Armory Arts and Westwinds raise money with 24-hour event

By Will Keeler
October 26, 2008

Art of many mediums came alive Friday evening and Saturday at the Armory Arts Village, where dozens of artists worked overnight creating pieces that were auctioned to benefit the local art community.

Concord resident Heidi Rhodes was one of about 25 featured artists in the 24-hour event creatively dubbed AP(art) or Art Apart.

“I wouldn’t have missed this opportunity to show some of my work during this exhibit,” said Rhodes a recent Spring Arbor University graduate.

Artists who work in sculpture, textiles, glass, jewelry, voice and paper were invited to create a piece of art within the 24-hour period. Visitors roamed while the artists worked, passing through hallways and open galleries to eye unusual and colorful pieces.

Proceeds from a silent auction will go toward scholarships and grants for underprivileged art students in the Jackson area. With a few bids still coming in Saturday evening, more than $1,000 had been raised.

“When I moved here to Jackson a few years ago from California, I wanted to bring a spark of artistic energy to Jackson, like seeing Jackson breathe again,” said event organizer John Voelz.

It was from this thought that AP(art) was created.

Rhodes, armed with her easel and large pieces of charcoal and chalk, set up her station in a long, narrow hallway. She worked throughout Friday evening on a charcoal and chalk abstract of a human vertebrae.

“I really enjoy working with charcoal, it’s very organic. It’s messy but it’s also very beautiful,” she said.