ArtPrize

ArtPrize is an amazing competition in Grand Rapids where artists from all over the world take over the city for a publicly juried art exhibition.  Hundreds of thousands of votes are cast and hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money are at stake. This year's winner, Chris LaPorte, created a  painstakingly awesome pencil drawing entitled, "Cavalry, American Officers, 1921". I am in awe of this drawing and the detail is pretty much breathtaking. 

Next year I am going to make it a point to go check out this amazing competition!

Barry Dixon

Barry Dixon is speaking at the Michigan Design Center in, well, about 2 minutes.  Needless to say I will not be making it.  Mr. Dixon will also be making another Metro Detroit appearance as the featured lecturer at the 2010 and 26th Annual Christ Church Grosse Pointe Antiques Show, which will be kicked off this evening at the preview party and silent auction. He is speaking on how to incorporate antiques into modern homes... what a great topic! With a life that has taken him from South Africa to India and beyond I am sure that he will have a gobally cultured point of view.  Being published in numerous national publications, combined with his new hit book, "Barry Dixon Interiors" this is a much anticipated event for any design enthusaist. If you are feeling like you need to get a little revved up on the topic check out this worthwhile 1stdibs profile. I have also included some inspiring images of his work below. I am sure there are fabulous finds and stories for every room pictured below.

Image Via Washington Post

Avedon

Last night a group of us went down to a party at the Detroit Institute of Arts for the Avedon Exhibit.  The evening was spent touring the galleries and listening to live music in Kresge Court. This is an exhibit that everyone must visit before it leaves town on January 17th.  I have to say, I am more drawn to Richard Avedon's early work.  I love how he put the models in everday backdrops or in enviroments of the unexpected.  His later works still have a very emotional element, but seemed to be more studio based.  The earlier work gives the viewer a lovely window into a time period that is so elegantly intriguing.  Although some of the photographs are more than 50 years old they look like they could have been taken yesterday.  I guess that goes to show that timless beauty and style is indeed everlasting. 

Kresge Court
as photographed by Jourdan Merritt.

Detroit Institute of Arts

Jourdan Merritt

Jourdan Merritt

I think the crowd in attendance was pretty good looking too!

(Thanks Jourdan for documenting!)

Gifto Recap

The entrance to the show! Duncan Fuller supplied the lights and topiaries. With a few near electrical disasters, everything came together thanks to fishing wire and many extension cords. It looked very festive!

Yep. That's my mom on the left and my future mother in law on the right. They coincidentally showed up to the Champagne Opening in almost the exact same outfit.

Duncan Fuller also used these topiaries to decorate the Kingswood portico.

My Aunt Cathy and her business partner, Carmen, have started quite the production of floral arrangements. Their holiday wreaths and centerpieces were selling like hotcakes. Low maintence and stylish... I don't think there is much more one could ask for! In addition to gift shows they do custom work and decorations for homes. If anyone is in the market, let me know and I can put you in touch!

This display belongs to Ribbons of Birmingham, MI. They had some great holiday gifts and serving pieces, along with many other distinctive gifts.

A look down one of the hallways. Some of my other favorite vendors were:

• Embellishments from Winnetka, IL. Every year I find an awesome piece of jewelry from this store. A wide variety of styles and always unique.
  
• Just Cuff Links which has the most unbelievable assortment of cuff links, honestly something for everyone
• StyleNaturale Jewelry. Pretty and simple. And... anything endorsed by Oprah is OK in my book.
  
• Pewabic Pottery. I love the history and the craftsmanship.
• Frontier Soups. I am going to welcome the winter culinary bliss these soups will afford me!A Michigan favorite!! Cherry Republic has the best array of snacks. From jams to salsa to a variety of cherry candies this place has something for everyone's palette. Not to mention, they make fabulous holiday baskets.

I loved the local flavor of this booth. Blueberry Haven makes specialty foods that are both locally grown and produced in Michigan. I did not know that Michigan is the largest producer of blueberries in the United States! I also didn't know that blueberries could be so delicious in so many types of food! They make jams, mixes (scone, oatmeal, muffin AND pancake), trail mix, chocolate covered blueberries and super cute apparel!

Partnered in this booth was also Made Here artisan breadboards. They were so cool and would make an amazing shower or holiday gift for any taste. I loved their simplicity.

This is a look into the Kingswood dining hall which housed an amazing array of shops. The Style Shack, Thomas Pink, The Monogram Place, Caroline's Cakes, and a slew of other stores.

Good Bye, Giftorama! This year was just so fun that I am exceptionally sad to see the event come to a close, but I am also looking forward to see what the steering committee comes up with next!

A Go Go to Adventures in Toys

Also, on Friday there is a wonderful event in downtown Birmingham that supports the Bottomless Toy Chest charity. BTC delivers games, activities and crafts to hospitalized pediatric cancer patients. On Friday, November 6th, begin your holiday shopping, along with appetizers and spirits, at Adventures in Toys in Birmingham and 15% of your purchase will go to this amazing cause. By donating to the Bottomless Toy Chest you are giving a child the ability to partake in their childhood while fighting the pain of cancer treatment.

ADVENTURES IN TOYS

250 West Maple

Birmingham, MI

.48009.

6-9

A Go Go to Gifto

This weekend is the final Kingswood Giftorama. I urge you all to go and drink in the holiday spirit! After 39 years Giftorama is hanging up the ol' stockings. Successfully raising 3 million dollars for Cranbrook Schools, this will be a thoughtful and applauded farewell. There is not a better way to begin to ring in the holiday cheer than shopping for gifts while walking the hallways of such a beautiful and architecturally inspiring school.

GIFTORAMA!

Kingswood School Campus

Main Entrance:

39221 Woodward Ave.

Bloomfield Hills, MI

.48304.

Friday night Champagne Opening

Saturday and Sunday (Click on Giftorama link above for details)