Presentation by Jill Turner of Lady Peddler in Hastings

Saturday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Join the presentation to learn about antique glass and its history, and get information about your unique piece. Have your piece appraised! Contact Ellen Kohler at elk789@mei.net. For more information, visit www.wmglass.org. $5 for a verbal appraisal, $20 for a written appraisal.

West Michigan Glass Art Center, 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave., Suite 100, Kalamazoo, MI 49007; www.wmglass.org; 269-552-9802

The Downtown Bakery & Deli, 116 Locust Street, in Allegan will host Art Expo 2012, from March 1 – 31^st, 2012.  What makes this annual art exhibition unique is that each entrant chooses a charity to support and the public votes for their favorite artwork with dollars that go directly to that charity.  The artist who has raised the most dollars for their charity by March 31^st will be declared the “People’s Choice” winner. 

A $150 cash award sponsored by the Arts & Entertainment Action Committee in Allegan will go to “Best of Show”.  That Best of Show artist and a “Student Award”, available to artists 18 years of age or younger with a $75 prize contributed by the Allegan Area Arts Council, will be selected by judges from the AAAC.

An Expo entry application can be mailed by calling the Arts Council at 269-355-0137.  Forms are also available for pick up at the Downtown Bakery & Deli. All entries must arrive by mail or otherwise be delivered to the Downtown Bakery & Deli no later than 3:00pm on February 28, 2012.

The show, which is free and open to the public Monday – Saturday during the hours of 7:00am – 3:00pm, allows for the use of any art medium. In its first year 2008 Art Expo Best of Show winners Rebecca Raab and Zachery Hatfield exhibited a brilliant pair of painted blue jeans.  This juried show has had a history of unique offerings by area artists ever since.

Prizes will be awarded at a Closing Reception open to the public at no charge hosted by the Downtown Bakery & Deli on Saturday, March 31, from 3:00 – 5:00pm.  Sponsors hope those who view this exhibition will vote for their favorite artwork by contributing to that artist’s chosen charity, and in doing so express appreciation for the artistic talent that abounds in our community.

This event is sponsored by the City of Allegan Arts & Entertainment Action Committee, Downtown Bakery & Deli and Allegan Area Arts Council.  Contact Rick or Ruth Smith at 269-686-9537 with questions you may have.

FEBRUARY 18th EVENT PROVIDES FUN FRENCH QUARTER VIBE

To add a bit of ‘magic’ to the area’s deep-winter night life the Allegan Area Arts Council is hosting a Mardi Gras Celebration on Saturday, February 18, from 7:00 – 10:00pm.  The event, which is open to the public, will be held in the Griswold Auditorium Reception Hall, 401 Hubbard Street, in Allegan. Gifted members of The Kanivers, an area blues band, will provide just the right sound while a strolling magician and Tarot card reader add to the New Orleans French Quarter vibe.

Event co-chairs Dina Ebeling-Hestera and Linda Clark hope to provide an entertaining evening with an exciting fun factor.  “We chose the Mardi Gras theme because the Carnival atmosphere promised to nicely warm up everyone’s spirits in the dead of winter,” Clark said.  “With a bit of magic, some great food and superior soulful music our guests will think they’re in New Orleans”.

$15 paid-in-advance reservations are requested for this ticketless fundraising event. Reservation checks can be mailed to:  AAAC, P.O. Box 38, Allegan 49010 with “reservation” written in the memo section of the check.  Another option for credit card users is the Pay Pal button on the AAAC website at www.alleganarts.com.  Find the button by choosing DONATE in the far left column.

Music, entertainment, food, masks and beads are all part of the package.  A cash bar will serve beer, wine, soda pop and the mid-western version of a Hurricane appropriately called The Tornado.

Providing a bit of glitz, uniquely framed mirrors created by area artists and talented members of the Council just for this occasion, will be auctioned.  Auction proceeds will fund Council art camps, programs and mural projects in 2012.

Cocktail attire is suggested but not required.  Call the Council hotline at 269-355-0137 with any questions regarding this fun event or email info@alleganarts.com.