This July, four Michigan artists will be spending two weeks living and working at the William E. Scripps mansion (owned by Guest House Inc), in a new artist-in-residence program. The competitive event, announced earlier this year, required applicants to propose a body of work that is inspired by the historic site or its famous founder, William E. Scripps of the Detroit News.
‘We wanted to establish the residencies to bring Michigan artists and our historic site together,? said Leslie Pielack, Executive Director and curator of the Scripps Estate.
‘The art will then be placed on exhibit and made accessible to the public later this summer and fall.?
Saturday, July 11 each artist will conduct a half-day workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will have the choice of four low-cost workshops in which to explore the unique approaches offered by these professional artists.
This year’s finalists are from the greater Detroit area and work in varied media. Joan Farago of Grosse Pointe Park will combine painting and off-press printmaking to create her pieces.
Victor Pytko of Birmingham will use acrylic and mixed media.
Academy Award nominee filmmaker Gary Schwartz will work with traditional camera obscura and stop-motion animation to create a site-inspired film.
Gayle Vandercook of Lapeer will work with pencils and airbrush markers to create collage works.
Farago will present Off-Press Printmaking, incorporating the traditional techniques of moku hanga (Japanese printmaking) and monoprints to capture visual impressions of the estate’s grounds and landscape. Materials will be provided.
Pytko will present Digital Projection in Composition, using digital images from the estate to establish compositional features on the canvas, followed by moving to the actual setting out-of-doors to lay in color and complete the piece. Participants should bring their own materials (except oils).
Collage Drawing with Markers will be Vandercook’s topic, emphasizing the use of pencils and markers to create captivating collages inspired by various details found at the site to give full meaning to participants? chosen subject matter. (Participants will be informed of materials required at registration.)
Schwartz will present Intensive Hands-on Stop-motion Animation, which utilizes pixilation (a stop-motion technique in which objects and people are photographed frame by frame to create unusual effects). Participants will explore this exciting medium at the historic site and produce a short animated piece. (Participants will be informed of materials required at registration.)
The cost for each workshop is $30 (adults ages 12 and up) and $15 for seniors. Friends of the William E. Scripps Estate receive a $5 discount. Pre-registration is required by calling 248-391-4445, ext. 1100. Deadline for registration is July 8; space is limited.
For more information, contact Leslie Pielack at 248-391-4445, ext. 1100, or visit www.friendsofscrippsestate.org.