AMP is a proud member of the Detroit Digital Justice Coalition (DDJC) and co-implementor of the Detroit Future initiative, with East Michigan Environmental Action Council. Members of the AMC, DDJC and Detroit Future networks contributed footage to this video.

While ’legacy’ refers to anything that can be handed down, in Michigan Legacy Art Park , ‘legacy’ refers to all that has gone before in the rich history, nature and art of the State of Michigan.  It was this legacy that inspired David Barr, sculptor, artist and writer to establish the Michigan Legacy Art Park in 1995. Located in Benzie County, the park is situated on 30 acres of land owned by Crystal Mountain and leased to the Legacy Art Park for $1 per year. What a gift!

To raise operating funds for the park, and more important, acknowledge individuals that have made a significant contribution to the arts and culture of the State of Michigan, there is an annual Legacy Gala. Last August in his remarks to honor Governor and Mrs. William Milliken and their legacy to Michigan’s culture, park founder David Barr said “I feel enormous gratitude to the Milliken’s for their accomplishments especially in encouraging the flowering of cultural life in Michigan. Their lives have enriched the lives of many.” Seizing this opportunity to speak to a significant audience attending the gala, Barr inspired the audience with a rich history of the arts and its importance to society.

Illustrating a point he shared the following quotes:
The Nazi Herman Goering said, “Whenever I hear the word ‘culture,’ I reach for my gun.”
The writer, Malcolm Muggeridge said, “Whenever I hear the word ‘gun,’ I reach for my culture.” 

Throughout his comments Barr talked candidly about the “state of the arts in Michigan” – present in the audience was Governor Rick Snyder.  Barr’s comments in his speech were so powerful that the folks at Michigan Legacy Art Park posted the entire speech on their website and encourage people to read it and support the arts in their own community. Read the speech here.  Now, less than a year later, a dramatic proposed budget increase in arts funding has been announced for Michigan.

“Our mission is to inspire awareness, appreciation and passion for Michigan’s history, culture, and environment, through the arts,” said the park’s Executive Director, Renee Hintz.  “We encourage our visitors to explore the people, places and events that have shaped Michigan by hiking the trails in our park.  Each sculpture tells a story about a part of Michigan or Michigan’s history.

Michigan Legacy Art Park is a park for all seasons. Spring brings outdoor art experiences and environmental projects for dozens of groups of school kids from across Northern Michigan. Summer includes a musical concert series to celebrate Michigan’s musical diversity. Autumn is a beautiful time to experience the sculptures against a colorful backdrop of Michigan’s turning leaves. And, in winter, hard core outdoor lovers experience the displays by snowshoe or cross country ski.

Michael McGillis, one of the first sculptors to install a piece in the park, paid homage to the history of the White Pine in Michigan. His piece has become an iconic representation of the park.  To read more about his pieces in the park and all of the other works of art, visit the website.

“Our kick-off for Summer 2012 is slated for May 20 and it is a family-oriented event.  We are also installing our newest sculpture simply titled Michigan. It is a topographical map of Lake Michigan by Brian Ferriby,” shared Hintz.

The gift of a financial legacy, thanks to Crystal Mountain and many funding organizations and sponsors; an artistic legacy thanks to the many contributing artists; a cultural legacy, thanks in part to William and Helen Milliken; and a continuing celebration of Michigan’s legacy, thanks to you.

COMEDY TROUPE ‘NOBODY GETS US’ HOPES EVERYBODY DOES
LISA SMITH
THURSDAY, MAY 10th, 2012

Joe Officeworker is in serious trouble. He is a ticking bomb. He is angry… about everything. He’s angry about having to get up early to go to work. He’s angry about someone taking his parking place. He’s angry at the co-worker who won’t stop clicking her pen. Joe Officeworker is headed for the breakdown of his life. What can save him? A good dose of the giggles – of course. After all, laughter is the best medicine, as they say.

That’s where the good people of Nobody Gets Us come in. The comedy troupe, based in Western Michigan came together just to save Joe Officeworker, and thousands like him, from themselves.

In November 2011, Saugatuck-based actor Melissa Anschutz met with her agent, Malinda Petersen of MP Talent in Grand Rapids. They were discussing the upcoming LaughFest comedy festival, which is held annually in Grand Rapids. Every year, all the proceeds of LaughFest benefit the cancer, grief and support programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. When they talked of the need for a sketch comedy troupe, Melissa said, “Hey, I’m funny! I know funny people! Let’s do this!” And then she ran from the restaurant, leaving Malinda to pay for lunch. Melissa then started contacting the funny people she knew, and the troupe was born.

Melissa contacted Rockford resident and comedic blogger Leslie Bosscher, as the two had worked together on a comedy show in the past. Also in the group is Sarah Cavanaugh, a part-time stand-up comic and TV personality from Grand Rapids station WZZM-TV’s Take Five & Company, as well as actors Ralph Lister and David Gries, and actor/comedian Mark Boyd. Tying the group together is sound and light technician Steve Nardin. “Without Steve, we’d just be a half dozen idiots doing skits for our friends. The sound and lights turn it into a show,” said Boyd. “Just don’t tell him he gets paid less than the rest of us.”

Within a very short time, their first show, in March 2012, was SOLD OUT. The people of greater Grand Rapids were in obvious need of some healing laughter. And when the group performed at LaughFest, Nobody Gets Us didn’t let them down.

It’s said many lives were saved that day. “Without us providing laughter and good times, the ER’s would be packed,” said troupe member Mark Boyd, sympathetically. “I remember seeing this guy who was choking on something.” said Leslie, “But we said something really funny, and it was even more effective than the Heimlich.” Melissa added, “When I think of all the good we’ve done for people…” and her voice trailed off as emotion choked back the words. It’s clear what making people laugh means to these blessed souls.

David and Ralph would have also provided quotes for this article, but they were just too busy to be bothered. No, really, they are quite the busy actors. Among other things, when David isn’t working on sketch comedy, he is a serious movie actor. Ralph holds an acting class on Mondays in Grand Rapids, and is a narrator and director for Brilliance Audio Books in Grand Haven. He is even up for an Audie Award (think “Oscars” for audio books).

So maybe laughter isn’t really the best medicine. But what if it is? Should you risk it? If you’d like the chance to be miraculously healed from what ails you, make sure to catch their next live performance provided there are any tickets left. If not, please see your physician about your anger issues.

IWBC: WE CAN DO IT
VIKI LORRAINE
THURSDAY, MAY 10th, 2012

Rosie the Riveter inspired a social movement that increased the number of working American women by 57%, proving to women (and the country) that they could do a “man’s job” and do it well.

Today, women brass musicians have their own version of Rosie the Riveter. In 1973 Susan Slaughter became the worlds first principal trumpet player with a major symphony orchestra. In 1990 she created the International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC), designed to celebrate, inspire, support, develop and educate women brass players pursuing professional careers in music.

“It was the energy I got from that first conference I attended,” said Lin Foulk, an Assistant Professor of Music at WMU and the co-host of the conference. “I wanted to create that energy here in Michigan.”

As a grad student, Foulk, a French horn player, realized that in five years of training she hadn’t played a single piece by a female composer. She asked a fellow musician why and he replied ‘because they are not good, they can’t do it.’ “It hit me like a brick,” said Foulk. “I knew that couldn’t be the answer.”

Foulk attended her first IWBC in 1993. “It was so powerful to see an entire ensemble of female performers, to see them really nail it.”  It was also transformational for Kelly Watkins, IWBC’s current President. Watkins was a freshman in college when she attended her first IWBC in 1996. “I was blown away by it,” said Watkins. “Being able to see women I had heard of, but never seen perform live.” The conference solidified her future path.  Watkins has been a professional trumpeter for the Unites States Coast Guard Band since 2003.

Now a doctoral student at Michigan State University (MSU), former IWBC President and euphonium player Gail Robertson also credits the IWBC with making the connections that led to her fellowship at MSU. “The friendships and associations I’ve made at IWBC have been invaluable.”

Foulk, Watkins and Robertson all spoke about their indebtedness to Slaughter.  “It was her vision that started all of this,” said Robertson.

“That first conference was like a revival experience,” said Slaughter, now retired from the St. Louis Symphony.  “Before the conference there was no one to talk to.  You couldn’t talk to the guys. Finally there was a place where we could talk to each other. Women left feeling like they had been reborn.”

Yet some may ask – “Does the organization still have a place in a world where women have made great strides?”  According to the IWBC 2012 website, women trumpet, trombone, and tuba players make up fewer than 3% of the top 25 orchestras by budget size.

The IWBC will continue to be an important organization for women brass musicians. “Our collective energy, our personal stories, that is our distinction,” said Foulk. IWBC 2012 also brings a level of distinction to WMU.  With the IWBC under its belt, WMU will have hosted most of the country’s other brass conferences. “That makes us pretty unique,” said Foulk.

Trail blazing since its inception, this year’s IWBC will offer another first. It will be the first time the Monarch Brass, a nationally recognized all-women brass ensemble, whose members are outstanding players from North America’s top symphony orchestras and universities, will feature all Michigan women players.  “It’s amazing. You have so much talent in one state,” said Slaughter.

What Rosie the Riveter represented to women in the 30’s and 40’s – the IWBC represents to today’s women of brass.  How ironic that the real life model and inspiration for the World War II We Can Do It poster, later dubbed Rosie the Riveter, was an orchestra musician from Inkster, MI!

You can celebrate this unique moment in Michigan’s musical heritage at a free Monarch Brass concert on Sunday, June 10th from 4 – 5pm in downtown Kalamazoo.

TECHSHOP DETROIT: ‘MAKERS’ OF DREAMS
KATIE DONOVAN
THURSDAY APRIL 26th, 2012

If you count yourself among the many who dream about making something – a work of art, a gizmo or gadget, a better mousetrap, or even something more complex – you are a Maker.  If you like to tinker, take things apart and figure out how things work – you are a Maker.  If you are crafty, have an eye for design, or like working with textiles – you are a Maker.  If you have these ‘maker’ impulses but have always been thwarted because you didn’t have the tools or know-how, great potential awaits you at TechShop, a new national workshop model opening its newest location right here in Metro Detroit’s Allen Park. TechShop provides Makers and Makers-to-be with the tools, space and assistance needed to ‘make’ dreams into reality.

Chairman and Founder, Jim Newton, explains how TechShop came to be – “I live and work in California and had been working on the popular TV show MythBusters and was also teaching a class on combat robotics – through those two projects I had access to all sorts of great tools and resources. When those gigs ended, the most painful part was the loss of access to those tools and resources.  I started thinking about how to build a business model that would support the cost of assembling all those great tools and a facility to house them. The idea of a gym membership model came to me in 2005 and in 2006 the first TechShop opened in Menlo Park, California.”

Ford was instrumental in bringing TechShop to Detroit. Bill Coughlin, CEO of Ford Global Technologies Licensing, first became aware of TechShop in 2010, connections were made and the Detroit-area store was put on the fast track.  “Our partnership with TechShop will connect Ford to the community of local innovators, and spark imagination that could be the solution to problems that we couldn’t solve before, or develop all new ideas that are answers to questions we weren’t even asking. In the future open innovation will play an incredibly important role in the progression of our company,” said Coughlin.

TechShop Detroit is the latest location to open, and since December’s soft opening the Allen Park TechShop team has already signed up 600 members – their goal is 1000 in order to keep the workshop open 24/7.  The tool array and workspace is impressive; there are tools to help you create almost anything. Members are using machining tools, woodworking, plasma cutters, welding equipment, electronics, laser etching tools to create in 2-d or 3-d, heavy duty textiles machines, plastic molding machines, and high-tech painting equipment. Members also enjoy a workshop that offers state-of-the-art safety gear and procedures, training on all the machines and a space plan and employee culture that encourages collaboration among members.  Essentially, a Maker’s dreams come true.

“One of the biggest surprises for me is the number of new companies that have been incubated in our TechShop locations,” said Jim Newton, Founder. “One of the great Tech Shop success stories is the guy that had an idea for a case for the iPad. He took a couple of classes and began to fabricate his design for the DoDo case.”  This Tech-Shop member is now the owner of a multi-million dollar company.

Karen Corbeill is the Education and Events Coordinator at TechShop’s new Metro Detroit location and has been there from the beginning. She says there are 15 employees and they are all creative types: ‘DIY-ers’, ‘hackers’ and ‘Makers’ that are driven to help the members. “This is what Detroit is all about…we have so many people that are part of this community with loads of talent and experiences but not necessarily with the resources. We have the resources here to feed that talent and ingenuity,” said Corbeill.

Luciano Golia is a very recent transplant from Italy to Michigan, his wife is from Allen Park and the news about TechShop’s arrival influenced their decision to settle there. Golia has been a Maker of musical instruments for 24 years and recently completed a double bass at TechShop. He says his craft requires skills in carving, woodworking, music, and math. “The TechShop – it is a beautiful place and very creative,” shared Golia. “Technology and my work are not in alignment because every instrument is custom made, but the TechShop is nice because there are other people there making many different things and it is nice for a creative to be with other people working at different levels with different skills.” Golia sees the TechShop membership as a way to keep his business going while he and his wife are getting settled.  Golia’s recommendation for other artists on using TechShop: “… it’s a tool for your creativity, it should be a great help for artists because any kind of prototype or piece of art could be created there thanks to the help of a team of very experienced people and great tools.”

TechShop Detroit will be hosting a Grand Opening event May 5-6 from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. (CLICK HERE for more details and a map) It is open to the public and there will be activities, tours and demonstrations appropriate for all ages.  Exhibitions and Presentations will be offered by TechShop partners: Autodesk, Ford Global Technologies, Instructables, The Henry Ford Museum and Etsy. “We want people in here making their dreams,” said Corbeill.
Newton has an even broader dream for TechShop. He imagines TechShop locations all over the country and has a vision of families that will see TechShop as a recreational opportunity.  “Wouldn’t it be great to have families choosing an outing to the TechShop workshop from the list of possible family activities?”

REACHING AND TEACHING AT-RISK YOUTH
KATE TYKOCKI
THURSDAY APRIL 26th, 2012

A photojournalist by training Jeana-Dee Allen Rogers left Lansing after college to work at newspapers around the state. “It was an extremely dark time in my life. I photographed a lot of crime – homicide, suicide, fire – and in that whole period of that time, I would say 80 percent of the violent crimes I documented were committed by [young people] 15- to 25-years-old,” shared Allen Rogers. “I often asked myself what if these kids had been given greater access to resources. What if they felt more connected to their community by taking pictures or creating art or just having these resources where they could come together?”

Allen Rogers is back in Lansing, but now as Outreach Coordinator at REACH Studio Art Center. Before then she was volunteering at a local middle school and was saddened by the lack of arts education for students. “They would have art class be braiding little bits of string together. That just really is a shame because the arts can teach so much,” said Allen Rogers. “There’s history involved in creating art. So it’s not just that you’re creating something with your hands. You’re looking at what you can create above and beyond yourself that can connect you as a human being to the rest of the world through your creation.”

REACH is a studio art center located in REO Town, an area of Lansing just south of Michigan’s Capital Building, where the average per capital income is $17,158 and more than 40 percent of the residents have an income at or below 2 percent of the poverty level. REACH offers art classes, workshops and day camps to local youth and creates special community art projects, such as the mural and sculpture installation directly across the street from the facility.

REACH also offers Creative Connections free art sessions where neighborhood children and teens can come together to paint, spin pottery, make music, write and perform plays and express themselves while also having a positive impact in their community. Another program helps high school drop-outs work to earn their GED through their involvement at REACH. In 2010, more than 900 youth participated in programs in REACH’s tiny 1,100 square foot studio. In 2013, the organization will move into a new space in REO Town that will give them up to 7,200 square feet to continue delivering quality arts education to local Lansing youth.

The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth study released in March 2012 by the National Endowment for the Arts found teens and children of low ‘socioeconomic status’ who had a history of in-depth arts involvement showed better academic outcomes, earned better grades and demonstrated higher rates of college enrollment and attainment.

And yet, schools around the state are struggling to provide arts education to students and budgets for field trips are being slashed.  REACH is one organization trying to fill this arts gap for youth by working to improve its community while improving the lives of the young people it serves.

“We’re struggling with kids that are homeless, kids that are in foster care, kids whose parents are incarcerated. Just life. There’s a lot of ‘life’ happening. If we can be this one space that encourages them to have a better day, to get away from something, to learn to express their feelings in a different manner and to feel like someone else is struggling too, it builds community and that’s the best thing we can do,” concluded Allen Rogers.

TRIPLE THREAT: ERIN WILSON
KATIE DONOVAN
THURSDAY APRIL 26th, 2012

A gifted writer and the current director of the historic Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids, Erin Wilson is gaining attention for some new initiatives in Grand Rapids art community.  He has an interesting perspective on the larger impact of ArtPrize on the local artists. While few can dispute the juggernaut that is ArtPrize and its economic contribution to the area, Wilson feels the 18-day event with its major cash prizes and the pull of major artists from outside of the area, overshadows the community of local artists that are present in Grand Rapids, creating and producing the other 347 days of the year.  For this reason and others, Erin Wilson and a core group of like-minded individuals had the vision to create a nonprofit organization for GR artists called ArtPeers.

“The whole idea came out of some things that were missing here – peer support, and the notion that local artists have value. We have some brilliant people working here in Grand Rapids,” said Wilson. “What we’ve created is a conversation, to help local artists consider the true value of what they do and to find ways to create an appreciation for that value – even if the artist chooses to donate his/her time and/or works of art.”

Wilson has been dubbed “Diaghilev” by his partner Amy, after the famed Russian art critic and impresario credited with co-founding the Ballet Russes in the early 1900’s.  While the appeal of the name for Amy may have been because she herself is a dancer and choreographer (she is founder of the groundbreaking modern dance collective Dance In The Annex) – for Erin its appeal lies in the parts of Diaghilev’s life that relate to his tireless promotion of the arts – in many forms.  Wilson humbly cites a quote attributed to Diaghilev about his contribution to the arts “…I make nothing and do nothing.”  This is where the comparison to Diaghilev breaks down – Erin Wilson has many talents of his own – a visit to his website diaghilev.me will demonstrate the point.

ArtPeers is currently working on several projects which align with its mission to “advance a culture that values local artists.” Plans include ongoing exhibitions – both physical and virtual – which showcase local artists and use local businesses as venues.  These efforts will be presented on the website, which is designed to be a curated site and an open community, where participants will soon be able to post pictures and engage in conversations so that the site becomes a living archive of those who locally-produce Grand Rapids art.

ArtPeers is now working on an untitled but in-progress video project. The video series takes the viewer into the homes of people with notable art collections which include many forms of locally made art, along with other more established works. The point is to demonstrate that local works of art are and should be taken seriously, alongside national and international works. The raw video for the first three installments of the project has been shot and the video project is now moving into post-production. “And this is not just about traditional, hanging art – we’re including ephemeral, multimedia and performance art in the series,” Wilson said. Look for news about the video project on the ArtPeers website ArtPeers.org, the produced installments are expected to be live on the site in May.

What will be the markers of success for ArtPeers?  “To be really honest, here in Grand Rapids, when there are far fewer emergency fundraising events to help local artists cover expenses for catastrophic health care costs, or basic living expenses for artists living on the edge of financial ruin – then we will know that there are more artists living a balanced creative and economic life and being supported by the greater community,” shared Wilson. “Sustainable like any trade, skill or craft that we value as a society and culture.”
Erin Wilson believes that valuing local artists begins with the local artists themselves, how they speak about and value their work and how they support their peers.

JSO AND THE FINE ART OF DEVELOPMENT
MARY KATHERINE QUASARANO
THURSDAY APRIL 26th, 2012

In the heart of downtown Jackson, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon this past March, crowds gathered for the grand opening gala of the newly renovated Jackson Symphony Orchestra (JSO) Performing Arts Center. The afternoon was the culmination of a $4.2 million dollar community capital and endowment campaign led by JSO campaign chairs Pat and Phil Willis, Frederick and Debby Davis, and Tom and Nancy Evanson.

Taking it all in was Mary Spring, who has proudly served for twenty years as the JSO Development Director. Her journey eloquently speaks to the power of community commitment and development as a fine art and the life blood of an arts organization.

The JSO strongly self identifies as a “community organization,” and integrating music, music education and musicians into the community has been its mission and strength. Fewer cities in Michigan have been harder hit by the recessionary times of the past four years than Jackson. Reports of losses in manufacturing jobs have become regular and ongoing news headlines. That’s precisely what makes this crowning achievement in development and support of the arts so stunning. Spring expands, “The community embraces not only the JSO but numerous arts venues and on a percentage Jackson ranks with cities that have large artistic programs and much larger resource pools. I am continually amazed at the support we receive and the enthusiasm of the residents of the community towards the arts.”

Spring’s first exposure to the JSO came through the gracious invitation of her employer Nathan Rosenfeld, the owner of Jacobson’s. At one time Jacobson’s served as the most luxurious shopping destination in Mid-Michigan, and Rosenfeld made Symphony tickets available to employees. Spring’s experience of the JSO led to the purchase of season tickets, and when she made the decision to stay at home with two small children, she decided to become involved as a volunteer with the Jackson Symphony Guild Board of Directors. She served as volunteer coordinator, chaired fundraising events, and assisted in the creation and launch of the JSO Community Music School. “When I was approached by the JSO to consider coming in as their Development Director, I frankly did not know what that meant. I did know that the JSO was a worthy organization, and as I learned more about the position, it became clear that ‘development’ meant going well beyond fund raising to include expanding and developing the role music plays in our community.”

Spring credits Stephen Osmond, the “highly talented and forward-thinking Music Director” that she has worked with for these last 20 years as Development Director as teaching her that “the JSO community includes everyone we touch; music performance is only a portion of what it means to be an orchestra.” By JSO calculations, 90% of the JSO budget remains in Jackson and the surrounding area, and 75 musicians and 12 faculty members are in its regular employment. JSO ticket promotions include 11 local restaurants and the JSO participates in reciprocal programs with local entertainment venues as well.

There is no greater visual statement to the vision of this Development Director and the JSO commitment to community collaboration than the water feature that graces the newly renovated Performing Arts Center. It was designed by local artist Steve Sayles, its assembly was donated by Midbrook, Inc., and all materials were donated by Alro Steel. It is described as “a piece of art that symbolizes the importance of collaboration between artist, musicians, manufacturing and corporations.” That statement also elegantly captures the gift, work and fine art of Mary E. Spring, JSO Development Director.

THESE ‘CON’ ARTISTS ARE REAL PROS
MARY KATHERINE QUASARANO
THURSDAY APRIL 12th, 2012

Con Artist Crew is a dynamic arts movement in Grand Rapids led by artists Magdalene Law and Reuben Garcia – true partners in mission and vision – not crime. “We came up with the name while bantering back and forth on a title that would be edgy – but also tongue-in-cheek – a title that would be easy to remember, but also hard hitting” says Law. Make no mistake: there is nothing inauthentic or hidden or tricky about these talented artists. As they conduct a tour of their studio/gallery collaboration space opening this month, their excitement is palpable, their commitment unwavering, and “sweat equity” is in full evidence on the workbenches, construction tools, new drywall and dust.

There’s plenty of reason for them – and the Grand Rapids art community – to be excited, too. The space they are leasing at 1111 Godfrey (Suite 198) is a building complex known for attracting artists and innovation. Con Artist Crew’s mission is to provide local, emerging creatives with the space, community, and encouragement to thrive. Garcia shares, “The Con Artist Crew’s vision is to not only become a gallery, but an artistic center that facilitates a cultural investigation into the minds of both creators and audience. We currently have eight in-house studios with private entry and access and hope to have an additional three or more by June. Artists lease on an annual or semi-annual basis and each artist will have 24-hour access to their space because we know that inspiration can strike at any minute. We want to form a community where we play and work together.”

Law and Garcia first met as undergraduates while attending Kendall College of Art and Design. Law graduated in 2010 with a BFA in Graphic Design and studied illustration, public relations, social networking, marketing and advertising.  In addition to the hard work of helping move Con Artist Crew from dream to reality, she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Art Therapy. Garcia graduated in 2011 with a BFA in Sculpture and Functional Arts with multiple studies in drawing, painting, printmaking and screen printing. They have coordinated and shared in all aspects of the space’s renovation and design. Though their disciplines differ, they share a common drive and passion for local art and creativity.

As undergrads, both noted students being offered exhibition space at local prominent galleries. When their own invitations weren’t forthcoming, they made what was to become a prophetic decision. Instead of waiting for a gallery to find them – and others – they would create an exhibition space of their own. Garcia shares, “Everybody wants a piece of the spotlight and I want a piece myself. If we work together we can all shine and create something greater for this city.”

Law and Garcia maintained connection with each other post-graduation and independently dreamed of creating a space to merge a broad spectrum of aspiring artists together for the purpose of exploring and exhibiting their art. Law contacted Garcia about starting up a group, they met and have been on the same page since. Says Garcia, “Sharing a vision – we knew we had to get a space that would house our intentions.”  In October 2011 Con Artist Crew formed as an LLC.

With smiles that light up the space, Garcia and Law declare their willingness to do whatever it takes, for however long it takes, to bring the gallery and studio to life. Law shares, “We aren’t going anywhere. We will eat rice for the next five months if that means creating something we believe in.”

We live in an age where the miracle of seeing vacant, historical buildings transformed into artistic centers and innovative offices has become commonplace, and that’s unfortunate. The drywall dust beneath Garcia’s sneakers and Law’s boots speak volumes. Two very talented and dedicated young people are helping to pry open doors to the Grand Rapids creative and entrepreneurial landscape, and undoubtedly, they’ll be changing the lives of aspiring artists for years to come.
These Cons are real pros.