Kim Frank Fujiwara was named the winner of the 2018 MI Great Artist competition yesterday at Park West Gallery in Southfield.
The gallery was buzzing with excitement as the finalists, their friends and family, and art enthusiasts gathered to celebrate Fujiwara and his fellow finalists. Event focal points included a shared exhibition of artistic works by the finalists, and a solo exhibition from 2017 MI Great Artist winner, Thomas Tunney.
“My early morning hike of solitude on a sultry summer day at Independence Oaks County Park – North was a magical experience. Wispy cirrus clouds added definition to the clear blue sky. Spider webs sparkled with diamonds of dew. Sandhill cranes trumpeted from a wet meadow. An American Goldfinch and an Eastern Kingbird perched in tree tops to bask in sunlight, as did a Red-tailed Hawk high up on a transmission line tower. The music of crickets, and the rustle of aspen leaves in the morning’s gentle breeze softened the rumble of traffic on nearby Sashabaw Road.” I wrote those words last August as an introduction to a “Wilder Side” blog about Independence Oaks County Park – North; a 188-acre addition to the main section of 1,285-acre Independence Oaks County Park, the largest of the 13 parks managed by Oakland County Parks. Independence Oaks – North is the only Southeast Michigan park with a catch and release special designation by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The park also includes natural features that helped the site be classified by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory as a Priority One Conservation Area.
The second annual PICS OF THE PARKS photo contest is underway and runs through September 7. It’s free to enter and is sponsored by Oakland County Parks, the Oakland Parks Foundation and the Oakland Press. All images must be captured within the 13 Oakland County Parks and must be a minimum of 2MB to ensure proper printing and quality. Complete rules and regulations for the contest can be found at www.oakgov.com/parks.
