Behind the Scenes – MMA Makes an Impression
The Muskegon Museum of Art houses, by all accounts, one of the great Mid-West collections. The Museum’s rich history of collecting, as well as their magnificent facility and events, contributes to Downtown Muskegon’s strength as an Arts & Entertainment destination. In addition, the synergy created by the Muskegon Museum of Art clearly is contributing to the rise of new galleries and arts related business concepts taking root downtown Muskegon, as well as the focus on public art being placed downtown Muskegon. Main Street met with Judith Hayner, Executive Director of the Museum, to touch base on the arts downtown Muskegon and to hear about their most important exhibition in some time, Sunlight in a Paintbrush: American Impressionism from Regional Collections.
MS: What’s your take on the flowering of the arts that is taking place downtown Muskegon with planned public art and new art related businesses popping up?
JH: I think that we are just reconnecting with our roots. At the turn of the century the community valued, and through Charles Hackley’s vision and generosity, supported both arts and culture: witness the sculptures in Hackley Park and throughout our town, the beautiful stained glass windows at Hackley Public Library, and of course our own Muskegon Museum of Art, opened to national acclaim in 1912!
MS: What is the relation of the MMA to the progress being made?
JH: I think the MMA is the cultural cornerstone of what is happening now. We are committed to both fostering a love of arts and to supporting the arts and the artists in our community with everything we do. It is why we exist. It is thrilling to see what is developing around us: the Richard Hunt sculpture, the new galleries, the art center being planned now for the old Perri building. Arts and culture is what makes the greater Muskegon community unique along the lakeshore, and I think that everyone is starting to realize that.
MS: I know you are excited about the upcoming exhibit. What makes this exhibit stand out?
JH: Organizing an original exhibition, never seen in any other place, and telling the story about a collection of art is what museums live for. We are very proud of this exhibition and the unique opportunity it provides to our visitors to experience American Impressionism, one of the most beloved art forms in America and the world, and to help people see how it ties into the very core of the MMA collection.
MS: And the important details for the public to be aware of?
JH: Sunlight in a Paintbrush, on display throughout the summer in the main gallery of the MMA’s historic Hackley wing, will showcase 59 exceptional paintings from the MMA’s holdings and from museums and private lenders in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Adjacent galleries will also feature significant European and American works from the MMA’s renowned collection that influenced the development of American Impressionism. An art exhibition is a live performance. Don’t miss this opportunity to see some world class art, right here in your own backyard!
MS: We’ve said it many times, and I am sure we’ll say it again. The Arts are an extremely vital component to downtown Muskegon and we thank you for your dedication to the continuance of that legacy here in Muskegon.
JH: It is such a privilege to serve this community through our work here at the MMA, and I am grateful for the opportunity. There is no better legacy.
Check it out on the web
Muskegon Museum of Art Exhibitions
Wikipedia - American Impressionism
Downtown Photo Op - Hard at Work
Took a ride around downtown this afternoon and I think every cherry picker in Muskegon was downtown taking care of high-wire jobs. Click here for an entire photos set showing of the work downtown Muskegon.
Downtown Photo Op - Baker "Soft" Groundbreaking
Without much pomp or circumstance site work began on the site of the future Baker College of Muskegon Center for Culinary Arts. Look for some quick action on the corner of Clay and Third.
Behind the Scenes – Carrier Coasts Downtown
Muskegon has a veritable military history with many distinguished veterans calling the area home, many factories still continuing to serve the military, and some very interesting museums/artifacts available to the public. All these factors make an upcoming screening of a film called Carrier of particular note. Carrier is a PBS documentary that tells about life on one of the Navy’s largest ships, the USS Nimitz. The ship and the film will be of interest in Muskegon as many know the story of Robert Gilman who was the commanding officer of the Nimitz, including during the time of the filming of the movie. WGVU is partnering with Waddell & Reed to bring a preview screening of the film to downtown Muskegon on April 22 at the Frauenthal Center. Main Street caught up with Bob Garretson to find out more about the event as well as W&R’s decision to move downtown Muskegon.
MS: First off, congratulation for finding a location and making a commitment to downtown Muskegon. How did that come about and what are your plans?
BG: I have been fortunate enough to come in contact with many of the individuals who are working so hard toward the revival and revitalization of downtown Muskegon. After meeting with Mike Teeter, Gary Post, Chris McGuigan and Wes Eklund, I was impressed by the potential of downtown and Waddell & Reed wanted to do what it could to support the efforts. We are thrilled to be moving into the Hines building in July of 2008 and look forward to keeping the momentum building for a thriving, vital downtown.
MS: Well, you will certainly be welcomed and we are glad to see you are already getting involved in downtown by sponsoring this upcoming showing of Carrier. How did you get involved in this project?
BG: Waddell & Reed was already advertising and working with WGVU on community events. The “carrier team” knew about my background as an officer in the U.S. Navy and asked me to help with the screening of the documentary “Carrier” in Muskegon. We contacted the Frauenthal as a natural location for the screening of “Carrier” and we look forward to having as many veterans and non-veterans come to the downtown for this unique event.
MS: What can you tell us about the movie?
BG: It is no “Top Gun”. This documentary is much more about the day-to-day life of sailors serving their country in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As most Americans realize and support, the effort being expended by our service members during this time of war is staggering. This movie and the 10 hour documentary that follows on WGVU really highlight the challenges and efforts put forward by members of the crew of USS Nimitz. There are some “Top Gun” moments with flight operations, but it is mostly the stories of the service members -who are the real stars.
MS: What about this movie will excite Muskegon viewers?
BG: That one of our own, Captain Gillman, was the Commanding Officer of the Nimitz during filming I think is exiting. For Veterans, the coverage of the day-to-day operations will be a validation of their previous service; that the torch has passed and young men and women are continuing their tradition of service. For anyone who has friends or family in the military, it is a unique look at a snapshot of the lives of military personnel. The screening is free, but we will also be taking donations for the Folds of Honor foundation and the Great Lakes Maritime Museum. The Folds of Honor foundation provides college scholarships to the children of military personnel that have fallen in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Maritime Museum is one of our local gems highlighting Muskegon’s rich maritime heritage.
MS: Again thanks for your investment with this event and with the move and we look forward to seeing more of you, and Waddell and Reed, as part of the downtown community!
BG: Thanks Dan, Waddell & Reed looks forward to sponsoring more community events and hopes to see a great turnout for the premier of “Carrier” in Muskegon on April 22nd at 7pm at the Frauenthal.
Check it out on the web
WGVU Ticket Information
Behind the Scenes - Theater to Benefit Women’s Club Restoration
The Muskegon Women’s Club was founded in 1890 and is housed in one of downtown Muskegon’s most historic buildings, built in 1902. After many years of activities using the building aimed at the "improvement and development" of women, the building is in need of some renovation. Thankfully a new generation of women active in downtown, and the community, are stepping forward to see that the Women’s Club remain a viable institution into the future. One of those visionary women is Sherri Slater of Sun, Wind, and Rain and Muskegon Main Street chatted with Sherri about the importance of the club and the upcoming event "Dorothy Parker" to benefit the club and allow renovations to begin. The show will be run Saturday and Sunday this weekend with complete details available here
MS: How did you get involved with the Woman’s Club and what do you see as the Club’s role in the Muskegon community?
SS: First of all I was asked by Mary Jamieson to do this fund raiser and I feel so fortunate because in the process I have fallen in love with the building. The Woman’s Club use to have quite a literary series as well and Dorothy Parker kind of kicks off the revival of the reinvented version of the series. I see endless potential for literary events to happen in this space. It’s perfect for it.
Photo above right provided by the Muskegon County Museum. Caption: The ladies of the Women's Club are dressed for a stage play of the "Ladies of Cranford", 1898.
MS: Tell us a little more about the building and the renovations that are needed and their importance for the community.
SS: It is truly an incredible space and it calls you to think up wonderfully creative things to do in it. Its amazing to me that its been on this corner since 1902 and I’d never given it much thought. They are planning an interior make over which will make it more inviting than ever. Structurally I’m not for certain what the plans are. But it is a community center in the truest sense of the word. It has an elegant parlor, an impressive grand room perfect for dancing (which already happens on Tuesday and Thursday nights!) and all sorts of other usages with a charming stage, ideal for recitals, plays(!), poetry readings, conferences, guest speakers etc. It has an upstairs complete with a Juliet balcony and wonderful kitchen facilities.
MS: And you had an idea to help move the club to its renovation goal. Tell us about that brainchild.
SS: Well Mary found out somehow that I had this play I wrote in my drawer…and she said, “…bring that puppy out and do it for us!” After gentle persistent persuasion and a suitably soft bat…I agreed. And I am so glad I did. So I’m very thankful to Mary for her encouragement. I think we all need to encourage each other to move out of our comfort zones into the wild and wooly places where the unexpected happens.
MS: What was the inspiration behind your muse? Anything else you want to share about the performance?
SS: I didn’t know Dorothy Parker before I started on this journey but its been a heck of a ride… and although she says that ‘gratitude’ is the most insipid word in the English language I can’t help but be grateful to her for providing such rich material to explore. I’ve had so much fun working on this project. I feel like a kid in a candy store…..because I get to work with such pros! For one thing I’ve been directed by committee…( I don’t know how I got so lucky!) the famous and hugely talented creative team of Wahamaki/Wahamaki..(that is Sheila and Kirk of course) and Tom Harryman…who is The Renascence Man of All Seasons and endlessly talented! Anette Buchholz, our graphic designer, who’s ability and talent would fill tomes, Sue Kellogg, creative costumer extraordinaire and Rich Oman…who is the lighting man of all times. So if this doesn’t go over….i can’t look anywhere but in the mirror! Also the set is being provided by Stacie Heggs from Heggs furniture…it’s a beautiful set! We have a very talented community! And Mary Jamieson is truly amazing and is basically the producer of this event along with her other board members headed by Roberta Lorenz who is the President of the Woman’s Club. It’s been a wonderful project to work on.
MS: Your dedication is definitely appreciated. Both with this project which is a win-win for the community by encouraging creativity and the arts, as well as for your work at Sun, Wind, and Rain which exemplifies the best of what we could hope for in the new retail coming back downtown Muskegon.
SS: You're welcome.
Check it out on the web
Women’s Club Historic Marker
The Muskegon Museum of Art houses, by all accounts, one of the great Mid-West collections. The Museum’s rich history of collecting, as well as their magnificent facility and events, contributes to Downtown Muskegon’s strength as an Arts & Entertainment destination. In addition, the synergy created by the Muskegon Museum of Art clearly is contributing to the rise of new galleries and arts related business concepts taking root downtown Muskegon, as well as the focus on public art being placed downtown Muskegon. Main Street met with Judith Hayner, Executive Director of the Museum, to touch base on the arts downtown Muskegon and to hear about their most important exhibition in some time, Sunlight in a Paintbrush: American Impressionism from Regional Collections. 
JH: I think that we are just reconnecting with our roots. At the turn of the century the community valued, and through Charles Hackley’s vision and generosity, supported both arts and culture: witness the sculptures in Hackley Park and throughout our town, the beautiful stained glass windows at Hackley Public Library, and of course our own Muskegon Museum of Art, opened to national acclaim in 1912! 
JH: Organizing an original exhibition, never seen in any other place, and telling the story about a collection of art is what museums live for. We are very proud of this exhibition and the unique opportunity it provides to our visitors to experience American Impressionism, one of the most beloved art forms in America and the world, and to help people see how it ties into the very core of the MMA collection. 
JH: Sunlight in a Paintbrush, on display throughout the summer in the main gallery of the MMA’s historic Hackley wing, will showcase 59 exceptional paintings from the MMA’s holdings and from museums and private lenders in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Adjacent galleries will also feature significant European and American works from the MMA’s renowned collection that influenced the development of American Impressionism. An art exhibition is a live performance. Don’t miss this opportunity to see some world class art, right here in your own backyard! 
