Decades-old paintings of historic Michigan theaters have made their way home
The Holland Area Visitors Bureau never knows, on a daily basis, who — or what — could come through its doors.
On most days, passersby are visiting from another part of the country — or even the world — to ask questions about Holland. But a recent visit from Craig and Lois Stiles delivered knowledge instead, a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork featuring Holland’s Knickerbocker Theatre.
Similar stories are being told across Michigan.
In Coldwater, the Stiles visited the Chamber of Commerce bearing another gift — a painting of the city’s Main Theatre when it was still a moviehouse. In Three Rivers, the Stiles visited a library clerk with a painting of the Riviera Theatre.
Lois explained to each recipient that her father, Bill Orling, was the artist behind each painting. She and Craig were traveling across the country, taking each painting to its rightful home.
All told, the couple dropped off more than 20 paintings of historic theaters in Michigan this summer, visiting Holland, Grand Haven, Three Rivers, Coldwater, Ann Arbor, Howell, Grand Ledge, Kalamazoo, Ludington, Grayling, Roscommon, Marquette and others.
Orling was born in 1930 in Flint, where he was raised. He had a day job — but on the side, he was a prolific artist with a passion for preserving history. In the early 1970s, when the St. John Street area of Flint was slated to be demolished for a brick factory and parking lot, it mattered deeply to Orling, his daughter said.
During his lunch hour, Orling would sketch the doomed buildings. Then he’d come back with his easel to paint them. As neighbors peered over his shoulder, they often shared memories.
When Orling was done, he’d add those memories to the back of the painting.
“Dad had two art shows at our church and sold the paintings for $10 to $30 dollars,” Lois said. “The people were from the area and he wanted everyone to be able to afford one, and at the same time to earn enough to buy more supplies.”
In 1982, Orling bought a book written in 1940 — an index of theaters around the country, Lois said. He was fascinated. For their annual two-week vacation, Orling and his wife Barbara choose to travel to the sites.
Orling would take a photo and they’d travel on. Back home, he put those theatres on canvas.
“It was exciting for them to come upon these small-town theatres,” Lois said. “I asked Dad recently why he did it. He says because he wanted to. He wanted to capture them before they were gone.”
As a boy, whenever he could afford it, Orling’s greatest joy was going to the movies to watch westerns. Orling, now 91 and living in Florida near Lois, figures he painted several hundred theatres.
“My husband, Craig, got the idea to take them where they belong — back home," Lois said.
Recipients included chambers, libraries — even a reporter and an architect.
In Holland, Linda Hart, executive director of the Holland Area Visitors Bureau, said no decision has been made about the fate of the painting. Until then, it will remain on display at the office in downtown Holland.
“Holland is steeped in history, including many of the buildings that still stand today,” Hart said. “You can’t miss the distinguished marquee when arriving downtown. It’s very cool.
“The Knickerbocker’s story is included in many of our historic downtown tours and thus, a testament to Holland’s approach to preserving our history, which we get to share with residents and visitors.”
Craig and Lois have taken two trips so far, including towns in Ohio, Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and Illinois. They'll continue to travel across the United States, returning the paintings to the cities in which they belong.
— Contact Austin Metz and Rosalie Currier at newsroom@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Decades-old paintings of historic Michigan theaters have made their way home
