STUDIO 23 / The ART CENTER • New Executive Director Sculpts an Inclusive Vision

 “I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream,” is one of painter Vincent Van Gogh’s more memorable quotes, capturing perfectly his imaginative approach to art.

This same sentiment can be equally applied to Studio 23/The Arts Center, which is truly one of our region’s unique and pivotal art galleries devoted to inspiring the Great Lakes Bay community through visual arts and education. Since its inception this inspired creation has provided a diverse range of art education, fostering an inclusive and collaborative arts community that nurtures curiosity and creativity by creating a welcoming arts center for all who populate the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Beginning as a grassroots arts organization run completely by volunteers dedicated to bringing creative artistry to the region, after establishing itself as a nonprofit organization in 1959 its first home was on the second floor of the Weiland Furniture Store, with the gallery’s name originating from the store’s location on U.S. 23.

Its growth is an intriguing tale itself. In 1989, Bay City manager David Barnes invited Studio 23 to use three rooms on the top floor of Bay City Hall, with a telephone line and membership list generously provided by the Bay Arts Council. Because of limited space and building restrictions, classes and special events could not be held. Despite these limitations, Studio 23 continued to provide arts to the region, with ten exhibits a year for the next seven years.

Things changed dramatically with the arrival of  Peg and Paul Rowley, who joined the board of directors and brought with them a new vision for Studio 23. The Jennison Hardware building was being renovated into condos, and the first floor of the building became available in 1997. As investors in the Jennison project, the Rowleys came to then-board president Charlie Schwartz to help gain board approval for the move and the fundraising involved.

With the board voting in favor of the move, when asked how much the Studio could afford to spend on a down payment, Schwartz negotiated the payment with twenty dollars that he had in his pocket. With the Rowleys’ acceptance, plans for renovation began. With a lofty fundraising goal of $500,000 and an endowment fund through the Bay Area Community Foundation, Studio 23 was able to open its doors quickly. This permanent home permitted classes and special events to resume, allowing Studio 23 to continue its mission of making the arts relevant and accessible to all.

Studio 23 was also able to raise funds to renovate its gallery and classrooms again in 2019, adding a classroom to accommodate growing enrollments. In the years since, Studio 23 has expanded its programming from just seven to twenty-eight programs and growing, while introducing and expanding its Artist Collective to offer professional development, networking, and exhibition opportunities to local artists throughout the region. In 2021, Studio 23 began an artist-in-residence program that offers funding and an exhibition at the Studio to the artists selected.

Studio 23 also continues to bring art to the community through public art installations and community events, which brings it to the point it is at today, with the arrival of a new Director committed to building upon the legacy and foundation of this jewel designed for cultivating and showcasing creativity.

New Director, Fresh Vision

Two months ago Studio 23The Arts Center appointed Scott Rittenberry as its new Executive Director. Scott brings over 14 years of non-profit arts experience to this 65-year old institution, having previously served as a fund development, grants writer, and events manager for TempleArts, overseeing operations for both The Temple Theatre in Saginaw and the Saginaw Art Museum & Gardens.

Rittenberry holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a marketing focus from Northwood University and two associate degrees from Delta College. During his tenure at TempleArts, his notable achievements included administering the Shine Bright Saginaw Silo Mural Project, which created one of the largest murals in the United States along the Saginaw Riverfront.

While this project began with an initial $50,000 public fundraising goal and a later stated project cost of $750,000, the total amount of private funding, including donations from individuals and corporations, exceeded an impressive $900,000.  Scott’s extensive background in arts administration also includes nine years managing the Japanese Cultural Center Tea House & Gardens of Saginaw, as well as serving as site supervisor at the Andersen Enrichment Center.

When asked how he plans to utilize his experiences absorbed at the Saginaw Art Museum and Japanese Tea House for navigating future growth at Studio23/The Arts Center as its new Executive Director, he references an approach similar to VanGogh’s of giving shape, form and texture to the dream of amplifying creative partnerships and increased visibility.

“I’m truly thrilled and excited to become part of Studio 23 and the vibrant Bay City community, and hope to position Studio23/The Arts Center among the finest arts and cultural institutions in the Great Lakes Bay Region through creating more partnerships with other cultural arts groups and organizations throughout the region in order to engage more involvement and attraction towards all our endeavors,” he explains.

"A difference between Studio 23 and The Saginaw Art Museum is that The Arts Center is not a museum, it’s an art gallery and educational center for learning how to sculpt and paint. We don’t have a permanent collection of paintings and sculptures that we curate, but instead are focused upon serving as a gallery to showcase and sell the works of State and regional artists while also teaching and mentoring people about how to create their own art, so one of my goals is to partner more with more entities like schools, Colleges and Universities, arts and culture non-profits, and businesses. These partnerships will allow us to creatively develop special programming and events, attracting a wider spectrum of people. I always think back to the way Pit & Balcony, Saginaw Choral Society, and the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra partnered together a few years ago on the production of Amadeus and how impactful a partnership that was.”

“I view my role as managing art as a commodity to benefit the artists whose works we showcase, while also fostering a deeper appreciation for creativity and engagement towards the affordable educational opportunities we offer,” he continues.  “Bay City has such a vibrant downtown and so many diverse public spaces that I’m still discovering, which I think opens a lot of creative opportunity to expand our reach beyond our own physical walls.”

One of the people helping Scott advance these goals is Curator of Education, Misty Coss. Born and raised in Bay City, Misty has a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design and an Associate’s Degree in Art & Design and has been working in the Great Lakes Bay art community for over eight years.

“We offer classes that primarily focus upon sculpting and drawing, but also include other disciplines; and interest has continuously grown since my involvement here at Studio23/The Arts Center,” she explains. “Right now we are offering a Fundamentals of Drawing class with Julie Tyslicky on Thursdays from 11:30 - 2:30 AM through December 18^th; Color Theory with Kaylyn Inda that is also on Thursdays from 6:00 - 9:00 PM that also runs through December 18th, along with Clay Sculpting classes available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. Classes are also available in Watercolor and Color Pencil, plus Youth Teen Classes taught after school for kids who want to learn about design elements, art history, or develop their drawing or sculpting skills.”

Painting classes are also offered for advanced students with instructor Debra LeRocque on Tuesdays from 11:30 am - 2:30 PM through December 23^rd,  and an exceptional Masters of Drawing class with celebrated Midland-based artist Armin Mersmann is currently going on Monday evenings from 6 to 9 PM that allows artists with a solid drawing foundation to refine their skills.

As for gallery exhibitions, currently you can catch 50 Artists of the Great Lakes Bay Region. This biennial exhibition features the works of 50 artists selected by a jury of experts in visual art and community leaders from the region. Each artist is featured in the Rowley Gallery of Studio 23 and is on display through November 29^th.

In terms of public exhibitions without boundaries, Studio 23/The Arts Center is also currently staging Art Around the City, which features an additional piece of art from each of the 50 artists featured in the biennial exhibition that is reproduced on a metal plaque and installed as a part of an outdoor exhibition that can be viewed in Downtown Bay City, Uptown Bay City, Veteran’s Park, and Bigelow Park around the Bay City Riverwalk Loop trail. Each artist has their artwork reproduced on a metal plate, accompanied by information about the artist.

Last but certainly not least is Studio 23’s Visiting Artist Program, which is current featuring at exhibition featuring the work of Doug Cannell through November 22^nd. This award-winning sculptor whose works have been exhibited in museums and art galleries throughout the United States was born in Detroit, earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Wayne State University, and now works from his studio, a former stamping plant in Highland Park, Michigan. In addition to his sculpture practice, he teaches at the College for Creative Studies. He began by working predominantly in clay, but in the early 1990s began using steel as the basis for his artwork. Often made of rusted, reclaimed steel, his work is punctuated with other materials like shiny stainless steel, wood, clay, copper, encaustic, and rubber. Since 2019, Cannell has focused on wood as a medium for sculpture. His work is distinguished by his use of contrasting materials, textures, and the juxtaposition of the organic and the industrial. Cannell’s artwork is also informed by his work as a graphic designer, a field in which he has worked steadily since 1985.

The mission of the Studio 23 Visiting Artist Program, through selection of an annual visiting artist, is to enhance the experience of art for our community via exposure to a greater diversity of artists, art media, and artistic styles, and is made possible through the C Joanne Grabinski Visiting Artist Fund.

Other upcoming notable events at Studio23/The Arts Center happening on Friday, Nov. 14^th include a Calligraphy Wreath Workshop with Angela Griebe from 11 am - 1 pm, Upcycled Brush Ornaments with Allise Noble from 2:30 - 4:30 pm, followed by the Studio 23 Holiday Market from noon to 7 PM, which is. free event open to the public. December events include such fun and engaging topics as Paint Your Pet, Winter Watercolor Postcards, Figure Drawing, and Folk Ornaments.

Studio 23/The Arts Center is located at 901 N. Water Street in Downtown Bay City. Hours are 11 am to 6 Pm Tuesday through Saturday. To sign up for classes or find more information phone them at 989-894-2323 or check out their website and facebook pages.