Northville Art House
Downtown Artist Series @ Tuscan Café
The Northville Art House partners with community organizations and businesses to promote the appreciation of the arts, arts education, and local artists. The Downtown Artist Series has a rotating presentation of work by established and emerging artists inside the Tuscan Café, located at 141 E Main St. in Downtown Northville. Featured work will be on view in tri-monthly exhibitions and available for purchase through the Northville Art House online Artisan Store.
Current | Emerging Artist | Artist Opportunities | Downtown Artist – Tuscan Cafe | Upcoming | Online Store
January 23 – March 26: Cheryl Ann Boc-Chidester – Brighton, Michigan
My name is Cheryl Ann Boc-Chidester. From an early age, I identified not only as an artist but also one who “played” with a variety of media. I have continued to play and explore, frequently combining techniques and media that employ textures, light, and color. My artwork draws inspiration from my other passions, including – nature, travel, adventures, and history. When exploring a variety of my choices of materials, the methods I choose, and the ideas, are influenced by the subject and the feeling that I hope to convey, (as well as ideas swirling in my head). The process guides me, resulting in a finished piece of art sharing my experience. Although my art is often described as eclectic, there are recurring themes.
As an architectural historian, I appreciate old buildings and look for interesting architectural details and textures. I often capture these details in watercolor in combination with street scenes that are unique to a place or culture. My plein air pieces are, also, most often watercolors. My photographic work tends toward macro photography, particularly in my nature-themed photographs, capturing frequently overlooked details. I also work with handmade papers, dyes, and encaustic, which lend themselves to exploring historical cultural styles and intimate stories. My portraits are frequently created in graphite or watercolor. But these are not rules, only tendencies. No matter the media or subject, I strive to create art that interprets and shares personal perspectives of a culture, place, or moment – often capturing a feeling of serenity, perhaps, quiet joy or beauty. I am deeply committed to creating a meaningful connection with others through my art.
My diverse artistic journey has allowed me to learn, grow, collaborate, and share. After attending Eastern Michigan University and earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (and, later, a Master of Science Degree), I’ve held several art-related positions – Graphic Designer, Gallery Manager, Art Instructor, Muralist, Set Designer, Architectural Historian, 
Museum Director – I currently teach art at the School for the Arts and I’m the proprietor of Cheryl’s Creative Custom Art & Framing. As a member of several art-related organizations, I’ve had many opportunities to share my art and have been honored to have received numerous awards for my paintings and photographs and have exhibited throughout the Midwest, and, occasionally, beyond.
I was grateful for a 2021-2022 Michigan Council of the Arts and Cultural Affairs grant to further my creative career. Participating in art workshops and teaching at the School for the Arts has helped me continue to learn and grow as an artist and share my knowledge. Download Biography>>
In our 2025 Downtown Artist Series in The Gallery at Tuscan Café, we are featuring on select walls, the artwork of our instructors and students.
March 13 – May 21: Instructor Sandra Nursilo & Students
The works were created in the Watercolor with a Twist and Watercolor & Acrylic youth classes with instructor Sandra Nursilo.
Artists include Lilian Aragon, Allie Benson, Addie Bonn, Lucy DiMeo, Sofia Kudarenko, Sophia Mosref, Sandra Nursilo, Nora Pawluszka, Ada Pyle, & Shuya Wan.
Sandra Nursilo holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s in business administration, but her true passion has always been art and teaching. For the past several years, she has found joy in sharing her love for art. As a teacher, she emphasizes the importance of discovering one’s personal style and embracing the magic of the creative process. In her own work, she is captivated by the fluid movement of ink in water and the vibrancy of bold colors.
January 23 – March 26: Instructor Marchelle Brotz & Students
The first installation features work from the Art House’s Drawing with Panpastels and Pastel Pencils with Instructor Marchelle Brotz.
Marchelle Brotz’s work is used to reveal aspects of emotions and hyper-realistic portrayals of her subjects. She tends to capture mostly animals and people, attempting to draw in the viewer to evoke emotion and memories.“Creating art is one of the many joys of my life. I find great comfort in the process of creating an artwork and the journey of discovery that it takes me on. My objective is not the “photorealistic” reproduction but to have the detail accompany an atmosphere, an emotion which often passes through the gaze.” – Marchelle Brotz
Thank you to our 2025 Venue Sponsor!
