Friday, February 03, 2012
Repeats every day until Friday, March 02, 2012 except Sunday, February 05, 2012, Sunday, February 12, 2012, Sunday, February 19, 2012, Sunday, February 26, 2012.
11:30 am-Close
Leopard Lounge inside Louis Benton
35 Ionia Ave NW
Downtown Grand Rapids MI 49503
Presented by Art as a Lifestyle, a hopeful non-profit whose single goal is to provide space for artists to show their work at little or no cost, "Smitten with the Mitten" is the 2nd of many shows planned to be held at Louis Benton in downtown Grand Rapids.
"It's a lot of work, but it's worth it," says Maranda Shear, Founder, Curator and Event's Coordinator for Art as a Lifestyle, "I feel like there needs to be more opportunities for artists and that is what I try to create." Shear has been putting on exhibitions for over nine months starting at Urban Mill Cafe in June of 2011. Not limiting herself to the fine arts, Shear was hosting art events and bringing in local musicians such as Jason Norman and the Red-hearts, Kurt Dennison, Snake-oil Charlatans, the Raining Frogs and many more.
Louis Benton provides a different kind of atmosphere for these shows, hosting them in their classy back room called the Leopard Lounge. While this back room can be rented out for catered business meetings and other special events, it is transformed into a swanky night club on Friday and Saturday nights with a live DJ and a full bar. The plan is to open each show on the first club night of every month, giving the artwork as well as the space a whole new look.
"I'm really glad we're doing this," says Bob Etheridge, a member of Louis Benton's professional team, whose chance encounter with Shear sparked the whole idea of having exhibitions in the Leopard Lounge. Etheridge is really excited about having such amazing work come into the space and claims he has heard nothing but good reviews from Louis Benton's friends and guests. Along with other members of Louis Benton's professional team,, Etheridge, Shear and Lewis Williams, Louis Benton's general manager, are working to make these events something to talk about.
"Smitten with the Mitten" is hosting an Artist Reception and Gala Event on Friday, February 10th starting at 6:30 pm. This will give art lovers and friends a chance to meet the artists and enjoy some Michigan based drink specials concocted specially for the event by Angela Trainor, Louis Benton's beverage manager. The reception will run all the way through Friday's club night at 10:00 pm with DJ EXCAPE and drink specials well into the evening. The "Smitten with the Mitten" Exhibition is promising to be an event to remember.
This Everything Michigan Art Exhibition will be open from Friday, February 3rd through Wednesday, February 29th from 11:30 am to close every day but Sunday. "Smitten with the Mitten" boasts over twenty pieces from over ten artists. All of the work is for sale and available for purchase through Art as a Lifestyle.
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