Gallery
Florilegium & Fairy Tales: Drawings by Lori Zurvalec
September 13 – November 1, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 14 at 2–4 pm
Artist Talk: Sunday, October 13 at 2–3 pm
Color | Ink Studio & Gallery is pleased to present “Florilegium & Fairy Tales”, an exhibition of drawings by visual artist Lori Zurvalec. Several of the featured drawings are meant to be independent works of art; others are completely abstract, meant to convey emotion, and were created following the drafting of a poem. The exhibition opens on September 13 and runs through November 1.
“I believe drawing is fundamental to all art-making and always carry a sketchbook with me,” Lori says. “I have been drawing since early childhood and was fortunate enough to have an art teacher in high school who taught using Nicolaides’ The Natural Way to Draw.” She adds, “Sometimes my drawings are preliminary, bones upon which to hang a more complex composition. There is a meditative quality to making all the marks used in a detailed piece.”
The works in the exhibition are full of mystery—allegories with subtle, ambiguous meaning. Renderings of flowers and foliage are combined with certain images: birds, an empty chair, a toy clock, and branches of Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick. Several of the drawings include the likeness of two dolls, one from the 1920s and the other, a “Hi, Heidi” doll from childhood. Two dragons are also depicted because, of course, fairy tales need beasts.
The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Saturday afternoon, September 14 from 2-4 pm. It’s free, and guests will have the opportunity to meet Lori and discuss her artwork in person. Light refreshments will be available. There is ample free parking in the lot and on the side streets. Then return in four weeks for an Artist Talk with Lori on Sunday, October 13 from 2-3 pm.
Once the exhibition opens, you’ll be able to start your visit to the Gallery here by exploring a virtual tour of the exhibition. If you would prefer to view it in person, the Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 pm, and at other times by appointment. To schedule a visit either click here to make an appointment, send an email to Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com, or telephone us at 248-398-6119. The original fine art on view in the exhibition will be available for purchase in the Gallery or online.
Recent Exhibitions
“Strike a Pose” Portrait Exhibition
August 2–11, 2024
Opening Reception: Friday, August 2 at 5–8 pm
Artist Panel Discussion: Sat. & Sun., August 10 & 11 at 2–3 pm
Maus Haus Gallery is at Color | Ink Studio for two weeks in August with “Strike a Pose”, an all-portrait show opening on Friday, August 2.
This is a group show curated by Cheryl Maus, who challenged the artists to think outside the box with a portrait. The exhibition highlights the amazing portraiture of 20 artists. There will be some standard portraits along with portraits of other varieties. Click here for a preview of the show. You definitely do not want to miss it!
The featured artists are Anna van Schaap, Clinton Snider, Zach Curtis, Keto Green, Victoria Moon, Christopher Schneider, Danielle Sape, Kyla Fischer, John Hadala, Melissa Valenti, Cheryl Barill, Janice Milhem, Michael Markham, Matt Thornton, Taja Jones, Kristie Haas, Cheryl Maus, Lazy Gumshoe & Anna Knight Weber.
You’re invited to attend the Opening Reception on Friday evening, August 2 from 5-8 pm. It’s free, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work in person. Light refreshments will be available. There is ample free parking in the lot and on the side streets.
The show continues on the weekend from 1-4 pm each day and concludes the following Saturday and Sunday with artist panel discussions from 2-3 pm each day. Make it a point to see this exhibition of original portraiture!
“Through the Lens” Photography Show
June 7-16, 2024
Artist Reception: Friday, June 7 at 5–8 pm
Maus Haus Gallery returns to Color | Ink Studio for two weekends in June with “Through the Lens”, an all photography show opening on Friday.
This is a group show curated by Cheryl Maus, who invited about 20 artists to participate and then selected work from among the submissions. The amazing photographers being featured are Randy Southerland, Melissa Valenti, Chris Schneider, Von Ecker, Mary Ann Del Greco, Leona Webb, Daniel Ribar, Sarah Nesbitt, and Kayce Gifford, along with Eric Law and Cheryl Maus.
You’re invited to attend the Artist Reception on Friday evening, June 7 from 5-8 pm. It’s free, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet the photographers and discuss their work in person. Light refreshments will be available. There is ample free parking in the lot and on the side streets.
The show continues on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 pm each day and concludes the following weekend. Make it a point to see this exhibition of original photography!
BIG INK 2024
Event: Saturday & Sunday, May 18 & 19 at 1-4 pm
Relief Print Exhibition: May 10-19, 2024
BIG INK returns to Color | Ink Studio & Gallery on May 18-19 for a colossal woodblock printing event. More than a dozen Michigan artists have each spent the last several months designing and carving a woodblock at least 24” by 36” in size. The participating artists will come together that weekend to print their woodblocks on “The Big Tuna”, a custom-built travelling press.
“We’re thrilled that BIG INK is returning to Hazel Park as one of 10 destinations in their Spring 2024 coast-to-coast tour,” said Eric Law, the organizer of the event. “Watching these woodblocks turn into prints is exciting, and it’s a lot of fun for both the artists and the public.”
A woodblock is essentially a hand-carved stamp. Woodblock prints, aka woodcuts, are made through a process of elimination. First, an artist draws a design onto a piece of wood. Areas to show “white” are cut away with a chisel, leaving the characters or image to show in “black” at the original surface level. The stamp is coated with ink and pressed onto paper by hand. Large woodblocks require a specialized machine press to exert enough force to produce a quality impression.
“The ink will be flying that weekend,” said Candace Law, one of the participants. “The artists who create these images, usually alone in a studio, are going to gather in community as we undertake the physical process of pulling everyone’s finished prints.”
In conjunction with BIG INK’s visit, the Gallery is hosting a week-long special exhibition highlighting the art of relief printmaking by artists in the event. A variety of techniques will be on display in the show, which runs from May 10-19, and prints are available for purchase. Click here to view the exhibition online.
The public is invited to attend the demonstration and exhibition on Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19 from 1-4 pm each day. It’s free, and visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the process and meet the artists in person. Light refreshments will be available. The Gallery is located at 20919 John R Rd. in Hazel Park and can be reached by email at Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com or by phone at 248-398-6119.
Delicate Balance
April 6 – May 3, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 6 at 1–3 pm
Color | Ink Studio & Gallery is pleased to present “Delicate Balance”, a juried exhibition featuring 30 works of fine art in various mediums by members of the Birmingham Society of Women Painters. The pieces in the show are interpretive of the concept in an individual way, yet linked in the overall idea that visual art can bring balance, steadiness and joy to our lives. The exhibition opens on April 6 and runs through May 3.
For more than sixty years, the Birmingham Society of Women Painters has brought together artists of merit to further their shared interests in the visual arts, including professional creatives as well as those for whom art is a high-priority avocation. They have a proud history of supporting the achievements and leadership of women in Metro Detroit. For more information, visit their website at BSWPainters.org and follow them on Facebook or Instagram
The exhibition was juried by Valerie Allen, a professional artist living in Michigan. She received her BFA from University of Cincinnati and has served as the curator of Studio 23 in Bay City. In addition to teaching and jurying, Valerie creates her abstract and non-representational paintings in her studio in the Stadium District of Midland.
The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception and Award Ceremony on Saturday afternoon, April 6 from 1-3 pm. It’s free, and guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists and juror, and discuss the artwork in person. Light refreshments will be available. There is ample free parking in the lot and on the side streets.
Once the exhibition opens, you’ll be able to start your visit to the Gallery by exploring a virtual tour of the exhibition. If you would prefer to view it in person, either click here to schedule your visit, send an email to Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com, or telephone us at 248-398-6119. No appointment is needed to attend the Opening Reception; otherwise, the Gallery is open most weekdays for scheduled visits. The original fine art on view in the exhibition will be available for purchase in the Gallery or securely online.
“Expressionism of Composition” Exhibition
March 8–24, 2024
Opening Reception: Friday, March 8 at 5–8 pm
Artist Talk: Sunday, March 24 at 1 pm
Maus Haus Gallery returns to Color | Ink Studio for three weekends in March with “Expressionism of Composition” opening this Friday. The show brings together two abstract artists, Dawud Shabazz and Mike McKeown.
Curator Cheryl Maus tells us, “I met both of these artists during Birmingham’s art walk this past fall and their works made lasting impressions! When approached to curate another show, it made perfect sense that I would feature these two artists.”
Dawud’s artwork is made with multiple layers of acrylic and textures that give depth and spark moments to escape into serenity. His works become conversation pieces that share his motivation of energy and love with the viewer.
Mike explores abstracted representations of how we perceive the world around us. His work takes shape through planned compositions mixed with intuitive, expressive gestures. This creates a balanced experience of fleeting energy and intentional, reflective moments in time.
You’re invited to attend the Opening Reception on Friday evening, March 8 from 5-8 pm. It’s free, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work in person. Light refreshments will be available. There is ample free parking in the lot and on the side streets.
The show continues on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 pm each day, and for the next two weekends. Then grab a friend and return on Sunday, March 24 at 2 pm for the Artist Talk. Don’t miss this opportunity to see and purchase captivating original art. Help support our local artists!
Artist Opportunities
Call for Proposals
Are you interested in a solo or group exhibition in our Gallery? Do you have an idea for a themed show that you’d like to curate? We’d like to learn more about what you have in mind! Just send an email to us at Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com with your contact information, a description of your proposed exhibition, and attach up to 10 image samples of the artwork that would be included. We accept exhibition proposals throughout the year, and there is no cost to submit.
The Gallery exclusively exhibits original works of fine art—primarily paintings, works on paper, photography, and sculpture. We do not display reproductions of original art, merchandise, or jewelry. Exhibitions in the Gallery generally run for 6-8 weeks. If your proposal is accepted, there is a $50 exhibition fee payable when the exhibition is scheduled and a contract signed.