Park Trades Center & Beyond

January 2011

Park Trades Center & Beyond Artists of Kalamazoo County

Kalamazoo Artists In Residence • 2000-10

Colleagues and Creative Companions of Thomas Mills

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artists

These are my friends, my colleagues.

Their value to our community, to the world, is beyond measure.

Sculptures, Painters, Draftsmen/women, Printmakers, Ceramicists Woodworkers, Fabric Artists, Glassblowers, Metal Workers, Photographers... ...dedicated to friends who dare to dream, and live to create – bringing their dreams to life. – Thomas Mills

Pam Olheiser Sculptor 1950-2009

Jill Santucci Painter Chicago Area

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www.parktradescenter.com

Park Trades Center & Beyond Artists of Kalamazoo County

The Park Trades Center has stood for more than 100 years. Originally a manufacturing facility, today it houses a large creative community of artists, artisans, designers, entrepreneurs and small business men and women. It’s a place of ingenuity and it’s always growing, changing and seeking ways to tie the cultural synergy occurring inside to the Kalamazoo community and beyond.

The building now includes a small gallery (Saniwax), and, in addition to its contingent of resident emerging and established artists, it is also home to Kalamazoo College art students, the entire art faculty from Western Michigan University, and two nonprofit guilds; West Michigan Glass Society and the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center.

WH WHY RECOGNIZE THESE

WHY? INDIVIDUALS?

They either were, or presently are, part of an amazing collective of creative professionals and emerging artists all working reclusively, collaboartively and, most importantly...

independently – and have been responsible for some of the most inventive and creative work being done between Detroit and Chicago.

diversity, culture, they+(impact) contributions ...COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

Five

W These are my friends, my colleagues.

spirit, commitment, they+(care) dedication ...ENOUGH TO TRY NEW IDEAS.

Michelle Zorich Metalworker • Things of Steel

Mary Brodbeck Printmaker

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo

WHY? Seven

W

These are my friends, my colleagues.

talent, drive, wond they+(share) curiosity ...OF THEMSELVES,

der,

W hy?

These people are more than friends and creative colleagues. All are among the first contacts I made on joining the Park Trades Center community.

Simply stated, they make a difference in the lives

Judith Konesni Glassblower

of others. All explore new ideas in creating artwork for themselves, as well as for others to own and enjoy.

West Michigan Glass Society/PTC They are also the first to help, to join in, to make an effort, to support a new idea.

WHY?

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W

These are my friends, my colleagues.

vision, expertise, they+(endorse) initiative ...COLLABORATION,

Pam, Kim, Michelle, Mary, Judy, Dennis, Elaine, Sy, Kim and I (Thomas)...(others; Randy Walker, Christina Smith...not photographed).

...the first echelon of artists to step forward

Dennis Dahl Woodworker/Cabinetmaker Homestead Furniture/PTC

and make a commitment to each other, to the creative community of artists and artisans with whom we shared (and continue to share) creative space (working studios).

I hope this publication will be the first of several, for there are now, many others who have joined the ranks of artists working from the Park Tardes Center, and/or have moved on to affect the world in positive and creative ways.

WHY?

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W

These are my friends, my colleagues.

intuitive, thoughtful, they+(support) innovative ...EACH OTHER,

Beyond opening working studios to the community-atlarge, they found time to join each other for informal, supportive gatherings; Thirst Friday (on the loading dock each month), Soft Critiques and Video Nights.

Elaine Kaufman Fabric Artist

Forming an artists’ association within the building, we organized annual events around the two building-

Elaine K. Design • The Sewing Lounge/PTC wide open houses; a VIP pre-party in the fall and a Progressive party (for the artists’ themselves from 50+ studios). All designed to encourage and support the gathering of creative minds and free spirits. We’ve also ogrganized and staged group shows at several venues in Michigan.

HY?

W

Thirteen

These are my friends, my colleagues.

experienced, driven, they+(nurture) passionate ...CREATIVITY AND EXPLORATION,

These are the few who have rolled up their sleeves and asked what they can do, rather than why, or why me?

I salute those who continue to create through good times and bad, who endeavor to persevere and

Sy Ellens Painter

willingly share their artwork with others, with no promise of financial return.

Ellens Studio/PTC

Indomitable spirits. The courage to create. These are the artists among us.

WHY Thirteen

W

These are my friends, my colleagues.

solitary, open, unique, they+(epitomize) honest ...SELF EXPRESSION.

HY?

Kim Clark Glass Artist Kalamazoo

This is just a start.

There are so many to identify, to credit with the successes, the long-term viability and impact the artspace movement (and the artists themselves) has made on our country over the past 50 years.

In Kalamazoo, credit John Thingstad (principal behind the Park Trades Center/PTC), Lesa Sanchez and the PTC staff on behalf of the artists they’ve supported in so many ways. To Kalamazoo (a not-so fictitious place), and all U.S cities fortunate enough to have a similar facility...I hope you understand and appreciate the value of your artspace and the artists who create among you.

Finis

Park Trades Center & Beyond Artists of Kalamazoo County

Thank you!... ...for taking time to look through this document, and to consider the inherent value artists bring to the world and to you (yourself), your family, friends and children.

Today, the Park Trades Center continues to offer affordable, urban studio spaces for emerging and established artists. In future volumes of Park Trades Center & Beyond, I will introduce you to additional artists who make a mark on society (and each other) from this essential and highly influential artspace...

Thomas Mills, President MillsIdeas, llc An innovation center and think tank.

Subsidiaries: Thomas Mills & Associates (Design, Marketing, Branding) Studio 721 (Fine Art Studio) Mills Gaming Systems Altruis (Nonprofit Marketing & Visual Communications) thomas@millsideas.com (269) 203.5400

...Sara Strong-Glubker, Kim Maguire-Gualtieri, Randy Walker, Gordon Boardman, Garrylee McCormick, Mike Dzialowski, Patrick Smith, Gary Cialdella, Tom Schillaci, Ray Turner and many others...

I’d also like to expand this series to showcase and introduce you to the work of these talented creators as well.

Etcetera: Saniwax Gallery identity – Thomas Mills Park Trades Center identity – Thomas Mills Photography (artists) – Thomas Mills Park Trades Center & Beyond (design) – Thomas Mills

CONTACT

millsideas.com