Photo Story: On the Art Map

BY TYLER SIPE

March 24, 2008 10:06 am

—

The nearly six-decade-old ArtCenter Traverse City has a new medium to showcase the myriad work representing the nonprofit's more than 400 members.

ArtCenter opened its doors in December to artists and admirers at 300 E. Front St. in downtown Traverse City.

ArtCenter's permanent studio, where it hosts educational classes, remains at 720 S. Elmwood, near Munson Hospital.

"I think Traverse City is on the art map," Debra Anton-Coburn said of the local art scene, while savoring a glass of red wine and eyeing a wood sculpture at the March 7 downtown opening of the Juried Potters and Sculptors Exhibition.

"We have beyond talent sitting here in little pockets that nobody knows about," Anton-Coburn said. "We have real high-end, quality work and now we have a place to show it off."

The new downtown location has brought visibility to ArtCenter Traverse City and will remain through September.

"More people have discovered arts in the past three months than the last 56 years," ArtCenter Education Coordinator Amy Packard said.

Since the December downtown opening and three exhibitions, the nonprofit organization's membership increased by about 30 artists.

"The downtown location has built great enthusiasm," Packard said. "We're here and we're passionate and hopefully our downtown success will continue."

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.