“I believe we are the creative imagination of our futures. I understand thought to be the poetic spark from which all things manifest. Thoughts are architectural, building words into language, constructing societies that define Earth’s social ecosystems.” Semaj Brown

When James Thigpen, Jr. creates a new piece of art, he takes his time. Using a multitude of photographs, he designs each piece exactly how he sees it inside himself. His unique style, evolved throughout the course of his life, portrays the African-American experience from a universal perspective. As an added special ingredient, each work holds a little bit of himself and his home city. “Every piece is a collage constructed from multiple images and each one reflects a little of home,” he says. “Flint shaped all I know. I’ve lived in other cities and you can’t run away from it – it’s in you, not on you. It’s in how I think and talk. You can see hints of it in what I do. I wouldn’t say my art is glamorous, but you can still see the beauty. It’s there and it’s authentic.”

Suellen J. Parker, a well-known attorney in Genesee County’s legal community, may be a lawyer by profession, but making art is where her heart is. The talented artisan is the owner of Case Island Glass LLC, specializing in kiln-formed, midcentury modern glassware. All of the designs are handmade from Bullseye Glass, a manufacturer in Oregon that supplies raw art glass for fused glass makers.

In 2019, Flint Public Art Project (FPAP) started phase one of their plan to paint 100 new murals in Greater Flint by the end of summer 2020. The project was successful beyond imagination, exceeding the goal and bringing Flint positive news coverage and notoriety. For the project, FPAP welcomed artists from all over the world to the city and reinforced Flint’s reputation as a haven for artists looking to make an impact.

For artist Donald Cronkhite, every storm presents an opportunity. “In spring, I’m always looking for a good storm. They hold the best cloud formations, colors and contrasts,” he says. Cronkhite, the newest instructor at the Flint Institute of Arts, has a professional eye for the sky. He specializes in cloudscapes painted in such a way to capture all the emotion, drama and mystery of nature. “I want people to look at the world around us in a new way,” he adds. “Clouds are filled with emotion, turmoil and beauty, and I charge my work to express it.”

Water Warrior Green. Ocean Blue. Secret Red. These are the latest eyeglass frame colors available at a growing local business, thanks to the Genusee Artist Collaboration. The company, Genusee Eyewear, produces the first circular economy eyewear brand that upcycles one-use plastic water bottles into eyeglass frames and sunglasses. Founded by Ali Rose VanOverbeke, the kick-starter company was officially launched in 2018 and is located in Downtown Flint’s Ferris Wheel building.

“Let him through! Let him through!” chanted the “America’s Got Talent” audience as comedy magician Nathan Kranzo, after performing a great trick, nervously awaited the votes of the celebrity judges. Howie Mandel was first to give him a “no.” Next came Heidi Klum with a “yes” vote and then, Mel B. weighed in with the same. The final vote was up to Simon Cowell. As the tension grew, the cheering from the audience grew louder. Finally, Cowell’s vote sent Kranzo through to the competition’s next round! “It was really amazing,” recalls Kranzo. “It was one of the highlights of my career. I had a little party popper in my coat and as I walked offstage, I shot it at Howie. He gave me the most-evil look.” Kranzo exited the stage in triumph. Unfortunately, sometime later, he was informed via email that although he had advanced to the next round, AGT was not going to use the video footage of his performance. Kranzo was out. “It was a really weird experience all the way, but I’m glad I did it. I’m still not sure why I wasn’t included,” he laughs.

Since 2010, the Swartz Creek Area Art Guild has been a place of community, talent and learning. Founded by Nancy Olds and Karen Pinkston, the Guild is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to “Promoting interest in the visual arts through education and development of artistic activities.” The Guild is open to all fine arts and crafts creators with only one requirement: love and enjoyment of all things artistic. “We accept everyone who wants to become a member,” says current President, Sheridan Baldwin. “Our artists are local and have talent in a wide variety of mediums.” Guild volunteers operate the Swartz Creek Art Gallery located on Miller Road. Inside, you will find a wide-range of beautiful works including crochet, jewelry, glasswork, pottery, wood carvings, paintings, mixed-media, magnets and more. “Our artists are a talented bunch,” says Baldwin. The gallery is member-run and often relies upon volunteer help during classes and events.

Fresh out of trade school, a young Bryan McCree found himself at Doobies Irish Pub in Downtown Flint on open mic night. His friend, Tony Ennis, pushed him to get on stage and do a little stand-up. “Tony said, ‘You’re funny. Get up there,’” McCree remembers. “I did five minutes off the top and it was exhilarating. That was it for me. I felt I had found my purpose.” McCree was 21 and 40 years later, he still lives on stage making audiences laugh with his odd, physical, Flint-style comedy. He has toured all over the U.S., gone head-to-head with some of the most successful comics of the day, done countless interviews and made appearances on sketch comedy shows such as “MADtv.” Now at the age of 60 (with two shiny, new hips), Flint’s King of Comedy opens up about life in Flint, family and what it takes to make it on the big stage.

Starting June 8 and running through July 3, the Cool City Art Auction will take place at the GFAC Gallery! The gallery will host a silent auction of original works by Michigan artists. Show up at the GFAC Gallery and make a bid or, if you just can’t live without the piece, “buy it now.” Over a hundred works of art are available for purchase at the Cool City Art Auction. Just pop in, get your bid number, and start making bids on pieces that are “one of a kind.”

The Flint Youth Film Festival (FYFF) introduces the art of filmmaking to aspiring filmmakers ages 13-25. “It’s a way of getting young people interested in filmmaking,” says Justin Brown, Festival Director. The program provides opportunities for artists to share their work with the public, professional filmmakers and screenwriters.

On Saturday, February 29, from 2-4pm Foster Coffee Company in downtown Flint will host a photography mixer for amateurs and professionals. Admission to the mixer is free. Learn from accomplished industry professional videographers and photographers and make contact with other people enthusiastic for your field, interest or profession. The night will feature networking and a Q&A with guest speakers.