'Art of Water' exhibit opens with events at James May Gallery, other Algoma locations

ALGOMA - Just as water flows, so, too, will about 170 works of art by more than 100 regional and national artists when James May Gallery opens its second annual "Art of Water" exhibit this weekend.

The exhibit, and related events on this opening weekend, will flow not just to the gallery but also to eight other downtown Algoma businesses: JMG North, Steele Street Trading Co. & Gallery, Jabberwock Gallery and Studio, Clay on Steele, Yardstick, Algoma Book Corner, Steele Street Hops, and von Stiehl Winery. The May gallery is organizing the exhibit and events in cooperation with the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce.

As the exhibit's title implies, the artists created work celebrating water and its conversation and protection. James May Gallery director and curator Kendra Bulgrin said the idea came from her love of Algoma’s Lake Michigan coastline.

"Being so close to Lake Michigan,' it's always on my mind," Bulgrin said. "(The exhibit) started in response to some of the water issues that have been happening across the country, in our county ... It's a good way to bring awareness of our water and its importance."

The exhibit officially kicks off with a reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, which includes an appearance by the Taste of Ethiopia food truck during that time. A number of the participating artists will be on hand at the galleries.

Along with being able to view more art Saturday, visitors can bring a T-shirt to JMG North and have it screen printed between 10 a.m. and noon. Book Corner, 401 Third St., will have nature-themed readings from 1:30 to 3 p.m. At 4 p.m., also at JMG North, acclaimed documentary filmmaker Matt Wechsler will preview his new film about factory farms, followed by a showing of his 2016 documentary "Sustainable," which won the 2016 Accolade Global Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Achievement.

For those who'd like to see an artist at work, members of Water's Edge Artists, a regional group that strives to paint images of environmental or historical importance, will set up their easels and paint en plein air along the lakeshore and in downtown until dusk Friday and Saturday.

Also both days, Steel Street Pub will wrap up the festivities with live music from 7 to 10 p.m., with Levi Zeitler and Chris Ragowski playing Friday and Kyle Megna and Ross Catterton on Saturday.

Donations are being collected to benefit Friends of Crescent Beach, the driving force behind the Crescent Beach improvement project, helping the city win major grant funds to control invasive plants on the beach and Infrastructure changes to help drainage issues. 

"Art of Water" runs through May at the exhibiting galleries and businesses. James May Gallery is at 213 Steele St., Algoma. Its regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays. For more information, call 262-753-3130 or go to www.jamesmaygallery.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: 'Art of Water' exhibit opens with events at James May Gallery, other Algoma locations