Cathy Ogden (left) shows off her watercolor “Sea Grapes,” which was awarded first place in the 2011 Art Ambience Art Exhibition and Miniature Show. Also pictured are Rosemary Bunea (second from left), who took second place, and Laura Mocnik, third. The 24th annual event was held April 8 to 10 at the Woodhaven Community Center.
By Evelyn Cairns
More than 150 art lovers gathered at the Woodhaven Community Center April 8 for the opening reception of the 24th annual Art Exhibition and Miniature Show of Art Ambience.
Cathy Ogden captured the first prize of $300 for her watercolor “Sea Grapes;” Rosemary Bunea, second and $200 for her self-portrait oil “Deep in Thought;” and Laura Mocnik, third place and $100 for her oil painting “Prima Ballerina.”
The Artists’ Choice Award and $100 went to Carol Caruso for her oil painting “Love Is in the Air.”
The program included a special tribute to five artists who were among the founding members of Art Ambience: Margaret Arnott, Shirley Ciungan, Gloria Dunn, Betty Trombetta and Iva Turner. They were presented with the Sharon Sims Award, named for the artist who envisioned a showcase for the talents of local artists and saw it become a reality.
The juror for the exhibition was Theodore W. Vassar, who has taught art at Monroe County Community College for the past 40 years.
The reception included hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, door prizes and music by pianist Len Buckman. The exhibition, which continued on April 9 and 10, included demonstrations by artists.
Songfest set for symphony
The Overture Society of the Southern Great Lakes Symphony will sponsor “Spring Songfest,” an evening of music and desserts, from 7 to 9 p.m. April 29 at the Grecian Center, 16300 Dix, Southgate.
Performers will include SGLS Downriver Idol finalist Lara Semetko and semifinalist Jessica Colvin.
Also on the program are the Mood Swing Duo, who will sing songs of the 1940s and 1950s; the female quartet Hers Hymns and a newly formed barbershop quartet.
Tickets, $20, are available by calling (734) 671-0170.
Ernie Harwell play will open
A play about the late beloved baseball broadcaster Ernie Harwell, “Ernie,” by Mitch Albom, will premiere on April 28 at the City Theatre, located a block from Comerica Park.
In the two-person production, which is set on Harwell’s last night at Comerica Park, before he walks onto the field to say his good-byes, he relates the story of his life to a young boy.
The play features footage from historic baseball events, many of Harwell’s emotional calls and insight on how games in Harwell’s early years were broadcast by electronic reconstruction.
Will Young will appear as Harwell, and T.J. Corbett, the Boy.
Tickets, $20 (a number of premium seats will cost $25), are available at the City Theatre box office in the Hockeytown Café or by calling (800) 745-3000. Curtain time and additional information are available by calling (313) 471-6611.
Coming up . . .
April 28 — Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (better known as Lou Gerhrig’s Disease) benefit honoring Jim Hiller, CEO of Hiller’s Markets, whose mother, Harriet Hiller, died of the disease; 6:30 p.m. at the Royal Oak Music Theatre; hors d’oeuvres, a plated dinner, music, an open bar, silent auction and valet parking are included in the price of tickets ($150); proceeds will support the Hiller ALS Clinic and Research Center at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.
April 29, 30, May 1, 6, 7 — Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center performances of “Honk!” based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duck-ling;” 7:30 p.m. (except 2:30 on May 1) at the Trenton Village Theatre; tickets are $12, adults, and $10, students and seniors; for more information, call (734) 362-8153.
April 30 – May 1, May 7, 8, 13 to 15 — Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends return to Greenfield Village for “Day Out with Thomas: Leader of the Pack 2011”; tickets are $22, adults; $21, seniors; $16, youths 5-12; children under 5, free (additional charge for a 20-minute ride on a train pulled by Thomas); for more information, call (313) 982-6001 or go to www.thehenryford.org.