The Traverse Area District Library is pleased to host "Marks: Revealing, Concealing, Unveiling," a shared art exhibit by local artists Adam VanHouten and Cherie Correll. "Marks" will be on display in the McGuire Community Room at the Main Branch during the month of December.
The public is welcome and encouraged to attend an opening artist reception on Sunday, December 9 from 1-3 p.m. in the McGuire Community Room. Take some time to meet the artists and view their original artwork.
VanHouten, a visual arts teacher at Traverse City West Middle School, also teaches extended education art/computer classes at Northwestern Michigan College. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Painting and Art Education from Western Michigan University and a Masters in Education from Michigan State University. Throughout his studies he has had the chance to work with numerous art media and has been working exclusively with a variety of watermedia paints and techniques.
Correll, born and raised in Traverse City, attended Traverse City Public Schools, Central Michigan University and Michigan State University, graduating with a degree in Art education. Her Master’s Degree in fine art, with an emphasis in photography, is from Central Michigan University. Her teaching career began in the early 1970’s with Traverse City Area Public Schools, and surrounding areas, along with teaching classes through Northwestern Michigan College for a number of years. She continued her graduate studies in art through Eastern Michigan University, along with workshops throughout the United States and Europe. After thirty-six years with TCAPS, having taught in every Traverse City Public School at one time or another, she is now pursuing her own art practice fulltime.
"I am perpetually in awe of our natural surroundings," said Correll. She says this sensitivity has translated into her work in various forms throughout her life. "Working in painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and mixed media, art has brought me enormous joy, exciting challenges, and fulfillment," she said. "I am continually inspired by our world and what life’s experiences reveal to me."
"I am perpetually in awe of our natural surroundings," said Correll. She says this sensitivity has translated into her work in various forms throughout her life. "Working in painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and mixed media, art has brought me enormous joy, exciting challenges, and fulfillment," she said. "I am continually inspired by our world and what life’s experiences reveal to me."
VanHouten believes that art is a process. "I do more than just recreate a view or photograph," he said. "Each painting is a window into how I view the world. In every painting I make it a point to try a new way of painting or experiment with a new way of seeing."
What VanHouten loves most about painting is the fluidity and spontaneity of how paint flows on canvas and paper. He said he has learned to allow a 'give and take' between controlling the painting process and allowing the paint to control him. "As an artist every painting is a new adventure and it is always exciting to see where it takes me. I continue to grow and expand as an artist, and it is this capacity for growth that keeps me learning, searching and, most of all, painting," said VanHouten.
What VanHouten loves most about painting is the fluidity and spontaneity of how paint flows on canvas and paper. He said he has learned to allow a 'give and take' between controlling the painting process and allowing the paint to control him. "As an artist every painting is a new adventure and it is always exciting to see where it takes me. I continue to grow and expand as an artist, and it is this capacity for growth that keeps me learning, searching and, most of all, painting," said VanHouten.
Correll began exhibiting with Northwestern Michigan Artist and Craftsmen, which is now The Artcenter of Traverse City. Her 2D and 3D work has since been shown in numerous art shows, and in private and in corporate collections in Michigan, and other states, including Beaver Island, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Britten Banner’s Art Up, Building 50, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Dennos Museum, Leelanau Community Cultural Center, Michigan Legacy Art Park, Montessori Children’s House, Old Town Playhouse, Oliver Art Center, Saginaw Art Museum, and The Watershed Center. As a member of the International Society of Experimental Artists, she has exhibited in juried shows in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Florida, Texas, California, Washington, Massachusetts, and in Cardiff, Wales. Her work can be seen locally at Bella Galleria, Cedar Creek Interiors, and Traverse City Art and Design Studio.
Together, Correll and VanHouten have created a shared exhibit, "Marks: "Marks: Revealing, Concealing, Unveiling. Their exhibit will be on display at the Main Branch of the Traverse Area District Library during the month of December.
Together, Correll and VanHouten have created a shared exhibit, "Marks: "Marks: Revealing, Concealing, Unveiling. Their exhibit will be on display at the Main Branch of the Traverse Area District Library during the month of December.