Weidenaar Exhibit at Grand Rapids Public Museum Closing July 5

Your time is almost gone to catch a wonderful exhibit.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s (GRPM) exhibition, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar will close on Sunday, July 5, 2015. The exhibit commemorates the works of local artist, Reynold Weidenaar, whose work earned international acclaim.

The exhibition celebrates internationally renowned artist Rey Weidenaar’s 100th anniversary by showcasing a large portion of the GRPM’s unparalleled collection of his prints, plates, tools and personal effects, including 75 prints and 25 digital images. The collection, a majority of which was donated by Jay and Betty Van Andel, speaks to the history of Grand Rapids from the artists’ point of view, focusing specifically on how Weidenaar incorporated local scenes, humor, and his own personal worldview and politics into his art.

Visitors to the exhibit have a last chance to explore Weidenaar’s prints for hidden messages and ridiculous situations using magnifying glasses. High resolution scans have been enlarged in prints such as "It Was a Terrible Day" and "They Who Go Down to the Sea in Ships" for optimal viewing of the various scenarios.

A significant portion of Weidenaar’s works reflect scenes from his hometown of Grand Rapids, MI, and many such prints including "Locomotive Shops", "Eyes of the City", "St. Mark's Cathedral", and "Farmer's Market" are featured in the exhibit. One of his most famous prints, "Six Ways to Draw on Copper" is also on display.

Audio accompanies the exhibition which features interviews with seven local people speaking about Weidenaar’s work including: Kim Smith, owner of Perception Art Gallery; Steve Schousen, Professor of Art at Aquinas College; David Van Andel, the son of Jay and Betty Van Andel, donors of the collection to the GRPM; George Heartwell, mayor of Grand Rapids; and Tom Dilley, a local historian and GRPM Board of Trustee’s member.

Admission to Through the Eyes of Weidenaar is included with general admission to the GRPM. On Saturday, June 27 visit the exhibition where local printmaker Lee Ann Frame, will be available to teach us the process of printmaking with a copper plate. Then, try your hand at printmaking. For additional information, please visit www.grpm.org.