‘Unity & Balance’ Now on Display at The Anton Art Center

The Anton Art Center has now opened its latest exhibit, Unity & Balance, featuring mosaic artworks by members of the Mosaic Artists of Michigan artist group. The exhibit will be on display in the Petitpren Gallery on the second floor of the Anton Art Center, as well as virtually on the center’s website (www.theartcenter.org/exhibits), through December 23, 2021.

The Mosaic Artists of Michigan originally formed in 2003 to share, educate, and promote the resurgence of fine art mosaics.  “Most people only know mosaics as the masterpieces in churches and old European buildings.” said Joan Schwartz, one of the participating artists, “To be able to exhibit contemporary mosaics of all kinds is a wonderful way to educate the  public and add to the scope of their understanding more about the larger world of mosaic art.”

Unity & Balance will include varying techniques and inspirations. Exhibiting artist, Kate Hanley, shares, “Mosaic art is a process of ‘piecing together’ to create a unified whole. Beauty is found in the colors and balance of the elements that catch the eye and fire the imagination. Thirteen innovative artists will be represented, demonstrating a variety of techniques and styles ranging from traditional to modern, elegant to experimental.”

This show is organized by the Mosaic Artists of Michigan and the Anton Art Center. Anton Art Center Exhibition Manager, Stephanie Hazzard, says, "We are very excited for our new partnership with the Mosaic Artists of Michigan to feature a collection of artwork by their members. We have worked with some of the group's members in past exhibits, such as the annual Michigan artist competition, though this is our first mosaics-only group show at the Anton Art Center."

The artists featured in the exhibition are excited to share their work with the community. “I want to say what a thrill it is to show my work in person! While I am so grateful this past year for the opportunity to show my work online, it’s not the same as being able to see the textures, reflections, and dynamic beauty of the glass and other materials in person.” shares exhibiting artist, Michelle Sider, “It is also a great pleasure to show my work alongside my fellow artists of the Mosaic Artists of Michigan. I am so glad for this opportunity to come together as a mosaic community.”

This exhibition will consist of 41 mosaic artworks by 13 members of the Mosaic Artists of Michigan artist group. The show will be open during the Anton Art Center’s extended holiday hours and special events, including the Mount Clemens Downtown Open House Night on November 19 from 6pm to 8pm and the December SatARTday on December 11 from 6pm to 8pm—both free and open to the public.

Additionally, the exhibition will be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11am-3pm, Thursdays from 12-8pm, Fridays and Sundays from 12-5pm, and Saturdays from 10am-5pm. Closed on Mondays and November 24 and 25.

For more information about the Anton Art Center, visit www.theartcenter.org or call 586-469-8666. The Anton Art Center is a registered nonprofit organization located in Mount Clemens, Michigan, with a mission to enrich and inspire people of all ages through the arts. The Anton Art Center is open for regular business hours Tuesday through Saturday from 11am until 3pm (see special Holiday Hours above or on our website); admission is free and open to the public. Metered lot and street parking is available; free after 3pm November 19 through January 1 and on weekends. Facemasks are required indoors for all individuals age 2 years and up, regardless of vaccination status.

The Anton Art Center (AAC) was founded in 1969 in the historic Carnegie Library building in walkable downtown Mount Clemens, Michigan. The AAC aims to build an open community around creative expression by presenting a wide array of programming to appeal to diverse audiences, providing support for the arts and becoming a focal point for arts programming, and working towards inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in all that we do to support our mission to enrich and inspire people of all ages through the arts.

Our funders include the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Kresge Foundation, Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.