New ‘quality of life’ venture focused on region’s artists

An article by Kirk Pinho    1 Comment

L. Brooks Patterson may be known regionally for his one-liners, but now he’s turning his attention to showcasing those who are focused on more than one line — that is, artists living, working, or attending school in Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Livingston, Lapeer, and Genesee counties.

The five-term Republican Oakland County Executive announced during his annual State of the County address on Wednesday, Feb. 8, that MI Great Artist, expected to launch later this year in partnership with Park West Gallery in Southfield, will allow artists to upload up to five digital images of their paintings, sketches, or drawings to the event’s website for public voting. Then, a panel of arts professionals will determine the top five semi-finalists from a field of 20 voted as the best works by the public.

Those five artists will have their works framed and exhibited at Park West Gallery, located at 29469 Northwestern Highway, and during that exhibition, the winner will be announced. That top prize includes $2,000 cash; entrepreneurial training opportunities through the Oakland County Business Center; having his or her artwork featured on a poster to promote one of Oakland County’s quality of life events, such as Quake on the Lake; and several solo exhibitions over the course of a year at venues through the Economic Growth Alliance region — comprised of all six counties represented.

Oakland County Media and Communications Officer Bill Mullan said the details of the new quality of life event — including when it will take place — are still being hashed out.

“We expect to launch the (MI Great Artist) website within a reasonable amount of time,” he said, speculating that development would come sometime in March.

“We are in gear-up mode,” Mullan said. “We are looking forward to seeing some great work.”