Announcing the 25^th Annual Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Award Honorees

Sponsored by the Cultural Council of Birmingham Bloomfield, in conjunction with The Community House, The Observer and Eccentric Newspapers, the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center and Bloomfield Cablevision.

Honorees

Kerry Mills, 2020 Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Award

The Heart of Birmingham Concert Band

Sue Marx, Special Lifetime Achievement Award

Her Lens Films Life

Jason Polan, Special Posthumous Award

He Drew to Help the World See

Bloomfield Township Public Library, Partners with the Arts Award

Giving All Arts a Voice

Kerry Mills, 2020 Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Award

The cultural arts award is given to a person who has made an impact in the arts in the Birmingham Bloomfield Community. A jury of community arts enthusiasts selected Kerry Mills of Birmingham, citing her as ‘the heart of the Birmingham Concert Band’ for her indefatigable efforts as booking agent, recruiter, advertising manager, general manager, president, historian, and fundraiser for young musicians, while also playing clarinet in the band for over 40 years.

Sue Marx, 2020 Special Lifetime Achievement Award

Aside from her Academy Award and several Emmys, and over 80 documentaries, the jury was impressed by  Sue Marx, of Birmingham. Many of her documentaries, some of them pro bono, tell the story of our region, including the Detroit Zoo, Children’s Hospital, the DIA, a Cranbrook series, The Purple Rose Theater, the People Mover, the Detroit Boxing Gym, and most impressively the Math Corps, a collaboration with Wayne State University to assist underserved youth to learn math that has been shown all over the country.

Jason Polan, 2020 Special Posthumous Award

The jury felt very strongly that Jason Polan, who grew up in Franklin and who passed away this year at the age of 37, deserved to be recognized for the incredible mark he had in Michigan where he left murals in Ann Arbor and mentored local artists from Birmingham and those in the Detroit art scene, but also for his national and international impact on the arts, with collaborations with Uniqlo. Warby Parker, Marvel Comics and Nike, his illustrations in children’s and adult books, his efforts and ultimately a book to draw Every Person in New York, and his daily cartoons in the New York Times, as he  ‘drew to help the world see”.

Bloomfield Township Public Library, 2020 Partners with the Arts Award

The Cultural Council’s ‘Partners with the Arts Award’ honors a non-profit, business or organization that gives extraordinary support to the arts in the Birmingham Bloomfield community. Unlike the other Cultural Arts Awards which are selected by jury, it is the board of the Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Council that bestows this annual award. Bloomfield Township Public Library was selected for ‘giving all arts a voice’, noting its art collaborations with area schools and agencies, its selections of art that can be found throughout the building which have led some to call the library an art museum, and to its offerings and collaborations with musicians of all genres, from jazz groups to chamber musicians from the University of Michigan, making the BTPL function as a community center for the arts. (Please credit Balthazar Korab for library photo.)

Due to the pandemic, the awards reception will be taped by Bloomfield Cablevision and be available on our website, on Facebook, and our partners’ websites after the honors ceremony, slated to be taped October 2, 2020 at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center.

Join us for a prestigious night at the Bates Street Society Dinner on Saturday, April 30, 2022! The event will feature a delicious three course seated dinner, wine and cocktails, live entertainment by jazz saxophonist Jeff Ponders II, and inspirational recognition of our members and pillars.

Master of Ceremonies: Mr. Huel Perkins, Broadcast Journalist, News Anchor, and Iconic Reporter.

The Bates Street Society was created in 2015 to recognize donors who make significant charitable contributions to support the work and mission of The Community House in Birmingham. Members are acknowledged annually at The Bates Street Society Dinner, a black-tie event hosted by The Community House Association and Foundation Boards of Directors. The Bates Street Society Dinner also recognizes The Community House’s annual Pillars of Vibrancy: Business, Education, Culture, Wellness and Philanthropy.

The 2022 Pillar Society Inductees are:

• Honorable Dave Bing — Business & Culture
• Dominic DiMarco — Education
• Jessie Beld Elliott — Business & Philanthropy
• Barry Franklin, Ph.D. — Wellness
• Lila Lazarus — Wellness & Education
• Duane Mezwa, M.D. — Wellness & Education
• Rabbi Daniel B. Syme — Culture
• Linda Schlesinger-Wagner — Business & Philanthropy
• S. Evan Weiner — Business & Philanthropy

Black Tie Optional, Complimentary Valet Parking

ticket information to the Bates Street Society Dinner will be available soon!

FOUNDING-PRESENTING SPONSOR:

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For information on sponsorship opportunities for the Bates Street Society Dinner, please call 248.554.6597 or email: csmude@communityhousefoundation.org

Supporting our local artists is a long-standing mission of The Community House and the core mission of OUR TOWN, and it has never been more important than now.

Out of an abundance of safety and caution, The Community House has decided to hold this year’s show and sale virtually online from April 22 – May 6, allowing art enthusiasts the opportunity to appreciate the skills and the talents of our region’s many brilliant artists and to purchase a work of art themselves.

The 36th annual juried art show includes over 200 works of art ranging from paintings, pastels, sculptures, photography, fiber works, jewelry, and mixed media, all created by our talented Michigan artists. Sixty-five percent of the proceeds from the art sales will go directly to our region’s artists!

Click here to view and purchase art!

Click here to watch the OUR TOWN Virtual 2021 video!

Shain Park in Downtown Birmingham will come alive with activity during the City of Birmingham’s annual Birmingham Winter Markt event. Attendees will enjoy European food and drinks, gift items, holiday greens, crafts, ice sculptures, live reindeer, warming stations, a Kinderhaus children’s activity area, the popular Santa House, horse-drawn carriage rides and live entertainment.

The Community Haus tent will be offering German glühwein–a hot mulled wine, cider, beer, donuts and German pretzels for sale. Participation of Community House supporters and members of the community will help benefit the 210,000 children and adults served by The Community House, a 96-year old 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, located in Birmingham, Michigan.

Silver Sponsor:

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Are you a Michigan artist interested in exhibiting in this year’s virtual show? Please click HERE to complete your Call for Entries form online. To print out a PDF of the Call for Entries form, please click HERE.

Deadline for art entries EXTENDED to Thursday, March 4, 2021!

Artists will be notified of the jury results by email by late March.

The 36th annual OUR TOWN Art Show & Sale is hosted by The Community House in downtown Birmingham. This juried, all media art show provides a forum for Michigan artists to show and sell their work. The OUR TOWN Art Show & Sale includes paintings, pastels, sculptures, glassworks, fiber works, photography, jewelry and mixed media. Thirty-five percent of the proceeds from the art sales will be used to fund The Community House outreach programs for adults and children.

OUR TOWN kicks off with the Opening Night VIP Virtual Preview on April 21. The Virtual Show will be open to the public free of charge from April 22 – May 6.

SOLD OUT!

Join us for a prestigious night at this year’s Bates Street Society Dinner on February 8, 2020. The event will feature a delicious three course seated dinner, wine and cocktails, live entertainment and inspirational recognition of our members.

Master of Ceremonies: Huel Perkins, Iconic Broadcast Journalist and Local News Anchor

The Bates Street Society was created in 2015 to help recognize donors who make significant charitable contributions to support the work and mission of The Community House in Birmingham. Membership in The Bates Street Society is achieved when a donor’s cumulative giving totals $25,000 or more. The Bates Street Society will feature a number of major giving recognition levels, each offering graduated benefits and recognition.

Members will be acknowledged annually at The Bates Street Society Dinner, an upscale event hosted by The Community House Foundation Board of Directors. The Bates Street Society Dinner will also recognize The Community House’s annual Pillars of Vibrancy, Education, Culture, Wellness, Business and Philanthropy.

The 2020 Pillar Society Inductees are:

• Mary Kramer, Crain Communications — Business
• Christine & David Provost, TCF Bank — Philanthropy
• Hannan Lis, WW Group Inc. / Lis Ventures LLC — Wellness
• Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., Oakland University — Education
• Keith Pomeroy, Pomeroy Living LLC / Pomeroy Family Holdings – Wellness & Philanthropy
• Margaret Cooney Casey, President, Beaumont Foundation at Beaumont Hospitals – Philanthropy
• Brian Berman, M.D., Beaumont Health System / Beaumont Children’s Hospital – Wellness
• Linda Solomon, Photojournalist & Author — Culture & Philanthropy

President’s Community Leadership Award Recipients: Rose & Brian Bolyard

Black Tie Optional, Valet Parking

SOLD OUT!

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

TITLE SPONSOR:

PRIVATE VIP CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION SPONSOR:

SUPPORTING SPONSORS:

ONE OF A KIND FINDS. ONCE IN A LIFETIME SALE!

Through an act of tremendous generosity, The Community House has come into possession of an estate full of fine art, designer furniture, and high-end furnishings curated by a renowned area interior designer.
Basically, everything but the kitchen sink. And we want you to have it. Join us for an estate sale unlike any you’ve seen before where you’ll find anything your home needs and everything your heart desires. Sale facilitated by Antiques on Main (aomestatesales.com) and held in the Wallace Ballroom at The Community House. September 5-7, 10am-4pm.

The Community House invites you to join us for the 32^nd annual Birmingham House Tour. The House Tour offers attendees a unique opportunity to view SEVEN of the area’s most exceptional private homes. This year’s tour will feature homes in a wide array of architectural and interior design styles. There will truly be something for everyone.

Day of tickets available at The Community House until 2pm today for $49.

Check in for House Tour is Thursday, September 12^th from 8:00 AM-2:00PM

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Celebrate • Honor • Thank

Join us at a luncheon to celebrate treasured citizens who have reached 90 years & beyond. Let’s thank them for being an important part of our community.
Musical entertainment and complimentary valet parking. No charge for individuals 90 years and older. $35 per person for all others.

Click HERE to register

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OUR TOWN’s on the move! Mark your calendar for the May 16, 2019 Opening Night Party so you can help us celebrate Spring and this exciting new chapter for the iconic OUR TOWN Art Show & Sale, now in its 34^th year of supporting the Arts in Michigan. The juried art show includes over 400 works of art ranging from paintings, pastels, sculptures, photography, fiber works, jewelry and mixed media, all created by our talented Michigan artists. Thirty-five percent of the proceeds from the art sales will be used to fund Community House programs for adults and children.

The event kicks off with an Opening Night Party, from 6-9:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16. The festivities include delicious hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and cocktails, and the first opportunity to preview and purchase art. Friend tickets, with admission at 6:00 p.m., are $75. Benefactor tickets, with admission at 5:30 p.m. start at $250. New this year is a Junior Benefactor ticket, specially priced at $95 for new art aficionados ages 21 to 35.

The Show will be open to the public, free of charge, on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. both days. Whether you are looking to purchase a unique piece of art for yourself or as a gift, be assured there is something for everyone. See you at OUR TOWN!!

Please click HERE to make your reservations for the Opening Night Party today!

Click HERE to see the list of the 2019 OUR TOWN Juried Artists.

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