30 artists featured in incubator opening

Addy Wachter, Grand Haven Tribune, Mich.
·1 min read

Jul. 24—FERRYSBURG — The Tri-Cities Artist Incubator's grand opening event took place last Saturday at its Ferrysburg location.

The gallery showcased about 30 featured artists who created anything from oil paintings to handcrafted canoes. There were books on display along with wood crafts and photography.

The owner of Four Crows Creative Studio in Spring Lake, Todd Johnson, was there displaying his originally designed wooden crafts and home decors including lamps, miniatures and holiday items.

"I am always up for something new and exciting, and a way to get out and show my work," he said. "I love meeting the other vendors and artists and talking about what they are doing and hearing some of their stories. It's like an indoor art show and then some."

Photographer Marc Hoeksema showcased some of his work at the grand opening. Hoeksema said he has been taking photos since high school and he opened a gallery in Grand Haven in 1995, displaying his art along with other artists. In 2016, Hoeksema started shooting his Lake Michigan series, which was on display at the Artist Incubator gallery.

Raphael Wieland, one of the founding members of the Artist Incubator, said that about 100 people came to the July 17 grand opening.

"It's really amazing to see how much this has come together," he said. "I thought it was just a crack-pipe dream."

Now that they have the drive, the artists and the workspace, all they need are the people to participate in the classes to build the business, according to Wieland.

"All the artists are equally passionate about this thing," he said, "and all the people that come in are very passionate and interested in the concept. It's been great."