Joy Schroeder (Courtesy Photo)
Welcoming in the new year at the Shiawassee Arts Center in Owosso is a one-person, multi-media exhibition entitled “Past, Present and . . .” by East Lansing artist Joy Schroeder. The public is invited to the Opening Reception 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, to meet the artist, enjoy food and music and receive 20 percent off a purchase of her artwork. The show, which is Jan. 12 through Feb. 14, is sponsored by Getzen & Connell, CPAs, Excel Leadership Solutions, Dr. Deborah Schroeder-Saulnier, Interiors of Colorado, Dr. Stephanie Clemons and Kenneth C. Beachler.
Many people have influenced her artistic life, most notably her mother who put Joy through the Bixby Art School at Washington University in St. Louis where she graduated with a BFA in Design. Even though she freelanced graphic design for many years after college, she found enjoyment with the fine arts, especially with serigraphy in Grand Rapids and was influenced by John Goodyear. After moving to East Lansing, Joy studied serigraphy at MSU, and also took etching and papermaking with MSU’s Jim Fagan. She became hooked on printmaking and even did some welding with Jim Lawton.
For 40 years, Joy coordinated a Contemporary Christian Art Show in East Lansing – a totally free, high-caliber, juried art exhibit that attracted regional, national and international talent, along with out of state jurors from Chicago, St. Louis, New York City, etc. Joy also taught Life Drawing for the MSU Evening College for about 30 years and continues to run a drop-in Life Drawing Session for artists on Monday nights year-round at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing. She was recognized in 2015 with work in two international shows: ArtPrize in Grand Rapids (for the third time), and ISEA (International Society of Experimental Artists) as well as regional shows.
Joy’s current artwork includes handmade paper collages, photography, monotypes, collographs and Life Drawing. Joy also enjoys found materials. Much of her work deals with social issues, especially her paper pieces. She has a fascination for the unknown that comes with monotypes. Recently, along with monoprints, she has been sculpting heads out of white cement with Nancy Leiserowitz. Joy also loves working in handmade paper collage combining her love of paper with the outdoors.
The Shiawassee Arts Center, 206 Curwood Castle Drive in Owosso, is open 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, featuring the artwork of local and statewide artists in eight galleries including the Frieseke Gallery and a specialty Gift Shop. The public is welcome and there is no admission charge. SAC, which is celebrating its 44th anniversary in 2016, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to encourage participation and appreciation of the arts. For more information, persons may call the Arts Center, (989) 723-8354, or visit www.shiawasseearts.org.
