Time to Shine
Three Butler area artists took part in the ArtPrize competition this past fall in Grand Rapids, Mich., and their work will be on display for two weeks starting Jan. 7 at The Art Center.
The three works are “Sleeping Bear Dunes” by Dennis Keyes, “I Hear the Train a Comin'” by Tom Panei and “The Moment, Nails Endured” by Bill Secunda.
A reception for the exhibit will be from 2 to 10 p.m. Jan. 10.
Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
Keyes captured his sunset photograph in 16 separate exposures, combining them into one, 24-inch by 72-inch panoramic image.
The image was then split into three and printed on three 24-inch by 24-inch high gloss float mounted aluminum panels.
The dye is infused into the surface of the aluminum panels, resulting in a particular luminescence.
Keyes of Karns City said he chose this technique because when he took the series of photos, the sunset over the lake was luminescent.
“I Hear the Train a Comin'” by Butler artist Tom Panei made it into the top 25 in public votes in the ArtPrize two-dimensional category in October.
The piece was displayed at the Gerald Ford Museum in Grand Rapids.His ArtPrize submission last year, “Sacrifice” depicting the Last Supper, was bought by St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church in Ada, Mich.The artwork Bill Secunda of Butler entered in the ArtPrize contest featured a life-size crucifix made entirely of steel and copper nails.The piece was all hand formed, with no help from a mold, model or armature. The figure is mounted to a hand-cut wooden cross.Secunda thrice before has won cash awards at ArtPrize — $7,000 each time — for his larger than life sculptures.The three men also competed in the ArtPrize contest last year, and Secunda was part of the show for several years before that.
The display of the ArtPrize entries at The Art Center will run through Jan. 24.ArtPrize is an international art competition offering more than $500,000 in cash prizes.Awards go to the top entry in each category and to the Public Vote Grand Prize and the Juried Grand Prize. More than 1,500 artists displayed their work at 174 venues in Michigan this past year.The Art Center, 344 S. Main St., has regular hours from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The center will close at 3 p.m. for New Year's Eve and will be closed New Year's Day.Admission is free. Call 724-283-6922 or visit butlerartcenter.org.The Christmas Art Show and Sale concludes Saturday.
