Great Northern Art Explosion: Ausable Artisan Village

Center: “Biting” Acrylic painting by Renee Kuharchuk

Center: “Picking 3” Acrylic painting by Renee Kuharchuk

Ausable Artisan Village presents: The Annual Great Northern Art Explosion located in downtown Grayling Michigan - An international juried fine art exhibition featuring over 100 artists and artworks selected by professional juror Amy Vos Dillinger.

Show dates from August 26th, 2023 through public award ceremony, September 10, 2023.

Art Explosion 2023 Accepted Artists:

Clifford Burkholder, Abby Akers, Linda Allen, Madeleine Althoff, Sylvia Bandyk, Kelli Bechtel, JoAnn Bennett, Shanti Bennett, Larry Blovits, Mary-Glynn Boies, Anita Brett, Robert Bridenbaugh, Michael Bruner, melinda bylow, Anthony Cairo, Jeff Caverly, Pat Cheal, Marc Chicoine, Cheryl Chidester, Winnie Chrzanowski, Alisa Clark, Amy Clark, Jeannine Cook, Jacob Cotton, Paulette Cruise, John DeHoog, Terry Dickinson, John Diephouse, Randi Dodgson, Lisa Downs, henry droski, Robert Esckelson, Gwen Meyer Ethelbah, Daniel Feldhauser, Christopher Fowler, Aimee Fresia, Jill Gary, Jerry Gates, Raymond Gaynor, Susan George, Jan Gill, Sharon Grant, Janet Grifka-Smith, Marcia Guetschow, Becky Hansen, Ebonee Hansen, Robert Harold, Rebecca Hauschild, Gary Johnson, Michael Koole, Renee Kuharchuk, Justin La Doux, Sheila Lamberson, Gaye Lee-Peters, Frank Leimbek, Jennifer Mann, Carol Mannas, Marlies Manning, mike mcgraw, Stacy McKellip, Russel Minnerick, Sara Naylor, Jay (aka Jacqueline) Norris, Lisa Oliver, Nicki Omori, Justice Otterbacher, Frauke Palmer, stone peng, Joyce Petrakovitz, Stacie Poindexter, Trish Poupard, Olivia Prado, Agnieszka Przyborowski, John Puffer, Matthew Schellenberg, Bonnie Sheckter CPSA, Megan Shilobod, Carolyn Shoemaker, sandra sholl, Shena Sloboda, David Smith, Jennifer Sowders, Jan Stannard, Betsy Stecker, Laura Stockwell, Pamela Stoddard, Jennifer Sugarman, Mary Sundstrom, Nicole Szymanski, Amy TATROE, Ilene Thayer, Susan Thiel, Jamie Thomson, Pete Wardrope, Christy Warren, Carrie Weis, Jeff Wortman, Elizabeth Yarosz-Ash, Larry Zdeb, Albert Zifilippo, MaryAnn Ferrigan, Lynn, Pettyjohn, Paul Nilsson, Jan Treston, Gilbert Kustra, Jake Allen, Terry Akers

Emotionally Heightened

“Emotionally Heightened” is an exhibition of a recent body of work by visual artist Renee Kuharchuk. This collection of works embodies the feelings of anxiety, illustrated through close up snap shots of everyday habits and visual manifestations of these anxious feelings. These images illustrate a feeling and highlight that habit or symptom when emotionally heightened. We all have those subconscious mannerisms - biting nails, picking fingers, twirling hair, tapping a foot. What happens when a spotlight is shined on those mindless routines?  What happens when we take notice of what is happening in our bodies when experiencing painful situations? These movements serve as a way to cope. It’s a manifestation of that emotion in our bodies; how we self-soothe. 

The style of each painting illustrates the symptom or situation. Some works use short feathered marks that mimic meditative, repetitive movements such as yoga, prayer beads, or worry stones while others use loose swooping lines and layered energetic strokes to exemplify anxious or painful situations. The loose and wild brushwork create chaos and disorganization - a reflection of the internal struggle. By creating small clustered brush strokes using bright colors, the works leap off the canvas and almost vibrate with movement.

This September, Brother Chimp Brewing will be hosting the solo exhibition “Emotionally Heightened”  by artist Renee Kuharchuk. Renee is an artist working in the Chicagoland area. This exhibition displays 19 of her original paintings and is an exploration of portraiture and mental health. The exhibition is accompanied by an artists talk, where Renee will be answering questions about her work, describing her intention and purpose behind making these pieces. This is an opportunity to experience these works while getting personal insight into Kuharchuk’s artistic process. 

Chicagoland based artist Renee Kuharchuk pushes the boundaries in her work to get the viewer to feel. Her works dominate the canvas and demand attention. A practice born from personal experience, Kuharchuk’s imagery is identifiable while her brush technique is stylized. Her collective mark making is a demonstration of her creative practice as a means for healing. This body of work brings awareness to our collective struggles with mental health. 

2023 Micro Residency Exhibition - University of Illinois

University of Illinois - Micro Residency - June 2023

In this program educator-artists from a broad range of disciplines live, work, and collaborate to push the boundaries of their practices. Artist display their work produced during the residency program through a public exhibition that culminates the experience.

Below are featured works produced by Renee Kuharchuk. during this residency.

November Artist - Dry City

Dry City hosts local area artists who display custom work. Featured artwork by Renee Kuharchuk whose work explores themes of femininity and mental health. Her work is on display for the month of November.

Recent Works - Robert T. Wright Gallery of Art

The 43rd Annual Juried Exhibition for Lake County Artists at the College of Lake County, Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art includes all fine art media from local county artists.

Renee Kuharchuk with “Acceptance” her featured oil painting

August Artist

Our August artist, Renee Kuharchuk, will be here at the taproom on Thursday, August 25th, for a meet-n-greet and coaster art jam.

Come out and see Renee's amazing gallery of paintings, purchase anything you see and love, and meet the artist! While you're here, grab some tacos from Dia de los Tacos, meet some pups up for adoption from Starfish Animal Rescue, and support local art, food and beer.

No advance tickets needed. Just come by.

2022 IHSAE Annual Educator Exhibition

ArtConnected, along with the Illinois Art Education Association and BLICK Art Materials host an annual juried exhibition that recognizes the artistic talents of Illinois’ art educators from all across the state of Illinois. Participating artists range in experience from first time educators to seasoned veterans. Developed nearly a decade ago, the exhibition aims to reconnect Illinois art educators with their own personal artistic practice, create a sense of community while providing a professional exhibition experience. Each year a wide range of amazing artworks are featured in the show, such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, fiber, glass, mixed media, digital arts, video, ceramics, jewelry and more. All works are original and have been completed within the last calendar year.