Please join us for an Opening Reception for our next exhibition, Michiana: The Art of Derrick Hollowell, on Friday, August 16, 2019 from 6PM – 8PM. The event is free, open to the public, and all ages welcome.
There will also be a Q&A and live sketching demonstration with the artist!
Derrick “VitoArt” Hollowell is noted for his illustrative and expressive portraiture of music and pop culture icons, along with his Afrocentric expressionism in female portraiture.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Derrick was a gifted student whose interests included sports and art. He studied printmaking and drawing and earned a BFA at Grand Valley State. He also began a prolific music career based on what was an emerging form at the time – Hip-Hop. His group, Euro-K, signed a record label deal and filmed a video for MTV.
In the past few years, Derrick has opened and operated a series of innovative storefront and warehouse galleries in Grand Rapids. His loft is the location and venue for numerous exhibits, workshops, poetry readings, and more. His mural work has recently been placed at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids Metropolitan Hospital, and an extensive jazz-themed collection at The HopCat Brewery in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“I am truly fulfilled when my art ends up in places where many people see it. I have always been intrigued by the power of posters and illustrative images.”
Artistically, Derrick is constantly exploring watercolor portraiture while expanding on his aesthetic vision in oil painting, drawing, and pop iconography. His greatest influences are 1960’s-70’s illustrations, Japanese printmaking, German expressionism, African art, and comic art, among others.
Derrick currently teaches illustration to Grand Rapids public high school students at WMCAT (West Michigan Academy for Arts and Technology). He is the lead instructor for Artists Creating Together – a west Michigan organization focused on providing art therapy for children and adults with cognitive challenges. He also serves on their board of directors.
Michiana: The Art of Derrick Hollowell is entitled so because Derrick was very curious to transport art across state borders to be viewed by a new audience.
“I decided to include a variety of work to spark intrigue, inquiry, and hopefully, inspire.”
His work will most certainly do that and so much more.
The show will be on display August 16, 2019 through September 15, 2019.
Regular museum hours: Friday 5PM – 8PM, Saturday 4PM – 7PM, and Sunday 1PM – 4PM. Special tours are available upon request.