​This year has flown by and has opened up loads of new opportunities. I started teaching at Hope College in January as an Adjunct Drawing Professor, and now I am teaching Ceramics and the Art Education class. Before I took on that role, I had applied to a position at Ox-Bow as the Retail Program Manager. When I got a call to interview, I knew the Hope job this fall would work out, but I wanted to meet the director after I read her bio. (She is amazing) I love Ox-Bow it was a pivotable experience in my artist's journey. She offered me a part-time position to fit into my schedule. So I wanted to be busy when my only son went away to college so that I wouldn't call him 15 times a day, and these two jobs are helping me call him every other day or so. 

This Friday at Ox-Bow we will be hosting a Pop-Up show during Open Studio 9/30/2020 on Campus. In November and December I am organizing a Winter Artist Market. ​https://www.ox-bow.org/winter-market This fall there are loads of new ways to engage and experience Ox-Bow ​www.ox-bow.org/

I spent loads of time getting the ceramic studio set up for my students and have been enjoying working on my own ceramic pieces and working with my 36 college students. 

My painting is at DeVos Convention Center and for sale at
allartworks.net/search?q=bandstra&options%5Bprefix%5D=last&options%5Btheme%5D=ap I am very excited to have my wonderful friends at All Art Works handling the sale of this painting and some of my other small pieces. 

It has been awhile since I have made a blog post. Lots has been going on in the studio and I have been having a great time getting my work out and about. I was in ArtPrize 2021 in Grand Rapids with the Poppy Project. ​https://www.grandhaventribune.com/entertainment/arts_and_culture/creating-a-human-connection-with-nature/article_72b239a6-700d-5ee3-ae14-deff761c380f.html#tncms-source=login
I brought my work to NYC for an exhibit on Pier 36 and learned a lot about dipping my toe in the big art world. Then took my son to Winter Park for ski race camp and a some inspiration. This week I will leave for Miami Basel to see work of other artists in person and connect. When I get back I will partner with C2C gallery and have a pop up shop in my Annex on Ferry St. Come by and see what we will be offering for your gift giving needs. 
12/7
12/9
12/14
12/16
and an Open House on 12/17 4-8 pm
It has been a go go go type of fall. I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy. 

I have been busy working on new florals this spring, Playing with layers of dye, acrylic, ink, and the final layer of oil. These pieces symbolize the things we have no control over in life, The shade is poured, and the canvas is tipped and turned. The dye runs where it wants and seeps into the canvas. Then the paint is added in a grid formation responding to the dye. Symbolizing how we begin to order, arrange and make sense of our experiences and attempt to balance our lives. The final layer is applied with oil paint—symbolizing our vibrant resilience. 
​
I also had the privilege of working on a commission for a friend; I ironically was asked to paint a hummingbird into her painting. The same day I was working on her new artwork, I saw a hummingbird in my yard. Later that day, I was moving a plant where I had spotted the bird cleaning his wings in my garden. I spotted a tiny sparkly red speck on the plant. Upon further inspection, I noticed it was a feather. A Hummingbird feather!! I was so excited. It was like finding a bit of magic in my garden. I added red metallic sparkle to the hummingbird in the painting. I looked up the significance of spotting a hummingbird. Here is what I found. The hummingbird represents an ancient symbol of joy and happiness. Its colorful appearance brings good luck and positive energy to our lives. No matter what your challenges are, the hummingbird spirit animal is there to help and guide you. I wish you all joy and happiness and, as always, a bit of good luck. ​

Group show at the Gallery Uptown in Grand Haven March 2- March 27th 2021

On November 12th, I submitted my 44-page thesis to the Painting Department at SCAD, and on November 15th, I decided to take a wall. I had about 12 ceramic gnomes. I did not really know why I made them or what I would do with them. I did not have a plan, just an attraction to these forms. It made no sense to me. But on Sunday, the stress of my papers impending due date was gone. I knew I just wanted to play. I thought it would be fun to hid one gnome in the woods near my house. Duncan Woods. Nelson and the Gnomes and Gnomes of Grand have begun. I created an Instagram account, posted a clue, and shared it on the Grand Haven Informed page and my page, and people decide to play with me. Into the woods, we went a little virtual hide and seek game started. It has been a blast. I will journal about it, and I hope that on November 15th, 2021, at 12:00 noon, we can all gather with our lucky gnomes in the woods together and celebrate a year of good luck. 

November 15th, 2020
On a beautiful fall Sunday in Michigan during a global pandemic, I needed some motivation to take my dog Nelson for a walk. I made a bantam game for myself that I could play with my community. I had a dozen little gnomes, so I decided to hide them in the woods near my house. I created an Instagram page for Nelson and the Gnomes https://www.instagram.com/gnomes_of_grand_haven/ and decided to post a clue each day and see what happens. I will chronicle how this affects my life over the next year.
Back Story:
I am a 50 (11/04/1970) year old art student finishing up my M.F.A. online at Savannah College of Art and Design. SCAD before starting this program, I had a little gallery on 7th street. It only lasted a year. The romantic vision of owning a gallery was way more fun than actually owning one, especially when I was still teaching elementary art full time. I closed the gallery and applied to Graduate School. I kept a gnome that had mysteriously shown up one day on the porch of the gallery. His name was Gnommie. Eventually, it was revealed that Dave the owner of the neighboring guitar store had placed him there for the drawing classes I was offering. He became a favorite in the still-life. This gnome began my attraction to gnomes. During fall 2019, my friend Mike Taylor posted his version of a gnome created with the same mold that Gnommie was made from on Facebook. I had to have him. I visited Mike and purchased his gnome. For some reason, I also bought a slab roller—quite an expensive and large purchase for me at the time. Especially being right in the middle of my M.F.A. in painting program. I had no use for it but had a  urge to purchase it. In the summer of 2020, at my spring 45 hour review show my friend and fellow artist Kris Campau hid a gnome in my exhibit among the ceramic grasses  that I had installed. I was visiting with another artist friend Michael Peoples, and we discussed the gnomes, and he had his version of a gnome that he had made with crayons. Not made from the same mold, but I purchased his gnome too, and so began the collection. Collecting gnomes made by people whose names start with the letter M might be a little specific, but I started my search for a large female mold by the Alberta Mold company. I wanted one of my gnomes in my collection. I am still searching for the large mold, but I found three small ones. Again, not sure why I purchased them but feeling compelled to do so, I did. I experimented with the molds and created about a dozen. They sat around for a good month or two while working on my thesis. Just patiently waiting for their turn for my attention. I fired them and glazed them. I did not think they were something I wanted to sell. But what should I do with them? Then the game in the woods came to mind. So, on November 15th, I hid my first gnome.

11/15/2020 #1 Carl
Nelson and I walked into Duncan Woods and hid our first gnome, Carl. Duncan Woods is on the edge of the town's cemetery and was given to the people of Grand Haven by Martha M.H. Duncan in memory of her husband Robert W. Duncan in 1913. Now a few years back, a young boy died in a tragic sledding accident in the woods. Children often go sledding in Duncan Woods in the winter.  The parents hired an attorney to sue the city. They lost the suit, and the attorney is attempting to find the heirs and get them to take the woods away from the people of Grand Haven. Maybe the gnomes will be good luck for the woods. Izzy and Denver found Carl. They are using the clue. @gnomes_of_grand_haven Nelson and I needed to add some excitement to our walks. So, we took Carl with us. Carl is a sleepy #gnome, so we left him in a sweet little spot to nap. It is a windy breezy day, so I hope the leaves 🍁 don’t bury him. If you find him take a picture, so I know he has a new home. He is just a bit south of the Debby. Do I love your tree? #goingonagnomehunt and I posted a photo of the tree.

11/16/2020 #2 Tiffany
Nelson and I had a lovely walk this morning with Tiffany gnome #2 so many things to discover in the woods. We found this E2 on a tree. When I googled what it meant, this came up. “what you focus on gets bigger.” I kept thinking about Henry David Thoreau on our walk. So, clue #2 is a quote from him “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Please only keep one gnome per family. If you wish to keep hunting, please hid the gnomes you find for others and post clues about where people can see them using #gnomesofgrandhaven #duncanwoods. Tiffany spent the night in the woods and was found the next day with an additional hint.
Erin found Tiffany I received a message from Erin the day before she found Tiffany. I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful thing your gnomes of grand haven has been for my family. As of Saturday, my son was diagnosed with Covid. We are in quarantine until December 10th. We can’t go anywhere, and our college-aged daughter now can’t even come home to be with us for Thanksgiving. Many tears have been shed these last couple of days. But for 1 hour a day, while I am on my lunch hour (I am working remotely), my family gets out into the woods and just breathes. This is exactly what we needed at this moment. SHE LATER sent me this message You should take a trip to Wroclaw someday. We are the city of dwarves. 300 little guys hidden... Just waiting to be discovered There is a whole large town in Poland that does exactly what you are doing. This message came from my husband’s cousin, who lives there.
11/28/2020 Tina was hidden again in Kirk Park. She was found that same day and is moving to Australia with her new family in a few months. 
I started this gnome hunting idea to motivate me to take walks with my dog Nelson and perhaps spread a little joy during these difficult times and encourage families to go for a hike in the woods together and have some fun.
 
1/17/2020 #3 Penny
#Tiffany is still in the woods where I left her. So maybe I hid her too well. I will give you another hint. Nelson and I saw a ❄️ or two on our walk. Tiffany is in a spot the children like to sled when lots of flakes accumulate. #penny gnome #3 is also in the woods. She wants to ask a lot of questions. #henrydavidthoreau theorizes that the roots are a system for the trees to communicate. So she is asking a fallen tree if it makes a noise when it falls if no one is there to hear it? #luckygnome Nelson and I saw seven deer and this plant. (Lambs Ear) see if you can find one. The leaves are so soft. Who knows the name of this plant?? you will get an extra clue tomorrow. If you find Penny, please write her name on the bottom. I forgot to write it on her feet. Please keep only one gnome per family. If you want to keep hunting gnomes, please re-hide and post a fun clue. Using the #nelsonandthegnomes, you can hide your gnomes anywhere. It would be fun to see this far the gnomes travel. #staysafeandhealthy #gm#nature #gnomesofinstagram #gnomesofgrandhaven
A woman found Penny on her lunch break from NOCH
 
11/18/2020 #4 Ted
Gnome is near the tree marked with Jesus’s name. It makes Nelson sad to see people cutting into the skin of the tree. #nelsonandthegnomes, we also picked up a bit of trash we saw in the woods. When you go to the woods, please leave it better than you find it for all to enjoy. Happy Wednesday #gnomesofinstagram #gnomehunting
 
1/19/2020 #5 Tina
Today Nelson and I took the path less traveled. Tina #gnome #5 is up on the ridge. The path is rooted but well worth the effort. We saw two deer watching us, so maybe they will tell you where we hid her. I received a video of a beautiful buck that Kris Campau saw while gnome hunting
11/28/2020 Tina was hidden again in Kirk Park. She was found that same day and is moving to Australia with her new family in a few months. 
I started this gnome hunting idea to motivate me to take walks with my dog Nelson and perhaps spread a little joy during these difficult times and encourage families to go for a hike in the woods together and have some fun.
 
11/20/20 #6 Chad
#nelsonandthegnomes have been quite lucky to get to play this game with you. Chad #gnome #6 is hiding near the tree with a 👑 follow the north ridge to find him. But beware of the king Buck. He is not to be messed with. Stay safe and bring your mask. If the woods are crowded, please wear it. #gnomehunt @gnomes_of_grand_haven @maggiebandstra

11/21/2020 #7 Paul
Paul is hidden near a tree the woodpeckers have enjoyed. #gnomehunt Please remember only keep one gnome per family. If you want to keep hunting after you find one, please re-hide a gnome and post a clue so others can play. You do not have to hide your gnomes in Duncan Woods. Enjoy this beautiful day, and stay well. Love 💕 #nelsonandthegnomes Paul was found by this sweet boy who re hid it the next day for these kids to find. They are sharing their find with their classes via zoom and then will re hid him tomorrow. Paul is the first one who has been re-hidden. They will post clues too.
Paul’s first finder 11/21/2020
Paul’s second finders 11/22/2020
Sunday Check-in: 90 followers on Instagram 23 posts
11/22/2020 #8 Katie
#nelsonandthegnomes and I got out early this morning. We hid Katie when you find her. You will have to write her name on her feet. I forgot to do it before we left. She is the 8th #gnome we have hidden. I love the messages I have received from people who are out #gnomehunting today was beautiful and quiet in the woods. I give you a clue in the form of a Robert Frost poem.
 
The tree the tempest with a crash of wood
Throws down in front of us is not bar
Our passage to our journey’s end for good,
But just to ask us who we think we are

Insisting always on our own way so.
She likes to halt us in our runner tracks,
And make us get down in a foot of snow
Debating what to do without an ax.

And yet she knows obstruction is in vain:
We will not be put off the final goal
We have it hidden in us to attain,
Not though we have to seize earth by the pole

And, tired of aimless circling in one place,
Steer straight off after something into space.
 #robertfrostpoem enjoy this beautiful day. I wish you good luck today and always.
 
I glazed 45 new gnomes today. I am thinking I will try and give 365 gnomes away or until people stop hunting.

11/23/2020 #9 Jenna
Nelson and I hid Jenna #gnome #9 
 
I give you another Robert Frost poem.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are, I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Jenna loves the snow and is waiting for the snow to fall so she can have some fun sledding when the time is right. I received this message from our old neighbor. Nelson and I will hide another gnome tomorrow.

11/24/2020 #10
#gnome #10 Tim is hiding near this patch of moss. It is chilly, so wear a hat and some mittens. I hope you can find Tim in the snow.

11/25/2020 #11
#gnome #11 Claire is in the woods, and so is Tim. Here is another clue to help find Tim there was a T.V. program argh argh argh the guy liked to build stuff. Someone has been building structures in the woods. Maybe it is Tim. I got a little lost hiding Claire and took a path near the parking lot. It is a bit rainy but doesn’t let that stop you from enjoying the atmosphere in the woods, so quiet and peaceful. Claire has been found.

I also went on my gnome hunt. A woman was selling the whole lot for $75, so I picked all these up, and in the lot was one large gnome. I feel like maybe I have lost my mind. John will sell what he can on eBay, and I will hold on to a few of them. Who knows where this will all lead, but it is a fun adventure during a pandemic.
 
11/26/2020 #12 Thanksgiving
#12a and #12b I decided to hide two gnomes on a walk with my family so John and Owen could hide them.
Today my family took a gnome hike and hid two # 12a Miles, and #12b May are hiding in the woods. I was so excited I finally got to see the Buck in person. Lucky day indeed. Shyle Lyons https://www.instagram.com/shylelyons/ has found May. Miles is still in his hiding spot. I will post a new clue tomorrow morning.
 
11/27/2020 #13
Today #gnome #13 John has been hidden my family names them. I hid him near this tree which looks like two trees that have grown up together. Friends. I saw some friend in the woods today which reminded me of this little song http://folklore.usc.edu/make-new-friends-but-keep-the-old-one-is-silver-and-the-other-is-gold/#:~:text=One%20is%20silver%20and%20the%20other%20is%20gold”,are%20gold%2C%20and%20the%20new%20friends%20are%20silver.
 
11/28/2020 #14 Betsy
Today we had a lovely walk in the woods, Nelson and I hid #Gnome #14 Betsy near a little baby Christmas 🎄 with no decorations on it. We also found a group of ladies decorating trees and a very curious doe. The sunlight was shining through the trees I share this poem with you. Prayer at Sunrise by
James Weldon Johnson
Now thou art risen, and thy day begun.
How shrink the shrouding mists before thy face,
As up thou spring’st to thy diurnal race!
How darkness chases darkness to the west,
As shades of light on light rise radiant from thy crest!
For thee, great source of strength, emblem of might,
In hours of darkest gloom there is no night.
Thou shinest on though clouds hide thee from sight,
And through each break thou sendest down thy light.

O greater Maker of this Thy great sun,
Give me the strength this one day’s race to run,
Fill me with light, fill me with sun-like strength,
Fill me with joy to rob the day its length.
Light from within, light that will outward shine,
Strength to make strong some weaker heart than mine,
Joy to make glad each soul that feels its touch;
Great Father of the sun, I ask this much
 
Sunday Check-in: 132 followers
11/29/2020 #15 Lou
Day 15 of Hiding #gnomes in #Duncanwoods in #grandhaven #nelsonandthegnomes today we took a long walk it is sunny and a beautiful day to explore. Lou is hiding in a structure shaped like a shield and hear a shield. The woods have been a great daily escape. Nelson hopes you can put down your armor for a minute and enjoy the day. Betsy has been found and Miles has been hidden so well I can’t remember where he is. So he might be gone and he might not. Tina is off to Australia with her new family. Please keep me updated on what the gnomes up to. I hope they are brining you all good luck and fun adventures. Use the #nelsonandthegnomes
 
11/30/2020 #16
Nelson and I hid #gnome #16 Fredrick #nelsonandthegnomes just north of this lovely restful meditative location. No time to rest today is a busy Monday. It was a chilly walk but I feel much better and refreshed after my walk. We also found this bag of poop. What happens when you find poop on your trail? Do you leave it for someone else or do you pick it up and take care of it if you can. #leavethewoodsbetterthanhowyoufoundit no poop on the trail anymore. I struggled for a minute with being angry at the person who left it but let go of that cause it does not serve me. #findjoyinthejourney even the messy nasty parts.

March Poppy Show at the Gallery Uptown.
If you know anyone who painted at the Fennville Poppy Fields During the spring of 2020 Please share this link with them. 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5UzVNuOQ_1Jy-u6uOsIcR3LUlWv8Pjqr4axkqmFk2Xclb7w/viewform?usp=sf_link

Truth be told I love playing with art supplies of all kinds I have been neglecting the clay while working on my M. F. A. in painting. Going between mediums makes me feel like my work stays fresh. While working with one media, ideas come full force in another medium. Almost like the thoughts are fighting for my attention. Or like the gnomes waiting patiently for their turn for me to create them. 

My Full M.F.A. online show Trauma and Beauty can seen here. 
https://www.artsteps.com/view/5f8a3452eb2bfd186777e8eb 
​And a portion can be seen at the Box Factory for the Arts in St.Joseph, Michigan.
​https://boxfactoryforthearts.org/series-5-bandstra//
​To Register for the Zoom Artist talk on 10/29/2020 at 6:00PM sign up here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScj1F9P-TikUJPhgDF8ip5XyvAKWziqR-Dn_CBq__HW4Mm3QQ/viewform

https://muskegonartmuseum.org/
This month I get to guard the art during the Postcard Salon. Around 1,700 cards created by close to 600 artists are on display. All artworks created are 4 x 6-inches and use in a wide array of media and themes. The sale is on October 30 & 31.
The occupancy limit for this gallery is five guests
Friday, October 30, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm; and
Saturday, October 31, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
In consideration for others, the MMA is asking guests to keep their shopping to under 10 minutes. I am looking forward to picking up a few gems. This sale is a great way to start collecting work from your favorite artists and support the Muskegon Museum of Art. Art makes a great gift. At these prices you can afford to get something for everyone on your list.

My interview with Nikki Zuaro was great. She is going to do great things and is an artist to watch. 

"You could be seduced into thinking that art can redeem the work, but it cannot." -Kiefer. per the recommendation of my professor, Steve Knudsen, I began researching Anselm Kiefer, and I found this video. Just incredible work. Very inspiring, thought provoking and important work he is doing. He is a German born artist whose work  focuses on birth and death, construction, and deconstruction.  "Why are we here we do not know" These are just a few of his words that resonated with me in regard to artmaking. 

Thank you for reading, watching and learning with me
Creatively yours,
Maggie Bandstra

Artists get creative during COVID 19. Here in Michigan, we are working hard to keep out COVID numbers down, and we have lots of restrictions, but that leaves room for more creative ideas. The Lakeshore Visual Arts Collective is a group I started in 2015 www.lakeshorevac.com/ we are a group of Michigan Artists. I heard so many people say they wish we would have advertised it better. We sent press releases, I blogged about it, and LVAC sent emails as well as daily Facebook and Instagram posts. If you know people who want to know about art events, please invite them to join this blog and my mailing list  here https://forms.gle/Sec1MhXswCDgzTrf6 or the LVAC newsletter http://www.lakeshorevac.com/join.html Here is the article in the Grand Haven Tribune.  ​https://www.grandhaventribune.com/multimedia/art-walk-in-the-park/collection_c24d5ef8-f5fc-11ea-90ba-17014ab61219.html

My exhibit card for My M.F.A. Thesis I will be mailing these out with a little note of gratitude to all those on my mailing list soon. If you want to join my mailing list please fill out this Google form and I will be happy to send you one. Please click on the link and fill out the form ​https://forms.gle/YNZjRtEGZZCjdHh7A I will also send you an invitation to the Live zoom link for the artist talk on 10/29/2020 6:00 pm ​https://www.facebook.com/events/377307569941446

A little light reading,  Steal Like an Artist, by Austin Kleon https://austinkleon.com/steal/ and for the heavier crowd The Life of Albert Camus By Oliver Todd

In the Studio: New paintings This month I finished up a few more paintings for my M.F.A. thesis show that will be held in November 2020. I have also started making these little lucky girl gnomes out of clay. You know? cause I am a lucky girl. I am not sure why I am making them but I am curious about my affection for the gnomes these days so I am going to follow this thread and see what it is about. They symbolise the mysticism of the world and stories of my great, great, grandmother of how the banshees cried for her when she died.  

Gallery Uptown 
October 2020
​​https://galleryuptown.net/

Artist Story: Signs
A few years ago, in 2002, I completed my Masters in Educational Leadership from Michigan State. Back then, I was an art teacher. I wanted to become a principal. I completed my degree and started applying for jobs. That is what you do when you finish a degree. Right? Before this time, I had gotten every job that I had ever applied. Looking back today, I am so grateful I did not get any of those jobs. I think I had 5-6 interviews I was putting a lot of effort into becoming a principal. I started painting. I think it was around 2006 or 2007. I took a few classes at Oxbow in Saugatuck Mi. I kept applying for principal jobs going to leadership training seminars. In 2015 I was sitting in a conference and women I had been sitting next to me said, "I don't know why you want to be a principal it is clear to me you are an artist. She went on to say; I have no idea why I feel compelled to tell you this. But I just had to say something to you." a few mornings later, I was driving to work, and I prayed for a sign for where I should put my energy.
As if not getting the jobs, and this woman out of the blue saying this to me, were not big enough signs. Two or three hours later, I got a call from my friend and gallerist Richard App. As it turns out, he was having a meeting about billboard signs for a project he was working on called Cool Art Hot City, promoting the arts in the city of Grand Rapids. He called to tell me they would like to use my painting on a billboard. https://www.therapidian.org/placematters-first-annual-art-outdoor-project-draws-attention-grand-rapids-local-art So sometimes the "signs" are prominent. Like as big as a billboard sign. Sometimes they are little and come from unexpected people. It is hard to believe that it was only five years ago. I am so glad I finally got the message and changed the direction of my energy. 5 years later I am now a full-time artist.​
I found an artist who makes signs. This week I get to chat with Scott Froschauer  on Zoom and pick out the piece of art I get to buy from him. http://scottfroschauer.com/  
After a presentation in one of my grad classes with collector Steve Shane I got to thinking about my own little art collection. I first saw Scott's signs in 2018 at ArtPrize in GR I loved them and I am so excited that I am going to finally get one for myself. What signs are you grateful for in your life? 

New artwork has been created mixing some of my old techniques with the new techniques that I have learned while attending Savannah College of Art and Design.SCAD I will be showing them in St Joseph Michigan at the Box Factory if all goes according to plan(well since writing this COVID had other plans) in November for my M.F.A. Final Thesis show Trauma, and Beauty an Artist’s Response. This show will now be online. I will host an online artist talk and live zoom reception. 

I will also be in a group show @ Gallery Uptown in October “Fresh Faces & Familiar Favorites” withMaggie Bandstra, Summer Osborn, Teresa Gaudino, Suzanne Moynihan, Carol Schmidt, Liz Lystra and Julie Hegedus

Shows to attend in Aug.-Sept.2020:
The Muskegon Museum of Art
GLASS Treasures from the Permanent Collection, a spectacular and immersive glass experience, July 7 – November 29, 2020. The exhibition will transform the L.C. and Margaret Walker Galleries into a dynamic and vibrant display of translucent color (and sound!) with works from our incredible collection of vintage and modern glass and offer the very rare opportunity to experience the impressive entirety of the MMA’s fine art glass.
The exhibition works by the artists that defined the studio glass movement, including Dale Chihuly, Harvey Littleton, and Marvin Lipofsky will join works by today’s new masters. The exhibition will also highlight collections of vintage Tiffany and Steuben lamps and glasswork alongside pieces from the pioneering days of contemporary studio glass, to give guests an exciting glimpse into the technologies and interests that have shaped the glass movement.
https://muskegonartmuseum.org/exhibition/glass-treasures-from-the-permanent-collection/muskegonartmuseum.org/exhibition/glass-treasures-from-the-permanent-collection/
Meijer gardens
George Segal
June 16, 2020 – January 3, 2021
George Segal: Body Language is the first opportunity to see the artist’s sculptures side-by-side with a recent gift of prints from the Segal Foundation complemented by additional loans of a painting, pastel drawing and sculptures. 
Holland Area Arts Council:
The Steve Leary Show
Steve Leary
July 16-September 5
Padnos Gallery
Steve Leary is an artist whose profession is construction. New to being an artist Steve began painting just four years ago to the delight of just about anyone who enjoys his fun, bright pop art style work. Steve grew up being a fan of the car culture art movement with it’s cartoons, graphic signs and tongue in cheek graphics. Steve is a prolific and naturally talented painter and furniture designer who honed his craft after embarking on an artists residency in Maine that let him do nothing but paint for hours every day. Steve currently lives in Dorr, MI. You can also view this one online https://www.hollandarts.org/steve-leary-show.html
All The Things
Adam Dahlstrom
July 23-September 12th
​Armstrong Gallery
​Artist Meet & Greet July 23rd, 5:30-7:30 pm 
Advanced reservations required please call (616) 396-3278 for more info.
Adam brings all the things with him (minus the kitchen sink) for this unique show. His vibrant mixed media collages focusing on color and pattern, pen and ink portraits of “people” real and imagined, collaborations with other artists, and his latest obsession- hand carved wooden spoons. Pieces old, new, and divergent. A fun showing from one of West MIchigan's most talented artists.