The Village Theater at Cherry Hill is currently exhibiting artwork from the 25th Annual Canton Fine Arts Exhibition now through November 4, 2017, bringing together works of some of the best artists throughout southeast Michigan. The exhibit contains works in a variety of media, including: paintings, sculptures, mixed media, drawings, pastels, and photography.
This year’s winners include: Best of Show - Paul Van Heest for Lepidopterphobic Rhinoceros (Colored Pencil); Second Place - SoulKeever for Incense (Watercolor); Third Place - Brenda Beene Shackleford for Body Language (Mixed Media). Honorable Mentions were awarded to Haydar Alyasiry for Bloody Wedding #2 (Oil) and Barbara Eko Murphy for Sound of Silence (Inks). Merit Awards went to: Kathleen Boettcher for I See You Clearly (Acrylic); Rozelle Copeland for 3 Bees (Photography); John Middlestead for Light up the Floor (Photography) and Reem Taki for Persian Carpet (Gold/Gouache).
“We are delighted to bring back this exhibit, which has gained a tremendous reputation for featuring engaging artists who are creating not only what’s new, but what’s next,” said Joe Kvoriak, Canton Performing Arts Coordinator. “This year’s Canton Fine Arts Exhibition truly presents art for all ages and interests. Each year, we continue to see works from some of the best artist living and working in Michigan.”
Over forty pieces were selected by this year’s juror, Jean-Paul Aboudib, who is a Michigan based artist working and residing in the metro Detroit area. Aboudib earned a BFA degree from The College for Creative Studies and an MFA in Painting from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. His current paintings embody a saturated color palette and a painterly approach culled from a variation of expressive realism. Aboudib has exhibited his work in various galleries and exhibition spaces, including the Alden B. Dow Museum, The Forum Gallery at The Cranbrook Academy of Arts, the historic Scarab Club, The Artist Market, The Ann Arbor Art Center, The Pontiac Creative Art Center, The Cherry Hill Village Theater, Madonna University, The Plymouth Community Arts Council, The Tangent Gallery, The Guardian Building of Detroit and The Alfred Berkowitz Gallery. In addition, he has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including Honorable Mentions, Merit Awards and Best in Shows in juried art competitions. In 2011, he was the recipient of the Best in Show award in Canton’s Fine Arts Exhibition at The Village Theater and also was awarded Best in Show in the Alfred Berkowitz statewide competition in 2013.
Aboudib’s art can be found in the collections of The Plymouth Community Arts Council, PCS Global Company, Milano’s high-end Men’s Fine Apparel and in the private collections of art lovers across the state of Michigan including a portrait in the collection of Hip Hop artist Eminem.
The Canton Fine Arts Exhibition began in 1993 as an activity of Canton Project ARTS, a cultural programming body which provided various arts-related events and activities to the community. In 2004, Canton Project ARTS was absorbed by Canton Leisure Services and is currently guided by the Canton Commission for Culture, Arts and Heritage.
The public is encouraged to view this free exhibit: Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; during public performances at the theater; and by appointment by calling 734/394-5308. The gallery, located at 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton, is closed on holidays. For more information about this latest exhibition, please call 734/394-5308 or visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org.