Anyone out there who likes art, or is feeling little lonely, has a golden opportunity in Kerrytown this summer. That is because the neighborhood’s several art galleries are teaming up every third Thursday of the month for Kerrytown Gallery Night.
“It was a communal idea – [the Guild], the WSG, Chris Nordin Studios Gallery decided it was a good idea to activate this space in Kerrytown, and then we added Kerrytown Concert House this year, Thistle and Bess and TeaHaus,” Irene Morka of the Guild of Artists and Artisans said
The three art galleries, Kerrytown Concert House, and two art-friendly businesses are participating. Within just a few blocks you can find art galleries you didn’t even know existed, go into shops you never walked into and watch artists make art.
“I think it’s fun to mix and mingle and meet different people,” says T-onna Clemons, a local artist, who took a break from making art live on June 19 to talk to Current. “But also, every time you’re out showcasing your art or skills, there’s always an opportunity for more opportunities.”
This is the second year of the summer-long monthly series, which will run through September. They also have a raffle system. If you get your raffle and visit each of the six participating locations, you can be in the running for a different prize every month.
“It’s great,” Kathleen Hughes, a local perusing the art, said. Her mother is an artist who did demos too, so “there’s a little bit of nostalgia.”
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Red, green, yellow and green balloons decorate the entrance of every one of the free events. That includes in front of the door to Thistle & Bess, where ceramics made by Emily LoPresto are on display. They have a deal where people customers can cut fresh flowers from the University Flower Shop to take with them.
“My favorite part of what I do is having small businesses support each other,” LePresto said. In addition to creating Pewabic Pottery quality ceramics full time, LePresto works at Thistle and Bess. “We had people come in today who had never seen my work, and people who asked if I showed at the Ann Arbor Art Fair because they had already purchased my art and wanted to purchase more. So, I think it’s very useful and another way to see the work, and another place to be able to set up and have a different look at it.”
Chris Nordin also gives a live art discussion every month. You can participate by asking questions with the ceramics, wood and glass artist at his Ann Street gallery, or over his Facebook Live stream.
Going to the gallery nights is always free, as is the raffle. It goes from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every month. The remaining dates are July 17, August 21, September 18 and October 16.
Drew Saunders is a freelance business and environmental journalist who grew up just outside of Ann Arbor. He covers local business developments, embraces his foodie side with reviews restaurants, obsesses over Michigan's environmental state, loves movies, and feels spoiled by the music he gets to review for Ann Arbor!
