Brenda Sipe’s drawings of birds, women, and abstract patterns emerge on layers of intense color.

Scarves by Brenda SipeSupplied

Grand Rapids artist Brenda Sipe paints, draws, and stamps her original designs onto 100 percent silk. Her drawings of birds, women, and abstract patterns emerge on layers of intense color. Her scarves are washable by hand and colorfast. Her unique designs are sold at several galleries throughout the country, including The University of Michigan Art Museum gallery shop. See her work locally at YT Galleria, 966 Cherry St. SE, or at www.etsy.com/shop/BrendaSipeArt

Sipe has a master’s of fine arts in painting from Michigan State University and is the director of continuing studies at Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design. She has been an ArtPrize artist for the past four years, exhibiting both paintings and sculpture. Recently, she held a one-person show of prints, drawings, and sculpture at Manierre Dawson Gallery, West Shore Community College in Ludington. For 2013, Sipe was awarded a residency at Golden Apple Studios in Harrington, Maine. View more of her work at www.brendasipe.com

Stephen Kellogg’s Countdown to Blunderstone Tour hits twenty-one states this spring and summer with his only Michigan stop happening at Seven Steps Up in Spring Lake. Most West Michigan fans know Kellogg from his shows with Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers. This tour is supporting Kellogg’s new solo album Blunderstone Rookery to be released on June 18. “This is…

Stephen Kellogg comes to Seven Steps up in June.Supplied

Stephen Kellogg’s Countdown to Blunderstone Tour hits twenty-one states this spring and summer with his only Michigan stop happening at Seven Steps Up in Spring Lake. Most West Michigan fans know Kellogg from his shows with Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers. This tour is supporting Kellogg’s new solo album Blunderstone Rookery to be released on June 18. “This is Stephen’s first time to play our intimate Pin Drop Concert series,” said Seven Steps Up co-owner Gary Hanks. “We’ve seen him several times with the full band and it was fabulous, but we can’t wait to see him alone on stage—he’s such an amazingly talented songwriter and performer.”

Opening the June 1 concert in Spring Lake is Milow, the Belgian artist who, over the past five years, has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. His list of achievements includes number-one singles, platinum albums, sold-out tours, and performances at some of the world’s most prestigious festivals and millions upon millions of YouTube hits.

A free download of “Thanksgiving,” one of the songs from the new album is available at www.StephenKellogg.com More information about Milow can be found at www.milow.com

For more information about the June 1 concert, visit www.PinDropConcerts.com The performance is at 8 p.m.. with doors opening at 7 p.m. There will be a cash bar. Tickets start at $25 in advance.

With the May 14 opening to the public of its latest, large-scale permanent outdoor sculpture, American Richard Serra’s Equal Intervals, Equal Elevations, the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park has created a post-minimalist union of massive metal objects and natural landscape.

There is an gardening philosophy that calls for
creating “rooms” – unified, themed areas of natural setting, plants and, often,
artwork.

With the May 14 opening to the public of its latest, large-scale permanent
outdoor sculpture, American Richard Serra’s Equal
Intervals, Equal Elevations, the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
has created a post-minimalist union of massive metal objects and natural
landscape.

And, of course, there is room for the public.

Equal
Intervals, Equal Elevations is composed of four large, weathering,
forged-steel blocks, leveled at the top and placed at equal intervals embedded into low hills surrounding a pond near the center of the outdoor sculpture park.

“This artist is extremely important and well known
because of how he utilizes space,” said Joseph Becherer, vice president and chief
curator at Meijer Gardens, during a tour of the location

Richard Serra. Equal Intervals, Equal Elevations, 1996-€“2012. Forged steel, site-specific installation of four blocks. © Richard Serra. Photo by William J. Hebert.

 . “In a sense,
this whole physical basin, this whole valley side, is the artwork.”

Serra visited the site last fall to approve orientation
of each of the blocks into the landscape.

Serra, born 1939 in San Francisco, Calif., studied
literature at UC Santa Barbara and earned his M.F.A. at Yale University. To
earn money for his education, he worked in local steel mills, an experience
which reportedly “would greatly inform his future sculptural repertoire.”
Serra’s early work focused on an array of materials ranging from rubber to
molten lead and the manipulation of those materials. His works are in public
and private collections around the world and has been the subject of exhibitions
at Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Serpentine Gallery.

The Meijer Gardens outdoor Sculpture Park currently
displays a wide range of sculptures in natural settings, including Rodin,
Oldenburg, Moore and Bourgeois, on its 132-acre grounds.

For
information visit meijergardens.org

Founders has free live music every Thursday night! This week features Devin and the Dead Frets for their CD Release party, along with Rosco Bandana and The Dockside Fever.

Devin and the Dead Frets CD Release Party (Nightlife), Founders Brewing Co, 235 Grandville Ave. SW. Free. Contact for details. Information: www.foundersbrewing.com

Poetry Reading with David James and Dennis Hinrichsen (Books), Great Lakes Commonwealth of Letters (Formerly Literary Life Book Store), 758 Wealthy St. SE. 7:30 pm. FREE. Information: 458-8418.

Sheryl Budnik Artist Reception (Art/Museums), Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE. 6 pm. Contact for details. Information: 493-8966.

Singer Series: Diana VandeWater (Nightlife), Crush Nightclub, 20 Monroe Ave NW., Grand Rapids. 7-10 pm.  Free. Information: www.thebob.com

Vital Remains + From Hell (Nightlife), The Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce SW. 8:30 pm. $8/advance, $10/day of show. Information: www.pyramidschemebar.com

Justin Kellner – Solo (Art/Museums), LaFontsee Galleries Grand Rapids, 833 Lake Dr SE. Contact for details. Information: www.lafontsee.us

Erik Griffin (Nightlife), Dr. Grins at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW. Contact for details. Information: www.thebob.com

Spring Film Series: “Girl Rising” (Film), Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 E. Eighth St., Holland. $6/Adults, $5/Seniors, Hope College Faculty, Children. Contact for details. Information: www.hope.edu/arts/knick

Spring Art Exhibit (Art/Museums), Crossroad Bible Institute, 2976 Ivanrest SW Suite 200, Grandville. Contact for details. Information: www.src-art.info

Junior Regional Art Competition (Art/Museums), LowellArts!, 149 S. Hudson St., Lowell. 10 am-6 pm. Free. Information: www.lowellartsmi.org

The 90’s Holla Back w/DJ Hustlah (Nightlife), Billy’s Lounge, 1437 Wealthy St. SE. 8:30 pm.  $2. Information: www.billyslounge.com

Jeff Kraus: “Conditions” (Art/Museums), Gaspard, 235 S. Division. Contact for details. Information: www.gaspardgallery.com

Looking for Normal (Stage), Spectrum Theater at GRCC, 160 Fountain St. NE. Contact for details. Information: 234-3946.

Sheryl Budnik (Art/Museums), Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave. S. Contact for details. Information: www.fhfineartscenter.com

Ben Neumann Art Exhibit (Art/Museums), Bruce and Mary Leep Art Gallery at the Postma Center at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, 300 68th Street.   Contact for details. Information: 222-4530.

Titanic: The Artifacts Exhibition (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. Contact for details. Information: 929-1700.

Michigan Artist Series: Heather McGill: Oblique Angle (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW. Contact for details. Information: www.artmuseumgr.org

Mariel Versluis Art Exhibit (Art/Museums), DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Contact for details. Information: www.devosplace.org

The Improvisational Quilts of Susana Allen Hunter (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW. Contact for details. Information: www.artmuseumgr.org

John Shea Trio (Nightlife), Gilly’s, 20 Monroe Ave. NW. 6:30-9:30 pm.  Contact for details. Information: See Facebook.

The Jansma Print Collection at the GRAM: Five Centuries of Masterpieces (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW. $20/members, $25/non-members. Contact for details. Information: www.artmuseumgr.org

Grand Haven Music Fountain (Community), Waterfront Stadium, 1 N. Harbor Drive, Grand Haven. Contact for details. Information: www.grandhaven.org

Bernar Venet at Meijer Gardens (Art/Museums), Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. Adult 14–64: $12, Senior 65 & older: $9, Students with ID: $9, Children 5–13: $6, Children 3–4: $4, Children 2 & younger: Free. Contact for details. Information: 957-1580.

Great Lake Shipwrecks, Storms and Stories (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. Free with General Admission. Contact for details. Information: 929-1700.

Her latest series reflects Brander’s love of natural beauty.

CJ Brander: From the Blowin’ in the Wind seriesSupplied

Grand Rapids artist CJ Brander has a passion for art and gardening, which she combines in her current series, Blowin’ in the Wind, a reflection of her love of natural beauty. “I am continually surprised by the beauty that surrounds me on a daily basis and enjoy sharing that beauty through my art,” Brander said.

A garden designer, Brander uses the encaustic technique, and that is what makes her art so unique.

Encaustic, which has a long history, is a painting method where color-pigmented beeswax is melted, applied to a surface, and reheated to fuse the paint into a smooth or textured finish. The surface can be polished to a high gloss; it can be modeled, sculpted, textured, and combined with collage materials. It cools immediately, so there is no drying time, and beeswax, which is impervious to moisture, is an element of nature, connecting Brander’s work even more to her subject matter.

Her work can be seen at the Glass House Gallery, 215 W. Main St., Lowell, and at The Gallery in the Cherie Inn, 969 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids. Her work appeared in the LowellArts! Regional Competition this past month. She also has had pieces at the First United Methodist Church’s Celebration of the Arts, ArtPrize, Fountain Street Church, Terryberry Gallery, East Grand Rapids Public Library, and Coopersville Library.

The exhibit “Looking East, Facing West” opens May 24 at the Gardens.

Long Island Buddha by Zhang HuanSupplied

Go West!
This month, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Scuplture Park takes a look across the Pacific with “Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan,” opening May 24.

Saying Zhang Huan is a Chinese artist is much too limiting. Born and educated in China, but not always approved of by the government, he is a sculptor, painter, photographer, performer, and installation artist.

His sculptural works combine the feel of physical endurance and spiritual tranquility, are usually based on Chinese history and heritage, and make clear his reverence for Buddhism. While works of sculpture are central to the the Garden’s presentation, including his iconic copper and steel Long Island Buddha, several of the artist’s paintings and photographs will also be featured. The exhibit will be up through August 25. The Gardens are located at 1000 E. Beltline NE. For more information, visit www.meijergardens.org

“Looking for Normal” will run May 23 to June 1 at Grand Rapids Community College Spectrum Theater.

Redefining normal: Samantha Guthier and Craig HammerlindBrian Forde

The Actors’ Theatre Grand Rapids likes to choose plays that examine the human experience, are often thought provoking, and usually leave the audience with a smile on their face.

The group certainly has a play which lives up to that billing with Jane Anderson’s Looking for Normal, running May 23 —June 1 at Grand Rapids Community College’s Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE.

“Looking for Normal will close out our season with the kind of play we are known for producing: entertaining, innovative, and thought-provoking live theatre,” said Jonathan Clausen, Actor’s Theatre director of development. “We felt Looking for Normal explores the transgender issue in a way that was sensitive and timely. It’s a warm, yet funny play.”

Looking for Normal, which was adapted to the 2003 HBO film Normal, focuses on the lives of Roy and Irma. Married for twenty-five years, with two children, both are active in church and their American heartland community. But their lives are transformed when Roy begins a powerful, often humorous, journey to personal truth.

The play is also a journey, and a challenge, for both the lead actor and the director.

“The play is really about family, not Roy’s journey,” said Craig Hammerlind, who portrays Roy. “How his journey effects those around him, and their struggles and how they choose to live within their realities. Hopefully people will come to see a story about love and family and self actualization.”

Fred Sebulske, play director and founding director of the Actors’ Theatre, also sees the play as one as much about family dynamics as social controversy.

“It clearly is a subject that is provoking lots of discussion today and could not be more timely—and the play handles it with a lot of grace and respect,” Sebulske said. “I love plays about families, confronting tough times with courage and no small amount of humor.”

And he is not concerned the audience may be more familiar with the film than the play.

“The play script is quite different from the movie and predates the film,” Sebulske said. “The film was only shown on HBO, so I have the feeling that the majority of the audience may not have seen it and may approach the play on its own terms.”

The Grand Rapids Community College Spectrum Theater is located at 160 Fountain St. NE (just east of Ransom Avenue); parking is available at the college’s Bostwick Avenue Parking Ramp. All currently scheduled performances begin at 8 p.m. For tickets call the box office at234-3946. For more information, visit actorstheatregrandrapids.org

“Anything Goes” this weekend as the popular Broadway production comes to DeVos Performance Hall.

Anything Goes sails into the DeVos Performance Hall for the weekend.Courtesy of the show

1969 Tribute Show: Fundraiser for Well House (Nightlife), The Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce SW . 7 pm. $7. Information: www.pyramidschemebar.com.

Celebrate “Press Here” by Herve Tullet (Books), Grand Rapids Madison Square Branch, 1201 Madison Ave. SE . 6:30 pm. free. Information: 988-5400.

Creativity Uncorked: Improv Chop Shop (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW . 7 pm. $25 members, $30 non-members. Information: 831-2919.

Grace Adele & The Grand Band (Nightlife), Founders Brewing Co, 235 Grandville Ave. SW . Free. Contact for details. Information: www.foundersbrewing.com.

JukeJoint Handmedowns at One Trick Pony (Music), One Trick Pony, 136 E. Fulton Ave. 8 pm. free. Information: 235-7669.

Molly Hatchet Concert (Music), The DeltaPlex Arena & Conference Center, 2500 Turner Ave. NW , Grand Rapids . 7 pm. $25, $30 and $50. Information: www.deltaplex.com.

Reds, Whites & Brews: A Celebration Benefitting Indian Trails Camp (Community), Celadon New Town, 2050 Celadon Dr NE . 6-10 pm. $50 each. Information: 677-5251.

Singer Series: Kathy Lamar (Nightlife), Crush Nightclub, 20 Monroe Ave NW. , Grand Rapidss. 7-10 pm. Free. Information: www.thebob.com.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (Stage), Holland Civic Theatre, 50 W. Ninth St. , Holland. 7:30 pm. $18 adults; $16 seniors; $10 students. Information: 396-2021.

Grand Rapids Symphony Rising Stars Series: Beethoven Symphony No. 6 (Music), Royce Auditorium, 24 Ransom Avenue NE. 7 pm. $18+. Information: 454-9451, ext 4.

David Crowe (Nightlife), Dr. Grins at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW . Contact for details. Information: www.thebob.com.

Spring Film Series: “Barbara” (Film), Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 E. Eighth St. , Holland. $6/Adults, $5/Seniors, Hope College Faculty, Children. Contact for details. Information: www.hope.edu/arts/knick.

Anything Goes (Stage), DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW . $32+. Contact for details. Information: 742-6500.

Grand Rapids Film Festival (Film), Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, 2 W. Fulton. free – $25. Contact for details. Information: 717-0048.

Justin Kellner – Solo (Art/Museums), LaFontsee Galleries Grand Rapids, 833 Lake Dr SE. Contact for details. Information: www.lafontsee.us.

Spring Art Exhibit (Art/Museums), Crossroad Bible Institute, 2976 Ivanrest SW Suite 200 , Grandville. Contact for details. Information: www.src-art.info.

Junior Regional Art Competition (Art/Museums), LowellArts!, 149 S. Hudson St. , Lowell. 10 am-6 pm. Free. Information: www.lowellartsmi.org.

The 90’s Holla Back w/DJ Hustlah (Nightlife), Billy’s Lounge, 1437 Wealthy St. SE . 8:30 pm. $2. Information: www.billyslounge.com.

Jeff Kraus: “Conditions” (Art/Museums), Gaspard, 235 S. Division . Contact for details. Information: www.gaspardgallery.com.

Fashion & Tea (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW . 1-2:30 pm. $15/non-members, $13/members. Information: www.grmuseum.org.

Michigan Works Access Site for Job Seekers (Community), Georgetown Christian Reformed Church, 6475 40th Ave , Hudsonville. 6-8:30 pm. Contact for details. Information: 669-5180.

Ben Neumann Art Exhibit (Art/Museums), Bruce and Mary Leep Art Gallery at the Postma Center at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, 300 68th Street . Contact for details. Information: 222-4530.

Titanic: The Artifacts Exhibition (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW . Contact for details. Information: 929-1700.

Michigan Artist Series: Heather McGill: Oblique Angle (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW. Contact for details. Information: www.artmusueumgr.org.

The Improvisational Quilts of Susana Allen Hunter (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW. Contact for details. Information: www.artmuseumgr.org.

John Shea Trio (Nightlife), Gilly’s, 20 Monroe Ave. NW . 6:30-9:30 pm. Contact for details.

The Jansma Print Collection at the GRAM: Five Centuries of Masterpieces (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW . $20/members, $25/non-members. Contact for details. Information: www.artmuseumgr.org.

Bernar Venet at Meijer Gardens (Art/Museums), Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE . Adult 14–64: $12, Senior 65 & older: $9, Students with ID: $9, Children 5–13: $6, Children 3–4: $4, Children 2 & younger: Free. Contact for details. Information: 957-1580.

Great Lake Shipwrecks, Storms and Stories (Art/Museums), Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW . Free with General Admission. Contact for details. Information: 929-1700.