Jan 31 Tuesday
Christina Haylett: Revelations in Paint exhibition features a large collection of mixed-media, non-representational artworks, landscapes and portraits created by Detroit-area artist Christina Haylett between 2009 and 2022. Haylett’s work is an exploration of shape, pattern, line, texture and color and their impact on each other. Her pieces start out as marks on a board, paper or canvas, and the act of working leads her through the artistic process with no idea where it will end up, or what will be revealed.
The artist often works plein air and is influenced by the world around her, but also her own thoughts, beliefs, and introspections about the concerns of our time. Haylett considers the last twelve years to have been her most life-changing and productive period, and she believes this body of work best represents her as an artist.On display along with Haylett’s fascinating compositions is a small selection of studio glass pieces from the University of Michigan- Dearborn permanent collection. Christina Haylett and Curator Laura Cotton chose these works together that inspire the artist and reflect specific elements of her work.
Please check the gallery website, www.umdearborn.edu/stamelos, for current opening hours.
In "Andrea Carlson Future Cache," a 40-foot-tall memorial wall towers over visitors, commemorating the Cheboiganing (Burt Lake) Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians who were violently burned from their land in Northern Michigan on October 15, 1900. Written across the walls above and around the memorial, a statement proclaims Anishinaabe rights to the land we stand on: “You are on Anishinaabe Land.”
Presented alongside are paintings of imagined decolonized landscapes and a symbolic cache of provisions. Future Cache implicitly asks those who have benefited from the legacies of colonization to consider where they stand and where to go from here and seeks to foster a sense of belonging for displaced Indigenous peoples fighting for restitution.
"Clay As Soft Power" examines how Shigaraki ware ceramics transformed the American public’s image of Japan, helping the country shift its identity from World War II enemy to Cold War ally to global cultural change maker.
Known for its earthy tones, rough clay surfaces, and natural ash glazes, Shigaraki wares originated from one of six ancient kilns of Japan, and has a rich history from the 13th century to today. This exhibition explores three distinct periods of that history, telling a story of global intrigue, covert international relations, and the evolution of this uniquely Japanese art form.
On March 16, 2020, we closed our doors, just six days after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. We didn’t know for how long. At that point there were twelve confirmed COVID-19 cases in Washtenaw County. We weren’t wearing masks because we didn’t fully understand how the virus is transmitted. We reopened to the public 488 days later, on June 17, 2021. While it is exciting to be together again and to see the world slowly reopen, we are also deeply impacted by what we’ve been through. This exhibition holds both of those feelings.
Feb 01 Wednesday
The Plastic Bag Store is a custom-built public art installation and immersive film experience that uses humor, craft, and a critical lens to question our culture of consumption and convenience — specifically, the enduring effects of our single use plastics.
Shelves are stocked with thousands of original items meticulously sculpted by hand — produce and meat, dry goods and toiletries, cakes and sushi rolls — all made from discarded single-use plastics literally collected from streets and garbage dumps. Several times a day, the store transforms into an immersive, dynamic stage for a film in which inventive puppetry, shadow play, and intricate handmade sets tell the darkly comedic and sometimes tender story of how the overabundance of plastic waste we leave behind might be misinterpreted by future generations — and how what we value least may become our most lasting cultural legacy.
Do you have a vintage quilt, wedding dress or favorite concert t-shirt?Caring for Your Textiles is the third workshop in the 'Caring for Your Collections' series. It is a free and educational workshop led by Cheryl Kastas; Associate Collections Manager. This experience will take place at Tri-Cities Historical Museum's Community Archives and Research Center.
Cheryl will be teaching participants how to care for personal vintage textiles. During the workshop, you will also discuss the different types of fibers found in vintage textiles, how to make padded hangers and how to properly store textiles.
Spots for the workshop are limited to 10. RSVP is REQUIRED. To RSVP, please contact Erin Pilarski at epilarski@tchmuseum.org or (616)842-0700 ext. 132.