Polish Artists Shine at Gala
By Henryka Olbrot, Ph.D., President, Lakeland Society of Artists
Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Highlights “REMBRANDT and the Face of Jesus” Show
BLOOMFIELD— The presenting artists were front and center at the preview reception at the Festival of the Arts at Nativity Episcopal Church. It was the artwork that was the real stars though. Shining brightest was ‘Best of Show,’ a mixed media fiber piece by veteran gallery artist Cynthia Trevino-Bodene. The Farmington Hills artist was all smiles as she graciously accepted the many congratulations.
Regarding ‘Best of Show’ art historian and commentator, Jan Waller added, “This award piece is a winner. It is very complicated with the layers. It has a great use of nature and is very accessible to the eye. She finished it brilliantly.”
My co-chairs of the event Tim and Diane Wittlinger checked and rechecked all the details and the opening reception was Bardzo Dobrze to the second power. They welcomed guests and gave everyone a comprehensive program booklet with all the details. The viewer’s responses and enjoyment were enhanced by the musical offerings of harpist Susan Behrens. “These are the best attendance numbers we have ever experience,” added Tim Wittlinger.
The three day event concluded with a concert by ‘Joyful Noise’ a musical group from Grace Episcopal Church in Southgate. In total, 43 artists presented in the long running showcase. Besides Nativity Episcopal Church, the event was supported by the Lakeland Society of Artists, Polish Mission and Yager and Associates, a financial group in Northville.
Evelyn Bachorski-Bowman of the Polish Mission Art Gallery in Orchard Lake won the first place in sculpture. Bob Nixon a clay artist got the ceramic blue ribbon and was very popular with his bowls. The former design chief at General Motors had items with great pastel combinations. Other top prizes went to Lidia Simeonova, Gerry Pas and Joe Pas.
The influence of the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Wayne State University was represented. The educational aspect of the festival fostered by Rayneld Johnson, Ph.D., and the honored juror, Professor Urban Jupena both of WSU was informative and ambassadorial for the future.
Jupena was popular describing his experiences presenting at the International Triennial Tapestry Exposition in Łódz, Poland. Dr. Johnson was explaining new genres such as ‘Art to Wear’ as highlighted by hand painted “The Coffee Filter Dress” by student Erica Woodliff. It demonstrated eco-friendly and sustainable art principals.
The comprehensive communication efforts of Raymond Rolak and the hospitality styling’s of Estelle Zelasko added a professional assurance to the event. Rolak also networked the support of the Detroit Institute of Arts and Zelasko coordinated the gala reception with Uptown Weddings of Chelsea. Her committee of Eva Barczynski, Michele Schindler, Ryszard Kosowicz and Krystyna Rizk made the evening elegant and tasteful. The wine tasting and mini-meatballs with dill sauce (kuleczki mięsne w sosie koperkowym) got enthusiastic responses.
Long time art supporter Joe Greenbaum said, “Everything is so stylish and attractive.” His wife Eva added how wonderful and delicate the dessert offerings were. Many asked where the fine pastries came from? It was easy; they came from Polonka Market in Livonia, Michigan.
The DIA highlighted their upcoming opening of a special exhibit, “REMBRANDT and the Face of Jesus.” It will run from November 20, thru February 12.
Many pieces in the gallery sold on the opening night. Bachorski-Bowman said as she mingled throughout the gallery, “Look at the red stickers, people are buying and of course this is what supports and validates the artists.”
The reception and prize announcements for the ‘Polish Mission Art Competition’ organized annually by the Friends of Polish Art are Sunday, October 2, at 3:00 p.m. at Orchard Lake Schools. This year’s edition (26th) is dedicated to the memory of Richard Kubinski, the veteran art and Polonia culture ambassador. The first prize will be given in his name.
In other art news, there will be a remembrance of longtime and celebrated Lakeland Society of Artists member and contributor, Donna Andruccioli-Vogelheim. Her special presentation is supported by the Providence Hospital Foundation. It is titled, “Donna Vogelheim – Healing Power of Art” and will run from October 6, through November 30, at the Providence Park Campus in Novi at the Assarian Cancer Center. The Nancy A. Fox Art Gallery will have selected Vogelheim pieces available as part of their fine arts show. There will be an artist’s reception on October 6, at 7:00 p.m. Vogelheim passed recently after a long and brave fight with cancer.
The Detroit Design Festival concluded on September 28. It is a not-to-miss event for next year. There were 85 separate happenings throughout Metro Detroit over eight days. Art shows, gallery presentations, competitions, installations and exhibitions were just some of the events. There were also fashion shows, studio tours, performances and networking events. Coordinated by the Detroit Creative Corridor Center, they showed that new art ideas are rooting throughout the Detroit area.
“Festival of the Arts” – Award Winners
- BEST OF SHOW: Cynthia Trevino-Bodene, “Rare-Remote-Irreplaceable”
- PEOPLES CHOICE: Lauren Calhoun, “What Remains”
- FIBER: Cynthia Trevino-Bodene, “Dragonflies of the Desert”
- PAINTING: Lidia Simeonova, “The Door 2”
- SCULPTURE: Evelyn Bachorski-Bowman, “Portrait of a Soul #5”
- CERAMIC: Bob Nixon, “Peacock Fruit Bowl”
- OTHER MEDIA: Joe Pas, “Ciderhouse”
- PHOTOGRAPHY and DIGITAL: Gerry Pas, “Running Free”
The Grand Re-Opening of the Adam Mickiewicz Library took place at the Adam Mickiewicz Library & Dramatic Circle on Saturday, September 17th. I was once a member of the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle and had visited its tremendous library several times. There are true treasures there and great resources for historical research.
The library had been officially closed and generally inaccessible for the last 17 years. During the reopening tours were provided by librarian Mary Lanham.
Here is a video of the re-opening ceremony:
The library is located in the Adam Mickiewicz Library & Dramatic Circle building at 612 Fillmore Ave., Buffalo, NY.
Father Major Sławomir Andrew Biliński of the Polish National Catholic Church served as 2011 Pulaski Day Parade Military Marshal.
Polish-born priest and doctor, Father Major Slawomir Andrew Bilinski has a distinguished career of service in military and civilian settings. After arriving in the U.S. as a priest in the Polish National Catholic Church, he was assigned to Holy Mother of Sorrows PNC Church in Dupont, PA, where he served as pastor until 2000. After earning a B.S. in pre-medical studies at Wilkes University, Father Bilinski entered Thomas Jefferson University Medical College in Philadelphia and joined the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant. Upon completion of his medical degree in 2004, he was promoted to Captain and served his internship in Emergency Medicine at Hahnemann University Hospital and residency training at the Underwood Memorial Hospital of Thomas Jefferson University. At that time, Father Bilinski also assisted at St. Valentine’s Church in Philadelphia.
In 2007, Captain Bilinski was transferred to Brooke Army Hospital and Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, where he served as medical doctor in the Emergency Room, Troop Clinic, and wounded soldiers unit. He was promoted to the rank of Major in October, 2010.
Major Bilinski now serves a triple vocation as U.S. Army officer, priest and physician by caring for our soldiers and their families at Fort Lee, Virginia. When he visits his hometown of Philadelphia, he assists with Father Krzysztof Mendelewski at St. Valentine’s PNC Church on Margaret Street, in the Frankford section of Philadelphia.
Kasztanami (Chestnut) Avenue is a small street located in the center of Rzeszów. The street is marked by several small estates and villas as well as the summer palace of the Lubomirski Family. The name of the street comes from the chestnut trees that were once planted along the road.
Prime Bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky, accompanied by the Rev. Gregory Młudzik visited Poland from August 13th to the 23rd.
Prime Bishop Mikovsky and his party first visited Warsaw, attending Holy Mass at Good Shepherd Parish, accompanied by the Rt. Rev. Sylvester Bigaj, Bishop of the Canadian Diocese of the PNCC.
Following Holy Mass, the group attended by a contingent of Scouts laid a wreath and offered prayers at the tomb of PNCC Bishop and Martyr Joseph Padewski.
The Prime Bishop next visited the Polish Catholic Parish of St. Barbara in Bolesław (Krzykawa-Małobądz) on August 15th for their Dożynki (Harvest) Festival. The Prime Bishop also visited the birthplace of our first Bishop, and organizer of the Polish National Catholic Church, the Most Rev. Francziszek Hodur in Żarki as well as the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and monument to Bishop Hodur in Libiąż.
The Prime Bishop ended his visit at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Strzyżowice on September 20th where he took part in the Parish’s 50th Anniversary Holy Mass and celebration. Rev. Młudzik was baptized and raised in the parish at Strzyżowice.
The retired pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the Very Rev. Eugene Stelmach. Fr. Senior Stelmach served the parish for forty-nine years and was also Dean over five parishes in his Seniorate. Fr. Senior Stelmach was also active in ecumenical circles, serving as Vice-chair of the Silesian branch of the Polish Ecumenical Council. The Parish’s current pastor is Rev. Adam Stelmach, the son of Fr. Senior Stelmach.
The jubilee celebration was attended by representatives of the Churches in the Silesian branch of the Polish Ecumenical Council (PRE) including: the Protestant cathedral choir “Largo Cantabile” from Katowice, Bishops from the Evangelical Lutheran Church Dioceses of Katowice and Cieszyn, the honorary chairman of the Silesian branch of the PRE, the Rev. Jan Gross of Cieszyn, and representatives from the Mariavite parishes in Gniazdów and Sosnowiec. Faithful from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Czech Republic from Czech-Cieszyn as well as guests from across Poland, the United States, and France were also in attendance.
