Winter in Michigan, especially the one we just experienced, leaves quite an impression. While beautiful outside, it tends to encourage a bit of hibernation in us as well, a yin to summer's yang. It influences who we are and what we do, creating a particular rhythm in the Midwestern way of life, a common bond among us. LaFontsee Galleries took note and decided to organize an exhibition around this very theme.

Black Eagle Press, a local screen-printing operation, has made itself at home on Jefferson Avenue with the opening of Black Eagle Trading Post. The eclectic store features locally handcrafted goods, an impressive collection of antiques, custom clothing reminiscent of a traditional "Sailor Jerry" style, and a screen-printing station in the back.

A quote by Emily Fisher Landau provides a little insight into the mind and motivation of one of the preeminent collectors of post-war American art in the United States: "Never stop learning. Never stop looking. Art is the greatest teacher."

A peculiar opportunity can sometimes find a perfect fit at smaller arts organizations in West Michigan. Just such an opportunity arose recently at Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA), according to Executive Director Kristin Jass Armstrong.