June 2011  Vol 5, Issue 1



Greetings!
Beautiful Blossoms
near Traverse City, Michigan
It took a very long time for Mother Nature to make up her mind this year, but I suppose that is a lady's prerogative! Thankfully, she never fails to deliver. Slowly the earth changes over from its long winter slumber. Little green buds suddenly become rustling leaves, tender stems burst into color, the passing birds join in the chorus - and all seems right with the world.  

The amount of rain and strong breezes have certainly has posed a challenge for those of us attempting to photograph her new wardrobe. Somewhere in passing I had heard this was the second rainiest April in history in Michigan. May certainly didn't bring much improvement. Still - we should all be counting our blessings - we're not affected by the terrible flooding and tornadoes other parts of the country are sadly experiencing.

It wasn't until just the last couple of weekends did I find conditions finally calm enough to attempt spring wildflower images. The birds have also returned, and it's been great fun trying to gain their trust with suet and seed while I sit behind my window blind.

While it seems almost impossible to believe, it has been almost one year since I sent out my last eNewsletter! This has been mostly due to my extensive involvement in traveling on the Great Lakes via tall ships last summer, ArtPrize 2010 and then several large graphic design projects through the winter months and early spring months.

There have been a lot of new developments, such as new retail locations to purchase my photography, and new shows/exhibits I will be participating in. For those of you who are wondering, I will NOT be part of ArtPrize 2011, opting to take a year off to recharge the creative batteries and spend time with my family. However, read through this newsletter - and you'll see plenty of other places you'll be able to find my work and come say hello!

Don't forget to check the coupon offer at the end of this eNews, try your luck at winning a FREE print, and check my event calendar for upcoming shows where we can say "Hello!" in person.
Festival of the Arts - June 3-4-5!
EyeSeeYou
Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids is always an exciting summer celebration - and it starts in only two days! This will be my fourth year participating in the Art Sales Tent on Calder Plaza.

I am in Booth #6 this year, right beside the West Michigan Quilters' Guild, located in the East Sales Tent. Download a Festival Map (PDF)

Art Sales Tent Hours:
  • Friday, June 3: Noon to 10pm 
  • Saturday, June 4: 10am - 10pm 
  • Sunday, June 5: 10am - 7pm 
There are still openings for booth volunteers! If you think you can work a 2-3 hour shift in my booth during any of these days. Your assistance will be rewarded with an 8x10 print of your choice.

Please contact me via email with your preference of date and time - or call 616-550-8107. I promise you'll have fun - and you'll be rewarded for your time.

Festival of the Arts is a community celebration - featuring art, entertainment, food and fun activities for the entire family. It's also one of the largest all-volunteer events in the nation! Learn more about this wonderful event at the Festival website http://www.festivalgr.org.
Uniquely West Michigan Show at The Gallery Uptown
Painting by R.Higdon
by Randall Higdon
The Gallery Uptown in Grand Haven is the oldest artist-owned gallery in Michigan, and has been voted "Best Gallery on the Lakeshore" eight years in a row.

Each month a new exhibit is featured in the adjacent Walburg Gallery - and this month I'm pleased to announce I am part of the show!

Opening Public Reception is THIS FRIDAY, June 3 from 5:30 - 8:00pm - won't you please come and say hello?

The " Uniquely West Michigan" show features:
  • Catherine McClung (watercolor)
  • Mike McClung (furniture)
  • Randall Higdon (painting)
  • Terry Kipling (sculpture) and
  • Stacy Niedzwiecki (photography)
Bird Carving by T. Kipling
Duck Carving by T. Kipling
Randall Higdon of Coloma, is well known for his nautical watercolor paintings, many of which include the lighthouses of Michigan.

Award winning photographer, Stacy Niedzwiecki of Rockford, will feature her nature images of Michigan's west coast. Since his first seminar in 1996, Terry Kipling of Spring Lake, has had a passion for carving birds, be it songbirds or waterfowl.

Using a variety of exotic woods, Mike McClung of Spring Lake, designs and builds fine art contemporary furniture. His wife, Spring Lake painter Catherine McClung is best known for her paintings of Michigan birds as well as her designs on fine china for the Lenox Corporation.

The artwork remains on display through June 29.

Hour: Mon. - Sat. 10am - 6pm.


For more information, visit  www.galleryuptown.net or call 616-846-5460.
Serenity by S. Niedzwiecki
Photo on Canvas by S. Niedzwiecki
In This Issue...
Festival 2011
Uniquely West Michigan Show
Lake Michigan Art Walk
More Moments to Love
Joys of June
Quick Links
A Great Gift Idea!
Upcoming Events
Retail Locations
Join Stacy's Mailing List!

Your Moment is Here!
Lake Michigan ArtWalk - June 18 & 19

Here's something new to look forward to! The Lake Michigan Art Walk began in 2010 as an all-volunteer effort by local artists to expand the opportunities for professional artists in the downtown Muskegon area. The Art Walks very well-received, and the response has been overwhelming! Therefore, organizers have planned a series other "Walks" throughout 2011   

The Art Walk itself is a recurring event that showcases a wide variety of quality fine art by local professional artists. These artists work in all media, including, sculpture, painting, wood print making, photography, stained glass, clay-making, and more. The artists display their work not only in the base location at the Frauenthal Theater, but several extended venues in the partner galleries and shops throughout downtown Muskegon.

 

My first Art Walk event will be in a couple of weeks!  

 

The Taste of Muskegon Art Walk

Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19  

Noon - 5:00pm

Venue TBA - Check my schedule online for location 

 

There's a very good chance I will be participating a couple of other Art Walks later in the season. Those will be announced accordingly when confirmed. 

 

Download the Art Walk 2011 Event Guide (PDF) 

Download the Art Walk 2011 Artists Guide (PDF)  

 

 

Lake Michigan Art Walk on Facebook 

MichiganMoments.com - More to Love!
After a hiatus due glitches to the website server, MichiganMoments.com is now back online and featuring more of the Moments you love! 

Currently, ten photographers have their beautiful images featured on the site. The latest photographers featured are:

Guadalupe Dove - A resident of Iron Mountain, Michigan, Guadalupe Dove specializes in studio and on-location portraiture --maternity, newborn, family, and event photography. While working on her business, she pursues the beauty found in nature.







Steven Huyser-Honig - Steven has always felt a deep connection to the beauty of the Great Lakes region. Beaches and dunes, lighthouses and breakwaters, farms and orchards, forests and streams, small towns and big cities, the gentle touch of nature and heavy hand of industry-all provide an endless source of inspiration.






Christopher Kierkus - A professor at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, Chris enjoys capturing many different kinds of subjects (wildlife, historical buildings, sunsets, landscapes etc.), but his primary "photo   project" is trying to photograph all 100-some-odd lighthouses dotting the coast of Michigan. He and his wife have traveled to about 60 of them so far.






Jessamyn Smallenburg - from Ann Arbor, Jessamyn is a web usability specialist and recent graduate of the University of Michigan's School of Information. She specializes in landscapes and florals. Her work has been published on the Outdoor Photographer magazine website, as well as in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Sanctuaries'  Accomplishment Report.





The other photographers featured are: Each of our photographers sell their work online -so you can have a Moment in your home or office to enjoy every day! Cards, prints, canvas pieces, posters and more can be purchased, and ship direct to you from the photographer.
The Joys of June!  
Traditionally, I have always used this spot in the eNews to list all of my friends and family members birthdays and anniversaries in this spot. That was BEFORE Facebook became so popular. Suddenly now there are many, MANY more birthday notices and reminders... so many, I simply can not longer list all of them here.

However - I still wish all of you love, peace and much happiness as you celebrate your special occasion this summer.

winprintHowever, with each eNewsletter, I offer a chance for you to win a FREE 8x10 print! How? who appreciates photography and the outdoors. I only ask that you play fair - please do NOT add addresses of folks who will view this as unwanted email.  
 

 If your name should be chosen, you may choose any image from my collection in an 8x10 size. Good luck!

No matter what area you may live in, there's joy to be found in the natural world. If you're not into photography, my wish is for each of you to go out enjoy the sounds of rushing water, singing birds, witness blossoms budding and cloud formations moving across the sunset. Just as it once said by William Shakespeare, "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."

With much appreciation for your words of encouragement and continued support!
~ Stacy 
Stacy Niedzwiecki
Creative Solutions

Website and Current News: StacyN.com
Be sure to visit: MichiganMoments.com

Look around and experience the natural beauty surrounding us each and every day.
You'll be pleasantly surprised by what you find!


Save
$5.00
off any
purchase
over
$40.00
at
Festival! 
couponReceive $5.00 off any purchase over $40.00
at
festival of the arts 2011


Just mention you saw this coupon - when you visit my booth  in the Art Sales Tent on Calder Plaza - downtown Grand Rapids

 JUNE 3 - 4 - 6, 2011
We'll be in Booth #6
- next to the Quilter's Guild booth

Questions? Please email or call 616-550-8107

 

Download a Festival Map (PDF)
Offer Expires: at 7:00pm EST - Sunday, June 6, 2010