Artwork by the Birmingham Society of Women Painters on display at the Anton Art Center. The BSWP’s work is featured in the “Emergence” show at the Mount Clemens-based art center, running until June 10. Admission to the Anton Art Center is free. “Sweeet!” by Cindy Parsons of the Birmingham Society of Women Painters is on display at the Anton Art Center.
By: Dean Vaglia | Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison Journal | Published May 20, 2023
MOUNT CLEMENS — Art and artists from around Michigan and the world have adorned the galleries of the Anton Art Center, but the latest show at the nonprofit’s home in Mount Clemens comes from just across town.
“Emergence,” running from May 6 until June 10, features 45 works created by the members of the Birmingham Society of Women Painters. Founded nearly 80 years ago, in 1944, the society has allowed its members to pursue their artistic passions and get the recognition they deserve.
“It was started because women painters were not really accepted or getting into shows or anything like that,” said Lesley Kutinsky, president of the Birmingham Society of Women Painters. “So to support women painters, a group of women got together and started the BSWP.”
The society takes part in multiple gallery shows a year — this past year, it has been involved in six shows — one of which takes place at the local Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. “Emergence” is their most recent show at the Anton Art Center, their last taking place in 2016.
“I have to say that the Anton gallery is just beautiful and one of the loveliest galleries I’ve seen,” Kutinsky said. “It displays the artwork amazingly. It’s just beautiful.”
Around 80 paintings were submitted for the exhibition, according to Kutinsky. Guest juror Darcel Deneau, a 2021 Kresge Arts in Detroit fellow and a graduate of the College for Creative studies, selected which of those would make up the 45 works to be displayed as well as which ones would receive further awards. A total of 25 of the society’s members are represented in the show.
“(Deneau) was here to juror the show on the opening reception date and was originally asked to only choose two honorable mentions, but she loved the entries so much she asked if she could add two more,” said Stephanie Hazzard, exhibition manager at the Anton Art Center. “The group agreed and they added two more awards to the show.”
The Anton Art Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and has free admission. More information about the Anton Art Center can be found at theartcenter.org, and more information about the Birmingham Society of Women Painters can be found at bswpainters.org.