Invitation to an Art Exhibit

After Nancy Left Him, Roy Painted Everything Pink

by Thomas Boulan

My boyfriend Tom, for those who are new to my blogging family, is a very accomplished artist and writer; and starting Thursday, eight of his digital collages will be part of the extremely prestigious 7th Annual Docent Art Exhibit at the Riverside Arts Center in Ypsilanti [ip-sih-LAN-tee].

The exhibit itself runs from March 31 - April 30, 2011. The reception -- where you get to schmooze with the artists -- will be this Saturday night, April 2, from 5 - 7 p.m. Come that evening and enjoy a buffet of treats, a jazz trio, and immersion in some of the best that the Ann Arbor-Ypsi art scene has to offer.


It's wonderful for Tom to have such a fabulous opportunity to showcase his work! There are abstracts as well as figurative pieces; and I haven't even seen them all, so it's very exciting that my first viewing will present them matted, framed, and hanging in an exhibit as the works of art that they are, rather than merely as thumbnails on Flickr.

Of course, in addition to supporting Tom as well as the other docents and the gallery itself, we all know that I'm all about the food. And I always look forward to mixing two of my very favorite subjects in life -- art and eating! -- as I'll be able to do at Saturday night's reception.

Each of the exhibitors is expected to contribute treats for the guests. Tom has his heart set on my making chocolate-dipped pretzel sticks, rolled in crushed peanuts -- they're easy to do, inexpensive, flavorful, and readily totable while walking around and admiring the artworks. We're also bringing a special festive surprise dessert, but that's still a secret ... shhhh.

If you're in the area, feel free to come on down to join us for the reception -- we'd love to see you! You can also check out Tom's photostream on Flickr. And he's just been featured on Downtown L.A. Life, an online magazine which offers some samples of his work as well as a brief biographical statement.

All of the docents who work at Riverside are volunteers, and it is truly their dedication -- whether newcomers, like Tom, or those who've maintained regular shifts for years and years -- that keeps the gallery open and available to the community for no admission charge. So that they get the honors that are due to them, here are their names:

Steve Allen, Tom Boulan, Laurie Clark, Lois Dowling, Dennis Gordon, Bill Knudstrup, Joan Miller, Joan Newberry, Marilyn Prucka, Sebastian Rataezyk, Michelle Shankwiler, Tara Truax, Corrine Vivian, Ken Warner, Carolyn Weins, and Angela Wilson

Special accolades must also go to Dee Overly, curator of the Docent Exhibit and a one-woman force of nature who supports the art gallery through coordinating shows, managing staffing, envisioning exhibits, and investing her passion into the Center. She and her team of docents (whether artists whose work is on display or not) are amazing ... and you have an opportunity to reap the rewards of their efforts for yourself and also meet them all on Saturday night! Don't miss it!!!

P.S.: Many of the artworks will be available for purchase, hint hint ... :)

Riverside Arts Center
76 N. Huron Street
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197


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