Art Openings
Join us for the Opening Reception of original paintings and prints with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Sunday, August 15th.
Artists Schedule
Stefan Davidek’s artistic explorations throughout the years have always demonstrated a uniquely talented eye for both figure and color. After receiving his education from the Flint Institute of Arts, The Art Students League in NYC, and The Cranbrook Academy of Art, Mr. Davidek went on to teach at the Flint Institute of Arts and Wayne State University. He has won numerous awards from The Detroit Institute of Arts, The Grand Rapids Art Museum, and the Flint Institute of Arts. He continues to work and live in Flint, Michigan.
Stefan Davidek paints life around him. His portraits are rich reflections of beauty within each figure; serene yet inviting as we become part of a shared intimate moment. Michigan landscapes are a frequent and favorite subject, ranging from majestic native pine trees to soaring highway overpasses, dynamic in their strength and movement. Above all, the artist’s masterful use of color is the dominant quality throughout all of his work, bringing the definitions of richness and vibrancy to their fullest potential.
Ron Schmitz’s paintings are found in private collections nationally and internationally. His work can most definitely be described as representational. His love of detail can be seen in his paintings. After a forty year hiatus, he began painting in watercolor eight years ago. Retirement gave him a chance to pursue his second greatest passion in life. Ron’s work has been exhibited in numerous galleries in Michigan.
Bill Stolpin, located in Holly, Michigan, comes from a talented family. His father was an engineer and sculptor while his mother was a stockbroker, a pianist and composer, and his brother is a retired journeyman model maker and an inventor with several patents in his name. An eagle scout and a retired engineer himself, Bill used to play the flute, has done everything in Community Theater including directing, and has studied lithography (with Emil Weddige), woodcut (with Akira Kurosaki) and etching (at Crown Point Press). He currently teaches printmaking at the Flint Institute of Arts in Flint.
Bill has been making prints since he was a kid. In junior high school, he was making linoleum block Christmas cards. The year he made a card with 7 blocks, and fifteen colors, he decided to take advantage of his printmaking skills.
In addition to his own prints, Bill began printing with the late James Anthony in 1980. Quickly joined by Stefan Davidek and Carole Brender, the four printmakers soon became known as DAS Print Co. As a well-known group in the Flint area, they have printed together ever since. They have had group shows throughout mid-Michigan, and recently had a twenty-five year retrospective show at Alma College in Alma, Michigan.
Born in Chicago, but raised in Flint, Michigan, Anni Crouter started painting and drawing before she could read or write. Soon after relocating to Michigan in 1965, this natural ability caught notice by her mother and both grandmothers who encouraged her to express herself. Life on a farm in rural Michigan, with a father who was a veterinarian, lent itself to many inspiring subjects including horses, barn cats, dogs, birds and other wild and domesticated animals. Many of these subjects still remain her favorites to paint.
Following school, she attended Mott Community College (Flint, MI) majoring in business, with a minor in art. Her artwork mainly focused on oil, and sometimes, acrylic mediums. Crediting her longtime mentor, Jim Ames, AWS, Anni’s big breakthrough came with an introduction to the world of watercolors. Under his guidance her knowledge in art theory and artistic abilities continually progressed. Her work can be seen in national and international trade journals, art galleries, and businesses in several states, as well as the homes of private collectors.
Anni married Dr. Nathan Boggs, DVM, in 2001 and they currently reside in Flint, MI. She shares space at her husband’s Flint practice – he fixes the animals on the ground floor and she paints them in the 2nd floor studio above. It seems when you love your subjects so much, you make sure to be around them as much as possible.