By Christopher Johnson
You may have noticed a metal giraffe hanging out by the Whitehouse this week, playing ball with the big wireform dog. Let me introduce you to Sunday Mahaja’s recent addition to our streetside art gallery entitled “The Proposal”.
This past Tuesday, the Doherty Hotel hosted not one but two celebrations: One in favor of the Clare County Arts Council and another in that of The Clare Community Foundation.
The room came alive with the smooth sounds of the Syncopated Eight Jazz Combo, composed of talented students from Clare High School, as they set the tone for a sophisticated evening. The enticing aromas of the buffet wafted through the air, mingling with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. Attentive wait staff ensured every guest felt pampered, refilling plates and glasses as community leaders gathered to celebrate the special occasion in style.
Carol Santini, President of the Arts Council, led the evening with opening remarks, as well as recognizing the wide spectrum of sponsors that helped make the evening possible. The ceremony shifted between several speakers who all had exciting updates to share.
Ed Hubel, director of the Clare Community Foundation, was the evening’s first speaker, sharing insights on local financial aid in the form of the Give Local Program.
“We donated over fifty thousand dollars last year, back to the community and non-profits”, he explains. “Since 2002, we have awarded $53,000 to 34 different students pursuing a career in the Arts.”
In addition to scholarship strides, Hubel also highlighted the preschool endowment fund, aiming to make preschool accessible to all Clare County children with reduced family costs. He believes early success in education sets the stage for lifelong achievement, and this fund makes it possible. Notably, the fund didn’t exist a year ago, but now boasts nearly half a million dollars in aid.
An accomplishment that was met with proud applause before shifting attention toward the student artists and their speakers.
The showcase began with Clare Public Schools educators, Ron Schmidt and Amanda Fletcher, presenting artwork by students: Addisyn Ames, Kendra Fouts, Sophia McKinney, & Chad Proctor. This was followed by honorable mentions from Ian Humphrey, representing Harrison students: Chelsea Bayn, Cadence Hardy, Angie Snow & Sornsawan Chunsaengchan ( an exchange student from Thailand better known as Jenny). Penelope Burnley then represented Farwell students: Hailey Baller, Sarah Ensign, Jaydah Groh & Libby Toner, which rounded off the student art portion of the ceremony.
From wood burning to oil paint and everything in between, it’s evident that these young visionaries have a bright future ahead of them. The pride and joy expressed by their mentors is always a wonderful thing to observe and we all wish them promising futures in whatever craft they choose to pursue.
Notably, Humphrey and Burnley serve not only as department heads at their respective schools but also as two of the three juried judges responsible for evaluating submissions during the evening’s Art Walk competition, which is what followed after.
This ceremony marked another milestone in a visionary project that was born out of a creative spark. Local sculptor Jeff Best’s innovative idea, pitched to the Clare County Arts Council, envisioned transforming the city’s streets into a vibrant artistic landscape. This bold concept took root with an initial investment of $25,000, which catalyzed the formation of a dedicated committee that brought the Art Walk to life. The fruits of their labor were yet again on full display with the unveiling of ten new sculptures that now adorn our sidewalks and storefronts just in time for summer.
Elaborating on the longevity of these art pieces, Carol Santini brought up the Reloan Program devised by both Best and the Arts Council. What this does is keep exhibits in continual rotation and allows surrounding areas to have a taste of what Clare has to offer.
“Communities that cannot afford to purchase a sculpture will have the option to rent a sculpture or have a sculpture in their community, for a thousand dollars, for a year,” Carol explains.
Even places as far as Crooked Lake and Alma have expressed a piqued interest in Clare’s Art Walk and are now slated to receive sculptures in their communities as well. Alma will be receiving three of our sculpts (Heart, Helicopter Seeds, and Prudence Peacock) and the Crooked Lake Improvement Association will be receiving Kaleidoscope by Dave Riemer.
This just goes to prove how successful and influential Clare’s Arts Council has become, with an exceeding reach that widens more every year. How amazing would it be to see this keep growing and growing into a state-wide movement, with our town at the very center? Judging from this evening’s turnout, it’s not such a farfetched ambition at all. Word of mouth is spreading and people all over are noticing and they want to be involved.
Carol then went on to announce that Travis Emmen’s metal, wireform dog sculpture will be here to stay. The Arts Council did indeed meet its goal of $15,000 (reduced from $35,000) and My Favorite Thing is now our favorite thing! A new location within town is being determined but rest assured, this pup is now just as integral to our city’s image as Clarence the Leprechaun.
When asked to address the room about the sculpture, Travis explained that while helping a neighbor build a metalwork frame, the idea for it occurred to him.
“So I went home and started building my dog, and the reason I chose a dog is because I wanted a very big dog but I didn’t want the responsibility.”
After a warm burst of laughter and some further lighthearted commentary, Travis was presented with a check and a handshake by Jeff Best himself who took the stage as the next speaker, and to oversee the recognition of the ten Art Walk artists.
It’s worth noting that Travis was last year’s winner and recipient of the Juried Award as well as the People’s Choice. A very impressive response from the community and a hard earned one that we all appreciate.
Best then went on to announce the ten sculptures and their artists as follows:
The Proposal by Sunday Mahaja, the metal giraffe mentioned earlier (The Whitehouse Restaurant); Millie by Ann Gildner, a large and eloquent abstract (North parking lot of the Doherty Hotel); 3 Moons a glass hybrid by Kelly O’Neill, (Isabella Bank); Shamrock Staircase by Clare-Gladwin CTE, a green metal structure that tells Clare’s history on tiered shamrocks (Hicks Jewelers); Watchman by David Skora, an uncanny abstract crowned with a large eye (505 Cafe); Kinnegoe Bay Cross by Judith Greavu, (Continental Rental); Protected Species by Angela Larson, a metal entwinement featuring ceramic fish (Edward Jones); The Malarkey Stone by K.W. Bell, a nod to Celtic runestones (Clare Print & Pulp); and The Pollinator by Kirk Sees, a hybrid construct that combines a severed kayak with a large butterfly perched atop. (Schumacher Agency)
Ultimately the Juried Award this year went to Protected Species by Angela Larson, so a very big congratulations to her for such a beautiful contribution to our city.
Each artist was recognized with generous commentary, anecdotes, and opinions. With much adoration expressed openly by everyone in attendance. It was truly an appropriate and deserving celebration of yet another wave of impeccable craftsmanship.
The evening concluded with a prize drawing for participating attendees and boasted some pretty generous donations from local businesses.
