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Dancing Eye Gallery will be showcasing
local fabric artist Melinda Curtis during the
ArtWalk tomorrowevening.
"I love showcasing local artists. There is
such incredible talent living in Michigan. I
am proud that our gallery represents over 50
outstanding artists," noted Theresa
Schierloh, owner of DancingEyeGallery.
The downtown Northville gallery is
known for the large collection of artisan
ceramic titles. They also feature hand- made
jewelry, whimsical gifts and a selection of
wearable art.
Curtis will be presenting her latest
designs during the Art Walk. She specializes
in hand-dyed and hand-painted silk scarves
and nuno felted materials. Her work prima-
rily focuses on fabric design.
"This is an amazing art form. I love the
color spectrum that can be achievedwith the
dyes. There is a real magic that occurs when
you work with natural fibers such as silk and
wool," she said.
Curtis studied at Interlochen Arts
Academy and the Cranbrook Schools, before
she went on to study at the Art Institute of
Chicago. Her traditional art classes and
design instruction helped her appreciate the
beauty of this newart form, she said.
"I love how silk absorbs the brilliant colors
of dyes. It is almost magic to watch the color
move across the canvas of the silk. It's amaz-
ing how colors mix and blend to create a
beautiful scarf. I am very excited to sharemy
work with others. I will have over 50 pieces
available for display."
The event is free and open to the public.
Artist presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. and
will be followed by open discussion. The
Dancing Eye Gallery is located at 101 North
Center St. in downtown Northville. Open
seven days a week, the gallery offers artisan
title, handmade jewelry andunique gifts.
Formore information call (248) 449-7086.
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
3
May 31, 2012
Art smart
Local artist teaches ecology-
friendly style to Detroit students
Fabric artist to exhibit work during Friday Art Walk
Test drives to aid school
N
ORTHVILLE
- P
LYMOUTH
Nationally renowned artist Tony
RoKo, a Plymouth resident, will be
exhibiting his work at a
Birmingham gallery next week, but
this time he had a little help in the
creative process.
Artwork by students from Spain
Elementary/Middle School in
inner-city Detroit will be on display
right along with RoKo's work at the
new Birmingham Gallery grand
opening on June 9.
The student project was com-
pleted as part of African-American
Music Appreciation Month at the
Beaubien Street school. “For me,
it's about helping children realize
their capabilities and showing
them how to be resourceful,” said
RoKo, of the piece that will adorn
the gallery walls, before it is trans-
ported to a permanent home at the
school.
“In this creation, we imagine a
young Louis Armstrong in the
'Battlefield', the nickname given to
the rough, gang-dominated neigh-
borhood of New Orleans where he
was raised. With a trumpet created
from hose and a funnel, little Louis
has big dreams and is determined
to beat the odds stacked against
him. In this moment, the moon
shines a spotlight on the child that
will become one of the greatest jazz
musicians the world has ever
known,”RoKo explained.
Spain Elementary/Middle
School students will be using
reclaimed paint to create this mas-
sive 7 by 8½ foot tribute to Louis
Armstrong on a “canvas” made
entirely of repurposed pallets sal-
vaged from abandoned local facto-
ries.
“From the reuse of discarded
materials to the narrative within
the imagery, this artistic creation
will send a positive message of
overcoming adversity, following
dreams, and protecting our envi-
ronment, all within the framework
of inspiring imagination and dis-
covery of the arts,” RoKo, a gradu-
ate of the Plymouth-Canton schools
said.
RoKo's artwork can be seen at
venues such as the Charles H.
Wright Museum, the Motown
Museum, the Michigan State
Capital Building, and in various
galleries across the country. Roko
has also recently been featured in
the Ford Motor Co. new “Go
Further” ad campaign. RoKo has
commissioned by many corpora-
tions includingFord, Coca-Cola/ vit-
aminwater, The Dance Theater of
Harlem, and VIBE Magazine, as
well as having been a guest speaker
at Michigan State University and a
spotlighted artist at the last two
International Auto Shows. RoKo
has recently been selected to show
at the prestigious NAC Gallery's
GrandOpening, at their newMiami
location on June 2. In addition,
RoKo's work will be exhibited at
The B.O.B. in association with
September's 2012 ArtPrize in
Grand Rapids. All of RoKo's cre-
ations are made from repurposed
industrialmaterials.
The Birmingham Gallery is
located at 33772 Woodward Ave. in
Birmingham. For more informa-
tion, call (248) 792-3375.
Representatives from Chrysler and Dick
Scott Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram will join
with parents and teachers for a Drive for the
Kids™ fundraiser at 46811 Eight Mile Road,
Northville.
Parents and guests can earn a $10 contri-
bution for the school fromChrysler by taking
a brief test drive in the 2012 Chrysler Town&
Country. Everyone is invited. Any licensed
driver, age 18 or over, may drive and earn $10
for Moraine Elementary School. Dick Scott
Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ramwill provide mini-
vans and volunteers to answer questions and
help out with the fundraising test drives. Test
Drives will take place at the Family Fun
Night from 4:30 - 8 p.m. tomorrow, June
1.Visit https://www.facebook.com/Chrysler
TownandCountry formore information.
Plymouth artist Tony RoKo will include the finished art he helped students
from Spain Elementary School create using repurposed materials during
an exhibit of his work at the opening of a new Birmingham art gallery next
week.