tote bags with actual paintings done on the bag by the artist.
The second floor is reserved for exhibits and constitutes the gallery; it's divided into two open rooms with large windows.
Their latest exhibition, which begins Sept. 6, features Candice Grieve in the main gallery and Suzanne Clements in the mezzanine. Grieve does pastel and Clements does acrylic paintings.
The gallery also offers something unique to other local galleries - artist demonstrations. These take place every other Thursday afternoon from noon to 2 p.m. and are free. Local artists will create a piece of art in front of an audience at the gallery. Some upcoming demos include jewelry, pottery, felted wool, spinning, quilting and screen printing.
"We try and get people to see the process of creating art; it's more interactive for everyone," gift shop manager Barb Whitney said. "When we had an artist welding on the sidewalk outside the gallery, we had about a hundred people watching."
The gallery also conducts art classes that anyone can attend and are currently working on a fall schedule. The classes are taught by local artists and professionals. They also have an annual auction every October.
Whitney said it's great to get involved with art in the community. She often helps artists set up for new exhibits and said it's her favorite thing to do at the gallery. She said that even though she is in charge of the gift shop, she has learned a lot about art.
"I love meeting new artists and talking with them and discussing their art," she said. "The more informed I am, the more I can tell other people."
Local art and galleries are abundant in East Lansing and Lansing. The hard part is figuring out where to begin. There's no need to complain about a lack of art - visit these galleries or discover the dozens of others out there.
