 Come celebrate the 3rd and final year of this Lansing-Detroit Artistic Collaboration. Mila Lynn & Torrey Gray’s Inktober 2022 Finale Friday, November 11st, 2022 The Knapp Center 300 S Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933 www.eventbrite.com/e/the-inktober-finale-tickets-457442973247 Visual Artist Mila Lynn & Hip Hop Artist & Music Producer Torrey Gray will bring their Inktober Trilogy to a close with The Inktober Finale Show: A Night of Art & Music. The event will take place on Friday, November 11th from 7pm-11pm at the Knapp Center in Downtown Lansing, and will feature performances by Torrey Gray, hors d’oeuvres provided by Veg Head, as well as a Silent Art Auction. Tickets are available for $25 and can be purchased via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-inktober-finale-tickets-457442973247  For the third & final year, Mila & Torrey collaborated on the Inktober project that they originally brought to Lansing in 2020 as part of the Inktober Challenge created by New York Times Best Selling Illustrator Jake Parker. As in previous years of the project, Mila created 31 all new pieces of art that were generated using daily prompts provided by Jake Parker’s Official Inktober Event as well as an additional 32nd Prompt that Mila & Torrey would create to tie the project together. Torrey Gray once again created a new piece of music, this year collaborating with musicians from around the world, for each daily prompt that accompanied a daily time lapse video of Mila creating each piece of artwork. For those keeping score, that is 96 visual art pieces & 96 pieces of music created in total over the life of the project.  Throughout the entire month of October, all of the artwork created by Mila Lynn each day was on display at Veg Head, Lansing’s newest plant based eatery. This year’s pieces were painted on vinyl records as opposed to using traditional pen & paper. Over the years, other artists from the community have also been involved in and/or inspired to create, drawing their inspiration from Mila & Torrey’s project. In 2021, Christina Castilla created 31 heart themed art pieces, & Autumn Hopkins created 31 different pairs of earrings. This year, Poet Morgan Madden & Visual Artist Kylee Kellett collaborated to create original paintings & poetry based off of this year’s prompts. All of these artists, as well as other artists who have participated, credit Torrey & Mila with inspiring them to take part in the project.  “It’s been a lot of hard work, but also extremely rewarding,” says Lynn. “It’s nice to look back and see all that we have done over the life of the project.” For Torrey, the project has hit him on an even more personal level. In 2021, Torrey adopted a dog that he named Crispy, after a prompt from last year’s Inktober. “Mila drew Crispy on one of the records for a piece this year,” says Gray. “I guess Crispy has become the unofficial mascot for Inktober.” At the Finale Event, Mila & Torrey look forward to seeing the community come out one last time to experience their Inktober project. “It’s going to be nice to get together with our friends, colleagues, and community to reminisce on what the project has been all about,” says Lynn. Mila & Torrey’s Inktober project has helped build the art community here in Lansing, and while this chapter may be coming to a close, we are excited to see what the two artists have in store for the future. About Inktober:
Inktober is a month-long art challenge created by Artist Jake Parker in 2009 that is focused on improving skill and developing positive drawing habits. Every day for the month of October anyone participating in the Inktober challenge creates an ink drawing and posts it online. Inktober has grown into a worldwide challenge with artists from around the world participating every year. Starting in 2016, Jake Parker created the Official Inktober Prompt List with a different word assigned to each day of the month. Some of the prompt words for 2022 include Gargoyle, Bouquet, Ego, & Farm. Be sure to use & follow the hashtags #inktober, #inktober2022, #mindofmila & #definedetroit on Instagram to check out all of the campaigns throughout the years. Disclaimer: ***Mila Lynn & Torrey Gray’s 2022 Inktober Campaign is separate from the Official Inktober Event hosted by Jake Parker, do not contact Jake Parker or Inktober directly for details. Mila & Torrey are participating in the event as individual participants, and not as official Inktober partners.*** To Purchase Tickets for The Inktober Finale visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-inktober-finale-tickets-457442973247 For More Information about Mila Lynn visit: www.mindofmila.com #MindOfMila To hear Torrey Gray’s Ink21 Playlist, visit: www.redefinedetroit.com/ #DefineDetroit For a list of Inktober Rules visit: www.inktober.com/rules Frequently Asked Questions about Inktober: www.inktober.com/faq
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 SPELL CON MI 2022 Saturday, November 5th from 3pm-8pm The Fledge 1300 Eureka Street Lansing, MI 48912 www.eventbrite.com/e/spell-con-mi-tickets-428666853097 Daimonikos Productions, headed by Aondreiel Daimonikos & Dikastíria Daimonikos will present Michigan’s second annual Spell Con MI on Saturday, November 5th, from 3pm - 8pm, at The Fledge in Lansing. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume if they so choose. Tickets are available via Eventbrite with General Admission Tickets for $20 dollars, and VIP Tickets for $60 dollars. General Admission ticket includes all performances, workshops, and access to the Metaphysical Marketplace from 3-8pm. The VIP Ticket includes everything from the general admission ticket, as well as access to the VIP Balcony Lounge, a complimentary Tarot reading, as well as a free gift. For more information, and to purchase tickets visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/spell-con-mi-tickets-428666853097  “Our objective is to offer a welcoming space where all can feel the excitement of exploring something out of the ordinary,” said Dikastiria Daimonikos. Spell Con is a metaphysical convention that originated in Long Island, NY in 2019, and came to Michigan when Aondreiel & Dikastiria relocated to the region in 2021. After presenting Spell Con in New York for multiple years, they decided to produce a second Spell Con last year in Michigan for their new friends, neighbors, and community. “We got a lot of support from the community for the event last year, and we look forward to growing the event even bigger this year, and years to come,” said Aondreiel Daimonikos. The event will feature a metaphysical market, a live recording of the Spell Cast Podcast, a spell jar workshop, multiple workshops on the misconceptions of Vodou, a performance by world renowned Opera singer & vocal performer Stephano Andreotti, and an open Ecstatic Dance session.“Our Metaphysical market includes psychic readings, spiritual healers, witchy crafts, reiki, and other occult themed activities,” said Dikastiria Daimonikos. She continued, “We are excited to have Michiganders who celebrate the arcane & occult as part of this year’s festivities. There is actually a very strong metaphysical community here in Michigan.” The Daimonians hope that this year's Spell Con will foster & promote spiritual growth, while bringing healing and enrichment to the community through culture and the arcane Liberal Arts.  For more information on Spell Con 2022 & to purchase tickets visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/spell-con-mi-tickets-428666853097 For more information on Daimonikos Productions visit: www.daimonikosproductions.com For more information on The Fledge visit: www.thefledge.com
Artist Looks to Drive Voter Registration at Upcoming Gala Celebrating LGBTQIA+ People of Color9/13/2022  Saturday, September 24th from 7pm-10pm The Xperience Kalamazoo 145 Farmers Alley Kalamazoo, MI 49007 www.eventbrite.com/e/come-as-you-are-gayla-hosted-by-maya-james-art-studio-tickets-403604962307  Artist Maya James is presenting the Come As You Are “Gay-la”, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ people of color, on Saturday, September 24th from 7pm-11pm at The Xperience located in Farmer’s Alley in Kalamazoo, MI. The event will feature a silent auction of Maya James exclusive art series entitled “Faces PT III”, a collection of over 30 original painted portraits featuring black and queer/trans community members, leaders, legends and entertainers. General Admission Tickets are available for $10 with VIP Tickets available for $40, with a generous portion of the proceeds going to support local nonprofits including Radical Kalamazoo & OutFront Kalamazoo. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.eventbrite.com/e/come-as-you-are-gayla-hosted-by-maya-james-art-studio-tickets-403604962307  The "Come As You Are Gayla!" will be the first of its kind in Kalamazoo. It is a community celebration of Black Pride to empower the LBGTQIA+ people of color to vote and create a safer place for all. “Faces Pt III” is the third collection of portrait paintings in a series by Artist Maya James entitled “Faces”, featuring LGBTQIA+ legends and community members of color. During the Gala, all the pieces in the collection will be put up for silent auction with each piece starting at $100. A portion of the proceeds will go to support Legacy House, an LGBTQIA+ youth housing facility created by Outfront Kalamazoo. The event will feature a DJ, Music, Hors D'oeuvres, fun, and dancing as part of the evening’s festivities. There will also be a cash bar to purchase signature cocktails, curated by The Xperience Event Venue in Farmer’s Alley.  Another component of the event is an initiative to register voters for the upcoming November election. Representatives from local community groups will be in attendance at the event to register voters, and local political figures will be in attendance. “Now more than ever, black queer issues must be put to the forefront and streamlined in the face of radical racist, anti-LGBTQIAP+, and anti-choice candidates within our state,” said James. “This benefit is how we fight back with the vote.” In addition to getting registered to vote, attendees can also sign up for text message reminders of election dates, and get more information on how they can help spread the importance of the Black Vote. Funding Credit:
The Come As You Are Gala is sponsored by Black Voters Matter & the Kalamazoo Artistic Development Initiative, a program by The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo and Outfront Kalamazoo. For more information on the Come As You Are Gala & to purchase tickets visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/come-as-you-are-gayla-hosted-by-maya-james-art-studio-tickets-403604962307 For more information on Artist Maya James visit: www.instagram.com/therealmayajamesart For more information on The Xperience visit: https://www.thexperiencekzoo.com/ For more information on OutFront Kalamazoo visit: https://www.outfrontkzoo.org/  Laney Morgan is vocal performer & musical artist from North Branch, MI, and now residing in Detroit. The only girl of seven children, Laney is currently in her senior year for a B.A. in Music, and will continue on for an M.A. in Music Business. She comes from a family that has spent their lives around music. Her mother sang with Bob Seger, and John Mellencamp, and her father was the body guard for The Rolling Stones. Laney sold out her first showcase to 200 people when she was 16 years old.
Laney has performed with the likes of Ethan Bortnick, The Gasoline Gypsies, & Printz Board. She has been seen at such venues and events as the Detroit Music Hall, Motown’s Amplify Competition, 20 Front Street, Royal Oak’s Arts, Beats & Eats Festival, Lansing Alive, Singers In the Round @ Otus Supply, & the Chicago Oscars Committee. Laney has also performed the National Anthem as a singer for The Midland Loons, and numerous events/festivals and small venues since 2013. Laney is the winner of the Detroit Chapter of Ethan Bortnick’s Celebration of Music competition, & The Chicago Oscar for the 2018 Best Vocalist of the Year. She has been featured in small town newspapers, on magazines in Chicago, on PBS Detroit, and most recently, was featured on Comcast TV with Pepsi and Motown. Laney also founded & ran a non-profit musical group for kids for nearly 3 years. “I love to create magic with songs; to create that bond between a listener and an artist. It’s something remarkable you can’t really explain. Music is my world, and I’m ready to share it again with everyone.” ~ Laney Morgan For more information on Laney & her work visit: www.instagram.com/laneymorganofficial  Abrielle (that’s Gabrielle without the G) “Abi” Mason is a digital creative & the owner of Verum Esse. Abi’s mother & grandmother taught her painting and fabric arts at a young age, and she still dabbles in fabrics & paintings today. Originally from Portland, MI, Abi currently lives in East Lansing. Abi’s work has been seen in Downtown Lansing, as well as community events including the Rooted Reverence Festival in Mason, and as part of Lansing Pride. Abi holds a B.A. in User Experience, with Minors in Entrepreneurship and Graphic Design from Michigan State University. In addition to creating art, Abi works as a User Experience Designer at Gravity Works in Old Town, designs logos for companies, & host Conscious Conversations, a monthly community engagement series designed to stimulate dialog on a variety of issues. Constantly craving knowledge, Abi is studying Arabic, practicing dance, and working to become a certified Life Coach. “My goal is to inspire others to find their inner child and live a joyful life because life is just one beautiful story; so don't worry, be happy.” ~ Abrielle Mason.
For more information on Abrielle & her work visit: Website: https://abriellemason.wordpress.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verumesse/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrielle-mason/  Artist Mila Lynn Presents The Official Mural Unveiling of “Uncaged” As Part of The 49507 Project by The DiaTribe Saturday, August 27th from Noon to 2:00pm 1956 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 www.facebook.com/events/545285410629016  Renowned Michigan Artist Mila Lynn of Mind of Mila will be unveiling her newest mural entitled “Uncaged” this Saturday, August 27th from Noon to 2:00pm on the Eastside of Grand Rapids. The mural is 1,050sqft in total, and was finished in late July after taking 30 days to complete. The festivities on Saturday will include the unveiling of the mural as well as a Community BBQ to celebrate the day. Come meet and mingle with Mila, learn more about The DiaTribe, dance to some music, grab some BBQ, and take pictures with the artwork! “Uncaged” is one of 8 murals being added to the South Side of Grand Rapids as part of “The 49507 Project”, with each containing imagery that is inspired by community listening sessions that were held to ensure that the art added to the area is representative of what folks who live in the area want to see. “The piece is meant to reflect the diversity of Eastern Grand Rapids and remind us all where unity exists, so does love and healing,” says Lynn.  Artist Statement about “Uncaged”: The idea is that the little girls are freeing these hummingbirds that bring back degrees, medals, etc. to the community. Hummingbirds are used because they are a sign of joy, healing, and positivity. If the healing and positivity our people deserve was poured into our communities, or “allowed to roam freely”, resources, success, etc. would be easier to attain, in my opinion. Children are the ones releasing the birds because it’s innocent and playful, something that I feel like, as minorities, we experience for a far shorter period than our white counterparts. The little girls are meant to show diversity and unity. Cuban, Mexican, African American, & Biracial backgrounds influenced their illustration. The women are representational of athletes, scholars, & health care workers and reflect various age groups, because it was important to me that everyone feel like they could connect to this piece. In addition, it was mentioned on a few occasions that neighbors would like to see our people in different professions. It is clearly Women-centric due to the fact that Mary is the owner of the building & I’m putting the art on the building. I chose to keep the original black base the building already had, and incorporate colors on top of it. The purple pattern is the West African Adinkra symbol for strength. The goal is to have it where it is just noticeable, as if it’s “woven” in the building or better yet, the community. Again from the sessions it seems like people feel this neighborhood’s resilience is often overlooked. I use a lot of purple in my work because it is a higher vibrational color.  About the Artist: Mila Lynn is a professional award-winning visual artist. Most popularly known for her paintings and collage work. She has created two full collections, The Repurpose Project (2019), and Black is King (2021). In addition, over the last two years she has participated in the Inktober Challenge by annually creating a piece every day for the month of October. All 31 pieces were sold by the time the show took place a week after both years. This project now features a book that Torrey Gray, her collaborating partner on Inktober, and herself wrote and published with Barnes & Noble. Mila is also passionate about maintaining a presence of the Arts in schools, the community, and overall world. She believes the arts are not only a creative outlet, but directly tied to a positive economic climate. Last summer, as a Workshop Instructor, Mila led a series of workshops that allowed youth grades k-12 to come paint the cities picnic tables. This was a part of MSU’s “Just Futures” Grant from the Mellon Foundation. The grants initiative is to facilitate creativity during the time of Covid-19, with special attention to communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Mila has sold art in various places in the US including Miami, Tampa, Lansing, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and also while abroad in the UK. Recently, Mila has started working more regularly on larger canvases. She revamped Jet Fitness in Okemos with two murals, and painted a mural in St. Pete of a vibezy beach on a new Airbnb property while vacationing. For more information about The 49507 Project visit:
https://thediatribe.org/the49507project/ For more information on Mila & her work visit: www.mindofmila.com Official Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/545285410629016  Historic Preservation Award & Artist Professional Development Workshop Award Presentation Friday, August 5th at 7pm Artist Professional Development Workshop Presented by Opportunity Arts LLC, Friday, August 5th at 5:30pm Both will take place at The Turner-Dodge House & Heritage Center 100 E North St, Lansing, MI 48906  Nationally Acclaimed Visual Artist Leisa Collins, who has been featured in the New York Times & Huffington Post, will present her Historic Preservation Award to the Friends of Turner-Dodge at the Turner-Dodge House & Heritage Center on August 5th at 7:00pm. The presentation is free to attend, and open to the public.  Before the presentation, Leisa will host & facilitate a professional development workshop for local artists presented by local arts administration firm Opportunity Arts LLC, of which Leisa is an Affiliate. The workshop will also take place at the Turner-Dodge House & is open to any artists wishing to gain additional knowledge about the field of visual art as a business. The workshop will cover creating a niche market for your art, as well as creating consistent reliable income as a career artist. Tickets are $5.00 for Opportunity Arts Affiliates, and $10.00 for the general public.  Leisa's Painting of Montecello About the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award: In March of 2013, Leisa instituted the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award. This award recognizes deserving individuals around the country who have set a stellar example of historic preservation through their efforts, skills or craftsmanship with regard to the historic homes or buildings in their area. The Award consists of a framed original Leisa Collins pen and watercolor painting of the home or buildings that has been saved, preserved, restored or brought back to life, thereby historically enriching their city, town or local community. Each awardee is presented with the original painting by the artist during a presentation outside or in the vicinity of their award-winning project. This presentation will take place inside the Turner-Dodge House. Recipients of the award are decided through nominations and consultations with local historic societies, civic and community groups dedicated to historic preservation and building awareness regarding the beauty of historic architecture.  Leisa's Painting of The Alamo About the Artist:
Leisa Collins, a native of New Zealand, has carved a unique niche for herself as an acclaimed architectural artist. Passionate about architecture and travel, she rejected the confines of formal art training and instead, honed her craft while journeying the world. Eventually settling in the United States, Collins became interested in the people and cultures that defined architecture throughout the country’s history. She was inspired to drive from coast to coast, creating original paintings of homes that inspired her in every state. She selected 650 of these works of art — as well as the fascinating stories behind many of them — to share with readers in her new book, Hand-Painted Homes: An Architectural Artist's Pen and Watercolor Journey Across America (May 2021). This vivid and captivating coffee table book explores architectural styles in all fifty states, plus the nation’s capital. In 2013, she established the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award to pay tribute to exceptional individuals committed to saving and restoring old buildings across the country. Collins’ work has been seen in many publications such as The New York Times, Huffington Post and Los Angeles Times. Due to her fine eye toward detail and her deep respect and curiosity about the stories behind each home, Collins’ commissioned house portraits are always in high demand. For more information on the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award visit: https://leisacollins.com/the-artist/leisa-collins-historic-preservation-award/ To Purchase Tickets to the Professional Development Workshop visit: https://www.opportunityarts.org/store/p2/CollinsWorkshopTickets.html Official Facebook Event Link: www.facebook.com/events/1043288839886233 For more information on Leisa & her work visit: https://leisacollins.com/ For more information on the Turner-Dodge House & Heritage Center visit: https://www.lansingmi.gov/461/Turner-Dodge-House  Ta’Neeka DeMyers aka NeekaRae is a singer, songwriter, worship leader, background vocalist, pianist, and guitarist from Lansing, MI. Though her career has just begun, NeekaRae is highly accomplished. Aside from being a worship leader at her home church, City Life Lansing, she has performed at the SOAR awards, College Gospel Choir Nights, and the 2020 Olivet College Commencement, as well as many events at prominent churches across the Midwest.
A natural born performer, NeekaRae has been honing her craft for as long as she can remember. She aspires to one day become a full time vocalist and playwright on Broadway. She earned numerous college scholarships, the title of “Ms. Olivet,” and the respect of the numerous artists with whom she has collaborated. With a B.A. in Music: Vocal Performance and a minor in Writing, NeekaRae also seeks to teach and inspire the next generation of vocalists and performers. NeekaRae comes from a highly musical background and translates this tradition into her music at every opportunity. Her future looks bright and her talent is undeniable. To learn more about NeekaRae and all of her upcoming endeavors check out her YouTube Channel: NeekaRae29  Leisa Collins, a native of New Zealand and third generation fine artist, has carved a unique niche for herself as an acclaimed architectural artist specializing in paintings of homes and historic buildings. Her passion is to capture the cultural diversity and history of architecture in all corners of the United States & throughout the world. She strives to raise awareness about the need to preserve and restore the legacy of architecture rather than indiscriminately tearing it down. Passionate about architecture and travel, she refused the confines of formal art training and instead honed her craft while traveling the world as a full time artist. Nomads at heart, Leisa and her husband Bruce have lived in all regions of the US. Though currently based in St. Louis, MO, they are always eagerly awaiting their next adventure.
Leisa’s work has been featured in many prominent publications such as The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Oregonian, and The San Antonio Press. Utilizing her fine eye toward detail, deep respect toward the featured locations, and charismatic storytelling about the subjects of her art, Leisa has created a high demand for her unique portraits. In 2013, she established the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award to pay tribute to exceptional individuals committed to saving and restoring old buildings across the country. Leisa, being an expert on the crossroads of art and architecture has been a featured guest on prominent and pertinent podcasts such as The Living Artist, Superfine Art Fair, The Art Biz, and True Tales from Old Houses. Thirty-five years ago, after marrying and settling into a new country, Leisa became fascinated by the people and cultures defining architecture throughout the country’s history and geography. She was subsequently inspired to drive from coast to coast and paint original portraits of homes in every state. Her selections were numerous but eventually she selected 650 of these works of art to incorporate along with the accompanying stories, to publish in her book. The compilation, entitled “Hand-Painted Homes: An Architectural Artist’s Pen and Watercolor,” was published in May of 2021 and highlights the captivating architecture and styles of homes in all fifty states and Washington D.C. Be sure to check out Leisa’s work on her website www.leisacollins.com Her Instagram @leisacollinsart and Her Facebook page Leisa Collins Art  Local Arts Administration & Publicity Firm Opportunity Arts would like to announce the hiring of Rooted Reverence Festival Organizers Morgan Madden & Sarah Renee Sanders to the company’s Front Office. Morgan will serve in the role of Chief Organizational Officer & Head of Talent Relations, while Sarah will serve as Director of Infrastructural Endeavors & Head of Business Relations.
Opportunity Arts is a for-profit arts administration & promotion business that works with individual artists & arts entities to pursue their artistic endeavors, and establish success in their artistic careers. “This is a huge step in the growth of Opportunity Arts,” said Mike Marriott, the company’s owner & founder. “Morgan & Sarah are going to help Opportunity Arts become what we will always strive to be, which is the best Arts Administration company in the world.” Opportunity Arts as a company can now assist artists with most aspects of their careers including, managing their social media, publicity, press relations, contract negotiations, business consulting, organizational management, creative-to-business connection, event production, sponsorship generation and fiscal sponsorship through the Opportunity Arts/Pentacle Partnership with New York City based Arts non-profit Pentacle. Earlier this year, Opportunity Arts opened a second office in Chicago to foster a pipeline into the city for Michigan based artists. Sarah Renee Sanders statement on joining the Opportunity Arts Front Office: "Joining Opportunity Arts as an artist has helped boost my creative career and has given me more experience artistically by allowing more time to create. However, by joining the front office, I feel I will truly be helping not only artists grow within their craft and see their truest value, but also helping bring back the arts industry in a time when it is needed most." Morgan Madden statement on joining the Opportunity Arts Front Office: “I am thrilled to join Opportunity Arts in establishing a foundation and infrastructure to equitably benefit artists of all media and disciplines. The Arts are so desperately necessary in increasingly anxious times; it is my privilege to be a part of sustaining both the Arts and the artists who add so much beauty to the world.” About the Artist: Sarah Renee Sanders is an occupational mixed media & visual artist. Not only is she known for her award-winning visual skills, adept understanding of multiple artistic mediums, but also her expertise in body art. Sarah is known for creating Lansing’s First Rated R Art Show “Horrors of Love” based off of Emotional and Mental Relationship Trauma that was exhibited on October 22nd and October 23rd of 2021. She also has been recognized for her creation of The Embodiment Project in May of 2021, and her Windows to Eden Collection and Partnership in Display with Apple Blossom Kombucha in early 2021 as well. She was featured as the Cover Artist of the Social Gap Experiment Anthology, a book by Melissa F. Kaelin, highlighting several artists' work of expression through the pandemic of 2020. In 2020, Sarah launched Contrasted Content, a public platform to showcase her upcoming projects and accomplishments. Contrast is a consistent theme within the basis of her work and has a deep meaning within the artist herself. In her words, “Contrast lies within every aspect of life, whether it be day and night, joy and sorrow, or love and hate. Contrasted Content’s purpose is to remind us that without the contradictions life brings us, balance wouldn’t exist.” Sarah has always believed in the healing properties that expression through art brings. She cultivates expression of all aspects of life through the work she creates. Sarah has been featured on several TV Publications including WLNS 6 News and The Power of Mid-Michigan Art on WLAJ ABC 53, Aired May 19th 2021. Sarah had released the Debut of her title as The Ace of Spades of the 4 Aces of Visual Arts with Opportunity Arts on May 13th, 2021. Originating from Mason MI, Sarah is a graduate of Lansing Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Arts Foundation and an Associate’s Degree in Art History. Sarah is not only an Opportunity Arts Affiliate, but she has won numerous awards and features including but not limited to: Top 5 Finalist in the Artist for City Pulse & Fox 47 Top of the Town Favorite Artist (2021), Winner of The 2017 Zimmerman Arts Fund Competition at Lansing Community College (May 2017), The Outstanding Performance of Excellence in Visual Arts from Mason Public Schools and the Mason City Council (May 18th 2015) , The Award of Excellence for outstanding performance and contribution to the 2014-2015 Art Gallery Exhibit & Celebration from Ingham Intermediate School District and Lansing Art Gallery (May 2014), The Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts from Mason High School (May 14th 2014), Featured Artist at Art Feast (2021), LCC Alumni Feature in The Lookout (2021), “The world needs art right now. Life needs art right now.” Sarah said. “Art gives people a voice to the creators and the viewers, no matter how young or old someone may be. Art impacts nearly every aspect of our life. Through Architecture, Advertising, Fashion, and Fine Arts and Entertainment. This is why it is so important to value our artists and the work they do. If the Arts Industry isn’t taken more seriously, we will see a serious fall of healthy expression and future societal growth. I’m here to be the best representation of that.” Morgan Madden is a spoken word artist, poet, lyricist, and the creator & founder of both Mad Man Poetics & the Rooted Reverence Art Festival. Born and raised in Mason, MI, Morgan is a second generation artist, and seventh generation Lansing resident. He released his first album “Qualifiers” in June of 2018. The album features Morgan’s poem “An Ode to the 517”, which has become an anthem for residents of Mid-Michigan. Morgan has collaborated with multiple local & national musical artists including “The Devil’s Cut”. He has also been featured on the Lansing Public Media Center’s City TV. Morgan has performed throughout the Capital City & beyond at venues such as REO Town Art Attack, The Poetry Room at The Robin Theatre, The Artist’s Umbrella at The Loft, the grand opening of The Fledge in Lansing, and the Lansing Brewing Company’s 2018 New Year’s Party. In 2019, Morgan got the opportunity to perform at the State Capital Building, the most recognizable symbol of the city he loves. More recently, Morgan’s work was published in the Poetry Anthology Book the Social Gap Experiment. He has performed as part of the “3 Kings” with poets Keyante Saxon & Torrey Gray, at Compose & Color with Keyante Saxon & Mila Lynn, on ABC television in “The Power of Mid-Michigan Arts”, and as a special feature at the Capital City Film Festival. Morgan is proud of his Lansing lineage, and of the contributions his family & ancestors have made on the city & the region. Through his art and creativity, Morgan is leaving his own indelible mark on Michigan’s Capital City, and The 517 as a whole. For more information on Opportunity Arts visit: www.opportunityarts.org |
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November 2022
CategoriesPast HeadlinesSeizing the Opportunity:
The Poetry Room with Masaki Takahashi becomes Opportunity Arts Affiliates. |
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