#HermanMiller's #SteveFrykholm: Geezer is One of Us (and of the @MOMA, too) #AIGA

Steve Frykholm: Geezer – Greatness Among Us (and the MOMA, too)

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 6 PM, PROGRAM BEGINS AT 7 PM

GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM, 101 MONROE CENTER ST. NW

 

It is a rare treat to have the chance to meet and listen to an artist from our own midst whose work is not only heavily collected here and abroad, but whose iconic works are a part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The AIGA West Michigan, with generous support from The Etheridge Group, is proud to welcome Steve Frykholm in a special talk entitled "Geezer."

Frykholm is the man behind the image of Herman Miller for over 40 years that dominated the mid-century modern movement.

But to many on the street, it is his Herman Miller annual picnic posters that he created over the years that has won the world over with their vibrant color, exaggerated sizing and minimalist sensibilities that never sacrificed the humanity of this time-honored tradition.

Recently, Frykholm won the term legendary from the Ad Club of Michigan who awarded him the Silver Medal award for his "outstanding contributions" to the advertising and marketing industry.

If you have never heard Steve speak, you will be thoroughly entertained at this rare opportunity to be so close and in the presences of a living icon of our art and design culture.

 

from RapidGrowthMedia.com's G-Sync Lifestyle Editor, Tommy Allen, 4/14/2011

Admission: $5 AIGA West Michigan Members, $15 General Public

2Nite @whatsyourart, #ArtPeers, #Ave4theArts @KevinBuist & others take on GR Art Criticism, R U Ready?

from RapidGrowthMedia.com's G-Sync by Tommy Allen

 

 

 

Critical Reality – Is Arts Criticism Important In Grand Rapids?

 

THURSDAY, MAR 31, 5:30 - 7 PM

WEALTHY THEATRE, 1130 WEALTHY STREET SE

Last year, Rapid Growth hosted a panel discussion about the practices of the creative in our "big small town" community and for the most part, the conversation centered on the topic of creative best practices. And while all agreed we have it good here in many ways, one area that is lacking is in the arena of arts criticism.

Caroline Older of the Arts Councils of Greater Grand Rapids remembers well the discussion thread that followed at the bottom of an article by Kevin Buist of ArtPrize in The Rapidian.

So earlier this year, she and her staff set about creating a panel that would address this much discussed question both online and over table tops around the city: "Are Grand Rapids' artists, performances and arts institutions ready for a serious critique of the art created here?"

This question will be at the center of the discussion at Wealthy Theatre where artists, patrons and arts lovers are encouraged to attend this panel event.

"I would argue it is important that we have a serious critique of our arts community," says Older, "but where will this criticism come from in is still unsure since we in a time of flux from ever-changing media sources."

The panel was assembled by the Arts Council along with Erin Wilson of ArtPeers and Jenn Schaub of the Avenue for the Arts and will include GVSU's Paul Wittenbraker, Grand Rapids Press' Jeff Kaczmarczyk, UICA's Elizabeth Goddard, ArtPrize's Kevin Buist and Musician Ritsu Katsumata. Schaub will be moderating the panel.

So if you have ever poised these questions or would simply love to hear a fresh perspective on this topic, please stop by on Thursday.

Bar privileges at Wealthy Theater are available for CMC members ($12/yr).

Admission: $10; Free for Arts Council members, ArtPeers artists, Avenue for the Arts members, and college students with valid ID.

 

Congrats #5x5Night Mar. contenders: Margarita Barry's 71 POP, Landon Bartley’s Storefront Windows to the World, David Buick’s FitCup, Nicole Infante’s GR Signature Sandwich Competition and AJ Paschka’s Weather Collage

I am excited to see your projects and to be one of your judges this round.

Good luck and just remember if you get nervous, imagine all your judges in the underwear.  A little throw up in the mouth lubricates the vocal cords.

:-)

Tommy Allen, Twitter: TommyGsync for RapidGrowthMedia.com

Reviews r coming in abt this week's @RapidGrowth #LaughFest editorial on WomenInComedy. Thkx, @MargaretCho & Betty White for being U. JUMP HERE.. http://t.co/TjQjdnW

I was moved by notes frm people abt @MFBrehab. Editorial to share: http://t.co/2myNlCh pls RT #Valentine Ppls Comments reprinted @ #Posterous...leap.

Here are just a few of the many heartfelt comments I received via Twitter, Facebook and by email about my editorial on Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI.

"Well said @TommyGSync -your editorial 2day hits close 2 my heart.  A 4 year old girl is walking again 2day b/c of MFB" - @heatherlynnee

"Uncle in Nebraska had a stroke & will soon go to inpatient rehab. Sent my family @TommyGSync's column for inspiration." @fotoman311

"Thanks for editorial on @RapidGrowth. As Hope Restored blog mgr, so pleased & moved to read it!"  Sandra Mitchell

"I love reading personal stories filled with inspiration and courage! If you do too, check out "The Road Taken" by Tommy Allen. :-)"  - Victoria Upton

"Thanks Tommy Allen for such a brave revisiting of your journey. When I see you, I'm reminded of how those of us with 10,000 options only utilize 2,000..." - Eric Oerhl

"Your piece helped me see that I need to switch my focus, get over my grief and shine a light on all the things I can do instead of mourning the things I can't." - Cindy Grace

Beautifully written piece by Tommy Allen! He not only reflected on a personal triumph but gave major props to Mary Free Bed. Make sure you read 'The Road Taken.'"  Terry Johnston

"Really enjoyed this week's Rapid Growth Media article, Tommy! Such insight: "...It is not about what you cannot do, as Steven Johnson and so many others have pointed out, but rather, it's about finding what great things are waiting for us to discover." - Carrie Borchers

"Tommy your G-Sync editorial was superb; quite moving actually." - Sandy Stuckhardt

"A very big thank you for your recognition of Mary Free Bed and the work of our amazing therapists. Your story is like many we hear – that Mary Free Bed makes a huge difference in the lives of our patients. I, too, know the difference the hospital can make from a very personal perspective:  my mother and aunt both rehabbed from very serious strokes at Mary Free Bed, and like you and 92 percent of our patients, they were able to return to an independent living situation." - Julie Ridenour , President, Mary Free Bed Guild

 

"May your words inspire others to share their stories & hope" - Mary Free Bed

Most of all, I am grateful that we have a place like this in  West Michigan and look forward to reading stories in the future from people who have been touched by what they provide.

Peace, Tommy 

The Road Taken: http://t.co/2myNlCh

HopeRestored: http://www.HopeRestoredMFB.com

Image of me resting at MFB, 2006

My Final Words on #Newsweek are really the Start of a new era 4 #GRmi. Where r U n history? http://t.co/00ABkSI #ChangeU

Thank you to The Meanwhile Bar of Grand Rapids for producing some of the best T's in #GRmi. Also props to Terry Johnston for his photography.

@photoTJ said the nicest things when I wasn't looking today. Thanks, TJ! http://t.co/4fCx6RM

Image of me working on this week's editorial about #Newsweek's list published last weekend where #GRMI was listed as a dying city.  

Oh, and the latte at Rowster's was the best I have ever had. (i ordered 2)

 

Today is my Birthday and as a Sag (fire) birth sign should I be concerned on Thursday.... @RapidGrowth

...when as RapidGrowth's Lifestyle Editor I will be hosting the Lithuanian Tree at the Meijer Gardens's Holiday Tree Gala right next to Irish tree hosted by GR Social Dirary's Laura Caprara.

All that straw, alcohol and flash bulbs could be a combustable situation for sure.

Come for the world class fun, but most of all show up to see if my twelve Lithuanian apostles are made up of GR's finest firemen.

Event Link: http://www.meijergardens.org/calendar/event.php?id=111

As you look over those #CyberMonday deals look at these results from a recent DDA project (in progress.) http://is.gd/hXbRO

No judgement here about your spending habits on CyberMonday, but there is a strong argument from the people who have money to spend looking for more retail in downtown GrandRapids.  

And while the study is in progress, it will be interesting which shops will begin plans to make downtown GR their new home before the final report is delivered.  

Prime storefronts are there for those who don't wait.  Wait too long and you might end up with an off the beaten path location. Lots of others have taken the plunge, so what is your company waiting for... a burnig bush?   Trust me, it's happening in Downtown GR.

Congrats to the DDA for sponsoring this study.

Cheers!

Tommy Allen

LINK: http://is.gd/hXbRO 

Tanglefoot Studio: One Amazing Night of Music

(Photo by David McGowan: Natalia Zukerman, Kristin Salerno, Drew Nelson, Tommy Allen, Trina Hamlin, Michael Pfleghaar)

Tanglefoot Studio was able to host a memorable night of music from three nationally known singer/songwriters.

If you missed it, I am sorry. The guest list was very small and sold out in a matter of days.

If you attended, then you know what I am talking about when I say this is one event that will be hard to top as we look at new events to produce within our space.

If you would love to make sure you are on the guest list, please send me an email to tommyallen @ comcast. net

Look for a video piece on RapidGrowthMedia.com

Thank you's to David McGowan of humanfiles.com, Levitationstaging.com and Kristin Salerno & Michael Pfleghaar.

Artists Links: www.drewnelson.com www.nataliazukerman.com www.trinahamlin.com



























































2008 State of Michigan House Candidate Roy Schmidt, Kristin Salerno, Drew Nelson and 2nd Ward Commissioner Rosalynn Bliss.

Mr. P on RapidG