Art of the Story

May 29 – June 30

Books spark imagination, stir emotion, and transport us to new worlds—artists bring those worlds to life!

Art of the Story invited artists to explore the boundless connection between literature and the visual arts. We challenged artists to select a book that moves them—whether it sparks wonder, stirs deep emotion, or shifts their perspective—and create works in a variety of media and styles that visually interpret or respond to its pages. Books have the remarkable power to inspire, educate, entertain, and transport us to worlds both real and imagined. Through 55 artworks, 47 artists have given these worlds new form, revealing the images, emotions, and ideas that live between the lines.

Juried by Katie Rothley, Marketing & Public Relations Librarian at the Northville District Library, this exhibition celebrates the magic of storytelling and the creative journeys it inspires.

ACCEPTED ARTISTS & ARTWORK
  • Theresa Anderson, Stay Gold, watercolor on watercolor paper, 10 5/8 x 12
  • Kacey Bernhard, Conqueror Worm, watercolor, gouache, and acrylic, 16 x 12
  • Cheryl Boc-Chidester, Mother Mahto, watercolor, powdered charcoal, watercolor crayon, encaustic, 33” x 24”
  • Danna Bowersox, The Assembly Line, acrylic on canvas, fabrication of found metal objects, 17 x 21
  • Norman Carr, Facsimile of a Post Card (Sent After Returning to a Place I’ve Never Been Before) watercolor on paper 11 ¾ x 16 ¾
  • Alisa Clark, No Desserts Ever, assemblage sculpture, found objects, altered book, 19 x 12 x 12
  • Terence Cover, Gumbenstein, digital photography on photo paper, 11×14
  • Pamela Day, Rumpelstiltskin, oxide-stained clay, colored pencil, gouache; fabricated background, 29 x 20 x 7”
  • Timnah Dockery, Seeing Red Knit, cotton thread, wood, porcelain, glass, moss, foam, fur yarn, wicker, 9” x 8.5” x 4.5”
  • Marianne Droste, Wings, mixed media collage, 12”x12”
  • Adrienne Dunkerley, The Overstory II, mixed media; matchbox, ribbon, monoprint, digital collage, .5 x 2.5 x 1 (closed); 9 x 7.5 (open)
  • Patty Eisenbraun, Choices, oil on canvas, 30×40
  • Laura Fawaz, Goodnight Sun, photography on metallic paper 8 x 10
  • Laura Fawaz, Grand Haven Beaches, photography, 20 x 24
  • Darryl Furtkamp, Two Sketches of Horses, monotype 18.5” x 22.5”
  • Laura Gabriel, Chinatown, Detroit style, mixed media, acrylic, paper-mache, glow forge 12 x 12 x 3.5
  • Laura Gabriel, Insidaus, acrylic, glow forge, 3-D printer, pastel, 22.5 x 20
  • Beth Gonzales, Tea First, or Adventure?, stoneware ceramic, 2.5” w x 4” h                                                                   
  • Terri Haranczak, The Yellow Wallpaper, mixed media collage: acrylic, paper, cyanotype, pen/ink, artificial flowers, 27.5″ x 24″ x 3″
  • Shea Elis Heid, Quiet Emergence, collage, acrylic ink, acrylic paint, and modeling paste on paper, 22 x 30
  • Peggy Kerwan, The Children’s Blizzard, acrylic 20×16
  • WanChuan Kesler, Eye Of The Beholder, oil, 48 x 36
  • WanChuan Kesler, Ni Dao Le Ma (are you here), oil, 40 x 30
  • Matt Krease, A Tale From the Heart, oil on Wood 16″ x 16″
  • Amelia Laboda, Prayer Corner and the Visitor, graphite and ink on paper with digital manipulation, 18 x 24″
  • Anita Lamour, Hey Diddle Diddle, ceramic, fiber, handmade paper, 9 x 12
  • Marcella MacLean, Finding Your Way Home, digital photography, 18″ x 22″
  • Laura Matthews, Mungojerrie, pastel, 16 x 20
  • Christopher Miller, Stadlater, that (expletive) phony (expletive), watercolor on paper, 14×11
  • Devon Mozdierz, Windswept Landscape – Drift, oil on panel, 12″x12″
  • Devon Mozdierz, Windswept Lanscape – Passage, oil on panel, 16″x20″
  • Cassie Nastase, The Artist Inside: Compass & Dandelion, collage, 8×10 ea
  • Andrea Novak, Betrayal-The Legend of the Peacock and the Crow, oil and mixed media on paper and masonite, 24 x 48
  • M.A. Papanek-Miller, Preparing for Winter: “All Animals Are Equal, But Some Are More Equal Than Others.” 2.3., mixed media drawing and collage on wood panel, 12″ x 12″
  • Aleah Pieniadz, Florida’s Most Lovable Serial Killer, watercolor, 24×30
  • Aleah Pieniadz, Thanks For All the Fish, watercolor, ink, and colored pencil, 14×11
  • Peninnah Posey, Atalanta and the Calydonian Boar, ink wash, watercolor, 8″ x 6″
  • Linda Rimanelli Worful, Gods Speaks, acrylic relief, ink & sparkle acrylic on paper, 24 x 18
  • James Rodriguez, The Last Days of Pompei, acrylic, 24 x 48
  • Denise Rohde, The End is Just the End, photo and poem, 40″x28″
  • Denise Rohde, What is the Magic, photo and poem, 46″X 12″
  • Carrie Ross, Frankly, My Dear, I Don’t Give a Damn, ceramic art, 11.5in” x 10in” x 7in” each
  • Andre Rubin, Hope Springs Eternal, collage mounted on canvas and glazed, 20 x 15
  • Constance Sanocki, Puck and Nick Bottom, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, acrylic on hardboard, 20 x 16
  • Yun Shin, 633 Days, screenprint on paper 9″x12″
  • K K Sparks, Beatrice Awaits, photography based mixed media 12.5″ x 15″
  • Rose Starke, Arranged Alphabet, watercolor & paint pens on paper, 22 x 28
  • Rose Starke, The Jack Pine, watercolor, ink and pastel, 22 x 17
  • Ellen Stern, Climbing, hand embroidery, ceramic tile, acrylic paint, 15 x 9
  • Jason Stout, Jettison Recovery, oil on canvas, 20×20
  • Penelope Trikes, She Knows the Way, watercolor, 22″×18″
  • Penelope Trikes, Sunrise, watercolor 28″×24″
  • Pat Vartanian, Defending the Castle, photo weaving, 24” x 18”
  • Kay Waterson, T-Rex Skull, acrylic paint markers, 16×20”
  • Lori Zurvalec, A Room of Our Own – A Collaboration, multi-media book, acrylic paint, watercolor, collage, ink, 14″ x 11″
FOR ARTISTS

Artwork: All costs, including packing, shipping, insurance, and liability for damage, are the artist’s responsibility. Artwork must be in excellent condition, ready for secure installation before delivery. Shipped artwork requires a pre-paid return label.

Works on paper must be framed. All 2D work must be ready for hanging preferably with hooks and a wire. Sawtooth hangers are not recommended. All 3D work must be free standing, stand on a pedestal, or hang with wire or rod. Submit alternatives for consideration and any questions to exhibits@northvillearthouse.org.

ABOUT THE JUROR

Katie Rothley is the Marketing & Public Relations Librarian at Northville District Library. She holds an MLIS and an MA in Counseling from Wayne State University, along with a BA in Fine Arts from Michigan State University. With over a decade of experience in public libraries, Katie has produced innovative digital campaigns, shared her expertise at professional conferences, and been involved numerous community art initiatives including the From Page to Palette book club in collaboration with the Northville Art House. Outside of her professional work, Katie enjoys spending time with her four pets, teaching art classes at local libraries, and reading Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Psychology/Self-Help.