Brush Strokes and Beats celebrating arts Saturday in Three Rivers

Three Rivers community members are invited to Brush Strokes and Beats, happening Saturday at A Place in Time.

A celebration of local artists, musicians and dancers begins at 7 p.m., with proceeds from admissions and a silent auction benefitting Three Rivers Promise. A Place in Time is located at 53 Railroad Dr. in Three Rivers. Event Chair Jan Michaels emphasized the event’s inclusivity.

“It’s really celebrating our community, too,” Michaels said. “Brush Strokes and Beats came from the idea that this was not just about framed art, but all the arts. It’s quilting, woodworking, jewelry, music, and dance.”

A $20 ticket includes one free drink. Appetizers will be served during the event by the Three Rivers Woman’s Club. Tickets can be purchased from members of the event committee or the Three Rivers Promise board, or at Lowry’s Books and the Riviera Theatre & Bar in downtown Three Rivers.

“Right now, we have more than 100 silent auction pieces, varying from framed art with watercolors and acrylic and that sort of thing. But we’ve also got quilts, and woodcarvings, plus other woodwork and jewelry. There was a picnic table that was made by a local woodworker. It’s just a wide variety of art,” Michaels said.

Multiple performers are expected for Saturday. Michaels said Brush Strokes and Beats will include:

• Three ensembles from Three Rivers High School
• Dancers from Becker’s Dance Arts and the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging
• Singing from Amanda Culbertson
• Piano playing from Mark Montcalm

“We’re hoping to get a good turnout because it should be a fun evening, Michaels said.

Michaels is a member of Three Rivers High School’s class of 1964. Brush Strokes and Beats began with a teacher’s eclectic collection.

“It all started because a retired art teacher, Jeanne Pawlowski, had a lot of art that her students had given her,” Michaels said. “She took it to her home and then had all this art she wasn’t sure what to do with.”

The idea of a fundraiser for Three Rivers Promise took shape last year, Michaels said. Some of this year’s auction pieces date back several years to Pawlowski’s former students.

“I also reached out to other artists in the community. I reached out to alumni from various classes, including my own. Other people started donating art, including some of the great artists we have here in Three Rivers. Our Artists Guild is being very generous, donating some of their art, too.

Michaels is optimistic for Saturday.

“I hope that the weekend has just a great celebration for everyone, where we can all come together and realize what a great community we have for everyone,” she said.

Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.