Artist Cheryl Zemke poses with her mermaid paintings during International Mermaid Day on March 29 at Upndown Gallery, 3205 Biddle Ave., in Wyandotte.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – Mythical sea-creatures, on canvas and in sculpture, made a big splash with attendees at the annual International Mermaid Day Celebration March 29 at Upndown Gallery, 3205 Biddle Ave.
The work of new and emerging artists was paired with the art of longtime local favorites in the upper level of the business.
Owner Jenny Senior said they are on their fourth year of celebrating International Mermaid Day, an idea originally suggested by her mother.
“It’s great fun, we love it and we have great artists who come out every year, and this one is actually better and better,” she said. “So, it’s become a thing.”
Senior said the annual event attracts guests of all ages, including families with children.
“Everybody loves mermaids,” she said. “Even the babies just love the colors, and who doesn’t love Ariel? And I’m an Eric fan.”
Jenny Senior’s husband, Jason Senior, who was dressed as a merman, explained why mermaids seem to be more popular than their male counterparts.
“Well, think about it: mermaids are very pretty and beautiful and gorgeous, and when you think about a merman, you think of Neptune or Poseidon,” he said.
Upndown owner Jenny Senior (left) and her husband, Jason Senior, celebrate International Mermaid Day March 29 at the gallery, 3205 Biddle Ave., in Wyandotte.
Jenny Senior said people enjoy the annual event, which produces the gallery’s biggest turnout of the year.
Artist Cheryl Zemke, who made two acrylic mermaid paintings for the show, as well as wooden Rialto blocks with miniature mermaid paintings, said each of the numbered Rialto blocks is a mini piece of art work.
“So far, I’ve made like 380,” Zemke said. “I carry them in my store as well, and this is a mini mermaid collection.”
Her store, Cheryl Zemke Boutique, is at 2934 Biddle Ave.
Zemke said a trip to the Caribbean inspired her imagination with thoughts of mermaids.
“Let’s say you go on a cruise and you see the Caribbean and you see the beautiful water, that turquoise colored water, you come back and you’re super-inspired by those colors and just the mystique of the water,” she said. “I like sirens a little bit more than mermaids; (sirens), are a little more vicious, but they seem pretty.”
Artist Elizabeth Faszcza poses next to her acrylic painting “Lost in Her Scales, Felt in Her Soul” during International Mermaid Day March 29 at Upndown Gallery, 3205 Biddle Ave., in Wyandotte.
Zemke, who is also known as a costumer, said she likes to work in multi-media.
She said she will have her first solo exhibit this fall at the Padzieski Gallery in the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, with a fashion show incorporated into the showing.
“For the first time in my 24-year career I’m merging both the fashion and the art together, which is kind of my passion,” Zemke said.
Another mermaid artist with work on display, Elizabeth Faszcza, said last year she displayed a colored pencil drawing, while this year she created an acrylic painting.
“It’s my first face that I’ve ever done,” she said. “She is actually ‘lost in her scales’ and feels it in her soul.”
Faszcza said she grew up with a lot of art around her. Her parents would paint with her, and she took art classes throughout her school years.
“I just picked up a paint brush and started painting, and I’m really enjoying it, so I feel like I’m getting better every time I try,” she said. “So, I can’t wait ’til next year.”
Faszcza said she likes to stand back during an exhibit and watch people react to her work.
“It makes me want to work harder for next time,” she said. “I can’t wait until next year.”
Artist Erica Chappuis’ acrylic and objects on canvas work “Birthplace” (above) is on display during International Mermaid Day on March 29 at Upndown Gallery, 3205 Biddle Ave., in Wyandotte. Below, artist Katie Manard’s mermaid sculpture is on display.
Artist Erica Chappuis’ acrylic and objects on canvas work “Fair Warning” is on display during International Mermaid Day on March 29 at Upndown Gallery, 3205 Biddle Ave., in Wyandotte.
A bicycling mermaid skeleton (above) sets the tone for International Mermaid Day on March 29 at Upndown Gallery, 3205 Biddle Ave., in Wyandotte. Below, artist Crina Toma’s acrylic paintings “The Sisters” (top) and “Sea Goddess” are on display
Guests enjoy viewing the mermaid-themed artwork on display during International Mermaid Day on March 29 at Upndown Gallery, 3205 Biddle Ave., in Wyandotte.