Art & Ideas takes position that art will always transcend a “bad economy”
Grand Opening December 5, 2009, 7 – 11 pm
Artist Talk 7:30 followed by music

Shaqe Kalaj

Art & Ideas Contemporary Art Gallery & Studio, a new art gallery and teaching studio located between Plymouth and Northville, is holding its grand opening on Dec. 5, 2009. In the midst of troubling economic times, the opening of an art gallery may surprise some. Yet this has not deterred Art & Ideas’ director and owner, Mike Tolinski, and its artist-in-residence, teaching artist Shaqe Kalaj. The gallery, located just north of Plymouth’s Old Village, will be showcasing over 40 of Kalaj’s drawings at this first opening and exhibition, which will be followed periodically by new openings and shows of Kalaj’s work throughout 2010. “It’s always the right time to open an art gallery,” says Tolinski.

Kalaj agrees. “Art is always important. One of my slogans is ‘Art equals Life’.” Her position is that art can address all issues of life – health, family, emotions – as well as depict beauty.

Kalaj’s own “content-based” art could be described as surrealistic and figurative (focusing on the human form, especially the emotions revealed by the face and body). She has shown her work for years at galleries and museums throughout the Detroit area and the U.S., and internationally.

Functioning also as a “teaching studio,” Art & Ideas has also scheduled small art classes to begin in February, 2010, where one-on-one attention by Kalaj will be the key feature. She has taught several such classes to adults and children for over a decade.

The grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 5, will include a short talk by Kalaj at 7:30, followed by music, food, and socializing (7-11pm). Art & Ideas is located at 15095 Northville Rd. in Plymouth Township, in Provincetown Center. It’s across from Phoenix Lake, just north of the eastbound 5 Mile Rd. intersection, right at the intersection where northbound Edward Hines Drive ends at Northville Rd. For a map, directions, and other details, see www.artandideasgallery.com or call 734-420-0775 (gallery) or 734-634-8117 (cell).