CURRENT EXHIBITS

On display February 13-April 9, 2012

WHERE FURROWS RUN DEEP: BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
Jeffrey Sauger
Jeffrey Sauger has been a professional photojournalist for 22 years. In 2000, he was named Photographer of the Year by the Michigan Press Photographers Association. He was given honorable mention for the same award in 2003. Sauger, who is based out of Royal Oak, has a master's degree from the School of Visual Communication at Ohio University. He also attended the Eddie Adams Workshop and Maine Photographic Workshops with William Albert Allard. His ongoing project, Where Furrows Run Deep, documents the plight of African American farmers and their disappearing lands in the rural South. 
Gifts of Art Gallery – Taubman Health Center North Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display February 13-April 9, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE: PORCELAIN
Heidi Fahrenbacher
Although Heidi Fahrenbacher’s designs look like mere decorations, there is a story behind every piece. When creating her work, Fahrenbacher’s primary influences stem from the environment around her. One day it could be the picket fence around her strawberry patch or the simple structure of a fire escape along the outside of a building. Each of these viewing experiences is essential to capturing a moment in time, and Fahrenbacher’s work embodies that initial fascination.
Gifts of Art Gallery – Taubman Health Center North Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display February 13-April 9, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

MIND MAZE: COMPUTER MANIPULATED PHOTOGRAPHY
Donna Cyrbok
Dearborn artist Donna Cyrbok creates photographs that are visual puzzles. These images are based on the concept of image constancy. Her work is inspired by the idea that the human brain is hardwired to make sense of the world around it by seeing recognizable forms, such as seeing images in the clouds or in a piece of marble. Using urban scenes with linear patterns, shadows, reflections and multiple textures, she doubles, repeats and reverses one image to create a group of four final photos. Each piece contains four to 36 images. 
Gifts of Art Gallery – Taubman Health Center South Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display February 13-April 9, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

FOLDED PAPER TRAINS
Rodger Despres
Rodger Despres was a small child when his father first loaded him into the car to chase locomotives rolling out of Big Rapids, Michigan. "We didn't have the money to buy a model train for me when I was little, so I decided to make one of my own from paper," Rodger explains. He made his first folded paper train at the age of 10 out of popcorn boxes from the movie theater. Now, almost 50 years later, Despres’ intricate craftsmanship astounds viewers. His folded paper trains and tracks, each a structural design, are engineered entirely with folds and interlocking paper tabs. Despres does this without glue, tape or any other kind of adhesive, utilizing a technique he developed himself.
Gifts of Art Gallery – Taubman Health Center South Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display February 13-April 9, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. 

COLORS AT PLAY: TEXTURED ACRYLIC ON CANVAS
Brian Zupanick
Michigan and New York based artist Brian Zupanick explores textured acrylic on canvas that allows you to feel the art. The work produces different effects depending upon the placement of light and the location of the viewer. At first glance, the work as a whole will reach out to you, and upon further study, the textures seem to rise off the canvas, imploring you to touch them.
Gifts of Art Gallery – University Hospital Main Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display February 13-April 9, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. 

BEYOND THE VELVET: PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC
James Fassinger
In classic documentary style, Michigan based photojournalist James Fassinger has assembled a collection of black and white images that span the 16 years (1992-2008) he spent living and working in the Czech Republic after the country’s Velvet Revolution and during the presidency of Vaclav Havel. These scenes depict the interesting and often overlooked lives of ordinary Central Europeans and the places that surround them during the years following the fall of communism. Fassinger’s work has been published in the Guardian, Times of London, European, National newspaper, the Czech Lidove Noviny and El Pais of Spain.  
Gifts of Art Gallery – University Hospital Main Corridor, Floor 2
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display February 13-April 9, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

FRIENDS: FOUND OBJECT SCUPTURE
Karen K. Gallup
Karen K. Gallup adapts common and uncommon found objects and materials into metaphors for human attributes. Finding inspiration in the form and shape of found objects that suggest human features, Gallup utilizes her training as a metalsmith to create delightfully whimsical yet beautifully crafted “people.”  These fabricated and constructed "people" are manifestations of her three-dimensional explorations of shape and design, finding connections between the expected and unexpected. Gallup, from Ann Arbor, has an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art and works from her studio at home.
Gifts of Art Gallery – University Hospital Main Corridor, Floor 2
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display February 13-April 9, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

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On display December 12, 2011-April 9, 2012

ARTISTIC TRAPPINGS: FIBER & BEADWORK
Madeline Navarro
Brighton, Michigan based artist Madeline Navarro expresses herself through the exploration of color, texture and space. Her wearable art is meant to blend and enhance the persona of the individual. She sees creativity as the sport of life, and animal fibers and other products of the earth as the best choice of medium. Navarro believes that engaging with the elements of Mother Nature, such as, silk, wool and stone on a daily basis helps the wearer to be nourished by artistic beauty.
Gifts of Art Gallery – Comprehensive Cancer Center, Level B2
1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display December 12, 2011-April 9, 2012
Open M-F from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

INSPIRED BY THE MASTERS: FIBER ART
Aussome Study Group
The Aussome Study Group is a collaborative forum used to exchange ideas, give critiques, and study materials and techniques. These Ortonville area artists are award-winning, international artists whose work has been commissioned, published and exhibited worldwide. This exhibit is a collection of diverse ideas and techniques inspired by master artists such as Van Gogh and Hundertwasser. Group members are Mary Andrews, Lois Ann Fulton, Karen Kiley Olson, Robbie Payne and Carol Tamasiunas.
Gifts of Art Gallery – Comprehensive Cancer Center, Level 1
1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display December 12, 2011-April 9, 2012
Open M-F from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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On display April 16-June 11, 2012

SOUTH OF THE BORDER: ART QUILTS
Michigan Quilt Artists Invitational
For the 13th annual exhibit of the Michigan Quilt Artists Invitational, curators Mary Andrews and Marty Calhoun have invited a select group of Michigan fiber artists to create a small quilt exploring the theme South of the Border. You are invited to stroll through the gallery and enjoy the sun-baked scenery. There was no limit placed on the artists regarding the method of construction or materials used in the artistic process as long as the end result was a quilt.
Gifts of Art Gallery – Taubman Health Center North Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display April 16-June 11, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

ORIGINAL ORIGAMI DESIGNS
Beth Johnson
Beth Johnson is an origami artist from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has been folding paper for over 25 years and recently began designing her own origami models. In recognition of her designs, she was recently awarded the Florence Temko Award by OrigamiUSA, which honors a “lone folder” who has contributed to the art of origami in a meaningful way. Her models have been described as fresh and unique, and portraying a feminine aesthetic that is not often seen in the male-dominated field of paper folding. 
Gifts of Art Gallery – Taubman Health Center North Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display April 16-June 11, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

BRIGHTER MICHIGAN: PHOTOGRAPHY
Exposure Detroit Photography Group
Founded in 2006 on Flickr, Exposure.Detroit is metro Detroit's largest photography group. The 2100+ membership is comprised of photographers of all levels, from amateur to professional. They offer seminars and continuing education, group photo walks, gallery opportunities and public photo exhibits. Exposure.Detroit’s mission is to expose the unknown Michigan photographer to a network of artists and friends who share in the same passion for art, photography and fun.
Gifts of Art Gallery – Taubman Health Center South Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display April 16-June 11, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

BEYOND THE BOUNDS: BOOK ARTS
U-M School of Art & Design Students
In this exhibit, U-M Book Arts instructor Barbara Brown has collected a body of work by her students which explores both traditional and contemporary bookmaking as art. Some pieces found in the show are traditional and recognizable as books. Many, however, fall into the category of alternative bindings and lead viewers into the sometimes whimsical, sometimes serious world of book inspired art. Included in the show are artists Brooke Adams, Jennifer Balangue, Abby Bennett, Brianne Burgoon, Lisa Chen, Annie Cheng, Hye Yeon Cho, Madelyn Etzcorn, Meghan Forbes, Anastassia Fulmer, Nora Jane Green, Haley Hoard, Seunghui Hong, Kimberley Karcz, Kaitlind Marek, Emily McAlister, Lyle Murphy, James Reich, Natalie Smith, Mee Yang and Ashley Yoon.
Gifts of Art Gallery – Taubman Health Center South Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display April 16-June 11, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. 

COLOUR REFRACTION: OIL ON LINEN
Michelle Richeson
A native of Northeastern Wisconsin, Michelle Richeson attended Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Graphic Communications. Richeson's fine art work has been augmented by broad experience in the commercial art world, which enabled her to travel to such destinations as China, Italy, Scotland, Canada and much of the United States. Her artwork reflects the paths and places she has traveled, inviting viewers to participate in the experience. Richeson’s work has a sense of movement and transparency that relies on the workings of the human eye to “see” and interpret her vision.
Gifts of Art Gallery – University Hospital Main Lobby, Floor 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display April 16-June 11, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.   

FOLLOW A RIVER: MOKU HANGA
Linda J. Beeman
“There are many ways to salvation, and one of them is to follow a river.” — David Brower. Michigan environmental artist Linda J. Beeman sees the possibility of a harmonious and sacred relationship between the people and the waters of Michigan. This spiritual connection is the inspiration for her peaceful, meditative work. Using the water based ancient technique of moku hanga — Japanese woodblock print — she creates heartfelt landscapes of places worth experiencing and protecting.
Gifts of Art Gallery – University Hospital Main Corridor, Floor 2
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display April 16-June 11, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

CREATURES OF CLAY: CERAMIC SCUPTURE
Stacie Sabady
When Stacie Sabady makes her ceramic creatures, she experiences great joy, and she hopes her work does the same for others. Sabady has a BFA in Graphic Design from Michigan State, a BFA in Painting & Ceramics from the San Francisco Art Institute and a Master of Design degree from the Chicago Institute of Design. She is currently based in Michigan, where she creates in a variety of media, such as drawing, painting and photography, in addition to ceramic sculpture.
Gifts of Art Gallery – University Hospital Main Corridor, Floor 2
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display April 16-June 11, 2012
Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

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On display April 16-July 30, 2012

EUROPEAN STYLE WATERCOLORS
Peter Lichomski
West Bloomfield, Michigan based artist Peter Lichomski creates watercolor paintings the old-fashioned way, without pencil sketches, masking tapes or any other supporting tools. One brush and a box of paints are enough to make vibrant images with precise perspective and proportions, the result of Lichomski’s second passion – architecture.
Gifts of Art Gallery – Comprehensive Cancer Center, Level 1
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display April 16-July 30, 2012
Open M-F from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

On display April 16-August 13, 2012

ANNIE'S GIRLS: FIBER & MIXED MEDIA
Michele Sapp
Michele Sapp is a self-taught doll maker from Farmington Hills, Michigan who creates African inspired dolls from recycled bottles. Although the dolls make references to African nations, there is no direct association. Every doll is a one-of-a-kind creation dressed in colorful garb, accented with beads, shells, found objects and other natural materials. The dolls have soft, fiber-filled heads that do not have facial features so that the observer can see the inner beauty of the piece and not be distracted by outward features.
Gifts of Art Gallery – Comprehensive Cancer Center, Level B2
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
On display April 16-August 13, 2012
Open M-F from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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