The exhibit “Art & Nature in Michigan,” featuring the multimedia creations of Gwen
Frostic, has debuted and will run through Saturday, May 6, in the Fine Art Gallery
at Ferris State University.
The works of a highly-regarded Northern Michigan artist went debuted on Monday, April 3, as Ferris State University’s Fine Art Gallery welcomed “Art & Nature in Michigan,” featuring the multimedia creations of Gwen Frostic. The exhibit runs through Saturday, May 6.
Professor Rachel Foulk is providing an experiential learning opportunity for students in her Art History 325/Women and Art class, as she is co-curator with Gallery Director Carrie Weis.
“It was a great project for these students to do research they knew would be publicly displayed for an assured audience,” Foulk said. “Gwen Frostic was a trailblazer in creating a business and making art that explores the natural wonders of Michigan. Her artistic vision still resonates decades after she has passed away.”
Frostic was a lifelong Michigan resident and businesswoman born in 1906 who had success as an author, illustrator and artist, taking her skills from the Detroit area to northwest Lower Michigan in 1960. Then, she continued her creative process until her 2001 death. She received an Honorary Doctorate from Ferris in 1985.
Also contributing to the presentation in the gallery are students in Ferris’ Design 320, Branding Experiences II course, taught by Alison Popp, an associate professor.
“These are students who are juniors in our program, building their abilities before their Design Project Center experience and coursework,” Popp said. “Carrie and Rachel are essentially this classes’ clients. The students have had weekly meetings regarding the production of social media content for the exhibit and face-to-face sessions with Graphic Media Management students, who produced printed materials for the presentation.”
Popp said this was an exciting process to oversee and the students have also been very engaged while learning about an iconic member of women’s history in Michigan.
“They were excited to learn about Frostic and her story,” Popp said. “With what she could do in terms of innovation in printing and her environmental themes, Frostic remains an important artist today.”
Weis said the gallery welcomes the entire collaborative team and the public to a reception on Thursday, April 20, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., where the contributors will explain their part in this process.
“Gwen Frostic is one of the most successful artist-businesswomen our state enjoys. Her success and reputation are legendary,” Weis said. “She was able to market functional pieces like stationery and prints to a receptive audience, and her base of operations in Benzonia is still in operation and remains an impactful resource. That is a very telling fact about her talent and excellence.”
The Fine Art Gallery is in Room 205 of the David L. Eisler Center, with a schedule of open hours every day but Sundays, with special hours for the university’s mid-semester recess. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Parking is available in Lot 1, between the Eisler Center and North Hall.