Alberta house arts center

217 ferris street

sault ste. marie, mi 49783

906-635-1312

Tuesday 1 — BEYOND BORDERS presents Sahra Featherstone

at Loplops Gallery and Lounge, 651 Queen Street East in Sault,

Ont., 9 p.m.

Wednesday 2 — THE LE SAULT ARTISTS GUILD MEETS at

noon at the home of Mary Stroba, 1707 Superior Street. Members

should bring sack lunches, cameras and sketching or painting sup-

plies.

LOPLOPS presents Jazz and Tapas Night. 9 p.m. See June 1.

KALE MATTSON WITH THE PAPERBACKS will be perform-

ing at Foggy Notions in Sault, Ont. (705-575-0152)

LADIES SING THE BLUES live at the Water Tower Inn in Sault,

Ont., 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. (360 Great Northern Road)

Thursday 3 — WHITE PINES ON STAGE and the Art Gallery of Al-

goma present an evening of poetry and song. Art Gallery of Al-

goma, 7 to 9 p.m.

Friday 4 — MEET-THE-ARTISTS RECEPTION for William Ger-

rish and Jeremy Ripley. Alberta House, 7 to 9 p.m. See “Fish

Stories and Other Works”, pp 3 & 4.

TOPS AND THE TEMPTATIONS. Dream Makers Theatre. 7

p.m. $48.50. 1-800-kewadin.

BEYOND BORDERS PRESENTS Miss Quincy Sideshow. See

June 1.

BOTTOMS UP LOUNGE PRESENTS Tyson Hanes & Kyle

Riel. 9 p.m. 280 Queen Street East, 2nd floor.

Saturday 5 — SWEET ADELINES AND NORTHLAND CHO-

RUS. Soo Theatre Project Benefit. 7:30 p.m. Soo Theatre.

(Continued on page 2)

ALBERTA HOUSE NEWS

June 2010 Volume 2010 Issue 6

EVENTS 1 to 4

EXHIBITS 4 to 7

WORKSHOPS 8

FEATURED

ARTIST

9 &

10

ARTISTIC

OPPORTUNITIES

12

NEWS & NOTES 13

SUBSCRIPTION

INFORMATION

14

Inside this issue:

JUNE EVENTS

Website: http://www.saultarts.org e-mail: saac@saultarts.org

Coneflowers in stained glass

by Phyllis Bigelow. See p. 9.

WATER TOWER INN presents Craig

West Band. 9 p.m. See June 2.

Sunday 6—EASTERN UPPER Peninsula

Crafrtsmen meet at the home of Kyung

and Ken Hatfield for potluck dinner and

business meeting.

INTERNATIONAL IDOL, 4:30 p.m. at

the Soo Theatre. See “ARTISTIC OP-

PORTUNITIES”, p. 12, for details.

Tuesday 8 — FILM@Bayliss: Only When

I Dance. (2009 Documentary from Bra-

zil). 6:30 p.m. Free to adult audiences.

Wednesday 9 — PIRATE BOAT CRUISE.

Fund raiser for the Soo Theatre Project.

Pirate performance, cruise, pirate pizza,

more. Limited to 150 so buy tickets

early—$12/8. See “NEWS & NOTES”, p.

13, for details.

SAULT THEATRE WORKSHOP:

“Jenny’s House of Joy”, a comedy by

Norm Foster, directed by Chris Horse-

pool. The story of four women who work

in a brothel in Baxter Springs, Kansas in

the year 1871. A serious play with a

comic bent—companion piece to Outlaw.

Studio Theater, 121 Pittsburgh Avenue in

Sault, Ont. 8 p.m. $18/16/5. Cast in-

cludes Lorilee Matheson, Sonya Os-

trowski-Masotti, Scarlett Marenger, Kim

C y r a n d L i n d a D u n n .

www.saulttheatre.com. 705-946-4081 or

705-946-4513.

RUSTY MC CARTHY AND DIRTY

RIVER BLUES BAND live at the Water

Tower Inn. See June 2.

Thursday 10—BEYOND BORDERS PRE-

SENTS The Dead Letters. See June 1.

(Continued from page 1)

Page 2 ALBERTA HOUSE NEWS

EVENTS—CONTINUED

JENNY’S HOUSE OF JOY. See June 9.

Friday 11—BEYOND BORDERS PRE-

SENTS Joshua Cockerill with Dan Ko-

sub. See June 1.

JENNY’S HOUSE OF JOY. See June 9.

Saturday 12—CREATIVE ENDEAVORS

meets at the Bayliss Library from 10 a.m.

to noon.

WATER TOWER INN PRESENTS Buf-

falo Alice from 9 p.m. to midnight. See

June 2.

BOTTOMS UP LOUNGE presents Jim

O’Leary. See June 4.

JENNY’S HOUSE OF JOY. See June 9.

Sunday 13—MUSICFEST XVI: Bratwurst,

Beer and Beethoven. Sault Symphony

bonanza. Roberta Bondar Pavilion in

Sault, Ont., noon to sunset.

INTERNATIONAL IDOL. See June 6.

BEYOND BORDERS presents The Li-

brary Voices with Greg MacPherson.

See June 1.

JENNY’S HOUSE OF JOY. 2 p.m. mati-

nee. See June 9.

Monday 14—STEAMY BEAN presents

Blackwater at 8 p.m. 537 Great Northern

Road in Sault, Ont.

Tuesday 15—SAAC BOARD MEETS in Al-

berta House at 7 p.m.

STEAMY BEAN presents Blackwater

at 8 p.m. See June 13.

Wednesday 16—MUSIC IN THE SOO

LOCKS PARK: STARS. 7 p.m. Bring a

chair or blanket to sit on. No charge.

AL DAVIS, live at the Water Tower Inn.

8:30 to 11:30 p.m. See June 2.

LOPLOPS PRESENTS JAZZ AND

TAPAS NIGHT. 9 p.m. See June 1.

Thursday 17—BEYOND BORDERS pre-

sents Folkstar Vegabonds. See June

1.

Friday 18 — QUONTA ONE ACT PLAY

Festival. Studio Theater, 121 Pitts-

burgh Avenue in Sault, Ont. $15 each

night. See “NEWS & NOTES”, p. 13, for

details.

Saturday 19—QUONTA ONE ACT PLAY

FESTIVAL. See June 18.

WATER TOWER INN PRESENTS 4

Way Stop. 9 p.m. to midnight. See June

2.

BEYOND BORDERS PRESENTS The

Sunparlour Players. See June 1.

RICHARD KIM STUDIO DANCE

PERFORMANCE. Kiwanis Community

Theater Center in Sault, Ont. Show 1

starts at 7 p.m. Tickets at the Station

Mall Box Office.

Sunday 20—INTERNATIONAL IDOL.

See June 6

RICHARD KIM STUDIO DANCE

PERFORMANCE, Show 2. 2 p.m. See

June 19.

Monday 21—BEYOND BORDERS PRE-

SENTS POP Montreal with Jane Vain

and Valleys. See June 1.

Tuesday 22—CREATIVE ENDEAVORS

MEETS at the Bayliss Library from noon

to 2 p.m.

Wednesday 23—MUSIC IN THE SOO

LOCKS PARK: No Strings Attached.

7 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

(Continued from page 2)

Page 3 ALBERTA HOUSE NEWS

EVENTS—CONTINUED

No charge.

LOPLOPS PRESENTS JAZZ AND

TAPAS NIGHT. See June 1.

RUSTY McCARTHY AND THE McBLU-

EZZ EXPRESS. Water Tower Inn, 8:30 to

11:30 p.m. See June 2.

Thursday 24—CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN.

Chippewa Theater Guild production at the

Strahl Theater. 7 p.m. $12/9/6. See

“NEWS & NOTE”, p. 13, for more informa-

tion.

KITTY DONOHOE CONCERT at the

Bayliss Library. 7 p.m. See “NEWS &

NOTES”, p 13 .

LOPLOPS PRESENTS The Wild Tur-

keys and Big Wheel and the Spokes. 9

p.m. See June 1.

SAULT ONTARIO PUBLIC LIBRARY

presents Library Writer’s Night, with

local poet Jenna Schmitt, who has released

a new poetry book and has been published

in numerous literary journals across Can-

ada. 7 p.m.

Friday 25—ALICE IN WONDERLAND.

STARS Musical Theater Camp Perform-

ance. Soo Theatre, 7 p.m. $5.

ENGINEERS’ DAY. Soo Locks.

BEYOND BORDERS PRESENTS Boys

Who Say No with Kalle Mattson. See

June 1.

BOTTOMS UP PRESENTS Buffalo Al-

ice at 9 p.m. See June 4.

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. See June

24.

Saturday 26—TESLA. Dream Makers Thea-

tre. 7 p.m. $38.50. 1-800-kewadin.

CHIPPEWA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 115 Ash-

mun. Open Mon. thru Fri., 1 to 4 p.m. 635-7082.

American Café booth ● Soo Line Train display

Then and Now: The Changing Face of Sault Ste. Marie

photography exhibit

WATER TOWER INN PRESENTS Five

Below Zero. 9 p.m. to midnight. See

June 2.

BEYOND BORDERS PRESENTS Mini

Mansions. See June 1.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND. See June

25.

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. See June

24.

INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE WALK. 9

a.m. Begin at the Norris Center.

Sunday 27—INTERNATIONAL IDOL.

See June 6

DENNIS HALE, survivor of the 1966

Daniel J. Morrell freighter sinking, will

speak about his experiences and his new

book, Shipwrecked: Reflections of the Sole

Survivor. Bayliss Library, 7 p.m. The

book will be available for purchase and

signing.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND. 2 p.m. See

June 25.

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. 2 p.m.

See June 24.

Wednesday 30—MUSIC IN THE SOO

LOCKS PARK: Pub Runners. 7 p.m.

Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. No

charge.

LOPLOPS LOUNGE PRESENTS JAZZ

AND TAPAS NIGHT, and Exhibition

opening with Kyla Smith. 9 p.m. See

June 1.

RUSTY McCARTHY AND THE DIRTY

RIVER BLUES BAND live at the Water

Tower Inn, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. See June 2.

(Continued from page 3)

School

Art

—

in A

lbert

a

Hou

se

Kalista Perron

6 years old

Brimley School

Pirate

watercolor

Teacher:

Pam Ellis

See p. 13.

LSSU LIBRARY GALLERY

through August—Student Art

Show. Joint show of artwork

created by LSSU Students in

art classes taught by

Maureen Mousley and Ron Corey Bayliss Library

Artist-of-the-

Month: Mary

Stroba

BAYLISS LIBRARY 541 Library Drive (906)632-9331.

www.baylisslibrary.org.

Open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednes-

day and Friday from 9 to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9 to 4.

Arts related events are scheduled June 8, 12, 22, 24 & 29.

See date listing for details.

Page 4 ALBERTA HOUSE NEWS

EVENTS—CONTINUED

June 1 to 29. in both galleries

William Gerrish and Jer-

emy Ripley: Fish Stories

and Other Works

Meet the Artists Friday, June 4,

from 7 to 9 p.m.

Ripley have mounted an exhibition

of free standing sculptures and

framed assemblages, all of which are

made of found objects (Gerrish), and

weavings made on a loom that incor-

porates the fish motif (Ripley). Ger-

rish has recorded his intention for

each piece, along with some of his

fishing stories, in an exhibit catalog.

Ripley’s stories are wood block prints

on fiber—abstract portraits of fish in

their habitat.

William Gerrish’s assemblages

were inspired by objects in his par-

ents’ house that triggered memories.

Both the memories and the objects

themselves were combined to create

objects of art. His experience creat-

ing art from his personal memories

inspired a new business, Homage

Creative Arts, in which Gerrish com-

bines his expertise in the graphic

arts with his love of memorabilia to

create shadowboxes and other as-

semblages for those who have the

memories and the mementos, but

not the ability to combine them into

o b j e c t s o f a r t .

(www.homagecreativearts.com).

The title of the show is a result of

Gerrish’s love of fishing in all its

forms—from his early days of fishing

with his father to deep sea fishing

when he lived and worked in Hous-

ton. More recently he has been revis-

iting favorite fishing spots in the

E.U.P. His stories are woven into

the running commentary that ac-

companies his exhibit.

Gerrish is a graduate of Kendall

School of Design and a professional

graphic artist who worked in Hous-

ton before returning to the Sault to

care for his aging parents. While

graphic design provides bread and

butter, Gerrish also loves sculpture

and figure drawing. Two of his

sculptures were in the February

sculpture exhibit in Alberta House;

two were acccepted in the 2009

Crooked Tree Juried Art Exhibit; two

assemblages in this current show

were exhibited in the 2009 Greater

Michigan Art Exhibition in the Mid-

land Center for the Arts.

All the work in this show was con-

structed of items that he found or was

given by friends. In addition to his

Homeage Creative Arts website, Ger-

rish’s work can be seen on

www.williamgerrish.com.

Jeremy Ripley (above) discovered

weaving while in college at Northern

Michigan University and now his

looms and related equipment fill an

entire room. He enjoys both the

mathematics and the art of the an-

cient practice, noting that almost as

much time goes into planning, meas-

uring, yarn preparation and setting

up the loom as in the actual weaving.

In keeping with the fishing theme,

Ripley has carved fish shapes of wood,

applied textile paint to the carvings

and pressed the fish shape into the

warp threads during the weaving

process. This innovative technique

SAULT, MICHIGAN EXHIBITS

Page 5 ALBERTA HOUSE NEWS

217 Ferris Street, Sault Ste.

Marie, MI 49783—906/635-

1 3 1 2 . E - m a i l :

saac@saultarts.org. Website:

www.saultarts.org. Open Tues-

day through Saturday from 11

a.m. to 4 p.m.

A

L

B

E

R

T

A

H

O

U

S

E

A

R

T

S

C

E

N

T

E

R

William Gerrish (above) and Jeremy

CREEKSIDE HERBS, 752 Blindline

Road, Cedarville, 49719, 484-2415.

Open Mon. thru Sat, 10 to 5. Closed

Sunday.

EUP

LES CHENEAUX AREA

Next Month in Alberta House, July 1 to 31

OLIVE CRAIG GALLERY: Ken Hatfield Retrospective. Multi-

media.

MINI GALLERY: Mary Stroba, Oil Paintings

SPOTLIGHT ON THE

PERMANENT COLLECTION:

Annegret Goehring scissor

cutting "Cyclamen"

ST. IGNACE

Sat. June 19: Antiques on the Bay

Car Show

CURTIS

Erickson Center for the Arts, P.O.

Box 255, Curtis, MI 49820. 586-9974.

w w w . e r i c k s o n c e n t e r . o r g .

info@ericksoncenter.org.

June 24 to 27: Songwriters Workshop

(See WORKSHOPS, p. 8 )

Saturday 27, 6:30 p.m. Songwriters

Concert.

Wed., June 30: Music in the Park—

Stormfront

Wed. & Thurs., June 9 & 10: Audi-

tions for Give My Regards to

Broadway (See “ARTISTIC OP-

PORTUNITIES”, p. 12.

Thurs., June 10: Plein Air Water-

color Class with David Bige-

low. See “WORKSHOPS”, p. 8.

Sat., June 12, 3 p.m.: Violin Con-

cert. This Friends of DeTour

Library fund raiser features

Caroline Freihofer on violin,

Stephen Brook on viola and

Ruth Brook on baroque recorder.

Limited tickets. $15/person in-

cludes wine and cheese recep-

tion. St. Stephens Episcopal

Church on Ontario Street.

Sat., June 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: De-

tour Fine Arts Fair, sponsored

by the EUP Fine Arts Council.

Outdoor art exhibits featuring the

works of local and regional artists

and musicians on Ontario Street

between Cunningham and Mid-

way Plaisance. (Artists call 297-

5021 to reserve a space.) Rain

venue Detour School.

Page 6 ALBERTA HOUSE NEWS

creates impressions of fish within the

textured pattern of the fabric. About

fifty cotton weavings. in watery blue

tones, in various sizes, each imprinted

with a fish, have been stretched onto

wooden frames and mounted on the

wall to make up this exhibit. Every

piece can be view from either side.

Ripley, like Gerrish, is a member of

the Olive Craig Gallery Board. He is a

past member of the Sault Area Arts

Council Board, as well.

Both artists are Sault High graduates,

and their families have deep roots in

the Sault. Both are interested and

involved in many forms of art. Al-

though not exhibiting sculpture in this

exhibit, Ripley is a sculptor as well as

a weaver, and has exhibited photo-

graphs as well.

Meet both artists at the reception in

Alberta House on Friday, June 4, from

7 to 9 p.m.

DETOUR/DRUMMOND

MARQUETTE/NMU ART

MUSEUM. Hours: Mon. thru Fri.

between 10 & 5 (Thurs. to 8 p.m.).

Sat. and Sun. between 1 & 4.

906/227-1481.

PETOSKEY: CROOKED TREE

ARTS CENTER. 231/347-4337.

Open Mon. thru Sat., 10 to 5.

www.crookedtree.org .

June 1 to 13: Echoes of the

World Drum Festival

Page 7 ALBERTA HOUSE NEWS

SAULT, ONTARIO

EXHIBITS

to June 26: “A—Z”. A is for Art, Z

is for Zither, and everything in

between! Artifacts from the

museum’s collection, represent-

ing every letter of the alphabet.

Volume 2010 Issue 6 Page 7 Page 7

SAULT STE. MARIE MUSEUM,

corner of Queen and East Streets.

705/759-7278. Mon. thru Sat. from

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun. from 1 to 5.

www,saultmuseum.com. heri-

tage@saultmuseum.com.

OUTSTATE EXHIBITS

Sat. & Sun., June 5 & 6, 10 a.m. to 5

p.m.: 44th Annual Summer Art

Fair

to Aug. 1: Great Lakes Pastel Soci-

ety 2010 National Show

to Aug. 29: Two Exhibits—Michigan

Wood Carvers Association

Michigan Wood Carvers Asso-

ciation Statewide Juried Com-

petition

CHEBOYGAN OPERA HOUSE,

231/627-5841 & 1-800/357-9408.

www.theoperahouse.org/

to July 25: North of the 45th.

Third Annual Juried Exhibi-

tion—open to all artists in

Michigan, Minnesota and Wis-

consin living north of the 45th

parallel.

June 4 to Aug. 8: Nita Engle Exhi-

bition (reception June 4, 6 to 8

p.m.)

ESCANABA: Wm. Bonifas Fine

Arts Center, 700 First Avenue

South, 49829. 786/3833.

www.bonifasarts.org.

to June 24: Bay Area Art Asso-

ciation Member Show

ART GALLERY OF ALGOMA, 10

East Street, 705/949-9067. Hours:

Wed. thru Sunday, 11 to 6. Admis-

sion $3. Children under 12, free. e-

mail: aga@shaw.ca. website:

www.artgalleryofalgoma.on.ca

ArtSpace in the Station Mall,

across for ZooZoo. Call the Arts

Council of Sault and District (705-

945-9756) for more information.

to July 11: All the World’s a

Stage—work from the gallery’s

Permanent Collection.

to June 14, Project Room: Kyla

Smith—No Strings Attached

Education Gallery: Work of

Algoma University graduat-

ing Fine Arts students.

MIDLAND CENTER FOR THE

ARTS, 1801 St. Andrews Rd., Midland,

MI 48640. (800)-523-7649. Hours:

Wed. thru Sat. 10 to 4; Thurs. 10 to 6;

Sun. 1 to 5. www.mcfta.org. Fri., June 11, 7:30 p.m.: The

Young Americans. $20/12.

Sat., June 19, 7:30 p.m.: The Bar-

bershoppers. Northland Cho-

rus (SSM), Harmonie Meisters

(Gaylord),Huron Shores Cho-

rus (Alpena) and guest quartet

Moxxy. $12/8.

EXHIBITS

to Sept. 2: North of the Bridge.

Work from thirty artists living in

the Upper Peninsula. Media

ranges from clay, paint, stone,

cement, textiles, encaustic, found

objects, wood, woodblock prints

and more.

EVENTS

Thurs., June 24, 8 p.m.: Chasin’

Steel. $10

COMING UP EMPTY? Advertise in Alberta House News !

Full page ad, $100. 1/2 page $50. 1/4 page ad $25.

1/8 page ad $15. 1 & 1/2” banner across the front page $50.

Call Jean Jones at 437-5463 or e-mail: saac

@saultarts.org

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Page 8

BAYLISS LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Make a Splash!, the Bayliss Library’s summer reading program begins the

week of June 5, and runs for seven weeks. Two preschool sessions are of-

fered—Wednesdays at 10 a.m. or at 1 p.m. Children in first through sixth

grades may attend sessions on Thursdays at 1 p.m. or on Saturdays at 11 a.m.

Children will explore the world of water and water fun through stories, art pro-

jects, prize drawings and programs. Call the Children’s Librarian, Debbie Leh-

man, at 632-9331, or e-mail her at debbiel@baylisslibrary.org. You can find

more information on the program and on library events at

www.baylisslibrary.org.

Unkle Abe, author of Unkle Ake’s Field Guide to Infrequetly Found Ani-

mals on the Shore of the Lake Superior, will be at the Bayliss Library at 1

p.m. on Thursday, July 15. Children will be able to try their hand at construct-

ing their own creatures from found forest and beach items.

Page 8 ALBERTA HOUSE NEWS ALBERTA HOUSE NEWS Volume 2010 Issue 6 Page 8 Volume 2010 Issue 6 Page 8

ABOVE THE BRIDGE SONGWRITERS WEEKEND

The Erickson Center for the Arts in Curtis has scheduled the Above the Bridge

Songwriters Weekend for June 24 to 27. The weekend schedule includes work-

shops, song critiques, one-on-one sessions, lots of open mic/jam time and a Sat-

urday evening staff concert. Presenters are Jim Bizer, Billy Brandt, Annie &

Rod Capps, Whit Hill, Jan Krist and John Latini. Participants may register for

any or all of six workshops which take place at Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn

(www.chamberlinsinn.com)

in Curtis. Prices are:

three nights, workshops

and meals—single occu-

pancy, $395; share occu-

pancy $310; non-lodging

(includes workshops and

meals), $200. Registration

forms are available on line

at www.ericksoncenter.org

or by calling Kelly Cham-

berlin at 906-586-6000.

EUP FINE ARTS COUNCIL

SUMMER CLASSES

Thursday, June 10: Watercolor

painting class for all experi-

ence levels, with Dave Bige-

low. 1 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4

p.m. in the DeTour Botanical

Gardens (weather permitting—

rain location is EUP Fine Arts

Center). $50.

Monday, July 12, 10 a.m. to noon:

Kid’s Art—Rock/Stone Paint-

ing, with Yoshiko Van

Voorhies. DeTour Township

Hall. No charge. Supplies pro-

vided.

Monday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m. to noon:

Kid’s Art—Rock/Stone Paint-

ing with Yoshika Van

Voorhies. DeTour Township

Hall. No charge. Supplies pro-

vided.

Wed., Aug. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

Coiled Pine Needle Basket

Making, with Janet Bon-

nell. Everyone is welcome.

Bring a lunch. $65.

Mon., Sept. 20, 9 to 4: Medium

size tray rimmed with

sweet grass, with Ron

Paquin. EUP Fine Arts Cul-

tural Center. Everyone wel-

come. Bring a lunch. $25

includes materials.

Call Yoshiko Van Voorhies at

297-8011 to register for any

of these classes.

Left—Welsh Castle

hooked rug

Bottom: stained glass

panel, both by Phyllis

Bigelow

PHYLLIS BIGELOW

We con-

t a c t e d

P h y l l i s

B i g e l o w

because we

were inter-

ested in her

s t a i n e d

glass work,

and got a

real bonus

when she

sent photos

o f h e r

hooked rugs as well. Phyllis is a

member of the “Group of Seven”—

enthusiastic rug hookers who meet

with Joan Muckelbauer in Alberta

House to share their rug hooking ex-

perience. Others in the group, like

Phyllis, are experienced artists in

other mediums, and it is interesting

to see how the finished product is so

true to the artist that one can recog-

nize the creator, regardless of the

medium she chooses. This is very

true of Phyllis’ work. Her strong

compositions, her use of intense col-

ors, the manipulation of textures and

the overall bright clarity of her de-

signs transcend the medium.

Phyllis began working with stained

glass in the late seventies, after tak-

ing a local stained glass class, and

continued to hone her skills through

practice and reading. She now de-

signs all her own work. Unlike a lot

of stained glass artists who stick to

sun catchers and small panels to hang

in windows, Phyllis also designs win-

dows and does stained glass repair—

work requiring different construction

techniques. (She points out that a

stained glass bathroom window re-

quires no curtains.) Three of her

stained glass win-

dows have been

installed in the

dance and music

instruction room

doors of the Soo

Theatre—her dona-

tion to that enter-

prise. Her first

juried show was

the 2008 “Blues”

show in the Olive

Craig Gallery,

which included

three of her stained

glass panels.

Stained glass work

and rug hooking

have more in common than one might

think. In both the focus is on color,

texture and design. Both require a

design that must be carefully laid out

down to the last detail before one can

begin. In hooked rugs, once the de-

sign has been laid out the yarn must

be assembled, and often the craftsman

must dye it herself. With stained

glass the glass (with attention to color

and texture)

must be cho-

sen and cut.

Both projects

must fit into a

p r e v i o u s l y

chosen frame.

Both employ

strong colors

and rely on

texture to

create an illu-

sion of depth

and perspec-

tive.

Phyllis al-

ways loved her

art classes in

school, but didn’t pursue art in col-

lege, opting instead for a BA in His-

tory and Secondary Education with

minors in English and Psychology.

Still, she has always been interested

in art and design and especially inter-

ested in architecture. She indulges in

these interests when traveling

(another passion), and the results can

be seen in her hooked rug designs.

Stained glass and ancient structures

go together, especially in Europe, so

her interests dovetail quite nicely.

Both her art forms are very labor in-

tensive, so amassing enough work for

a show is daunting. The Group of

Seven (rug hookers) had work in the

Bayliss Library and some of the group

have shown rugs with their other art,

but only Joan Muckelbauer has had

enough for a show of her own. To

(Continued on page 10)

FEATURED ARTIST—PHYLLIS BIGELOW

Page 9 Newsletter Title

Above, stained glass panel. Below left—Loire Val-

ley Castle hooked rug. Both by Phyllis Bigelow

date, most of

Phyllis’ hooked

rugs have been

for herself and

her family, al-

though she will

have rugs for sale

when the Group

of Seven exhibits

in Alberta House

in May of 2011.

P h y l l i s h a s

taught stained

glass classes and

h a s d e m o n -

strated in Alberta House. Her current project is a

hooked rug showing her great grandparents’ home-

stead on old Hay Lake Road, a work inspired by an

old photo. Phyllis’ stained glass work is mainly

done on commission and she repairs windows and

other stained glass items as well. She can be con-

tacted at 632-8874

(Continued from page 9)

Volume 2010 Issue 6 Page 10

Gouache and red wine stain remover painting entitled

"Television" by Houghton artist Daniel C. Boyer. His work can

be viewed on the Web at http://www.artbreak.com/danielcboyer

and is frequently in shows in the Upper Peninsula. We had one of

his paintings in last fall’s arts auction.

Check out the Alberta House Shop

for Father’s Day Gifts—brawny

mugs; nautical and wildlife paintings,

photographs and prints; books by lo-

cal authors, carvings and stained

glass—and so much more!

Tuesday through Satur-

day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Volume 2010 Issue 6 Page 11

INTERNATIONAL IDOL

The theme for Soo Theatre Project’s

International Idol competition for

2010 is “The Possible Dream”. Con-

testants will vie for over two thousand

dollars in cash and prize money.

There are two different divisions:

thirteen and under and fourteen and

older, with thirteen and under com-

peting first at 4:30 p.m. and fourteen

and over competing at 6 p.m.. Compe-

titions begin Sunday, June 6. Con-

testants will be judged on vocal qual-

ity, stage presence and song selection.

Top three finalists in each division

will be awarded prizes. The Grand

Champion prize for the fourteen and

over division is six hundred dollars

plus five hundred dollars worth of

studio time at Lake Street Studio, an

opportunity to perform at a Dream

Makers Theater presentation, a Soo

Theatre Project stage production and

as a Music-in-the-Park guest. Second

place takes four hundred dollars;

third, two hundred dollars. Sponsors

include All Good Soundz Music, Lake

Street Studios, Old Mission Bank and

Bob Arfstrom. For further informa-

tion see www.sootheatre.org/idol.

ART IN THE PARK

The Arts Council of Sault and District

in Sault, Ontario invites artists to

submit their applications for a juried

exhibit and sale at the Roberta Bon-

dar Tent Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 5

p.m. Sunday, August 15. Space fee is

$50. Application deadline is June 30.

For more information call the arts

council at 705-945-9756 or e-mail

arts@ssmarts.org.

Inside Story Headline

AUDITIONS FOR GIVE

MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY

Auditions for the EUP Fine Arts

Council’s production of “Give My Re-

gards to Broadway” will be held June

9th and 10th from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at

the Art Council’s hall behind the Sa-

cred Heart Church in DeTour Village.

Director David Rhinard requests that

those interested in a leading role pre-

pare one verse of a show tune for the

audition. Choreographer Sherry Baily

requests that those interested in a

lead or chorus role bring suitable

shoes (hard soled) for dancing. There

are also support roles that do not re-

quire singing or dancing. Lyle Ju-

racek, who was EUPAC’s guest artist

in residence last summer for Chicago,

will return to the area early in July to

begin work on the show. For more

information call 906-297-5608.

PIRATE BOAT TOUR

The Soo Theatre Project and the Soo

Locks Boat Tours have teamed up to

again offer a Pirate Boat Cruise. A

Pirate Performance on the dock will be

followed by a one hour cruise on the

pirate boat. Pirate pizza, pop, stories

and prizes are all part of the cruise.

The cruise is limited to 150, and last

year’s cruise was sold out. Tickets are

$12 for adults and $8 for children

twelve and under at the Soo Theatre

(632-1920 or www.sootheatre.org).

The cruise begins at 6 p.m. on Wednes-

day, June 9.

Page 12 ALBERTA HOUSE NEWS

ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES

FROM THE SAULT THEATRE

PROJECT:

“GUYS & DOLLS” NEEDS YOU!

Here’s your chance to get into show

business! Everyone has something

that can be of use with the produc-

tion of a big Broadway musical.

Why not you?

The Soo Theatre Project is in need of

volunteers to assist with the produc-

tion crews for the mid-July perform-

ances of “Guys & Dolls.” Folks who

are willing to help build and paint

stage scenery, collect and sew cos-

tumes, help with publicity and house

management, play in the pit orches-

tra, serve as scene change crew,

gather and organize stage properties

and generally be an integral part of

the total production are encouraged

to volunteer. To become involved it

is as simple as picking up the phone

and calling the Soo Theatre office at

632-1930. Inform the office staff of

what crew, or crews, you would like

to assist. Be prepared to give your

phone and email addresses. Or, you

are welcomed to stop by the their

main office at the downtown Soo

Theater to become a part of this ex-

citing production. You will be con-

tacted by one of the show’s produc-

tion staff as to planning and work

sessions.

Please consider joining the company

of “Guys & Dolls.” You will meet

some great people and have a super

experience in the world of show busi-

ness. Come, join, and support the

Soo Theatre Project 534 Ashmun

Street Sault Ste. Marie, MI. (906)

6 3 2 - 1 9 3 0 o r v i s i t

www.sootheatre.org.

DETOUR FINE ARTS FAIR

Artists may call 297-5021 to reserve

a space in the June 26 Detour Fine

Arts Fair. (See details on bottom of

p. 6 —DETOUR/DRUMMOND).

Brimley art teacher Pam Ellis came to

us last month because she had a stu-

dent who was doing outstanding work

that should be recognized. The stu-

dent was six year old Kalista Perron.

We reasoned that there were other

youngsters whose work should be

noted and have created a space in the

Alberta House lobby to do just that.

The first art work to occupy that

space is Kalista’s watercolor, “Pirate”.

The space will be offered to art teach-

ers in area schools on a rotating basis.

QUONTA ONE ACT FESTIVAL

WORKSHOP

The Quonta One Act Festival Work-

shop takes place June 18, 19 and 20

at the Studio Theatre, 121 Pitts-

burgh Avenue in Sault, Ontario.

Three or more plays will be pre-

sented each Friday and Saturday

evening, with adjudications and a

social following each night’s perform-

ances. Workshops on the previous

evening’s presentations will be held

on Saturday and Sunday. Richard

Howard is the Adjudicator/Workshop

Leader. Tickets are $15 each eve-

ning, or $20 for a participants pass

that covers both evenings and the

workshops. Call 705-946-4081 or

946-4513 for tickets.

“MUSIC AT THE CORNER”

The Downtown Development Author-

ity will be working with Grooves Mu-

sic to bring “Music at the Corner” on

Friday evenings, weather permitting,

throughout the summer and fall (June

through September).

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN

The Chippewa Theater Guild will present the Frank B. Gilbreth Jr.—

Ernestine Gilbreth Carey comedy “Cheaper by the Dozen”, June 24 through

27, in the Strahl Theater (Sault Area High School). The curtain rises at 7

p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets

($12/9/6) will be available at the door.

Cheaper by the Dozen is directed by Kirk Mauldin. The cast includes Matt

Connors, Sarah Coleman, Lindsey McCullough, Kati Doty, Emma Harrington,

Brandon Yanni, Adam Graber, Lauren Ramer, Duncan Lavey, Harry Worden,

Trinity Bauer, Mary Anne Ramer, Shawna Mauldin, John Gilbert, Josh

Osborn and Simon Purdy. Colleen Lavey is the producer and John Gilbert the

stage manager. Note that the production is in the Strahl Theater (bigger cast

= bigger stage).

KITTY DONOHOE CONCERT

Michigan singer/songwriter Kitty

Donohoe will sing of haunted light-

houses, sailors and fishermen in her

appearance at the Bayliss Library on

Thursday, June 24. Based in Ann

Arbor, she accompanies her vocals

on the guitar, accordion, whistle,

bodhran and hammer dulcimer. Her

latest CD, Northern Border, is avail-

able for checkout. Her program, ti-

tled Lighthouses and Legends, be-

gins at 7 p.m. and is suitable for

adults and children, ages eight and

up.

Volume 2010 Issue 6 Page 13

NEWS & NOTES

School Art

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Alberta House is all about volun-

teers and staffing the gallery and

shop takes a lot of them. We don’t

have money, but there are some

perks. Volunteers receive 20% off

everything they buy in the shop

during the month they volunteer.

Shifts are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Artists and craftsmen are encour-

aged to bring something to demon-

strate and to work on during the

“down” time. And you’ll be helping

us promote the arts in the Sault. If

you can help call Joan Gerrie at

632-7407.

Home of the Sault Summer

Arts Festival

SAULT AREA ARTS COUNCIL

ALBERTA HOUSE ARTS

CENTER

217 FERRIS STREET

SAULT STE. MARIE

MI 49783

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Alberta House News is published monthly as a public

service by the Sault Area Arts Council. Printed copies may

be picked up free of charge at Alberta House Arts Center or

the Bayliss Library. Printable copies can be downloaded

from our web site (www.saultarts.org). Items for Alberta

House News are best transferred in written form, either

dropped off at Alberta House or mailed there c/o Jean

Jones. You may also call 906/437-5463 afternoons or

evenings or e-mail saac@saultarts.org. Alberta House News publishes art news of general interest to its readers. There is

no charge for inclusion. Please include the sponsor of an

event with the information.

If you would like to become a member of SAAC and help

support arts council services, fill in the form alongside and

mail with your check for $25.00 in U.S. funds to the Sault

Area Arts Council, Alberta House Arts Center, 217 Ferris

Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Members are mailed a

monthly copy of “Alberta House News” as a benefit of

membership or can download a copy. We will send an e-

mail reminder when a new copy is on line if you send your

e-mail address to us at: saac@saultarts.org.

Phyllis

Bigelow’s

Iroquois

Point

Light-

house

hooked

rug. See

pages 8

through

10.