Courtesy Photos
Above is one of the art and poetry installations to be featured in the “Art Has Power” event happening from 4 to 8 p.m. in Rogers City. The frog photo is by Ashley Hickel, paired with a poem called “Ordained” by Garrison Benson.
ROGERS CITY — “Art Has Power” is Rogers City Main Street project to activate the empty business spaces in the downtown area with art and poetry. Installations cover empty windows and boarded-up storefronts on Third Street in Rogers City.
During the Harvest Street Stroll from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, traveling poetry will lead people from one end of Third Street to the other, with yard signs featuring fun poetry leading from one participating business to the next.
Many small businesses on Third Street will be open late on Friday with participating artists in their spaces, drinks, nibblies and giveaways. Come out for a stroll and see this great new public art and visit with local artists, buy something from local businesses and enjoy time with your neighbors. Try a pastry from Tradewinds, listen to the music playing at Northern Michigan Espresso and get an on-demand poem from the resident poet at Woodland Confectionary while enjoying some handmade chocolates.
“We put this event together with the generous support of the Michigan Municipal League Bridge Builders Microgrants Program, Rogers City Main Street, the Stone House Studio and Dockside Printing, as well as the generous support of our army of volunteers and artists,” event coordinator Katy Carignan said in a press release.
“The whole community comes together in the spring, summer, and fall for our arts and cultural events,” Carignan added. “Our photographers and volunteers come from all walks of life. The art and poetry installations will also be a feature in downtown where people can share their favorite image of the area, take photos in front of it, and share with their friends, family, and social media.”
“Art Has Power” participating poets are Garrison Benson and Chris Bernstorf. Artists are Terry Doyle, Ashley Hickel, Anna May Kohler, Heather Mertz, Brady Myers, Wayne Pope, Craig Pringle, and Marci Snyder. For more information, contact Carignan at director@thestonehousestudio.org.
Below are the bios of the poets and artists.
Garrison Benson
Garrison Benson is a local poet and homesteader and has participated in art walks with a Poetry Depot (poetry on demand). He published a book of poetry and contributes poems to local publications. His poetry blends a playful love of fantasy with a deep reverence for nature. Recent poems have focused on finding meaning and symbolism in specific Rogers City area parks and landmarks.
Chris Bernstorf
Chris Bernstorf is an international touring poet from Trenton, Michigan. He loves Jesus, his wife, house shows, punk rock, sleeping on floors, giving his art away for free, and sharing life with anyone who will have him. Find his poems anywhere you stream music; contact him for free books. Find him on social media: @chrisbernstorf.
Terry Doyle
“Photography has always been a hobby that I dabbled in from time to time,” Terry Doyle said. “After I retired and my children were all grown up, it became more than a hobby. It is my rabbit hole, my passion. I enjoy getting lost on the backroads of Northern Michigan and shooting photos of whatever captures my interest. From the abandoned buildings with their peeling paint, to rusty old cars and trucks, to the docks, lakes, sunrises and sunsets, it is truly beautiful. On any given day you can find me cruising around Rogers City, exploring new adventures, looking for willing subjects and just enjoying life.” To learn more about Doyle, visit www.terry-doyle.pixels.com.
Ashley Hickel
“My love of photography started in my high school dark room,” Ashley Hickel said. “I suddenly saw the world with such different eyes. I found beauty and new perspective in our chaotic world. When our family moved to our 80 acre homestead a little over two years ago, I was completely amazed at the infinite beauty that surrounded us. I’m inspired every day by the sunrise, sunset, the flowers, leaves and the animals that we have surrounded ourselves with. I love capturing moments. The ability to freeze time. The chance for myself and others to look at a photo and feel something, whether it takes them back to a time their children were that age or the pet that has etched themselves a place in their heart, or just a feeling of awe.
“My three children have given me the courage to push past my comfortable boundaries and share my artwork with others,” Hickel added. “They see me doing something I truly love and get immense joy from. My sons help me stop and look at even the tiniest of creatures. My daughter, with her love of horses, has opened so many doors for me. I have been able to meet the most wonderful people and horses along the way. My husband encourages my love of photography, farming, and stewardship of our animals.”
For more about Ashley Hickel Photography, call 734-674-0671, or email ashley.hickel83@gmail.com.
Anna May Kohler
“I’m 25 years old, I live in Alanson with my partner, our dog Riley and kitten Mawce,” said Anna May Kohler. “When I’m not working at the Dutch Oven Bakery or with Up North Events, I love creating art, I like to use multiple forms of art to express myself, I’ve been trained in a large range of art mediums from charcoals to ceramics, painting to glass work, photography to welding art, but my favorites are painting, mixed medium pieces, sketching, poetry, and photography.
“I also enjoy hiking the different trails around northern Michigan, and just being out in nature, preferably near the water,” she added.
To see more of Kohler’s art, find her on Instagram #ainamaeart and follow her Art account @AinaMaeArt.
Heather Mertz
Heather Mertz is a local born and raised photographer from Northern Michigan.
“I grew up around Lake Huron so it’s not a surprise that the water and beaches are my happy place,” Mertz said. “Even though I could spend all day enjoying the beauty right in our backyards, I also adore capturing special moments in people’s lives who cannot get enough of our scenic area.”
To learn more about Mertz, visit heathermertzphotography.com.
Brady Myers
“I am 19 years old and am in my second year of college at North Central Community College where I am pursuing my degree in general studies,” Brady Myers said. “I am a local of Rogers City and love dabbling in all mediums of art with my favorites being drawing, painting and photography and I am excited to have some of my work chosen that showcases the beautiful place we call home.”
Wayne Pope
Wayne Pope is an adjunct associate professor of photography at Lansing Community College and lives in East Lansing. He published four books this year: “Michigan in prose, poems and photos,” “Birds of Michigan: notable species,” “Michigan Gardens: my favorite places,” and “Nature Photography at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.” Pope is currently scheduling book talks at libraries in Northeast Michigan and will publicize his speaking dates on his website at waynerpope.com. Visit his Facebook page at Wayne Richard Pope.
Craig Pringle
Craig Pringle splits his time between Michigan and Arizona. More of his work can be found at instagram.com/craigpringlephotography.
Marci Snyder
“I’m a storyteller through photographs,” said Marci Snyder. “It’s said that ‘a picture speaks a thousand words.’ I love finding that picture that I can lose myself in — actually hear the waves when I’m looking at a picture of a beach, smell the scent of the flower in the picture, feel the love of a mother loon looking at her offspring … I hope you can do the same with some of my pictures.
“I love capturing those special moments, such as a mother loon with her offspring, or catching the sun in a splash of water,” she continued. “I also love catching the expression on a pet’s face as he or she plays or relaxes in their favorite environment.
For more on Snyder, visit naturalshinephoto.com.