Attorney Pam Byrnes (center) is hosting an art exhibit, “Art on the House” at her office at the State Capitol. The exhibit, in collaboration with The Arts Alliance, runs through May 28 and features works in a variety of media by 20 Washtenaw County artists. It is the second in a series of four featuring a juried selection of artists and demonstrates the beneficial effects of coordinating art into a work environment.
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
From her office at the State Capitol in Lansing, Speaker Pro Tem Pam Byrnes can enjoy beautiful views of the Michigan landscape — even those a couple of hundred miles away.
It’s not that Byrnes has supernatural long-range vision.
Instead, she’s hosting an art exhibit, “Art on the House” at her office that includes images of Glen Haven and Sleeping Bear Dunes on Michigan’s west coast, and along the Huron River in Washtenaw County that Byrnes—a Chelsea-area resident who practiced law in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Saline for more than 25 years — finds very familiar.
“The art is displayed as part of my ‘Art on the House’ program, a collaboration with The Arts Alliance that features the work of local artists in my office,” Byrnes said. “The program has been a wonderful collaboration. Washtenaw County is filled with open, creative minds that have long fed the rich cultural scene and artistic legacy in our community. It’s that tradition that greatly impacts our quality of life for residents and businesses.
“The exhibit has added a new and dynamic element to our office.”
The exhibit, running through May 28, features works by 20 Washtenaw County artists. It is the second in a series of four featuring a juried selection of artists working in a variety of media and demonstrates the beneficial effects of coordinating art into a work environment.
Byrnes, a Washtenaw County Democrat and University of Michigan alumna serving her third term in the Michigan House of Representatives, hosted an artists’ reception prior to the State of the State address, with desserts prepared by Washtenaw Community College Culinary Arts and Hospitality students.
The Arts Alliance, headquartered in Ann Arbor and sponsored by the Michigan Council on Arts and Cultural Affairs, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, brings together arts and cultural leaders, members of local government, and other key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive cultural plan for Washtenaw County.
“The shows in Lansing reflect the high caliber of talent to be found in the Washtenaw artistic community. We’re proud to showcase that talent at our State Capitol,” said Arts Alliance President Tamara Real.
The four-part series is designed and coordinated by River Gallery in Chelsea and Friman Designs of Saline. River Gallery will curate the third show, June 4 through September, said Gallery owner Deb Greer.
Dexter artist Victoria Schon, who has a painting of a Blue Jay in the display, said it’s an honor to have her artwork exhibited in the Capitol.
“More importantly, the project puts the work of Michigan artists in the spotlight in a venue which reminds our elected officials about the importance of art in our every day life, and hopefully they will make a connection and support the Arts in general as they go about the business of our legislation,” she said.
“It’s a brilliant idea that was given birth by the Arts Alliance of Washtenaw County.”
When the daughter of Chelsea artist Candace Compton Pappas played basketball in middle school, Pappas did a series of large paintings of various players and has always looked to public places to display them. Her painting, “Young Basketball Player,” is among those on display.
“I always appreciate the opportunity to show my paintings outside the gallery structure and in the public sphere—to have a politician actively integrate local artists and culture into their environment is a great service to everyone,” she said.
Two landscapes in oil on canvas — of the Delhi Bridge in Dexter and the Dexter Cider Mill—are showcased, the work of Ann Arbor artist Zeke Mallory. Both paintings followed initial research Mallory did for the mural of the Huron River featured on the back and side of Hackney Hardware in Dexter.
Dexter artists Jan Ruvido Stebbins and Martha Ceccio are in the exhibit, along with Manchester artist Sandy Knapp; Ann Arbor artists Connie Cronenwett, Gerry Volgenau, Nancy Hopwood, Madeleine Vallier, and Elizabeth Schwartz; Ypsilanti artists John Copley, Robert Throne, Amy Sacksteder, and David K. Austin; and Saline artists Ava Gilzow, Valerie Mann, Barbara Yerace, Michele Montour, and Linda Klenczar.
Klenczar said that art is part of every aspect of life, whether it’s an industrial designer designing cars or light fixtures, an architect designing buildings, an interior designer designing living or work spaces, or a graphic artist designing advertising.
“Pam Byrnes has supported artists of our county and I’m delighted to have this opportunity to share my paintings in this way,” she said.
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