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Framed by Nature
First Exhibit in the Arts Center's New River Gallery

Marcia Selley, Gary Mulnix and the SAC Artists Guild are sharing the first featured exhibition in the newly expanded Shiawassee Arts Center including the recently named River Gallery. The show opens August 26 and runs through October 5 with a reception to meet the artists on Sunday, September 14, 2-4pm.

Grand Blanc oil and watercolor artist, Marcia Selley was influenced at a young age by her grandmother whose home was filled with large abstract expressionist paintings that she had created. Selley majored in art at Western Michigan University and taught high school art for eight years. Her own artistic creations began by doing drawings and painting portraits of her children. From there she moved outdoors painting images of nature. She states, "I am always excited to see and feel beautiful surroundings in nature. The magnificent changing colors we experience each day in Michigan inspires me to paint." Her technique involves working from her photos that she views on a computer screen. Vincent van Gogh is one of her favorite artists because of his use of color and brush work. "I try to create a similar effect by using larger brushes and leaving the look of the brush stroke evident," she continues. "I hope my paintings brighten the surroundings of a home or gallery and give the viewer an appreciation of our beautiful world."

New Owosso resident, Gary Mulnix creates bronze artwork that consists of both figurative sculpture and bas relief sculpture. His relief sculptures, he says, "are a visual record of things found in nature that I find interesting. The volume, form, texture and contrast of the flora and landscape that surround us offer endless variation and inspiration for my work." His figure sculpture explores the contemplative side of humanity, searching for self-awareness and truth. Mulnix began his fine arts education at Maine College of Art in Portland where students are taught contemporary concepts of fine art design. He continued his studies at the more traditional Lyme Academy of Fine Art in Connecticut and Michigan State University. He explains, "I attempt to combine traditional bronze sculptural techniques with contemporary concepts of two and three dimensional design. My love of Art History also greatly influences my work."

The fourth SAC Artists Guild multi-media exhibit at the Arts Center is entitled Framed by Nature. The Guild was established in 2002 with member artists from Owosso, Corunna, Bancroft, Morrice, Perry and Okemos. Exhibiting in this show are Bonnie Brown, Jackie Bruff, Joanne Buckley, Rebecca Case, Aundrea Corey, Jeanne Curtis, Kathryn Gehrs-Pahl, Lila Gerber, Linda Hill, Mistie Jordan, Janis Kazan, Jann Lardie, Marti Liddle-Lameti, Susan McGuire, Sue Newcom, Johnette Osborne, Julie Penfold, Linda Ruehle, and Tamara Sanders. The Guild meets monthly and provides artistic support and encouragement, exchanges ideas, critiques, shares and exhibits artwork, holds demonstrations and tours other galleries. New artist members are welcome.

The exhibit is generously sponsored by the Cook Family Foundation. The Arts Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 1-5pm. The public is welcome and there is no admission charge. The Arts Center features the artwork of local and statewide artists in eight galleries including the Frieseke Gallery and a specialty Gift Shop. The SAC is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation whose mission is to encourage participation and appreciation of the arts.