CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

The Holland Area Arts Council is home to three professional galleries: the Barbara H. Padnos Gallery, the Jane Armstrong Gallery, and the Lievense Zobkiw Galleries. Admission is free of charge.

April 2025

April 16th - June 7th

Balladeer

Lievense Gallery

Reception: May 15th, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Anna Vinten (nee: Vinten-Johansen) grew up in Connecticut and Michigan, with degrees in Scandinavian studies, vocal performance, and fine arts. A Fulbright scholar, she studied folk music and poetry in Norway. Marriage sparked her artmaking, leading to a BFA in Art Education and teaching/performing in Austria with her family before their 2019 move to western Michigan. Inspired by a Dutch children commission, I explored archival images, drawn to the strength of a past culture despite it not being my own. The original black and white photos shifted my focus from color to light, dark, line, form, tone, and pattern, blending abstract and real. Using varied media on canvas or wood, each piece was a learning process, sometimes involving sketches. I value this deep dive into another world.

Debut 2025

April 10th - May 24th

Reception: April 17th, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Padnos and Armstrong Gallery

Get ready for an exciting celebration of young talent at this year’s Début 2025, the annual Regional High School Art Competition, showcasing the incredible work of talented students from 10 West Michigan high schools! Hosted by the Holland Area Arts Council, this event will feature stunning artwork from over 100 students, with pieces selected for prestigious awards by professional artist Janice Propst. The competition is a testament to the dedication and creativity of these young artists, as well as their inspiring art teachers. Join us for this event, where local community support and youthful expression come together to honor the next generation of artists. Don’t miss the chance to experience the incredible art on display and cheer on these future stars!

March 2025

The Jagged Edges of Light and Shadow

March 5th - April 6th

Padnos Gallery

Reception: March 20, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Karin Nelson, an award-winning, nationally published artist, began her self-taught art journey in 2009 while working as an Executive Assistant. Her experimental acrylic paintings quickly gained attention, prompting her to pursue art full-time. Known for her bold, abstract landscapes, cityscapes, and seascapes, Karin’s work has been featured in international publications. Acrylic Magazine described her style as "strong angles, powerful lines, and the intersection of light and shadow." Karin thrives on the thrill of creating without sketches, using unconventional tools to achieve energetic, contrasting marks. Living near Lake Michigan, she draws endless inspiration from her surroundings and feels grateful for the opportunity to pursue her artistic calling.

West Ottawa Elementary Exhibition

March 11th - April 12th

Lievense and Zobkiw Gallery

Reception: March 27, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

The Arts Council and West Ottawa Public Schools are excited to showcase the artistic talents of elementary students in this annual exhibition. Featuring drawings, paintings, collages, and ceramics, the show highlights how the art curriculum evolves from kindergarten through fifth grade. Participating schools include Lakeshore, Sheldon Woods, Waukazoo, Great Lakes, Pine Creek, Woodside, Lakewood, and North Holland.

Join us for the opening reception on Thursday, March 27th, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The exhibition is free and open to the public!

February 2025

The Fine Art of Photograghy

February 20 - March 29

Armstrong Gallery

Leslie Victor uses a camera to reveal the beauty and drama of what appears to be an ordinary world. Her photography journey began in her West Michigan backyard, where looking through a macro lens at dandelions and other weeds revealed the hidden beauty and structure in everything. Photography has opened her eyes to the intricate beauty of everyday life. She captures ordinary objects, using light to define and refine their details, then enhancing and adjusting perspectives during the editing process to elevate the image artistically. She favors a bold style with strong detail and minimal presentation, whether in color or monochrome.

This work is not a social commentary or narrative of issues, but simply art – subjective, personal, and always in the eye of the beholder.

Reception: February 25, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

January 2025

Tactile Fiber Arts Invitational

January 10 - March 1

Padnos Gallery

Fourteen regional contemporary textile and fiber artists will exhibit their work in the Padnos Gallery from January 10th to March 1st, with a reception on February 6th from 5:30- 7:00 p.m. The show will feature a variety of masterworks, including sculpture, weaving, and quilts.

Exhibiting Artists: Kelly Allen, Jennifer Gould, Pricilla Lynch, Gloria Kirk-Hanna, Elliot Johnson, Jane Blacquiere, Judy Rosbury, Suzanne Ditsler, Sally Sundstrom, Nancy DeVries, Carol Irving, Susan Fleming, Shelby Freehling, and Patti Reen.

Reception: February 6th, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Conversations in Paper and Clay

January 23 - March 8

Lievense and Zobkiw Gallery

Conversations in Paper and Clay features the collaboration between Gemma Fletcher and Catherine Green, who met in a ceramics studio in 2022. Catherine, a retired photographer-turned-ceramicist, explores porcelain’s translucency, while Gemma’s colorful work celebrates everyday moments using paint, print, and stitch. Their shared love of form, texture, and color shines through in this exhibition.

Gemma’s work combines vibrant color and surface decoration inspired by daily life and nature. Catherine, who started pottery at 70, experiments with porcelain’s translucency and minimal glazing, blending her past photographic interests with clay.

Reception: January 30, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Frequency (OBO)

January 13 - May 30

The lyrics from Sylvan Esso’s “Frequency” and Rick Rubin’s thoughts on clouds reflect a desire for inspiration, a connection to a muse or source. In this show, the abstract paintings are Michael’s way of pursuing that energy—an exploration of flow, spirit, and surprise. Through marks and gestures, he tries to tap into that space where creation happens organically.

These works continue the practice from last year’s “The 46 Project,” which was influenced by the ethics of the punk band Fugazi and their spontaneous, improvisational approach to performance. Each show, like each painting, is a space for exploration and response.

Hallway Gallery

2024 Exhibits

Tatsuki Hakoyama

November 8 - January

Lievense and Zobkiw Gallery

Reception: November 21, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

FOTOG: Holly Palmer Memorial Juried Regional Photographic Competition

October 17 - December 21

Padnos Gallery

Reception: October 24, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Small Works Holiday Exhibit

November 14 - December 21

Mainstreet Gallery

Reception: November 14, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Interested in Exhibiting at HAAC?

If you'd like to showcase your artwork in an exhibition, please fill out the form below. We welcome submissions from artists in all mediums, including textiles, painting, sculpture, photography, and more. This form is the first step in the selection process. While submission does not guarantee a show, we are looking forward to reviewing your work and possibly having your creativity in an exhibit. Note: Artists must be 18+ to exhibit. Selected artists will be contacted with further details.

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