The Northwood University Gallery is hosting a new show entitled “Landscape and Vessels.” Running through May 31, the exhibition features the work of local artists Alan Maciag and Ryan Taylor. The show is the first hosted by the NU Gallery at its new temporary location in downtown Midland, situated at 219 Main Street, between McDonald and Rodd.
“This is an exhibit which art lovers of every kind will truly enjoy. Both Maciag’s and Taylor’s pieces highlight the caliber of talent at work right here in mid-Michigan,” stated Mia Dvornic, director of the Northwood University Gallery.
An art teacher for 32 years in the Frankenmuth School District and a lifelong avid drawer, Maciag captures visual memories of nature, cultivated farmland, and gardens and architecture, all of which are the subject matter of his art today, ranging from a field of poppies to an Ida Red apple.
“Alan is a true plein-air oil painter who, in the best tradition of Impressionism, sees and transposes nature and urban vistas to canvas,” explained Dvornic.
Taylor’s work, in turn, is largely inspired by the colossal, rough-textured forms of acclaimed artists like Peter Volkous, Don Reitz and Peter Callas.
“Ryan’s work reflects his fascination with scale, texture, and coloration,” stated Dvornic. “He is particularly interested in atmospheric shino glazes and different types of firings, such as Japanese-influenced anagama wood firing, all of which produce one-of-a-kind affects.”
A graduate of Central Michigan University, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Art Education, Maciag’s work has appeared in many group and solo invitational or juried exhibitions throughout Michigan. A member of the Oil Painters of America, he has won a number of awards and his work can be regularly found in many galleries and in private collections in the U.S. and abroad.
A fellow CMU alumnus, Taylor earned his bachelors in fine arts in 3-D art, ceramics concentration in 2011. He has participated in a number of exhibitions in Michigan, Florida and Ohio and various events which demonstrated his pottery throwing and other techniques. More recently, Taylor expanded his assortment to include dinner ware, mugs and other functional small objects all of which will be displayed at the Gallery.
The Northwood University Gallery’s hours of operation are 10 AM to 6 PM, Monday-Friday and 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday.
For questions regarding the Northwood University Gallery collection, contact Mia Dvornic at (989) 837-4310.
