Heartland Artists Gallery innovates new way to share art during closure

PLYMOUTH — The Heartland Artists Gallery has been a part of the Marshall County community for four decades.

Current president of the Heartland Artist Gallery is Anna Kietzman who has big plans for the upcoming year for the gallery.

The Heartland Artists Gallery statement is simple; We are a nonprofit group founded in the 1970’s made up of artists and those who support the arts. We host two annual juried art exhibits: The Small Wonders in May and the Regional Juried Art Exhibit in October. We provide an art award to a Marshall County high school senior going on to further their art education; we offer art classes for children and adults throughout the year; we display the artwork of our members daily; and we feature a local artist monthly.

These events have been put on hold for the gallery due to the COVID-19 health crisis currently impeding upon the community. The Heartland Artists Gallery statement is as follows:

“As we all work to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Heartland Artists Gallery will close until it is determined that we can open and operate safely. It is of the utmost importance that we protect the health and well-being of our members and visitors and just be good humans.

“A few notes on our current and upcoming exhibits and events: The Youth Art Exhibit was scheduled to run through the end of March. We know how hard these students have worked and how proud they are to have be chosen for this exhibit. As an alternative, we will soon offer a virtual tour of the exhibit, showcasing each school and their students’ works. We expect this to be online in the next few days. April’s exhibit featuring Terry Steiner has been rescheduled for 2021. And, as of now, the Small Wonders Juried Exhibit opening reception is postponed to May 9th and we’ll know more in the coming days if we will cancel the exhibit entirely.

“The ARTS in the Street festival is still scheduled to be held Saturday, June 27th and our June featured artist, Jennifer Compton, remains scheduled as normal.

“We are currently not scheduling any classes through April. Art, in its many forms, has always been a source of healing. The arts help navigate our emotions, give us opportunities to express ourselves, and simply provide a much-needed distraction from all the noise. Thus, it’s important that with everything happening around us, we find respite and ways to express ourselves in healthful and creative ways.

“In the weeks ahead, the Heartland Artists will provide online visual art experiences for children and adults. These will be free and available to the public. Be sure to check our website and social media for virtual tours and exhibits, links, projects, demonstrations, and more. And, we will be inviting you to participate and share! In the meantime, please take care of one another.

With love, The Heartland Artists” Although the gallery must adapt to the changes, hope is still present in the gallery and the community. The members of the gallery give the following statement; ‘We at the Heartland Artists are eager to see what this year and new decade have in store for us and our community. Naturally, when asked what our resolutions will be for the coming year, we responded: ART! Make more art… share more art…connect with one another through art.

“Between the upcoming events, new featured artists, and a robust program of classes and workshops, we are well on our way to fulfilling our goals! If art is on your to-do list for this year – whether looking to make more art, sell your art, or to learn and be inspired – be sure to check out our 2020 schedule of featured artists, sign up for our classes, register as a vendor for Art in the Street, and/ or consider becoming a member! We would love to welcome you to our organization!’

Kietzman concludes, “Art has always been a huge part of my life. It’s given me hope and has led me through my life. We are going to be taking out into the county. We’re putting out art in unexpected places. We’re going to be doing a series of pop up galleries and really make sure art is a part of the community.”

The Heartland Artist Gallery can be found at 101 N Michigan St. in downtown Plymouth or on their Facebook page.