Press Release

Local Artists Contribute to Tibbits Summer Theatre

Date: July 1,2008

COLDWATER, MI—

If you have noticed the Tibbits summer theatre brochure and posters, this season, you surely have admired the art on them.

A call went out to local artists this spring for art work for Tibbits Summer Theatre brochure and posters. The response was overwhelming. We, as a community, are most fortunate to have so many talented artists in this area. Heartfelt thanks go out to each and everyone who submitted designs. Following is a little information on the individual artists chosen.

Eleanor Shaw can take a bow for “Grace & Glorie.” Eleanor has always had an interest in art. As a child an uncle showed her how to draw a box in perspective and she then expanded that knowledge to other objects. Eleanor elaborated, “My first opportunity to take an art class was in college. My major was education but I included as many art classes as I could. I have taken classes and workshops from many instructors.” Drawing and painting continue to be a great source of joy in her retirement.

Nicole Steele takes credit for “Room Service.” She has been a resident of Coldwater since 2001 where she and her husband have enjoyed raising their three children. Art has always been a hobby and passion in her life. She takes pleasure in working in all mediums but her favorite is charcoal and sketch portraits. Nicole said, “I am president of a new arts organization in Coldwater called Arts Alive. This group gives artists and supporters of the arts an opportunity to participate on any level to promote art in our community. I am anxious to see how this organization grows as we work to bring arts and culture to our community.” 

Susan Miller is the artist for “The Goodbye Girl.” Susan has been involved in creating art in the Branch County area since moving here in 1992. In addition to “The Goodbye Girl” she also created the Popcorn Theater posters. For the 2008 season she used an ink/tempera resist with water media on watercolor paper. Miller has other art work on display in The Open Door Gallery in Sturgis and teaches art classes for children. She is a member of Art’s Alive, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Blue Moon.

Clovis Bordeaux, artist for “The Bop She Bops,” is the owner and founder of TOI Creative™, West Michigan’s premier Street wear apparel company. A graduate of Western Michigan University, Clovis has consulted or designed for Kelloggs, Meijer, the city of Kalamazoo, the city of Coldwater, Quicken Loans, Northern Michigan University, Infinisource and others. TOI Creative™ operates an online retail shop as well as being offered in boutiques worldwide.

Aaron Garn took care of the brochure layout and design. He has been interested and involved in creative art from a very early age. He attended CMU where he studied commercial art, marketing and advertising programs. From 1996 to 2002 Aaron served as Director of Graphics at KES - full design and production facility for events and promotions. He enjoyed working with great companies on high profile projects. From 1997 to present he has helped Tibbits with various design/image work projects including the summer theatre brochure each year, fundraising materials, event posters, flyers post cards, and more

Tibbits is grateful to these artists and their contribution to its 45th season of Professional Summer Theatre. When next at Tibbits, check out the lower level art gallery for work from these and other area artists.