ART IN THE AUDITORIUM
Tibbits Opera House is fortunate to be home to a permanent Henry Clay Lewis art collection that is prominently displayed throughout the theatre.
Along with the permanent collection, the downstairs of Tibbits features a rotating themed art gallery with artwork submitted by local and regional artists. Tibbits patrons and visitors have the opportunity to purchase that artwork or vote on their favorite pieces. Several artists are also awarded cash prizes at the close of each show.
ARTS ALIVE
The local arts organization that is responsible for exhibits displayed in the art gallery is also responsible for the downtown art walks, the Art of Holiday Food, Drink & Decor event, and other community art projects.
The Tibbits Art Gallery is located on the lower level of the Tibbits Opera House. Year-round exhibits feature the works of both aspiring and established artists. Art Gallery exhibits are coordinated by Arts Alive, an organization that hosts gallery exhibitions and organizes Art Walks and other art-related community events in Coldwater, MI.
Arts Alive’s goal is to provide an outlet to facilitate education, growth, and an appreciation for arts and culture in all forms.
GALLERY EXHIBITIONS / CALL FOR WORK
Local and regional artists have the opportunity to submit their artwork for the enjoyment of Tibbits patrons and the wide region from which Tibbits draws. There is a small entry fee for each piece.
Patrons have the opportunity to select their favorite piece during each exhibition. Several artists are awarded a people’s choice awards at the end of each show. Patrons also have the opportunity to purchase work through the Tibbits box office or Tibbits administration office.
GALLERY RULES
Artists can interpret each gallery theme in any way they see fit. All ages are welcome to submit artwork. Enter up to 3 pieces per show at $5 per piece. Pieces must be ready to hang (PLEASE use a hanging wire (due to the nature of our new system with uses large hooks, small nail holes, or little tooth hangers on the back of frames DO NOT WORK). Sculptures and all other mediums accepted.
People’s Choice Award given to the top 3 artists. You can also sell your work if you want (on commission). Please do not submit artwork that contains nudity. Arts Alive has the right to refuse entries.
Visit the Arts Alive Facebook page HERE for more information and event details, including show dates.
KIDS' ART ROCKS!
Kids’ Art Rocks! is a program of the Tibbits Foundation that mats and frames student artwork for lease by area businesses for a year. Prior to their lease, artwork hangs in the Tibbits gallery. A call for work goes out early in the spring of each year.
Prior to 2018, teachers would submit their best work to this program. In 2018, Arts Alive took over the program and opened it up to allow for submission by anyone completing the K-12 curriculum. This allowed for a broader scope of work (almost 60 pieces in the first year, and 125 pieces in 2021!) from homeschool groups or those attending schools outside of Branch County. All pieces were then judged by a panel of judges, and the top pieces were then matted and/or framed along with student bios.
The 2022 pieces have been placed in the lease program. Find this year’s winners on our Facebook page HERE.