What does it mean to carry a story? To give one or be given one? To create a space in which they can be exchanged?
As Saugatuck/Douglas quiets down for the welcoming of another relaxing, beautiful, and crisp fall season – the Saugatuck Center for the Arts is gearing up for another intriguing exhibition opening. On October 22, the doors will open on two fascinating graphic design-based exhibitions that will challenge, motivate, and spark creative curiosity in viewers.
After two years of planning, rescheduling, and dreaming; the SCA is welcoming Grand Rapids-based Has Heart | 50 States for it’s debut exhibition to the gallery to tell the stories of veterans from around the country. [Has Heart] was founded over a cup of coffee shared between U.S. Veteran Michael Hyacinthe and artist & designer Tyler Way in 2010. From then on, they made it their mission to bridge the growing divide between their veteran and civilian worlds by utilizing art, design, and the power of storytelling.
[Has Heart] has since traveled around the United States with the goal of visiting every state in the country and working with veterans to create a badge which visually showcases her or his story. Twelve of these personal and inspiring stories will be on display at the SCA until December 22.
In honor of Veterans Day, there will be a FREE all ages debut exhibition celebration on Friday, November 12 starting at 6:00 pm — featuring a live outdoor concert by Michigan bluegrass sensation, Mark Lavengood. When you’re not sipping on one of the featured craft cocktails at the bar, or creating postcards with the kids to send to veterans and members of service around the world, head inside to peruse the [Has Heart] pop-up boutique shop — or chat with the [Has Heart] Founders themselves. [Has Heart] Founders, Michael and Tyler will be sharing special behind-the-scenes films and telling stories in the theater at 5:30 and 7:00 pm.
The corridor gallery space at the SCA will feature familial stories of Mariah Meawasige, told through mixed media works in How 2 Clean a Fish. Mariah is an Anishinaabe/settler creative, dedicated to sharing the traditions that have built, morphed, and supported her community — inspiring viewers to question their own stories and how they came to be.
The SCA has partnered with the Big Read Lakeshore to feature Mariah’s work How 2 Clean a Fish. Big Read Lakeshore is a month-long community-wide reading program arranged every November by Hope College.
The SCA is taking these stories — and the design process — to local schools via our Visiting Artist programming. Michael, Tyler, and Mariah will teach the art of storytelling through graphic design to hundreds of 6th-12th graders. Students will work with these professional graphic artists, sharing their own stories and traditions in a new way. Finished artworks will be on display alongside the Has Heart | 50 States exhibition at our celebration event on November 12.
The Fall Exhibitions are proudly sponsored by Perrigo, Haworth, and Consumers Energy.
EN 
ES 