WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

 

Women's History Month highlighted by 25 female artists at PeriwinkleFOG

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A woman-owned gift shop and gallery in Grand Rapids is showcasing the artwork of more than two dozen women during March - Women's History Month.

PeriwinkleFOG says the artwork of 25 women is on display, and that is an anomaly in the art world. It cites research by the National Museum for Women in the Arts indicating only 8 percent of galleries represent more women artists than men. And 87 percent of the artworks in major museums are by men.

The theme for the 2023 Women's History Month is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories." Some of the stories highlighted by PeriwinkleFOG include:

·       A cancer survivor assembles whimsical collages with socially aware themes – colorful, intriguing, and thought provoking.

·       A retired oral surgeon creates edgy jewelry from metal clay, enamel and colored gem stones

·       A self taught 22 year old artist draws photoreal images using a pencil (and sometimes an electric eraser)

·        A well-known photographer is passionate about her work but when she takes a break, it’s to play her ukelele.

·       An artist with Down’s Syndrome expresses her view of the world through her paintings

"That the overwhelming majority of our artists are women, happened organically as we contacted artists we knew from our involvement with the local arts community," PeriwinkleFOG co-owner Susan Coombes said.

She said others were found during gallery visits, through recommendations from other artists, and those who discovered the shop, stopped in to introduce themselves and their work. 

"The esult is a range of art not found in any other shop in downtown Grand Rapids. It spans genres and generations from Gen Z to Baby Boomers," Coombes said.

Lisa Radeck is the other co-owner. They say their backgrounds complement each other.

Coombes spent 20 years abroad and has has more than 15 years' retail management experience. Radeck's years-long involvement with the local arts community culminated in her co-chairing Festival of the Arts in 2017.  They say their love of travel and shopping when they travel persuaded them to open Periwinkle FOG.

 

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PeriwinkleFOG

125 Ottawa Avenue NW #160

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

 

Hours

Monday – Saturday 10:00am to 6:30pm

Sunday 11:00am to 4:00pm


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