Give the Gift of Art This Holiday Season
The root of Alpena’s art scene falls in the hands of local artist, and at the Thundery Bay Arts Council Gallery, they’re creating works of all shapes and sizes, so that visitors can bring a part of this legacy home. Local artist and writer, Dorothea Sandra reflects on its vibrancy, “I love all the colors, I love coming in, and I love the diversity. And we’re all so different. We all have different backgrounds, and come from different places, but we’re all here in Alpena doing our art.”
Dorothea’s work is designed to be calming, using evidence based design concepts to create her abstract floral pieces. She is one of the many artists that not only displays her art at the gallery, but also helps run it. Each artist has their own style with a variety of mediums in use from pottery to painting to woodwork, there’s something for everyone.
While art may seem like an intimidating investment for some, the artists work hard to create pieces that are accessible for a variety of price points, “Many of us in the gallery have created gifts for people to buy for other people: family members and friends,” said Sandra. These range from handmade cards, to miniature paintings, ornaments, magnets, and more.
Giving the gift of art is a great way to support these local artists and find gifts for loved ones that are one of a kind. The artists are constantly rotating their works, so there’s always something new. The artists love to interact with visitors, “It’s wonderful to have those people come in and so many people say they aren’t aware that this building is here and that we have so many artists,” said Stephanie LaFramboise, a local artist out of Hillman.
Visitors can check out the art at the Thunder Bay Arts Council Gallery at 127 W Chisholm St. in Alpena. “We have beautiful art, this beautiful gallery with beautiful people, very friendly gallery,” said Sandra. The team is eager to share their passion for art this holiday season.
