Residents ‘roam’ to enjoy local art
Posted May 21, 2008
Standing at a table inside East Lake Builders on Military Street in Port Huron, Chris Noetzel stamped a yellow passport booklet.
“Welcome to Australia!” she said.
“Thank you,” said the visitors, a middle-aged couple who were in the architect’s building Saturday to check out locally made sights and sounds during the third annual Renaissance: Roam the Globe event in downtown Port Huron.
The event was a fund-raiser for Studio 1219, the arts incubator at 1219 Military St., Port Huron. Organizers sold 800 $10 tickets.
“I’ve never seen so many people who wanted to look at art this time of day,” Noetzel said, as sun streamed through the windows facing the street. Behind her, families, couples and individuals talked with artists, listened to music and enjoyed glasses of wine.
Next door, in Roger Hansel’s studio, Ann and Grant Hill of Sarnia were enjoying the photography of George McInnis and the 3-D sculpture and reclamation art of Hansel.
“We’re going to do as many stops as we possibly can,” Ann said. A trolley took guests between the six “ports of call.”
“It’s a great blend of art, music and a little wine,” Grant said.
He said he enjoyed seeing the inside of the renovated buildings.
“It’s nice to see things coming back here, being rejuvenated and reused.”
One of Studio 1219’s missions is to be a catalyst for economic growth in the area, according to its Web site.
Although the intent of the evening was one of business—its purpose was to raise money for the studio and provide exposure for local artists—there was a party atmosphere at the ports of call, such as New Orleans in the former Harris House building on Huron Avenue, and Hamburg, Germany, in the Haynes’ building at the corner of Military and Water streets.
Male volunteers in “Hamburg” wore vests that read “Kiss me, I’m German;” women wore flowers in their hair. Guests could get a glass of beer and a handful of pretzels at the snack table to enjoy while admiring works of art.
“It’s absolutely wonderful to see people out and supporting the arts,” said Sue Andrews, who displayed fabric jackets at the Hamburg stop.
Male volunteers in “Hamburg” wore vests that read “Kiss me, I’m German;” women wore flowers in their hair. Guests could get a glass of beer and a handful of pretzels at the snack table to enjoy while admiring works of art.
“It’s absolutely wonderful to see people out and supporting the arts,” said Sue Andrews, who displayed fabric jackets at the Hamburg stop.
Image Caption: WORLD OF ART: Judy Hubbel of Lexington reads Croswell artist Dawn Franzel’s biography above an acrylic painting of hers titled “Tears in Vein” on Saturday at the New Orleans stop inside the former Harris House, 219 Huron Ave., during the Renaissance: Roam The Globe. (By MELISSA WAWZYSKO, Times Herald)
Story was originally printed in the Port Huron Times Herald on Sunday, May 18, 2008 by Nicole Gerring