2023 Shows

Michigan Gardens
July 27 - September 9, 2023

Michigan Gardens features the wonderful works of: Bill Brody, Coco Sweezy, Debra Whelan, Joan Larson, Julie Taborn, Linda Thompson, Sally Pritko, and Sharon Sequite

Los Artistas of the Great Lakes

June 10 - July 22, 2023 Artist’s Reception: June 22 from 5:30 - 7:30pm

This talented Hispanic artist collective is Carol Bueno, Fausto Fernandez, George Martinez, Xenia Rose, and Coco Sweezy. #ArtsMidwest

“We are a group of Latino Artists who formed in 2022. We have come together for the purpose to inspire everyone who has an artistic vocation and to share our different cultures and inspirations with Hispanic artists and and all who love art.”

Michael Pfleghaar: Nature / Nurture

Newest gallery exhibition by Grand Rapids artist Michael Pfleghaar. His work explores botanicals, still life, and mid-century modern design. Pfleghaar’s use of saturated colors and play on perspective is a must see.

“At a basic level, my practice has always centered around documenting my life. Early on I realized how the things we choose to surround ourselves with are a reflection of self. Inanimate objects have always been surrogates for the figure in my work. I tend to compartmentalize the elements and thus create a conversation between objects. Mid-century modern and contemporary furniture, lighting, objects, as well as houseplants, become a document of what surrounds me as an archeological record.

Straddling between representation and abstraction, embracing imperfection, simplification, hard edges, tension, and materiality is how I approach painting. As in the Japanese concept of Ma, the negative space is just as important as the positive space and gives reverence to the picture's flatness. Relationships between shapes and the edges of the picture plane are another design tool I often employ while striving to capture the spirit of modernism and objecthood in both realism and abstraction.”

This artist talk is made possible by a grant from Arts Midwest, which supports, informs, and celebrates Midwestern creativity—building community and opportunity across our region and beyond.

2022 Shows

The Centenarian Project

In 2021, Calhoun County Senior Services started a special project in honor of our local centenarians. Senior Services interviewed the centenarians to gather their life stories, including tales of adventure, travel, loss and love. To supplement these stories, they hired BluFish to capture engaging portraits of each individual. Together, Senior Services and BluFish have beautifully documented the lives of Calhoun County's local treasures in celebration of the grand achievement of living to be 100+ years old.

Seniors are a neglected demographic in the vast majority of communities in the United States. We often fail to offer proper care and attention to our elders. Seniors have been pillars of our community and have lived rich, interesting lives by which we can all learn from. The Centenarian project pays homage to the most seasoned members of our community who have so much to share with those who are willing to listen.

Eastend thanks BluFish for sponsoring this exhibition.

Photography by Eric Ebner

The mission of Calhoun County Senior Services is to enhance, promote, and ensure the availability of needed quality services for Calhoun County seniors through effective and efficient allocation of County Senior Millage resources. Calhoun County Senior Services administers and monitors the use of senior millage funds, organizes special events for older adults, advocates for improved services in the community by identifying needs and promoting collaboration, and helps seniors connect to services.

Only Marshall 2022

The Only Marshall exhibition is an annual showcase of local artistic talent. Marshall is a community full of visual artists including photographers, painters, sculptors, and so many varied artistic media. This group show spotlights a diverse selection of media and subject matter to offer a survey of the talent that resides in our small town.

Home & Abroad

Maddur Badarinath was born in India in 1954 where he attended medical school. Maddur moved on to England and Ireland where he further advanced his medical knowledge. He finally came to the United States in 1985 and has been a critical care specialist in Battle Creek for 33 years.

Maddur realized his love for photography while in England and it has grown ever since he started practicing the medium. Maddur has traveled all over the world including Antarctica, Africa, South America, and Europe, capturing the beauty of the world as he moved through it. He enjoys all kinds of photography, but has a passion for shooting stunning landscapes.

Being Seen

For Americans, “being seen” depends on one’s physical features, wealth, religion, and much more. For Black Americans, being seen often conjures feelings of vulnerability, of feeling unsafe. Being Seen explores issues of exposure, vulnerability, and beauty.

Through these works, we see different levels of exposure. From small glimpses of skin, in Cara Marie Young’s paintings, to nationally recognized faces in April Anue Shipp’s quilts. Tia Nichols’ delicate drawings of Black historical figures distills magnanimous people to a place of humility and intimacy. America’s uncomfortable history is acknowledged in some of the work, alongside pieces that stand as beautiful homages to historical figures. Being Seen encompasses both discomfort and glory.

Olivet College Art Alliance

The Art Alliance is a student-run group from Olivet College (MI). The group is mostly composed of visual art majors. The Art Alliance’s mission is to promote the visual arts both on and off campus. As part of the group’s mission, these young artists exhibit annually in a location off campus. This year the Art Alliance occupies our Larson Exhibition Room where they are exhibiting 2D, 3D, and digital work.

The exhibition includes an array of media including printmaking, drawing, and plaster. Students have submitted thoughtful portrayals of self-reflection, skillfully-rendered anatomy, and tender homages to loved ones.

Aphantasia: Blind Mind

Ray Swaney is a painter who mainly creates abstract compositions. Swaney has a condition called Aphantasia, which renders him incapable of visualizing images in his mind. Where most people can read a book and visualize a scene as a writer describes it, Swaney cannot do this. Naturally, he gravitated toward abstract painting as a method of expressing himself artistically. Since the artist’s condition makes it difficult for him to plan a painting, he begins his process by laying down some lines and splotches of paint as he feels. From there, he is able to respond to the paint that’s been applied. Abstract work requires intuition and the ability to improvise as necessary, which Swaney has embraced. He responds to his own mark-making until he feels as though a piece has been finished and no more visual responses are necessary to balance his paintings.