Get Social at the Super Swirl!

Aug. 12, 2016

Crooked Tree Arts Center's Big Summer Event

Swirl is the moniker for Crooked Tree Arts Center’s summertime social mixer events where guests meet up to enjoy snacks, beverages, and local music.

But while every Swirl is well worth attending, CTAC’s once-per-summer Super Swirl engages CTAC fans on another level entirely, throwing open its doors to 600+ attendees for a giant, interactive art and music party where they can eat, drink, explore the arts center, view the summer exhibitions, and watch artists and musicians in action.

PAINT ON DISPLAY

“This year, Kevin Barton’s Twenty Years in Retrospect (his half-career retrospective) and Glen McCune’s The Art of Seeing Birds will both be on display,” confirmed CTAC’s public relations coordinator Alex Dailey.

Summer Super Swirl takes place throughout CTAC’s indoor and outdoor spaces, which are filled with art demonstrations, live music, food, drinks and a raffle for original paintings created and donated by CTAC’s Kitchen Painters, an open studio art group made up of painters of all levels and mediums.

“This will be the third year that the Kitchen Painters will donate works of art for the Super Swirl; each year more artists get involved,” Dailey said.

DEMOS AND DRINKS

In the demonstrations department — among the Summer Super Swirl’s best-attended attractions — former New York City scenic artist Jay Maldonado will lead a hands-on activity guests can take part in, and local potters Jim Beckering and Stephen Stuchell will put on pottery demonstrations, throwing pottery on the wheel.

“Pottery classes are some of our most popular — Jim and Stephen’s classes always fill up — so it’s great that people get a chance to check out the pottery studio and speak with the instructors,” Dailey said.

For eats, CTAC has partnered up with Petoskey’s D&W Fresh Market, which will provide a tasty array of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, pop, wine, and microbrews for guests to enjoy as they explore.

MUSIC AND MORE

This year’s music will bring a heavy focus on local talent. Musicians will perform throughout CTAC, in the theater, the galleries, the Bidwell Plaza, and even staged in other corners of the center.

“The musical lineup this summer includes local favorites who all have their own following or fan base,” Dailey said. “CTAC Director of Orchestras Robert Dudd will even be appearing as a strolling minstrel.”

Among this year’s performers are singer songwriter Robin Lee Berry; folk duo Oh Brother Big Sister; acoustic guitarists Jeff Pagel and Bill Wilson; and multi-instrumentalist Nathan Towne.

“Second to our upcoming 10th Annual New Year’s Eve at the Arts Center lineup — for which we already have incredible performers booked — this summer’s Super Swirl will possibly be the best indoor concert in the North,” Dailey said.

Stay tuned; the 2016–2017 Swirl fall/winter season kicks off in October, with more local musicians, chefs, and restaurants set to participate.

The 2016 Summer Super Swirl will take place at the Crooked Tree Arts Center on August 17 from 5:30–8pm. Tickets are $25 in advance/$30 day of the event. All proceeds go to CTAC’s year-round programming. For more information, visit crookedtree.org.

Clockwise from top left: Potter/ceramic artist and CTAC instructor Stephen Stuchell puts on a demo in the pottery studio for 2014 Summer Super Swirl attendees. CTAC Chairman Tony Ryner, CTAC past President Kurt Wietzke, Kathy Beamer, and Juli Ryner attend the 2014 Summer Super Swirl. D&W Fresh Market Store Director Mark Zink and his wife, Kathy Zink, enjoy the 2015 Summer Super Swirl. CTAC Visual Arts Chair Heidi Geiger demonstrates her painting skills on the Bidwell Plaza during the 2014 Super Swirl.

Photos courtesy Crooked Tree Arts Center