From flowers, pastels, and comic book visuals to interiors vs. landscapes, a variety of artistic styles are on exhibit at the Box Factory for the Arts’ new exhibition opening Sept. 13. The public is invited to meet the artists at the Opening Reception on Friday, Sept. 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Light snacks and a cash bar will be available.
The Series 5 exhibition is this year’s fifth show displaying artwork in four galleries on all three floors of the historic building. The exhibit runs through Oct. 27. Featured artists are below.
“Children of the Sun” by Jessica Hightower
Williams Gallery (main level)
Jessica Hightower’s paintings portray the beauty of people of color, using vibrant colors inspired by African textiles and the dynamic visuals of comic books and graffiti. Her art blends stylized faces with elements of graffiti, creating powerful, emotive compositions. Her exhibit consists of portraits inspired by the people in her community, Benton Harbor, Mich.
Flower Painters – Bobbi Gumino, Vivien Fajardo and Tina Hollis
Whitlow Gallery (main level)
Bobbi Gumino, of South Haven, paints large abstract landscapes, primarily using acrylic paints. A retired nurse, she began her painting avocation at the Indianapolis Art Center and had her own gallery show in 2022. She paints intuitively and enjoys the ambiguity and possibilities of this approach.
Vivien Fajardo was inspired by her artist father to paint, and attended Southwestern Mich. College in the ’90s to learn how. She paints primarily in oil with the ultimate goal of recreating luminous flowers on canvas.
Tina Hollis, an RN living in Berrien Springs, finds her artwork not only enjoyable, but therapeutic. She is drawn to painting flowers and finds inspiration in how they can represent human life, explaining, “Each human life goes through this growing process, but we are all unique in our own way.”
Northern Indiana Pastel Society
Riverwalk Gallery (1st floor)
Founded in South Bend in 2006, Northern Indiana Pastel Society focuses on creating and expanding opportunities and recognition for artists working in pastel as a fine art medium. Members are based in Indiana and Michigan. Many have won awards and several teach at art centers, museums, high schools and colleges.
“Ins and Outs” by Anne Corlett and Judy Anthrop
Skyview Gallery (3rd floor)
Judy Anthrop and Anne Corlett are longtime residents of Saugatuck and have painted in the area for many years. This show focuses on interiors of dwellings vs. landscapes. In putting these disparate subjects together, the viewer is encouraged to think of the connections and transitions between inside and outside, and why it is important to celebrate both.
Judy Anthrop joyfully represents the “Ins” of this exhibit, stating, “Bright colors consume my life … my walls scream of lime green, cadmium yellow light and cobalt blue—a tribute to Frida Kahlo.” She paints nearly every day and describes her work as whimsical and folksy.
Anne Corlett’s work portrays the “Outs.” She says, “I have spent every summer of my life on Michigan beaches. My love for these landscapes is visceral and painting them is the most effective way to celebrate the beauty and the power of life.” Corlett received her BS in Fine Art from Univ. of Wis. and continues her studies at art institutes in Chicago, Kalamazoo, London, and at Oxbow. In addition to many awards and publications, she has artwork in public and private collections nationwide. Corlett recently served as judge for the Box Factory’s Michiana Annual Art Competition (MAAC).
Immediately following the Series 5 Opening Reception on September 13 is a “British Invasion” performance by award-winning musician Dave Rudolf, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12-$15 at can be purchased at ticketstripe.com/daverudolf–britishinvasionor at the door.
