By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
All Orion Art Center members had a chance to showcase their work on January 9, whether hung on the walls or placed on the floor.
The showcase was unique not only because it was an all-member, free show, but represented a variety of mediums including sculpture, acrylic, oil, pastel, and wood carving to name a few.
Judges placed the top three artists, who won $100, $75 and $50 respectively.
Mike Hendrix took first place with his piece titled ‘Lock.?
Yolanda Garfield won the $75 with her large painting titled ‘Blue Moos,? and Jerry Brazeau was third with his ‘Teton.?
The community selected three additional pieces awarded the popular vote, which each received $25 gift certificates to local restaurants. Michele Woods won with his “Hidden Treasure.”
Alan Brown was second with his “Old Fence Post,” and third was awarded to Edward Dinneweth for his “Arabian Horse.”
Art Center Director Lauren Dinneweth said this show was metaphorical for her, because it represents the end of 2013 with the beginning of 2014, the 35th anniversary of the Orion Art Center.
The Lake Orion Methodist Church sold a group of artists the house for $1 over three decades ago with ‘very humble beginnings,? Dinneweth said.
‘With Dragon on the Lake and our new pottery studio, we’re doing so much out of this little house that it’s amazing,? she said. ‘It really is cool for me to see the end and the beginning because we think about how we started and how we’re moving forward and growing.?
The Art Center, while focusing on the love for art in turn is a connector of people.
‘I’m a brand new member, and I live locally here and hadn’t been here, so I’m trying it out as a member and showing my work,? Lake Orion resident Therese Winter said.
‘To me it’s a venue to show my art and to be part of the community.
Artists communities are really, really important for artists, because we do our work a lot of us on our own, so it’s nice to have a place where you belong,? she said.
Individual memberships are $35. A family membership is $50, and senior citizens pay $15.
Get involved, find classes, and learn more at www.orionartcenter.org, or call 248-693-4986 for additional services.