Lumber yard hosts pop-up art show

Event raises funds for local schools 

The annual Art at the Yard does just what its sponsor, Lakeshore Visual Arts Collective, intends: Bringing innovative arts events to unexpected places on the Lakeshore.

So scattered among the 2x4s and 4x6s, among the crown moldings and shiplap, among the red oak and maple, patrons will find exquisite nature scenes, and portraits, and abstracts in oils, acrylics, watercolors. Smaller pieces that include jewelry will be atop thick bunks of lumber. 

The saw room will become a makeshift bar. The band will be nestled in a space that showcases doors and sheeting and plywood. All for just the briefest moment, with a three-hour art pop-up beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Baker Lumber in Grand Haven. 

It’s become an annual event, with the lumber company hosting its tenth art sale this fall. Artists benefit from their sales. A $10 suggested donation and 10% of artists’ sales will go to the Grand Haven Schools Foundation. LVAC is a 501c3 organization that helps non-profits. 

Susan Bays, executive director of the Grand Haven Schools Foundation, said last year’s event at the lumberyard was “a huge benefit for the foundation. Education should be at the forefront of our minds.”

The foundation raises funds for five grant initiatives – pre-school scholarships, mini-grants for teachers, field trip grants for the four Title 1 elementary schools, new teacher classroom library grants and district impact grants. 

“Living with art made by someone you know or that you meet at these events is at the heart of the ‘why,’” said LVAC president Maggie Bandstra. “If some piece of art resonates with you, take it home and know that someone here made it.” 

She added, “Putting art in unexpected places communicates that it’s available and accessible to everyone. Supporting people who make artwork is also important so they can continue to do that.”

The idea of creating the artists’ collective began in 2012; soon it hosted a few small pop-up shows. Bandstra continued, “Nada (Baker) came to one of those initial events and said, ‘Let’s do one of these at the lumber yard.’ She’s a wonderful community-minded business owner; she wanted to partner with us.” 

“The artists want to be in it,” Baker, of Baker Lumber, said. “Everyone’s working toward a common goal – that includes friendships and connections (as well as funds for the school foundation). I always buy something because it speaks to me.” 

Artist Leslie Victor, LVAC co-chair of the event, added, “Artists love this. The situation is generous for them, and for the foundation.”

Items for sale will be by artists working in a variety of mediums that included watercolor, oil, ink, wood, photography, glass, ceramics, and jewelry. There will be framed paintings, bowls, earrings and necklaces and bracelets, and more. 

“Talk to the artists,” Bandstra said. “Find out why they made their pieces.”

LVAC hosts a couple other pop-ups as well as smaller trunk shows throughout the year. The organization continues to look for additional spaces for one-night, pop-up art shows. Old warehouses, working offices, car dealerships, train depots. Information is available at the Lakeshore Visual Arts Collective’s website or Facebook. 

Art at the Yard

D. Baker & Son Lumber Co. 

720 Pennoyer Ave.

Grand Haven, Michigan

5-8 p.m. October 4th