Archive: Arts & Entertainment

The Lansing town Hall was open Friday evening for the opening of 'Another Day in Paradise', an exhibit of local and not so local wildlife, landscapes and cityscapes by Lansing photographer Sarah Thomson.  Thomson, who owns the Grey Barn rental house in Lansing, has been taking pictures for years.  She began offering them to the public nearly five years ago.  Her current exhibit features 55 photographs, most taken in and around Lansing.

"I tried to keep this exhibit local, but I couldn't resist throwing in some of my other special places like Arizona and Chicago," Thomson says.  I may have one of Australia.  But most of it is to pay tribute to where we are.  That's here and its beautiful."

Thomson says she has been taking pictures since she was in middle school, documenting events and things she sees.  Four years ago she began hosting a craft fair at the Grey Barn that features local artists and artisans works including shirts, tiles, fabric art jewelry, ceramics, painting, and photography.  She began showing her work there.

"I focus mostly on nature and color.  I'm a color addict.  You never know what's going to make your brain do its thing.   Whatever that is I always have to stop and go back and take the picture.  Otherwise I feel frustrated."


Most of the pictures featured are local with some stunning shots of birds.  Thomson says these pictures came from an attempt to identify the birds when she came to the area.

"I went through a period of trying to figure out what the birds were around here.  I spent a fair amount of time taking pictures of birds.  Down at the lake you just can't help taking pictures of the birds... the osprey that are there and lots of other birds and wildlife."

Thomson says the pictures represent an appreciation for what is around her.  While many of the shots are of wildlife, others depict what she calls 'her places' including Arizona and Chicago.


"I have a passion for the places that they represent, so it's more the places that they are than the pictures that they are," she says.  "It's hard for me to pick a favorite place or a favorite picture."

Another Day in Paradise' will be on display at the Lansing Town Hall during normal hours and the photographs will be for sale until October 15th.  Thomson says organizer Robin Schuttenberg hopes to have new exhibits at the Town Hall every month.  Schuttenberg also organizes the East Shore Festival of the Arts, which is also displayed in the Town Hall and Lansing Community Library.

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