Blissfield gallery event planned for Oct. 27
Written by Kyle Cappelletty | | kcappelletty@toledofreepress.comOn Oct. 27, art enthusiasts will have an opportunity to meet two Michigan artists at a Blissfield gallery displaying their work.
Flatlanders Art Galleries will host John Running-Johnson and Lee Doezema for its Fall Bash reception, set for 7-10 p.m. Oct. 27. The event will also feature musical guest Jaded Soul.
“John Running-Johnson & Lee Doezema” opened Sept. 18 and is scheduled to remain on display through Nov. 17.
Exhibitions at Flatlanders are always free. However, visitors are encouraged to bring nonperishable foods, canned goods or toiletries to benefit the St. Mary’s Food Pantry of Adrian.
The exhibit features work from the two artists in mediums ranging from wood and steel sculptures by Running-Johnson to large-scale paintings by Doezema.
Running-Johnson was the sculpture technician at Western Michigan University for more than two decades, which is how he first connected with Flatlanders.
“I was very fortunate to have gone to a high school that had a terrific art program. This is what instilled in me the passion and desire to become a sculptor,” Running-Johnson said. “After I received my master’s degree in fine arts from Western Michigan in 1985, they hired me as a sculpture technician. Part of my job was taking care of the sculpture tour program and that is how I first became affiliated with Flatlanders Art Galleries.”
Running-Johnson retired three years ago, but remains active with Western Michigan University and as an artist and mentor.
“The sculptures are all humorous on multiple levels, some overtly so, while others take a little time to sneak up on the viewer,” said gallery owner Ken Thompson in a news release.
Doezema’s large-scale, multiple-part paintings study the human condition and at times provide an odd point of view, according to the release. One set of paintings, each 5 foot by 7 foot, are titled “Exit Strategy” and “Gone.” The paintings depict the same living room, except one shows an elderly man sleeping in a chair while the other shows no one.
Ken Thompson has been making sculptures out of his car dealership-turned-art studio for more than three decades. He graduated from the University of Toledo with a Master of Liberal Studies in sculpture and Siena Heights College with a bachelor’s degree in painting.
Flatlanders Art Galleries is operated in conjunction with Flatlanders Sculpture Supply, a full-service stone carving resource. The gallery is located at 11993 E. U.S. 223 in Blissfield. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, visit flatlandersculpture.com.
Tags: Flatlanders Art Galleries, John Running-Johnson, Ken Thompson, Lee Doezema, Siena Heights College
