The Great Lakes exhibit features work from 10 Michigan artists and includes many different aesthetics, such as oil paintings, water colors, pastels and bronze sculptures.

Gallery owner Roy Saper, thinks the time is perfect for a Michigan-themed exhibit.

“We came to the realization that although many of our major exhibitions are of international interest and bring people to Saper Galleries from beyond Michigan and beyond the borders. We felt, given the history of success we’ve had, we really should focus on those artists that are right here in our own backyard,” Saper said.

Cassandra Book, a professor in the College of Education and associate dean for external relations and student affairs, enjoyed seeing Michigan’s art and recently purchased two works from the exhibit.

“I’ve spent 35 years in this state,” Book said. “To have these wonderful images where I can say, ‘Oh look, I know where this is, I know where the artist was,’ — they are just really beautiful pieces.”

Saper also believes this exhibit will hit home for students, faculty and the community because of its relatable nature.

“The beauty of this is that everyone who lives in Michigan will connect to it because they’ve been through the scenes that are depicted in many of the paintings,” Saper said. “They will also see that many of these artists are from places they know.”

The featured artists were handpicked and their hometowns include Brighton, Rockford, Detroit and other areas in Michigan.

Kathleen Chaney Fritz is one of the artists, and her pieces feature many depictions of Michigan landscapes and vineyards including Grand Traverse Peninsula, Mackinac Island and Grand Haven.

John Fritz, who helps his wife with marketing and sales, is excited about his wife’s contribution to the exhibit because he feels the artwork is an integral part of Michigan’s image.

“People around the rest of the country just hear about how depressed the economy is and the auto market and everything else,” John Fritz said. “A great, wonderful asset we have is the beauty. We’ve known that for a number of years, and Roy knows it, and anybody else who travels to this state knows it. We paint it because we love it.”