ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Escanaba’s Bonifas Arts Center is hosting an opening reception for a new exhibit this week, along with a fundraiser to help rebuild its theater.
Dozens of thought-provoking art pieces are on display this month for the Bonifas’ Bending Reality exhibit.
“I’ve always liked Salvador Dalí, along with other surrealistic imagery,” said Gallery Director Kate Oman. “When I first walked into the Bonifas for my first adult show here, I met Brian Burroughs and just loved his stuff.”
Burroughs and a handful of other regional artists have filled the gallery with detailed, sometimes mind-boggling pieces.
“He doesn’t even know where he’s going with his drawings, and that’s part of the surrealistic movement,” Oman explained. “It’s that almost subconscious level of dreamscape world where you just kind of let things happen. Dalí fell asleep with a spoon resting on him, and as soon as the spoon would fall, he would wake up and draw really quick whatever he saw.”
The exhibit includes one etching by Dalí, as well as works by late Chicago artist and ad designer Sherman Henry Linton.
“He’s been featured on a few different magazines, along with pieces that were in Chicago restaurants and such,” said Oman.
The upstairs of the gallery features an immersive installation by Oman’s father, William Oman.
“It’s mind-bending once the lights turn down—yes, you heard me right, once the lights turn down,” Kate Oman said with a smile. “You get to walk through it and reflect on some stuff.”
The opening reception for Bending Reality is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Then on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the Bonifas will host a Raise the Roof Block Party fundraiser.
“That will feature music by The Make Believe Spurs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., then we’ll go into Winging It,” said Oman. “We have family-friendly events that are planned for that, a couple different activities, and bucket raffles, so you might walk away with some art.”
Admission is $10, and the money raised will help the Bonifas rebuild its theater, which was heavily damaged last summer after a lightning strike caused a fire.
“We’re still working on our renovations,” Oman said. “We’re getting our ceiling put in, so that’s taking a little bit of time, but there’s over a mile’s worth of trim that they have to put in.”
Oman says whether you’re a fan of theater arts, surrealism, or just community fun, the Bonifas is the place to be this week.
“See how far we’ve come, see where they’re going with the theater, and check out the Bonifas,” she said. “It’s awesome.”
Children under age 5 will be admitted to the Raise the Roof Block Party for free, along with first responders. To purchase tickets in advance, click here.
