32 | FEBRUARY 25 • 2021
ARTS&LIFE
ART
W
hen the
Birmingham
Bloomfield Art
Center announced winners of
its 2021 BBAC: Current Students
Works Competition, it was refer-
ring to projects completed by
adult artists who value continu-
ing education. Many had earlier
works shown — and bought —
in galleries and art fairs.
Some of the competitive
student works, on view at
the BBAC through March 4,
already have been sold. They
are among 163 varied media
pieces — including paintings,
prints and jewelry — on dis-
play.
Area artist Claudia Shepard
served as juror to decide awards
that included cash prizes, tui-
tion certificates and gift cards
for art supplies totaling more
than $3,000.
• One familiar honoree, Patti
Tapper of Orchard Lake, shows
two paintings with the winner
being Peonies, an acrylic on can-
vas. Her artistic attention has
moved through jewelry, ketu-
bahs and quilts.
“Each of my daughters gave
me flowers one Mother’s Day,”
Tapper explained about the
source of her imagery. “I took
photos of the bouquets and
painted what was shown. I love
the joyful color scheme.”
Tapper, who was a painting
major at Bowling Green State
University in Ohio, takes sat-
isfaction from her experiences
with the professional artists
teaching at the BBAC, which
she describes as having an
“uplifting atmosphere” for “cre-
ative professionals.”
• Susan Shlom, of West
Bloomfield, was recognized for
The Diva, another acrylic on
canvas, also colorful but show-
ing an outdoor image with an
Impressionist approach.
“This is a fall scene,” said
Shlom, who has found it excit-
ing to be able to paint, display
and have someone purchase her
work during COVID. “I’m very
affected by nature, and I paint
every day.”
Shlom, who taught English
and social studies for 24 years
at Hillel Day School, has shown
her work at many galleries that
have served Oakland County
and continues taking classes
because she believes “everyone
needs to study.”
• Jewelry holds the focus of
Jodi Galperin, of Farmington
Hills, whose necklace, On the
Frontier, is another award win-
ner.
“I call it raw and rustic,” said
Galperin, who likes working
Local Jewish artists shine at
BBAC mixed media exhibit.
Expressing
Their
Creativity
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Details
Images from BBAC: Current Students Works
Competition can be seen through March
4 — 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Saturday — at 1516
Cranbrook Road, Birmingham. (248) 644-0866.
bbartcenter.org.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BBAC
Steve
Rubin’s
Vivid
Susan
Shlom’s
The Diva