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

