April showers to give way to May flowers during pop-up art event in downtown Albion
ALBION — A group of local artists is ensuring April showers give way to May flowers in downtown Albion.
Artists will display their floral talents during the arts and flowers pop-up event May 5-6 at Superior Arts, 302 S. Superior St. The pop-up shop will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, according to a release.
Local art enthusiast Mary Slater is launching the spring arts show in partnership with Albion business owners Jen Risner-Wade of Yellow Bird Chocolate Shop, Anna Merritt of Anna’s House of Flowers and Sue Ott of Jolly Green Junction. Emily Verbeke of Foundry Bakehouse & Deli, meanwhile, will contribute edible cookie art for the event
In addition to the variety of artwork on display, Susan Heisler will demonstrate how to make paper flowers at 4 p.m. Friday and Fang Wang will showcase the art of Chinese ink drawing at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Other artists featured in the event include Deborah Erlandson with acrylic paintings, Richard Lewin and Robert Erlandson with photography, Mary Habicht with watercolors, Joan Larsen with flower monotypes and Diana Wade with flowers on the farm.
Risner-Wade will showcase chocolate roses and Merritt will feature silk and live flower arrangements. Ott will be located in the alley near Yellow Bird Chocolate Shop and display garden art and outdoor flowers.
“Art is essential to who we are as a people,” Slater said in a release. “With cuts to art education in our public schools we are saying that art is not as important as other areas of learning. We need to continue to offer ways for all community members to appreciate the arts and showcase the variety of talented artists in the Albion area.”
Slater and her husband Richard Lewin owned and operated the former Albion Heritage Bed & Breakfast before retiring and permanently closing the business in 2019.
While running the bed and breakfast, each December the couple hosted “Cozy Up With Art,” allowing local artists to display their works in the rooms. This gave Slater the inspiration for Superior Arts.
Slater hopes to continue rotating local artists of different media at the pop-up shop on select weekends throughout the year.
“So many people have contributed to making this downtown art venue a success,” Slater said. “It just shows that Albion is the type of community that will support the arts in all forms. I hope that this is just the beginning of being able to showcase the incredible variety of artistic talent in our community and surrounding areas.”
For more information, visit facebook.com/SuperiorArtsAlbion.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Pop-up art event slated in Albion
