Male Oriole Call

Mr. Oriole enjoying lunch on my deck

Stacy Niedzwiecki

What is ArtPrize, you say? If you live anywhere in West Michigan, you’d have to live in utter seclusion to not be aware of this radically unique competition held throughout the streets and downtown establishments of Grand Rapids, Michigan. But for those of you who haven’t experienced it – ArtPrize fills our community with the good, the bad and everything in between. The numbers are staggering – bringing in 1200+ artists from all over the world and drawing in tens of thousands of visitors.

To view my project plans – visit my profile at http://www.artprize.org/stacy-niedzwiecki.

I am actively seeking a venue in which to display my images. My goal is to have the majority of the work created during my time spent at ISLAND’s Hill House Artist Residency Program and throughout the summer of 2012.

If you are a fan of my work, and would graciously consider a donation of any sort towards the production and resulting display, I am humbling posting a PayPal “Donate” button below. Producing an ArtPrize display takes a great deal of effort and funding to produce an quality entry of size or magnitude.

Thank you for your consideration.

View my 2010 ArtPrize entry
View my 2009 ArtPrize entry

Save the date – as a reminder to join us at the Bellaire Community Hall for a photography presentation by Stacy Niedzwiecki. Niedzwiecki is one of the 2012 Summer Artist-in-Residents at ISLAND (The Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design).

Exact time to be announced as plans are finalized – stay tuned!

“Dear Stacy,

We’re pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to ISLAND’s Hill House Artist Residency Program. The jury was impressed with your work, and you seem like a great fit with the program.”

Amanda Kik
Co-Director
Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design (ISLAND)
Web: www.ARTmeetsEARTH.org

Those of you who are not artists or performers may be stopping at this point to ask yourself, “What is a residency?”

Basically, artists’ residencies (also called artists’ communities, colonies, retreats, workspaces, and studio collectives) provide dedicated time and space for creative work. It allows an artist to focus only on their artistic passions – free from the stresses and demands of daily responsibilities.

The goal of the Hill House Residency is to support talented emerging songwriters, writers, and non-studio artists with a two, three or four week stay in a semi-secluded log cabin near East Jordan, Michigan. The home includes a well stocked kitchen, a selection of instruments and some basic recording gear for musicians, as well as opportunities for community exchange through performance, readings and workshops (should an artist desire to conduct one).

ISLAND is a non-profit arts and ecology center dedicated to connecting people with nature, art and community, located near Bellaire, Michigan.

One of my main objectives of applying for this residency is to prepare a new body of work for the upcoming 2012 ArtPrize competition. The theme of my work will be From the Shores. The goal is to capture very unique perspectives and objects literally from the water’s edge throughout the state of Michigan. Additionally, the beautiful area around Intermediate Lake, Torch Lake and East Jordan will allow me to document loons, eagles, wildlife, local scenery and interesting historic landscapes found throughout that region of the state.

Stay tuned as I share more about my upcoming residency and work towards securing a venue for 2012 ArtPrize!

Additionally, ISLAND is currently working to set up a date for at the Bellaire Community Hall on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 so we may host a community photo presentation of my work. Please watch my Event calendar for details on the exact time.

Looking for a unique gift for Mom? Come pick up a gift pack of Michigan-themed greeting cards, a matted print of her favorite scene or a poster for her office!

Photographer Stacy Niedzwiecki will be on hand to sign the prints, books and more at The Specialty Gift Shop – located on the third floor of the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion (right next to the Waterfall Cafe).

First place lands a $1000 Gura Gear gift certificate good for the purchase of any Gura Gear products, and the second and third place prizes are pretty terrific too!

Voting ends April 22 at midnight (MST) and is hosted via Facebook – please click through on the links below to vote:

• Fall Folly
• Little Bostwick Lake
• Nice Ice
• Sailboats at Sunset
• Solitude
• Sunset Sentinel
• Watercolors III

"Solitude" canvas piece at the new Rogue River Winery

On Saturday, March 24, 2012, the new Rogue River Winery celebrated its Grand Opening event to show off their beautiful new facility. Located just next to Reds on the River along the Rogue River, the Winery offers a variety of red, white and specialty wines, including their own creations from some of Michigan’s finest vineyards. The Rogue River Winery also offers unique private wine tasting parties and banquet/meeting space.

I’m pleased to have hung seven of my works throughout this great new venue for the opening. Six 36″ x 24″ gallery-wrapped canvas pieces and one large framed image are highlighted in the main tasting bar area.  They are all available for purchase (and can be ordered right here online). If you’d like one of the images in a different size or as a traditional photo print – just ask! Prints or canvas can be created in a multitude of sizes to fit your decorating needs.

Stop by soon to relax and “wine” down at this fun new destination in our great little downtown of Rockford, Michigan.

Rogue River Winery on Facebook

Michigan BLUE Spring 2012

Michigan BLUE is a lifestyle magazine uniquely targeted to those who have an affinity for life lived on water with the express purpose of promoting the riches of Michigan.

I’m pleased my image of a Common Loon photographed in Northern Michigan last spring, was chosen as BLUE’s Spring 2012 cover. You can pick up a copy of this fine publication on news stands throughout Michigan, or visit mibluemag.com.

The winery has already been open a bit for a sneak preview, but they are hoping to hold their official opening the weekend of March 17, 2012. Please check their website / Facebook for details on the opening).

In the brief clip below, you’ll catch a glimpse of my work hanging about 0:27 seconds into the video – but the best way to enjoy them is in person at a leisurely pace – with a glass of wine in your hand! All of the works are available for purchase – please contact me if you are interested in a particular image. All of pieces can be purchased online.

Get ready for the upcoming “Portraits of White Lake” photography competition! I will be conducting an optional “Photo Walk” outing in a nearby natural area (location to be announced) on Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 6-9 pm.

The Photo Walk fee is $10 if you are also registered for my “Seeing the Scene” Workshop – or $20 if attending the Photo Walk only.

All skill levels and camera types welcome. Children 10-13 must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered for the workshop.

To register for this workshop, fill out and mail in a registration form, or give the Nuveen a call at 231-894-ARTS (2787).

Find out more about the “Portraits of White Lake” photography competition at the Nuveen Community Center for the Arts Artist Opportunities page. Entries due: June 12-16, 2012. Read complete entry guidelines here. Entry forms will be available soon!

*This class made possible in part by a grant from the White Lake Community Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.