From staff reports
ONEKAMA ‒ A two-hour “Women, Art and Poetry” event will be held 4-6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 25, at Patina, an inspirational studio gallery and boutique of reimagined resale items for the home. Patina is located at 4850 Main St., (M-22).
“Social media, Zoom and texting, etc., have taken away the spontaneous energy and creativity that naturally occurs when gathering in person,” Patina owner Nikki Schneider said. “My mission is to connect people through the arts to facilitate this magic.”
The event will begin at 4 p.m. with wine, cheese, snacks and vintage shopping. Poetry readings by Louisa Loveridge Gallas, of Arcadia and Milwaukee, and Morgan Leigh Kelsey, of Bear Lake, will follow at 5 p.m. Attendees may also meet photographer Deborah Besanson — who divides her time between Saginaw and Arcadia — and view her photographic images.
Louisa Loveridge Gallas is an award-winning poet whose poems have appeared in numerous journals and publications. Her poem “Basic Hygiene” won first place in the adult category of the 2022 Manistee County Library Poetry Competition. Read more about her and follow her writing at: louisalovegallas.com.
Morgan Leigh Kelsey published “The Wild Becoming”, her first book of poetry, last year. The book is described on Blurb.com as “An honest and brave collection of poetry, touching on themes of love, longing, growth, transition, spirituality, and cycles.” Follow her on Instagram @morganleighkelsey.
Photographer Debbie Besanson has been capturing images for more than 20 years, eventually owning a studio in an artists’ collective. She has photographed sports car races, members of the Red Hat Society and weddings. She has also taken women’s glamour shots, high school seniors’ portraits and commercial photos. Follow her on Facebook @DeborahBesanson.
Follow Patina on Facebook @PatinaDesigns4850 and on Instagram @patinadesignsmichigan.
