EXHIBITIONS
The Holland Area Arts Council is home to three professional galleries: the Barbara H. Padnos Gallery, the Jane Armstrong Gallery, and the Lievense Gallery. Admission is free of charge.
Debut Regional Juried High School Art Competition
April 12 -May 25
Padnos Gallery
Reception:
Thursday, April 18, 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
Juror this year is Barbara Carlson, Professional artist, art instructor, and owner of Armory Art Center in Grand Haven.
Digital submission closes: Friday, March 1
Acceptance/declination notification: March 9
Accepted work delivery date: March 23-March 26
Art Excellence Award
1st Place
Steps to the Fox’s Rock
Alinna Teav, West Ottawa
2nd Place
All Eyes on You
Miranda Lemus, Holland High
3rd Place
Sungold Travels
Jemma Norkoli, Grand Haven
Honorable Mention
All Eyes on Me, Zoe Rodgers, Zeeland West
Grand Marais, Paige Kirby, Allendale
Mary, Isabella Clooney, Holland Christian
Self Portrait, Biruk Kwantes, Zeeland East
Dennis Foley Award
Giraffes Wear Suits, Harper Schoon-Tanis, Holland High
Kitty Can, Kanitta Lothschutz, West Ottawa
Orpheus Sisters, Kate Thompson, Grand Haven
Detritivore, Will Mitchell, Black River
Juror’s Choice Award
Untitled, Neti Billings, Black River
Curator’s Choice Award
Serendipity, Lucy Roop, Grand Haven
HAAC Staff Award
A Simpler Time, Francesca Sipe, Grand Haven
2024 Debut Accepted Artists
Allendale High School
Dehaan, Violet
Fenwick, Caitlyn
Kirby, Paige
Coopersville High School
Bingley, Abigal
Budzynski, Khloe
Hubers, Ava
Rietsma, Ava
Timmerman, Emma
VanBeek, Jenna
Weber, Teya Li
Fennville High School
Garcia, Armando
King, Cheyenne
Libertas Christian School
Norman, Allie
Saugatuck High School
Fowler, Madaline
Greenwood, Grace
Kuipers, Sophie
Nieuwsma, Alayah
Schoonmaker, Leilani
Vinten-Johansen, Layla
Black River Public School
Bakker, Weston
Berghoef, Josephine
Besteman, Reagan
Bialko, Alex
Billings, Neti
Clark, Gage
Dubois, Aliana
Fegel, Ora
Hester, Oscar
Mahaney, Skyler
Mitchell, Will
Pasatta, Madden
Russel, Madeline
Schaap, Chole
Stoub, Siri
VanDyke, Ella
Zordan, Diletta
Holland Christian High School
Geerlings, Sarah
Kok, Hannah
Bouws, Holly
Buter, Abigail
Cooney, Isabella
McGee, Eden
Travers, Evie
Grand Haven High School
Albright, Abi
Chaffee, Madigan
Dahlman, Addison
DeMott, Jacksen
Goers, Laney
Harper, Sophia
Hwang, Suin
Kowalski, Jack
Lalick, Maya
Levandoski, Lilyana
Mann, Noorpreet
Montgomery, Leah
Norkoli, Jemma
Olson, Jamie
Ritter, Abilene
Roop, Lucy
Shmyrko, Yevheniia
Siersma, Gita
Sipe, Francesca
Smith, Jade
Thompson, Sarah
VanKuiken, Megan
Vandermoot, Jacobie
Williams, Rachel
Zeeland West High School
Meyer, Makenna
Kamper, Leah
Molag, Lauren
Rodgers, Zoe
Rynsburger, Elise
Ulberg, Addison
Grandville High School
Banda, Ava
Blake, Lauren
Jaarsma, Sydney
Kaiser, Cora
Lakeisha, Karriann
Morales, Nellie
Nguyen, Julie
Purins, Briarlyn
Romo, Melia
Wiszczur, Milo
West Ottawa High School
Acosta, Hetzy
Blake, Megan
Cross, Avery
De Leon, Valerie
DeMaagd, Jade
Dishinger, Lauren
Ferrin, Reese
Gutierrez, Karla
Hardman, Kira
Hoonhorst, Kathy
Jones, Caeli
Khounsavat, Arihanna
Kinsler, Evan
Kyes, Danielle
Lothschutz, Kanitta
March, Haven
Markovic, Nikki
Maya, Kimora
McNeely, Audrey
Moffatt, Emerson
Nonthaweth, Tam
Teav, Alinna
Weliver, McKenna
Wise, Eliana
Zavala, Jaxon
Holland High School
Book, Emmett
Christensen, Greta
Costa, Amillia
Guy, Amiya
Kehrwecker, Kaleigh
Porretta, Isabella
Schoon-Tanis, Harper
Suarez Mejia, Jodee
Kurniawan, Claudia
Morrison, Stella
Nhan, Chonny
Smith, Honahlee
West Ottawa High School - South
Gaerte, Lauren
LaLone, Montana
Zeeland East High School
Elzinga, Sara
Fuller, Michelle
Guffey, Caden
Ham, Micah
Hanson, Tirzah
Hathaway, Addison
Juros, Joely
Kwantes, Biruk
Lee, Alen
Niboli, Valentina
Overway, Ava
Quintero, Alexandra
Thompson, Megan
VanDam, Meg
Walcott, John
zurBurg, Sierra
West Ottawa Elementary School Art Show
April 10 -May 2
Lievense Gallery
Reception: April 23rd, 5:30-7:00 pm
Join us with an exhibit representing the artwork of the wonderful students of West Ottawa Elementary Schools. This collection of art truly represents the talented artists the West Ottawa community has nurtured. Help us celebrate these young artists on April 23rd for the West Ottawa Elementary School Reception, held at the Holland Area Arts Council.
Patricia Flynn at the Gateway Spoon
April 12 - July 16
The Gateway Spoon Cafe and Grill, 633 E. 24th St, Holland, MI 49423
Reception and Artist Talk: June 6, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Patricia Flynn’s love of color and design prompted her to begin her work in watercolor. Though it is a difficult medium to master, she enjoys the subtleties of the paint, the paper, and the brush technique. Patricia tends to paint organic subject matter—trees, flowers, succulents, and other flora. She has also explored designs based on the blown glass works of Dale Chihuly, using the brilliant color and translucence of glass as inspiration. Another style that she has explored is “imargination”—taking a landscape and breaking it down into shapes. Patricia began her work in watercolor after a career in teaching. She started with a beginning watercolor class at Evergreen Commons Senior Center and fell in love with the medium. “I have taken several workshops with well-known watercolor artists, and continue to paint with a group of fellow artists at the Holland Area Arts Council. Receiving feedback from other artists is important to me, on my journey to mastering watercolor. I do enter juried competitions and have been fairly successful, having earned the signature status of AWS (American Watercolor Society).”
A Work in Progress: M. Joy Lemon
May 6 - June 29
Lievense Gallery
Artist Talk and Reception:
June 13, 5:30-7:00 pm
After earning her BFA from university M. Joy Lemon produced decent work, but felt like she lacked skill and refinement in a way she could not clearly define at the time. Joy remembers hearing “A good painter is a good drawer” and that’s what she set out to do. In the spring of 2020, Joy began to study various art techniques. She came across the classical academic method of atelier training, a method undertaken by the greats of the past, from Michelangelo to Sargent. It is a form of rigorous intuitive study focused on developing an artist’s eye for accuracy with proportion, value, and color to a very high degree of sensitivity. While developing refined control of materials she learned to do without relying on external measuring devices or tools. This method is reflected in this very beautiful collection of works.
Previous Exhibits
2000 Watercolors Ain’t Bad: Jim Johnson
January 19 -March 30
Lievense Gallery
Artist Talk and Reception:
January 25 5:30-7:00 pm
Jim Johnson’s watercolors have a strong and unique style. A master! He says: “This exhibit is a celebration of painting in watercolors. In forty years, I've painted over two thousand watercolors and loved every minute of the process. I began messing around with watercolors in 1984 on weekends to get away from the restrictions of my commercial art business and to just paint spontaneously directly from life. A couple years later I was exhibiting here and there and was getting a pretty good idea of what my retirement was going to look like. Painting from life is spontaneous, intense, and emotional. I never tire of it.”
My Journey Through a Life of Art: Larry Blovits
January 26 -March 30
Padnos and Armstrong Gallery
Reception and Artist Talk:
February 15, 5:30-7:00 pm
Larry Blovits, well-known and respected throughout the West Michigan area, has amassed his retrospective in our galleries. His works will be organized chronologically from the 1970s through current. Many former students will be thrilled to see this exhibit. It seems so many regional artists have learned from this master in drawing and painting. Professor Emeritus from Aquinas College, Larry has amassed an international reputation for his artwork, and workshop instructor having taught workshops locally and nationally, and abroad in England, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia. More information about the artist can be found on his website at www.larryblovits.com.
The 46 Project: Michael Burmeister
January 22 -March 23
Hallway Gallery
Michael Burmeister of Button Gallery in Douglas, Arts Council fan and unofficial art advisor has developed a pop up gallery in our space. He will be showing small works offered at the very accessible price of $46 each. This show will be up through March.
Art of the Spoon
Featured Artist: Christi Dreese
Artist Talk and Reception March 21st, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
The Gateway Spoon Cafe & Grill, 633 E. 24th St. Holland, MI 49423
The Holland Area Arts Council and the Gateway Spoon Café & Grill Restaurant are pleased to announce a new artist series “Art of The Spoon”. This series collaborates with The Spoon to feature artists throughout the year. Artwork sold at The Spoon supports both organizations as well as the artist.
Christi M. Dreese is a contemporary impressionist painter based in Spring Lake, Michigan. Her painting reflects the relaxed nature of lakeside living that she experienced as a child. She pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Aquinas College, and her art has been showcased in several exhibitions and galleries throughout Michigan. Dreese collaborates with art consultants and interior designers to deliver exceptional results for their projects. Her artwork is displayed in several medical facilities, and private and corporate art collections throughout the United States.
The Patricia Flynn Invitational Watercolor
November 16 -January 20
Padnos Gallery
Artist Talk and Reception: December 1st 5:30-7:00 pm
This extraordinary exhibition features Mark Bonnette, Catherine McClung, Jon McDonald, Jerry Bowman, Sandy Meyer and Bruce McCombs. A not to be missed collection!
Holland Friends of Art: All Members Show
November 10 -January 13
Lievense Gallery
Reception: November 30th 5:30-7:00 pm
Join us with an exhibit representing the artwork of the membership of the Holland Friends of Art. This year’s juror will be artist Jessica Bohus. This organization of talented artists was originally founded in 1963 through the efforts of the local creative community. The goal of this group is to initiate an annual members art exhibit and to stimulate community awareness of the creative talents in the Holland area. We have grown over the years to be a well-respected supporter of the visuals arts within West Michigan.
ARTIST TALK- The Beauty in the Ordinary: Pastel Paintings by Jim McMillan, Helen Kleczynski and Thomas Tomasek
Padnos and Armstrong Galleries
Often we pass by a subject that is considered “Ordinary”. Michigan artists Jim McMillan, Helen Kleczynski and Thomas Tomasek took time to look more closely at their surroundings and found “Beauty” in ordinary subjects, both in their travels and just down the street. Their paintings incorporate dramatic patterns of light and shadow, abstract shapes, poetic colors and interesting textures that transform ordinary subjects into inspired works of art.
The Beauty in the Ordinary: Paintings by Jim McMillan, Helen Kleczynski and Thomas Tomasek
Padnos and Armstrong Galleries
Reception March 10th 5:30-7:30 pm
Often we pass by a subject that is considered “Ordinary”. Michigan artists Jim McMillan, Helen Kleczynski and Thomas Tomasek took time to look more closely at their surroundings and found “Beauty” in ordinary subjects, both in their travels and just down the street. Their paintings incorporate dramatic patterns of light and shadow, abstract shapes, poetic colors and interesting textures that transform ordinary subjects into inspired works of art.
Reception: FOTOG- The Holly Palmer Juried Photo Show
RECEPTION - A large and dynamic exhibition featuring the photographic work of this region's best. Juried by Randall Nyhof. Awards by the Holly Palmer Foundation. Image is Randall Nyhof's "Pavillion at Ottawa Beach".
FOTOG- The Holly Palmer Juried Photo Show
A large and dynamic exhibition featuring the photographic work of this region's best. Juried by Randall Nyhof. Awards by the Holly Palmer Foundation. Image is Randall Nyhof's "Pavillion at Ottawa Beach".