By: K. Michelle Moran | Grosse Pointe Times | Published August 22, 2023
GROSSE POINTE CITY — September is going to be eventful — and artful — in The Village.
The downtown Grosse Pointe City district is going to be in the midst of an Art Takeover shortly after Labor Day.
More than 60 artists will be showing one or more of their works in about 26 Village businesses and common areas as part of Art Takeover, which will start with a kickoff event from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at participating locations. The art will remain on display through Sept. 30.
Art Takeover is the brainchild of Michelle Boggess-Nunley, an artist and art educator who purchased longtime Village fixture Posterity Art & Framing Gallery last fall. Boggess-Nunley — who has done other art collaborations at different venues — said the idea behind this is to unite artists, local businesses and community residents as they engage with a walking art exhibition. She said she partnered with the Main Street Grosse Pointe Downtown Development Authority to bring Art Takeover to The Village.
“It’s kind of a way to bring communities together,” Boggess-Nunley said. “It’s a way to bring people to The Village who wouldn’t normally come here.”
Main Street Grosse Pointe, which promotes The Village and organizes events for the downtown shopping district, recognizes the importance of something like Art Takeover.
“Anything that brings people into our businesses is great,” Main Street Grosse Pointe Executive Director Cindy Willcock said in an email interview. “With such a wide range of artists from all over, the event is sure to attract people to The Village — and our businesses — that have never been here before. One of the unique aspects of the Art Takeover is it really pairs the businesses with the artists, and they work together and get to know each other and build relationships.”
The Sept. 7 kickoff will include a scavenger hunt that visitors can take part in for a chance to win prizes for themselves or the artists. There will also be live entertainment by people including The Amazing Flec — a circus performer — and musician Andrew Buhr, among others.
“We’ll have them spread throughout The Village,” Boggess-Nunley said of the entertainers.
Artists will also be on hand Sept. 7 for anyone wishing to talk to them about their work.
A map in the Aug. 24 Grosse Pointe Times and on the Posterity website will show the participating locations, so that visitors can make sure they don’t miss any. Boggess-Nunley said that through Sept. 30, visitors can vote for their favorite artwork, with the winning artist receiving a prize at the end of Art Takeover.
Willcock hopes people will come for the opening event and then return to see the art again while it’s on display.
“First of all, The Village is a great place to visit, shop, grab a bite to eat and just hang out!” Willcock said. “September 7th will be extra special because it will be the kick-off of the first ever Art Takeover of The Village. We’ve got lots of fun activities planned for that evening to go along with all the wonderful art. With the self-guided tour and the art remaining up all month long, it’s a great opportunity for families to spend time together, exploring all of the art, learning about the artists and having conversations. The quality of artists and works they are displaying is so extraordinary that you can see something new every single time you look at a piece.”
Parking this summer has been challenging in The Village, with construction going on in a couple of parking areas, but Willcock said plenty of parking remains for Art Takeover visitors.
“Although construction on Kercheval Place has taken away some spots there, all other lots and the parking deck are open,” Willcock said. “And, until DTE (Energy) completes their work so that the new lights, parking kiosks and electric vehicle charging stations can be installed, parking is FREE in lot #4 (behind CVS). For visitors from the City and around the Pointes, of course you can walk or bike in or catch the K-Line Trolley on Fridays and Saturdays!”
Willcock is thrilled about Art Takeover, the first in a string of events planned for this fall in The Village.
“This event is such a great opportunity to connect our businesses and residents with artists, art and their community in a really special way,” Willcock said. “Main Street Grosse Pointe is excited to bring more art into our downtown because we understand the importance (of) accessible art. And we’re so very fortunate to have Michelle Boggess helping us lead the charge. Her commitment to art, artists and our community is unparalleled. As cool as the Art Takeover Project is, it’s just the beginning of what we have planned!”
A total of about 65 artists were selected for the event, out of 130 submissions, Boggess-Nunley said. She said they were only able to choose 65 because of space.
“We had a record-breaking (number) of artist entries,” Boggess-Nunley said, comparing the number to other art exhibits with which she has been involved.
She said she plans to make this an annual event and would consider expanding it to the other Kercheval business districts in Grosse Pointe Farms and Grosse Pointe Park.
“Hopefully next year we can accommodate much more,” Boggess-Nunley said.
Posterity is located at 17005 Kercheval Ave. in The Village. For more about Art Takeover, visit posterityartgallery.com or call (313) 884-8105.