Note from the Atelier Hi There Reader... As I was putting together this week's newsletter, I learned of the passing of David Hockney at age 88. Less than a year ago, I visited the Hockney print exhibition at the Grand Rapids Art Museum and was reminded of what a remarkable career he had. While many people immediately think of his California swimming pools, I've always been drawn to his bold use of color and admired his willingness to keep experimenting throughout his life and career. As artists, it's easy to become comfortable with what we know. Hockney never seemed interested in comfort. Whether working in paint, photography, printmaking or even on an iPad, he remained curious. That's a good reminder as we head into summer. Continue exploring, creating and learning! Enjoy,

June's Don't Miss Art Exhibitions

The Art of Banksy Without Limits Fair Market, Austin, Texas A June visit to Austin offers warm evenings, live music and a chance to see The Art of Banksy Without Limits at Fair Market. The exhibition combines large-scale reproductions, immersive installations and multimedia elements that explore the provocative street-art style that made Banksy a global phenomenon. For travelers who enjoy contemporary art, pop culture and urban creativity, it makes an interesting addition to Austin's already energetic cultural scene. Through September 7, 2026

Obama Presidential Center Chicago, Illinois Opening next week on Juneteenth (June 19th) on Chicago's South Side, the Obama Presidential Center is much more than a presidential library. Art is woven throughout the 19-acre campus, with nearly 30 site-specific commissions by artists including Carrie Mae Weems, Julie Mehretu, Maya Lin, Jeffrey Gibson and Lorna Simpson. For visitors interested in contemporary art, public art and civic spaces, the Center offers a chance to experience a major new cultural destination while exploring Chicago. Grand Opening June 19, 2026

Video Killed the Radio Star: The 1980s and Their Cultural Echoes MUDAM Contemporary Art Museum of Luxembourg If the 1980s feel like yesterday, this exhibition in Luxembourg may be worth a closer look. Video Killed the Radio Star: The 1980s and Their Cultural Echoes explores the decade through contemporary art, examining how the music, media, technology and consumer culture of the era continue to influence society today. Expect a mix of nostalgia and reflection as artists revisit a decade that shaped everything from MTV to modern digital culture. Through October 11, 2026

Café Society: Art and Sociability in Belle Époque Paris Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Memphis You don't have to travel to Paris to experience the spirit of the Belle Époque. Café Society: Art and Sociability in Belle Époque Paris explores the cafés, cabarets and gathering places that inspired artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir and Degas during one of France's most vibrant cultural periods. Through paintings, posters and decorative arts, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the creative energy that helped shape modern art. Jun 21, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026

I Came for The Bar

And Stayed for the Glass

Several years ago, I visited the Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle. I wasn't particularly a blown glass aficionado, but they had a cool bar/restaurant (The Bar) that was written up and recommended; however you had to buy exhibit tickets to go - so of course I bought the tickets.

WOW.

I was clearly not prepared for the size, scale and number of pieces of art. What struck me most was that the installations weren't just individual pieces of blown glass. Each work was a composition of its own, made up of dozens, sometimes hundreds, of individual elements arranged together to create a large, real composition. It was part sculpture, part architecture and right up my alley. The Bar ended up being the cherry on top!

That experience came rushing back this week when I visited Frederik Meijer Gardens (FMG) here in Grand Rapids to see the current Chihuly exhibition. Dale Chihuly is one of the world's best-known glass artists and has spent decades pushing the boundaries of what glass can do. While glassblowing itself dates back more than 2,000 years, Chihuly helped elevate the medium from decorative objects to large-scale fine art installations. His vibrant colors and organic forms often resemble flowers, sea creatures, baskets and other natural elements, making his work especially effective in botanical garden settings.

One thing that surprised me at the FMG exhibit was how much I enjoyed seeing Chihuly's drawings. I was already familiar with the glass, but I had never seen the sketches and concepts behind the finished pieces. The exhibition also included a fascinating collection of hundreds of faxes (!) he sent to his studio team over the years. These weren't polished plans; they were quick sketches, ideas and visual notes that helped communicate his vision. As someone who spends a lot of time sketching ideas and thinking about concepts, I found them every bit as interesting as the finished glass.

If you have the opportunity to see a Chihuly exhibition, I highly recommend it, whether in Seattle, Grand Rapids or elsewhere.

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