Press Release

Opera house to showcase art as well as theatre this summer

Date: 6/26/2007

COLDWATER, MI—Tibbits opens its 2007 Professional Summer Theater season on June 28 with not only an exuberant production of the musical “Can-Can” but also a notable art exhibit.

Hand-blown glass comes to Tibbits thanks to Tori and Clay Hollister. They recently opened their studio and business, Osage Glass, in Coldwater. Located in a handsomely renovated older building on North Monroe Street in Coldwater, Osage Glass enables visitors to watch Tori transform hot glass into exquisite bowls, plates, vases and various pieces of art glass.

Commercial Artist Joe Ferriss has worked in the arts for years and now has an impressive collection of information and photographs of Arabian Horses, many taken in Middle Eastern countries he visited. His travels have taken him to Syria, Jordan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Bahrain. Alongside the photographs on display at Tibbits will be his written commentary, an intriguing travelogue. The photographs will be exhibited but are not for sale.

Deborah Bushouse, who now resides in Ann Arbor, completed her degree in Studio Art at DePauw University. She is accomplished in many mediums, including photography, drawing and painting, but her main focus is ceramics. Her exhibit will include functional pottery and contemporary “humorous” work which is wheel thrown and hand built.

Area resident Sabrina Aughenbaugh will exhibit photography. Area residents may recognize local subjects in some of her prints. By following the advice of one of her teachers and mentor Marc Matha, “Take your camera with you everywhere you go. Take pictures of just about everything you see and enjoy the unexpected surprise of what you find,” Sabrina sees the art in our shared surroundings and brings it to this exhibit.

With the exception of Joe Ferriss’ work, all exhibits feature work that is for sale. The exhibit will remain in place at Tibbits on South Hanchett Street from Wednesday, June 27, through Monday, July 23. Shows during that four week interval include the main stage productions of “Can-Can” and “Picnic” plus Popcorn Theater shows “Peter Rabbit and Friends” and “Patricia Polacco’s Union City.” Visitors and patrons may enjoy the display not only during the shows but also during regular theater hours.