Latest News
Holiday Shop Hop 2011
LaFontsee Galleries Participates in Shop Hop 2011
December 1st, 2011 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.
GRAND RAPIDS - Save the date! Holiday Shop Hop is coming - on the same night as our Small Works Exhibition Opening!
The four vibrant business districts of Uptown (East Hills, East Fulton, Wealthy Street and Eastown) are decking the halls for the best shopping night of the year! LaFontsee Galleries is partnering with Shop Hop 2011, Gift certificates available for purchase. Free gift wrapping. Free trolley service. We hope to see you there! Happy Holidays!!
Small Works By Enormously Talented Artists
Running Through December 31st, 2011 GRAND RAPIDS - This is our 5th Annual exhibition of original works suitable for gift giving. We’re showcasing artworks of all genre and in all media — from realistic to abstract, landscape to whimsical, paintings to sculpture — all in small or miniature sizes. Free Admission. Everyone is Welcome. Dress is Casual. Click Here to view Featured Small Works
833 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506, call (616) 451-9820 for details. Happy Holidays!
Small Business Saturday
LaFontsee Galleries Participates in SBS 2011
November 26, 2011 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
GRAND RAPIDS - Visit the Galleries East Hills location to experience an unmatched shopping experience. Locally hand crafted gifts - from women's jewelry to men's time pieces. Don't have time to gift-wrap? Our friendly staff will be on hand wrapping gifts at no extra charge. LaFontsee Galleries will be opening its doors to celebrate Small Business Saturday on Saturday November 26th @ 10:00 a.m. 833 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506, call (616) 451-9820 for details.
Local Business Spotlight
Paul Jendrasiak | GRNow.com; WZZM 13
GRAND RAPIDS — "Artists are really our life blood. As our #1 supplier we couldn’t be a great gallery without great artists," said gallery owner Scott Lafontsee to GRNow.com's interviewer Paul Jendrasiak. Click Here to see the 3 minute video on wzzm.com.
Scott expresses his gratitude to the community & artists for contributing to over 20 years of excellence.
"We are fortunate to have a community that helps support us in selling many different kinds of art.
Some artists have been with us for 20 years or more, and a number of young fresh artists are coming to us as well."
Involvement with Shop Hop 2011, history with the East Hills neighborhood, and gallery artist David Huang's involvement with Art Prize 2011, are all highlights of this interview. Check it out!
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/182653/48/GRNowcom-LaFontsee-Galleries
Come Out and Play!
Grand Rapids, MichiganRunning Through November 25th, 2011
We invite you to join us in celebrating our FIRST EXHIBITION in the new digs: “Come out and Play!” Artworks by a slew of very talented artists including: James Karsina, David Huang, Christy DeHoog, Carl Forslund, Pam Moxley, Carolyn Fehsenfeld, Michael Schaeffer, Paul Varga, Rick Stevens & many more. Free Admission. Everyone is Welcome. Dress is Casual. 833 Lake Drive SE. Call gallery 616-451-9820 for details.
Art Movement
By Alexandra Fluegel| Grand Rapids Magazine; September IssueGRAND RAPIDS — The dust has cleared, the moving trucks (and human chains) are long gone and two Grand Rapids Galleries are settling into their new homes. Both The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts and LaFontsee Galleries moved into more prominent spaces in July, and if you haven’t made it inside yet, here’s a look at what’s waiting for you.
LaFontsee Galleries
(616) 451 9820; www.lafontsee.us
Walking into the new location at 833 Lake Drive, you’d never guess that the building was formerly a social services office building. 53 small offices were knocked down and a drop ceiling was removed to create a welcoming open space filled with natural light. Moveable walls can be shifted around depending on the needs of the exhibition.
“This allows us to create more intimate spaces”, said Linda LaFontsee, who co-owns the business with her husband, Scott.
The East Hills building has 6,000 more square feet than the previous space, a renovated riverfront warehouse in Monroe Avenue that the galleries and gift shop occupied for nearly 20 years.
One challenge the couple faced was making sure visitors aren’t overwhelmed by the large, open space. To that end, small alcoves are built into the walls creating vignettes that vary with each stretch of space.
“The goal was to not overbuild,” Scott explained, “We want to leave it open, but we also want to make it an inviting environment.”
Having more space allows LaFontsee Galleries to exhibit more art, increase its framing capacity, expand its gift shop, and more easily host private events.
Many of the buildings renovations were designed to accommodate specific needs, such as large-scale, built in viewing stations.
“We work with a lot of businesses and interior designers, and now they will be able to come in and easily view large scale pieces,” Scott said.
The new location also features an easily accessible loading dock that will make transporting pieces in and out of the gallery more convenient for staff and clientele alike, an elevator, a large public parking lot and outdoor exhibit space for sculptures.
The move its self was a long process, LaFontsee said. “It took a monster effort on behalf of the staff.” The gallery was closed for eight days while staff and professional movers transported the works, and contractors were still pouring concrete when the new location officially opened for business.
LaFontsee Galleries finds a hip spot in East Hills
By Morgan Jarema | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.comGRAND RAPIDS — Longtime art galleristas Scott and Linda LaFontsee have moved into what Scott LaFontsee has dubbed Grand Rapids’ “gallery district.”
“One of the reasons we came to this neighborhood is its diversity: economic, cultural, the number of galleries, boutiques, restaurants, breweries,” he said. “When you’re a city like we are, if you can multiply the reasons for people to come to an area, it becomes a destination.”
The new LaFontsee Galleries/Underground Studio, 833 Lake Drive SE in the East Hills/Uptown neighborhood, opened July 14 in a renovated 1950s brick building that originally housed medical offices and most recently was the headquarters of mental health agency Network 180.
At about 24,000 square feet on two floors, the new building is not much larger than the space they leased downtown for nearly 20 years.
The couple founded the Underground Studio in 1987, on Grant Street, five blocks from their new location and since 1994 have run LaFontsee Galleries/Underground Studio in a renovated riverfront warehouse in the Monroe North business district.
The gallery opened a second location, in Douglas, in May.
The couple’s artistic eye saw the potential in the Lake Drive building that other potential buyers could not. “Linda and I, when we walked in, we saw it,” he said. The walls that made up the 50 or so medical offices have come down, leaving a spacious retail gallery, framing and gift area. Ductwork has been left exposed, cracks in the concrete flooring have been patched but not made perfect and some beams used to hang artwork still bear contractor’s remarks from when the building was constructed.
“We tried to keep the nuts and bolts of it,” he said. “But we can do that, because we’re a gallery.” Among the pluses, Scott LaFontsee said, is free parking, outdoor display space and more room for artists’ series, workshops and community fund raisers. LaFontsee said it’s the lower level, which has been turned into a custom production area where some of the gallery’s 14 staffers assemble large-sized and large-run projects, where the most efficiency has been gained from the new space. The production area now is linear, with all equipment on wheels. “We gained two days a week in labor alone by redesigning the workspace,” he said. “That was huge for us.”
While he would not say how much the building or renovations cost, “We’ve leveraged ourselves to get into this, but not overleveraged. The economy offered this up at a price we couldn’t have afforded even a year before we purchased it.”
Keeping up with industry changes was another big reason for the move for the company, which LaFontsee said had record sales in 2009 and 2010.
“We’ve reinvented ourselves and thought about the future at a time when everyone is looking at ‘How do we stay relevant?’” he said. “That’s real important for us because we help artists build their careers.”
New Exhibit in LaFontsee Galleries Lakeshore Opens August 19
Douglas, MichiganOpening Reception: August 19th, 6 —9 pm
Open Fridays through Sundays, 11am—5pm and by appointment
Phone: 269.857.1676
Join us on Friday, August 19 as we celebrate the third art opening in our new Lakeshore Location!
Serving SINFUL SANGRIA!
Featuring the Artwork Of Missy Morrow • Clay Stauffer • Christy DeHoog • Lisa Kowalski • Patrick Atkinson • Renee Hartig • Judith Tummino • and more!
LaFontsee Galleries Opens New Lakeshore Gallery
Douglas, MichiganOpening Reception: May 27th, 4—9 pm
Open Fridays through Sundays, 11am—5pm and by appointment
Phone: 269.857.1676
We're excited to announce we're opening a second location! This extension of LaFontsee Galleries is located in the beautiful lakeshore community of Douglas, Michigan, and is a collaboration with Cannarsa Structure & Design. This second location will focus primarily upon fine art, with limited hours and appointments.
From the Grand Rapids Press:
DOUGLAS – LaFontsee Galleries will partner with Cannarsa Structure and Design to open a new gallery here.
The gallery, 150 Center St., grew out of the Grand Rapids-based gallery's relationship with John Cannarsa, an architect and interior designer who will own and share the 1,800 square foot space. The gallery will feature two-dimensional and three-dimensional works by artists featured in LaFontsee's Grand Rapids location.
The gallery will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning May 27 and by appointment.
An opening celebration is planned for May 27 from 4 to 9 p.m.. The new gallery can be reached by calling 269-857-1676
The opening comes as LaFontsee is hosting its final exhibition in its long-time Monroe Avenue home. The gallery plans close the Monroe space July 2 and open at 833 Lake Drive July 14.
LaFontsee Galleries: We're on the Move
Our move from 820 Monroe to 833 Lake Drive is almost here! Our moving schedule is:
| July 2 —13 | 820 Monroe Location CLOSED | |
| July 14 | 833 Lake Drive Location OPENS | |
Remember, your favorite things about LaFontsee Galleries aren't going anywhere. We'll still offer you the very best in local and international art, unique home decor and gifts, and custom framing. Even our phone number, 616.451.9820, is remaining the same! Read more. |
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LaFontsee Galleries Opens New Lakeshore Gallery
Douglas, MichiganOpening Reception: May 27th, 4—9 pm
Open Fridays through Sundays, 11am—5pm and by appointment
Phone: 269.857.1676
We're excited to announce we're opening a second location! This extension of LaFontsee Galleries is located in the beautiful lakeshore community of Douglas, Michigan, and is a collaboration with Cannarsa Structure & Design. This second location will focus primarily upon fine art, with limited hours and appointments.
SHIFT } Join us for our final exhibition at 820 Monroe Ave. NW.
Opening Reception: May 11th, 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
As we prepare to depart the place that we called home for 18 years, help us celebrate the people and the community that have supported our journey along the way. The passion of our artists, loyalty of our clients, and treasured relationships with our community are something we carry with us from this location to the next. Please join us in celebrating our final exhibition at 820 Monroe Ave. NW.
WHAT YOU’LL SEE:
• An assortment of work from LaFontsee Galleries’ best loved and most established artists
• New work by up and coming artists you have yet to fall for
• Moving sales in the gift shop and on readymade frames
• Friends, artists, business owners, and staff whose years of dedication and solid partnerships allow us the opportunity to grow
• Smiling faces
• Fun drinks
• Pending bullet point 6, more smiling faces
SHIFT } opens May 11th and is on view through June 30th, 2011. Come support the art community and our transition to the new location!
SAVE THE DATE! Don't miss the best dog-gone party in town!
BISSELL BLOCKTAIL PARTY! June 15th
Support The Humane Society of West Michigan, attend the 2011 Bissell Blocktail Party
Once again, Bissell will be hosting their annual Blocktail Party to benefit a cause very close to Linda and Scott's heart: The Humane Society of West Michigan.
The hippest people and pets convene at the 2011 BISSELL Blocktail Party, a benefit for the Humane Society of West Michigan.
Celebrating our 6th anniversary we invite you, your friends and your pooch to join us and fellow animal-lovers at this one-of-a-kind “block” party. Enjoy succulent appetizers from Mangiamo, beer, wine and cocktails, local entertainment and the company of some fabulous pooches – all while supporting your local Humane Society!
And don’t forget – the event will feature a silent auction where you can bid on great items and of course the chance for your pooch to be the face of the 2012 BISSELL Blocktail Party!
Mark your calendars – the 2011 BISSELL Blocktail Party® is Wednesday, June 15 from 6 to 9 pm at Mangiamo!, a Gilmore Collection restaurant.
FROM THE PASSIONATE SUPPORT OF A FEW, COMES A HAPPY, HEALTHY LIFE FOR A FEW THOUSAND.
Humane Society of West Michigan does not receive any financial support from animal welfare or governmental agencies. We rely solely upon the support of people, businesses, and community foundations to operate our facilities and programs. Without that continued support, we would no longer be capable to provide care and shelter for animals in need.
New Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids surrounds children
with youthful inspiration
By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk | The Grand Rapids Press | Read the Full Article
On one of the 14 floors of Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital hangs a piece of art signed “Ben W.”
If you look closely at the picture, you also can see the young artist’s name printed backward, and that brings a smile to the face of hospital president Dr. Bob Connors.
“He started a smaller picture, and then decided he didn’t do a very good job,” Connors said. “So he flipped the paper over and started again, so you can see ‘Ben. W.’ through the picture.”
When the doors open Tuesday, visitors will be greeted by more than 600 works of art decorating the 206-bed children’s hospital. Nearly every piece of art in the $286 million hospital was made by children, for children.
“When kids come into this place, they know it’s a children’s place,” Connors said. “I think that’s the way it should be in a children’s hospital.”
Close to 9,000 children from more than 20 schools, churches and organizations participated in the work of creating art for all 14 floors of the 444,000-square-foot building, a part of the Spectrum Health complex on Michigan Street NE. [ Read the Full Article on MLive.com ]
LaFontsee Galleries/Underground Studio voted "Best Art Gallery"
by readers of Grand Rapids Magazine
Thank you, Grand Rapids!
LaFontsee Galleries/Underground Studio was voted "Best Art Gallery" by the readers of Grand Rapids Magazine. The 2010-11 reader's poll brought in a record number of votes. A heartfelt thank you to all who voted -- we are proud to be a part of this community.
Pick up the January issue of Grand Rapids Magazine at to see the full list of winners.
The Art of Healing
Katerie Prior, On-the-Town Magazine • January 2011 • Read the full article
Over the years, there have been numerous studies on the effects of healing and art. But when planning began on the children’s hospital, planners had a simpler goal. They just wanted to create a place where children would feel comfortable, happy, and hopeful, particularly when what they may be feeling as they enter the hospital is far from those emotions. “That was one of the visions,” said Helen DeVos, the hospital’s patron and namesake, at a press conference on the new facility. “That this would look to be a happy place as well as actually be one.”
Dr. Robert H. Connors, the hospital’s president, came up with the idea of adorning the walls with art from children so as to create an open conversation among kids regardless of gender, age, or other socio-economic ties. “We saw this happening as children were creating the art in our studios,” said Scott LaFontsee, owner of LaFontsee Galleries/Underground Studio. LaFontsee Galleries was one of several companies from around the nation that submited proposals when the project was announced last year. In fact, to maintain that pure, open discussion, none of the artwork in the hospital is labeled nor artists identified. “With hospitals, it’s cold and sterile because it has to be clean,” LaFontsee said, adding that the idea from Connors was to make the hospital “beautiful.”
“So, when kids walked into the hospital, it felt like it is for them.” Connors had the foresight that artwork by other children would send that message, LaFontsee said.
After being selected as the consultants for the project, LaFontsee Galleries launched a “Call for Ideas,” asking for proposals of possible art projects from schools, youth groups, and other children’s organizations. The response was overwhelming. Hundreds of area teachers stepped up with possible collaborative or individual projects in practically every medium. Once approved, children from age two to seventeen set to work creating the pieces that now adorn the hospital walls.
LaFontsee Galleries also hosted a series of collaborative projects in its downtown gallery. Over several months, area children could paint pictures of what they envisioned life under the sea would be like, create 3D paper flowers, stamp cutouts of hockey players and other figures, or create clay fish among the many projects available. Area artists working with LaFontsee Galleries helped organize those works into larger pieces.
While thousands of children across the region can be happy knowing their work is part of a collaborative project that could be comforting a patient their age, their work is doing something more: it’s engaging in a dialogue about quality of life that transcends time and circumstances.
For LaFontsee, he’s pleased his gallery was the one that helped facilitate the conversation. “This was a huge undertaking,” he said. “Our staff did amazing things, but we had help from many others, kids especially. The whole community helped make this an incredible display of children’s art.”
Local businesses participate in creation of new children's hospital
Elizabeth Slowik | Grand Rapids Business Journal
LaFontsee Galleries/Underground Studio is featured in the Grand Rapids Business Journal's Health Focus. Subscribers can read the full version of the article online.
A Look Inside the New LaFontsee Galleries
Moving to 833 Lake Drive in Spring/Summer 2011
Happy New Year from all of us at LaFontsee Galleries!
It's been a busy and successful year -- and there are big changes coming in 2011. In Spring/Summer 2011, we'll make the move to our new building at 833 Lake Drive in East Hills. We're still at our downtown location at 820 Monroe while we rennovate our new space. While a lot of things will be changing for the better in the new year, the best things about the gallery are staying the same!
The Gift of Art: Gift Certificates Available!
Give the gift of art! LaFontsee Galleries/Underground Studio gift certificates come beautifully gift wrapped and are available in any denomination. The special someone on your list can choose from thousands of unique and one-of-a-kind gifts, including original art, custom framing, hand crafted boutique items, home décor, jewelry, and hundreds of posters. With so many options, we make the art of gift giving easy.
Small Works by Enormously Talented Artists
An exhibition of original works suitable for gift-giving.
December 1 – 31
LaFontsee Galleries’ annual Small Works by Enormously Talented Artists exhibition aligns with the holiday season and features hundreds of giftable works of art. Now through December 31, we’re showcasing art works of all genre and in all media — from realistic to abstract, landscape to whimsical, and paintings to sculpture — all in small or miniature sizes.
"The great thing about small original art is that it typically has a smaller price tag,” Scott LaFontsee said. “These pieces are prefect for collecting and gift-giving. What a great way to help the special people in your life start their own art collection."
We look forward to seeing you soon – Happy Holidays!
Deck the Halls: Frame and Mirror Sale!
December 1 – 31
It’s time to spruce up your space for holiday guests — and we’re here to help! In preparation for our upcoming move, we’re reducing our inventory and passing the savings on to you. We have a huge selection of exceptional and unique ready-made frames and mirrors in a variety of sizes, colors and styles — a great opportunity for you to get the most out of your money without compromising on style. Chances are, we have the frame you need for that family photo or keepsake, a must-have piece from our current Small Works exhibit, or the perfect mirror for your home.
Linda LaFontsee presented the Maven Award by UICA Women + The Arts!
Read the Grand Rapids Press article!
WOMEN + THE ARTS: EMERGEWednesday, October 27
Location: Eve in the B.O.B. - 20 Monroe Ave NW
11:30 AM Cocktail Reception, Video Presentation, Raffle
12:30 PM Program and Lunch
1:30 PM Raffle Drawing
MAVEN AWARD RECIPIENT: LINDA LAFONTSEE
Linda LaFontsee is a true pioneer in advancing the arts, emerging artists, and creative women throughout West Michigan. Her extensive involvement in the community for over 20 years reflects her steadfast dedication to spreading the message that art enhances and changes lives. Linda not only has paved the way and has served as a mentor for other aspiring female artists, but she has facilitated the appreciation and development of art and culture in Grand Rapids and beyond.
KEEP UP WITH SiTE:LAB
OCTOBER 22, 2010 • 5pm to 11pm • 833 Lake Drive
This is an event you don't want to miss! The launch of SiTE:LAB in the future LaFontsee Galleries / Underground Studio space is October 22 from 5 to 11 pm at 833 Lake Drive. The buzz is growing for this community-wide event. All the ways you can stay plugged in to the action are below.
LIVE STREAM! TWITTER TUMBLR FACEBOOK VIDEOS
NEWS
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Future LaFontsee Galleries Building to be the First SiteLab Project Location:
SiteLab Launch: 833 LaFontsee Galleries
SAVE THE DATE — OCTOBER 22, 2010 • 5pm to 11pm
The future LaFontsee Galleries building is the location of the inaugural Site:Lab project — SiteLab Launch: 833 LaFontsee Galleries. The launch is part of an art event taking place in both the Heartside and East Hills neighborhoods; the 25,000 square foot location will host over 100 artists and groups. Because the event will be held prior to the extensive renovations slated to begin this winter, Site:Lab's creative team will have a great deal of creative control over the space — including manipulating the interior by removing walls, adding lighting, and more.
In addition to the event at the future LaFontsee Galleries, all other galleries in the East Hills and Heartside neighborhoods will be holding openings with extended hours. Avenue for the Arts will be filling vacant storefronts with art, while resident artists will show and sell original artwork. The event will include live music, street performers, specials at local restaurants and bars, and free transportation around the area.
Site:Lab creates temporary art projects aimed at facilitating dynamic collaborations between the art, education, business and cultural communities of Grand Rapids. For more information about Site:Lab, visit www.site-lab.org.
The Rumors are True!
LaFontsee Galleries will be moving home to East Hills!
We are delighted to announce that we have purchased the old Network 180 building at 833 Lake Drive in East Hills! The original Underground Studio location (founded over 25 years ago!) is only 5 blocks away from the new location and we are excited to return to our old neighborhood. This move will allow us to join an area full of great galleries, shops and restaurants, provide an ample amount of convenient, on-site parking and exhibit outdoor sculpture. Our entire staff is looking forward to welcoming you to our new location during the spring and summer of 2011!
One of Grand Rapids' largest art galleries moving to East Hills area
Chris Knape | The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS — One of the city's largest art galleries will pack up its longtime home and move to the bustling East Hills business district by next summer.
The former Network180 building, 833 Lake Drive SE, will provide LaFontsee Galleries with room to grow and more steady foot traffic, said owner Scott LaFontsee.
"One of the biggest reasons for moving was to try to land in a neighborhood that is business progressive, and that has to be the most progressive neighborhood by far," LaFontsee said. "It's very diverse, very unique with lots of galleries, lots of restaurants and little shops that carry everything from food goods to clothing."
Kathryn Caliendo, community organizer for the East Hills Council of Neighbors, said she couldn't be happier with the new arrival.
"Yee-ha!" she said. "We think it's a perfect fit. We have restaurants and bars. We are sort of the Bohemian side of Grand Rapids these days."
The 24,000-square-foot mid-century modern building will be gutted to make way for the gallery's eclectic mix of art work, housewares and gift items.
The 2.5-acre site will allow room for more outdoor sculpture, while the interior space also gives the commercial side of the business, which supplies artwork and framing services to places like Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, room to stretch.
LaFontsee, who co-owns the business with his wife, Linda, said he hopes the addition of the gallery will create a sort-of gallery neighborhood where people can stroll from store to store for the afternoon.
He had hoped the North Monroe area where the gallery first moved 20 years ago would turn into that district, but that didn't happen.
"It never really took off as retail," he said of North Monroe. "I don't know if people think of that as out of the way, even though it's not, but the two other big buildings there being turned into condos has changed the flavor of the neighborhood."
Owning the East Hills building also will provide the kind of long-term home that LaFontsee has always wanted. Since the building had been empty for more than a year and prices for commercial properties were declining, the gallery was able to get a good deal, he said.
Kent County records show the property was purchased for $760,000 in August. It last changed hands in 2005 for about $1 million.
"The economy helped us," LaFontsee said. "This is a classic case of there being opportunities in these kinds of times. It gave us an opportunity that even last year we couldn't have done."
Betsy DeVos and
"Open Water no. 24"
Chris Knape
Grand Rapids Press
Reserve: Grand Rapids' newest wine bar pairs great wine with great art.
We've been working with Reserve, Grand Rapids' newest wine bar, to select and install several amazing pieces of art, including the 2009 ArtPrize winner "Open Water no. 24" by Ran Ortner. Make sure to stop in to Reserve after September 21 for a glass of wine (or two!).
ArtPrize winner 'Open Water no. 24' goes on display at wine bar partly owned by DeVos family
Chris Knape | The Grand Rapids Press
The winner of the inaugural ArtPrize in 2009 was unveiled Thursday at its new home -- Reserve, a wine bar slated to open Sept. 21 at 201 Monroe Ave. NW. The bar is a partnership between Dick and Betsy DeVos' Windquest Group and Martha's Vineyard owner Kameel Chamelly.
The 6-foot by 19-foot "Open Water no. 24" by artist Ran Ortner had been on loan by the DeVos family to the Grand Rapids Art Museum since shortly after the end of ArtPrize. Betsy DeVos said placing the painting above the bar's cruvinet (a 102-bottle wine dispensing system) will keep it on public display while making it a focal point of the new downtown gathering spot.
Designed by Brian Barkwell and Valerie Schmieder, of Via Design, Reserve mixes modern design with the traditional architecture of its historic setting. Artwork was provided by Linda LaFontsee at LaFontsee Galleries. More than half of its furniture was sourced from local furniture makers.
Photos by Brian Kelly,
Rapid Growth GR
Joel Berry, LaFontsee Galleries Framer & Artist
Featured in Rapid Growth GR
LaFontsee Galleries framer and 2010 ArtPrize artist Joel Berry was featured in popular online Grand Rapids magazine Rapid Growth GR. An excerpt of the article by Mitchell Terpstra appears below. Read the full article.
Joel Berry sees a canvas in everything.
"Sometimes I'll just find a rock like this," Berry says, displaying a cannonball-sized piece of limestone split cleanly down the middle. "Though one of my favorite things to do is throw rocks, smashing them open." Berry then uses the newly revealed interior surfaces as canvases for painting, improving upon nature by spending many finger-aching hours applying his whimsical designs. He finishes the designs with a quadruple-0 Winsor & Newton paintbrush--a brush so small its tip is made of approximately four synthetic hairs, making the final details virtually undetectable to the naked eye.
The 29-year-old Berry hesitantly refers to Rochester Hills, where he grew up, as home, though he made the move to Grand Rapids nine years ago, attracted by Grand Valley State University's art program. After he graduated in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in fine arts in printmaking, he became a full-time employee forLaFontsee Gallery / Underground Studios located downtown at 820 Monroe. There Berry assists with art framing services by managing the moulding orders and inventory, in addition to building custom frames.
New work featured in our main gallery
Stop in to our main gallery to view brand new work from some of our most popular artists, including:
LaFontsee Galleries to host over 20 artists for ArtPrize 2010
LaFontsee Galleries is gearing up for ArtPrize 2010! The artist and venue matching period ended recently, and the gallery has matched with over 20 amazing ArtPrize Artists!
Lisa Price's Artgoodies: NEW to our Urban Craft Boutique!
Looking for a touch of whimsy in your home? Stop in to see local artist Lisa Price's ArtGoodies line, featuring hand towels and stuffies hand printed with an original, linocut, block prints!
Tea Towels are 100% cotton. Nice and absorbent for drying dishes, looks great when company is over, and makes a great housewarming gift! Measures 20”x28”.
Stuffie Mini-pillows are backed with coordinating vintage fabric and filled with poly-fil. Great in a group on your bed, your couch, your office, or in a gift basket! Sizes range from 5” x 5” to 8 1/2” x 9”.
Artist Lisa Price grew up in the Chicago suburbs and spent her summers gardening, canning, and visiting the farmers market with her grandmother in northern Indiana. That is where she began her fascination with nature and the colors and designs of the fifties. She received a B.F.A. in printmaking in 2001, and now brings you modern block print housewares with vintage flair. Her company artgoodies, founded in 2006, offers tea towels, aprons, and stuffie mini pillows each hand printed with one of her original linocut block prints. Lisa resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she works out of her home studio.
Congratulations to Abigail DeVries!
Abigail is the winner of our recent Go Green and Win drawing! As part of our ongoing commitment to the environment, we've asked our patrons to sign up for our e-mail club. To reward those making the switch from paper to email, anyone who signed up at the Galleries during the month of April had the chance to win a beautiful (and green!) Shiraleah handbag.
You can go green and stay in touch with LaFontsee Galleries by signing up for our E-Club!
James Karsina exhibit at the University Club—Meet the Artist
LaFontsee Galleries artist James Karsina's work will appear in a featured exhibit at the University Club of Grand Rapids. The exhibit opens with a meet the artist event.
Thursday, May 13
5:30–7:00 p.m.
Complimentary Hors d’ oeuvres
Thank you, Grand Rapids!
LaFontsee Galleries has been voted the top art gallery in Grand Rapids by the readers of Grand Rapids Press and MLive.com! Thank you for your votes — we love bringing great art, custom framing and unique gifts to Grand Rapids.
Visit MLive.com for the full list of winners.
Summer Internship Opportunity!
We are looking for a senior level art student with drive and initiative interested in learning about the aspects of running a gallery as a business. This person should be detail oriented, hard working, positive, punctual and flexible. MORE DETAILS >>
In the front lines with healing art
Grand Rapids Family Magazine: "Our goal is to bridge the gap so that children can walk into the hospital and feel its for them," says Scott LaFontsee. To promote a healing and nurturing environment in the new Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, children's artwork will soon adorn the walls.
Read the article
Learn how you can help
LaFontsee Gallery teams with Helen DeVos Children's Hospital to fill hospital halls with healing art
The Grand Rapids Press: "We would take proposals from just about anywhere," LaFontsee said. "This 'Call for Ideas' is directed toward anyone who has a valid idea that in the end will be something that's useful. We need to come up with enough variety to fill 14 floors. The challenge is to find enough diversity to accommodate the size and scale."
Local businesses succeed in tough economy
In an article featuring LaFontsee Galleries, The Grand Rapids Press explores why small businesses are succeeding during the recession.
We're on YouTube!
We've added videos demonstrating some of our new items in our Urban Craft Boutique. Check out shape-shifting Liquid Cardboard, new & fun wind-up toys and write-on/wipe-off coasters and wine tags!
We will be adding more videos soon so be sure to check back!
Visit LaFontsee Galleries on YouTube!
