MacRostie Art Center (MAC) and Reif Arts Council are pleased to announce receptions for two new exhibitions to be held during the First Friday Art Walk on September 1. The Reif Center will host a reception for felting artist Kristen Anderson and her exhibition Seed Journeys from 4 – 6 pm. MacRostie Art Center will host the opening of sculptor Amy Varsek’s exhibition Remnants Within from 4 – 7 pm. The September First Friday sponsor is Deerwood Bank. The public is invited to attend First Friday receptions at both locations and view the exhibitions throughout the month of September.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK | September 1
Receptions for the Reif Gallery and MAC exhibition will be held in conjunction with Grand Rapids’ First Friday Art Walk. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the other art walk activities throughout downtown. A full schedule of First Friday events can be found at GrandRapidsArts.org.

MINNESOTA GALLERY | REMNANTS WITHIN | Amy Varsek
Amy Varsek (Duluth, MN) creates abstract sculptures using found materials. Influenced by a background in biology, Varsek’s work reflects her interest in animals and anatomy while also offering a commentary on the state of our natural and artificial environments. This exhibition is sponsored by Paul Bunyan Communications.

“The sculptural forms in Remnants Within have an organic quality yet the materials are primarily found, inorganic elements: blown-out roadside tires, eroded metal, a plethora of used car fresheners, and a seemingly endless supply of fishing line,” says Varsek. “Materials discarded by humans, whether purposely or accidentally, have a grave impact on our environment, putting into question our stewardship of the earth, and each other. Yet a hint of humor and a quiet beauty emerges, ultimately encouraging viewers to explore their own emotions and beliefs through their observations.”

REIF GALLERY | SEED JOURNEYS | Kristen Anderson
Kristen Anderson (Bigfork, MN) creates wet-felted wool tapestries that reflect her fascination with regional ecosystems. This body of work celebrates the seeds of the northern boreal forest — sharing the wonder and power of these tiny vessels.

“In Seed Journeys, I’ve … compile[d] stories of germination success in seeds from the boreal forest,” says Anderson. “As I learned about individual species, I saw that their seed stories were metaphors for human life and our own pathways toward growth. These teachings can give us an ecological lens to process the world around us.”

ALSO SHOWING IN SEPTEMBER AT MACROSTIE ART CENTER:

MACROSTIE GALLERY | 31st ANNUAL JURIED SHOW | Juror: Aaron Spangler
The MAC’s annual juried exhibition celebrates variety and rewards excellence among Midwest regional artists. The juror, Aaron Spangler (Park Rapids), reviewed over 140 submissions to select the 35 works which make up this year’s exhibition.

GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE | MOOKIBII – SHE EMERGES FROM THE WATER | Karen Goulet
Through fiber, cyanotype, and other mediums, Karen Goulet (White Earth Band of Ojibwe) creates an homage to water that evokes memories of immersing and emerging from the clear waters and fierce storms which tell stories of her life. Join Goulet and other regional writers at 6 pm on Thursday, September 14 for a poetry reading celebrating water and the Misi-ziibi (Mississippi River).

GALLERY CONTACT | Katie Marshall, 218-326-2697, katie@macrostieartcenter.org
ARTIST CONTACT | Kristen Anderson, kanoeanderson@gmail.com
ARTIST CONTACT | Amy Varsek, avarsek@gmail.com