Farmington Hills Campus Showcases Women's Art

A wine and cheese reception Thursday marks the opening of Oakland Community College Women Center's annual show.

Julia Kling wandered around the Smith Theatre Gallery at Oakland Community College (OCC) in Farmington Hills Thursday evening, poring over 34 art works in the "From Our Perspectives" national women's art exhibition.

"There's a lot of good work," said Kling, an au pair living in Bloomfield and studying at OCC's Highland Lakes campus. "It's really interesting to look at and think about."

Juror Shiva Ahmadi selected "Has Ear No Mouth", a haunting depiction of a geisha, by Hui Chi Lee of Lexington, KY, as Best of Show. Other honorees were:

President's Award: "Hard Work Never Killed Anyone", Suzanne Anan, Belmar, NJ

Purchase Award: "Untitled", Aspen Hochhalter, Charlotte, NC

Honorable Mention: "I'm Telling You Now", Ginger Burrell, San Jose, CA and "Reluctant Vessel: Final", Ann Smith, Plymouth MI

Smith attended the show's opening night reception. Her 2009 work, fabricated from new and reclaimed materials, uses a suspended overturned horseshoe crab as a metaphor, with its telson, or tail spine, (normally used to turn the crab back over) piercing a decorative golden platter.

The piece signifies a significant point in her career.

"It's a moment of resolve as regards my profession. I wanted to delve a little bit more into the art, and not to the designers' bidding," Smith said.

Two Farmington artists, Valerie McNeece and Sandra Shelly, also have works selected for the show among more than 300 entries from around the country. McNeece's photo is titled, "Front Yard Prayer Service"; Shelly's piece is "After the Fire".

The 21st annual exhibition runs through Friday, Oct. 14 at the Orchard Ridge Campus’ Smith Theatre Gallery. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As read on: http://farmington-mi.patch.com/articles/farmington-hills-campus-showcases-womens-art#photo-7780838