Ottawa County keeps a permanent art collection. How to see the newest additions

OTTAWA COUNTY — Eight pieces of art are being added to the county's permanent collection following the annual Ottawa County Art Trust Exhibition.

The opening of the exhibition, along with the announcement of purchase awards, was held Monday, June 24, at the Ottawa County Administration Building. The Art Trust is a collaboration between the county and the Holland Area Arts Council.

“Blue Green Croaker” by Mary Ann Dunn.
“Blue Green Croaker” by Mary Ann Dunn.

Each year, artists who live or work in Ottawa County are invited to enter the juried exhibition. A handful of works are selected for purchase by the county and join the trust's permanent collection.

This year's purchased pieces include:

  • “Eastern Blue Squirrel," acrylic painting, by Jackie Beck

  • “Autumn Observations, Hemlock Crossing,” oil painting, by Lynne Boezaart

  • “Dancing Girls,” metal and wood, by Harminder Bopari

  • “Grassland,” pastel painting, by Patricia Dee

  • “Blue Green Croaker,” watercolor painting, by Mary Ann Dunn

  • “Tunnel Breeze,” photography on metal, by Jill Hamilton

  • “West Fish Again,” acrylic painting, by Kelly Lynch

  • “Winter Shadows,” acrylic painting, by LaVonne Marshall

Kathy O’Brien and Mark Jones, local artists and owners of Ottawa House Clay and Glass, served as jurors for the show and selected the pieces to add to the county’s collection.

There are 92 entries from 51 artists in this year’s exhibition. All entries are on display at the Ottawa County Administration Building at 12220 Fillmore Street in West Olive. The public can visit 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays through Sept. 6 to view the entries.

Any pieces not chosen for the county’s permanent collection are available for purchase.

Pieces can be purchased for personal display, or sponsored to be placed in the county’s collection. Sponsored pieces will be marked with a plate to recognize the gift.

Those wishing to make a purchase or gift can contact Ottawa County’s Shannon Felgner at [email protected] or Holland Area Arts Council’s Mary Sundstrom at [email protected].

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The Art Trust is “a tangible way to demonstrate Ottawa County’s commitment to culture, creativity and innovation,” the county wrote in a release. It was established in 2018 and currently includes 72 pieces from 46 different artists.

Works are showcased in halls, waiting areas and conference rooms throughout Ottawa County Offices.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Eight works added to Ottawa County's permanent art collection