Archive: Around Town

For the third year the East Shore Festival Of The Arts (ESFOTA) is gearing up to take over the Lansing Town Hall and Lansing Community Library.  The grand opening has become a must-go event in Lansing, and the art, music, and activities for this year's gala event are already being lined up.  Organizer Robin Schuttenberg says this year the judging will be stricter, and the May 11 opening promises to be a great time.

"It's going to be a big opening," she says.  "I'm hoping to show about 30 or 35 artists this year, probably closer to 30.  That seemed to be just right.  We're going to be a little more selective about what we bring into the show this year.  We may have fewer pieces to hang, but we want to make sure we have good quality work on the walls."

In its first two years The Community Arts Partnership granted funding of about $900 years the first year, and about $1,200 last year.  This year they aren't awarding any money to ESFOTA.  Enter the Lansing Community Council, which has committed to a matching grant of $600, making a total of $1,200 to make up that loss if ESFOTA volunteers can raise $600 in the community.  A letter will be sent out asking for donations by local businesses and organizations, and individual donations will also be welcomed.


The opening will feature returning favorites including The Bob Keefe Trio in the courtroom.  Schuttenberg says that a big draw has been Jay Dietershagen's hors d'oeuvres from Crossroads Bar & Grill, and he is slated to be back again this year as well.  She is hoping to have a wine tasting again this year.  New this year is harpist Lisa Craig Fenwick, who will play in the Lansing Community Library art gallery on the ground floor.

Last year jigsaw puzzles made out of Lansing historical photographs were a big hit at the show.  Schuttenberg says they will be back with two new historical photographs, one using a piece of art from this year's show, and one of Lansing's more recent history.  The puzzles from last year were donated to the Lansing Historical Society to be used during programs for children at the Field School House.

In past years the opening featured artists making art in the courtroom for the first shows, and this year she is hoping to have paper artist Ed Schulman.

"He is an amazing paper artist," she says.  "He designs whole train sets made out of paper.  He designs pop out cards and things like that for businesses.  It's not 100% yet that he will come, but I am hoping he will sculpt either the lighthouse or the log cabin for us.  he not only designs them, but makes them into a kit so tat people can bring them home and make one for themselves."


Also new this year is an artist's market in the Town Hall to be held the day after the opening.  The artists who participate in the art show are invited to come back the following day to sell their work from the show or other work, or more commercial items like art cards, jewelry, and things like that so that the people who see their work can see another aspect of their work.

The real star of the show, of course, is the art.  Last year the show featured 108 pieces by 35 local artists.  This year Shuttenberg hopes to show at least 30 artists.

"We're going to be looking for a slightly higher quality of work," she says.  "One of the other issues we had last year was that some of the pieces were so poorly framed it was difficult to hang them.  If something comes in and the framing is so bad that it detracts from the paintings around it or itself, we're not going to hang it."

A closing ceremony is also planned for July 21st.  That will coincide with the Lansing Farmer's Market, in front of the Town Hall that Saturday morning.

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