Back in December, some wonderful artists got together to create a popup art gallery in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The goal was to have this storefront available through the holidays and wrap it up shortly after the new year. But it was so successful that we decided to keep it going!

The Makeshift Gallery is located at 407 E Liberty St. in downtown Ann Arbor. Hours of operation are 11:00am to 6:00pm Wed-Sun. See work from about a dozen local independent artists working in a variety of mediums, from pottery and mixed media to photography and watercolor. But especially, see work from me, Cherie!

In addition to being open every day, a number of special events are being held at the space! Talk with artists, see artmaking demonstrations, and more.

Salon Series: Ceramics – 2 Ways

Thursday, Feb. 2, 4-5+pm
Margo West’s Westware cups, teapots, butter dishes and other household items are popular A2 traditions. Pamela Day’s otherworldly mini-sculptures are at the other end of the ceramic spectrum. The two demonstrate their very distinct ways of doing what they do.

Salon Series: Wood & Glass

Thursday, Feb 9, 4-5+pm
Erik Blom has spent a lifetime making beautiful wooden bowls and carved sculptures with stunning finishes. Suzan Sachs’ finely cut molecularly-bonded glassware and sculptures are wildly different. Each demonstrates and explains their unique techniques.

Salon Series: New Ways to do Old Things

Thursday, Feb. 16, 4-5+pm
Popular A2 musicians, Cheryl Dawdy (The Chenille Sisters), and Dick Siegel are at the avant-garde of new ideas in the creation of their art. In Cheryl’s colorful collages, she explores non-toxic washes, adhesives and new image transfer ideas. Dick’s vivid, colorful photographic images on metal combine photo-realism with the feel of modern Art Deco. They’ll share the twists and turns in making their creations.

Salon Series: Michigan as Art

Thursday, Feb 23, 4-5+pm
Well-known artists in diverse media: Painter, John Copley, and photographer, Jack Kenny, reveal two ways to portray rural Michigan. John’s graphic, acrylic interpretations of MI farmhouses, barns and landscapes, and Jack’s “Street Photography” developed thru decades documenting Cuba’s buildings and people will be discussed and compared.

Sunday Salon Series

Sunday. Feb 5
Sunday Salon: Coffee, Tea & Croissants, 11am-1+pm. The first of a weekly “Brunch Alternative,” introduces what used to be called a “salon”, where artists and friends shared new work, ideas, songs, poems and surprise presentations. As many Gallery artists are also musicians, informal music will be accompanied by planned and impromptu events. This week includes Chris Hippler, who casts silver and gold jewelry from real honeybees. He’ll share his ancient techniques – and passion for honeybees. Donations for Refreshments Accepted.

Sunday. Feb 12
Sunday Salon: Coffee, Tea & Croissants, 11am-1+pm: Today’s Salon is in a musical vein, with the “soft launch” of A2’s folk legend (North Country Opera) Jay Stielstra’s, first novel, “Meet Me by the River”. There will be readings, and Jay will autograph copies; including his ‘Heaven for Me” songbook, too. Some musical friends will perform their favorite Stielstra songs. Other gallery writers will also be signing their books. Donations for Refreshments Accepted.

Sunday, Feb 19
Sunday Salon: Coffee, Tea & Croissants, 11am-1+pm: Photographer John Lloyd, like many of the Gallery artists, is also a musician. He and members of his band, “Nutshell”, will perform their Celtic-style music. Informal events will feature readings by local poets, including Sue Budin’s, new book “False Borders”. Donations for Refreshments Accepted.

Sunday Feb 23
Sunday Salon: Coffee, Tea & Croissants, 11am -1+pm: Cheryl Dawdy (the high voice in the Chenille Sisters) will Introduce “Reconstructed Landscapes”, her upcoming book of collage art, poetry and song lyrics; and also demonstrate a few techniques she developed in creating them. Cheryl and some musical friends may also perform some of her well-known, as well as her lesser-known songs. Donations for Refreshments Accepted.

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More information about Catch-Us-While-You-Can – A Makeshift Gallery can be found at www.cheryldawdy.com.