SaveArtSpace has partnered with Erickson Center for the Arts to bring more public art to US 2 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula starting June 22, 2020.

SaveArtSpace x Erickson Center for the Arts presents US 2 Public Art Exhibition, showcasing local artists on billboards throughout US 2 in the Eastern Upper Peninsula starting June 22, 2020. Curated by Katie Eberts. Selected artists are Sarah Tule, Carol Irving, Joanna Walitalo and Shena Sloboda. The public art will be on view for at least one month.

If CDC and State of Michigan regulations allow, there will be an Artist Reception on July 3, 6p-9p at Erickson Center for the Arts, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato Street Curtis, MI 49820.

Participating Organizations

Founded in 2015, SaveArtSpace is a non-profit organization that works to create an urban gallery experience, launching exhibitions that address intersectional themes and foster a progressive message of social change. By placing culture over commercialism, SaveArtSpace aims to empower artists from all walks of life and inspire a new generation of young creatives and activists.

The mission of the Erickson Center for the Arts is to enrich the mind, body and spirit of the Eastern Upper Peninsula communities we serve through the presentation of artistic and cultural exhibitions and programs. We strive to facilitate experiences that will encourage personal growth beyond our walls and our community.

In the Press…

Selected Artists

Public Art Location: US 2 & Portage St, St. Ignace, MI

Bio: Sarah Tule is a watercolor artist living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She has been painting since graduating high school in 2006. It wasn’t until a few years later that she discovered the luxurious fluidity that is watercolor. Most of her first works were in acrylic and colored pencil. She likes to combine all three mediums now, taking pleasure in the texture the pencil and acrylics add to watercolor. She has little formal training in art and instead moves forward through curiosity and exploration of the mediums.

Statement: I find my inspiration for my work in afternoon walks and trips to the lake shore. I delight in vibrant colors and intriguing patterns of light and shadow. Michigan provides endless opportunities to paint its beauty and I am forever trying to capture it on paper.

I currently live near Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan with my husband and two kitties, Sophie and Cleo.

In the near future, I am releasing a few bodies of work through my website. I am also exploring options for a downtown Sault Sainte Marie studio space where I can work and teach classes.

My works can be purchased through Alberta House, in Sault Saint Marie, Nourish, in Cheboygan, Oliver Art Center in Frankfort and at Globe Printing in Ishpeming Michigan. 

Upcoming classes through several venues are frequently updated on my website. 

Connect with Sarah on Instagram at @sarahtuleartworks.

Public Art Location: US 2 & H-33, Gould City, MI

Bio: Detroit born, Carol Irving moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at the age of 24. Before her move to the Upper Peninsula she had earned a degree in Botany, lived in New Mexico and then Oregon, and always had a love for art, particularly fiber arts. She had taken an introductory class in weaving while in college and began to explore this art form on her own. Over the many years, she has fine tuned her craft into an art. She has taken many workshops from noted weavers including British Rug Weaver, Peter Collingwood. Her works have won awards and honors in juried art and fiber shows throughout the Northern Midwestern states. Her work was included in the recently published book, The Art of Weaving.

“I’ve woven many things, but nothing gives me more pleasure than rugs and rug weaving. It is a continual challenge, offering a variety of techniques as well as studies in design and color. I find inspiration in so many forms; patterns found in nature, folk art, music, fabric and pottery.”

Driven by a love for the materials she employs, Carol weaves bright and stimulating images into her rugs. In her work the artist seeks to convey her passion for fiber, color, and design brought together in excellent craftsmanship. She weaves her richly colored yarns on a loom much the way people have been weaving for centuries. Each rug is a totally unique piece of American Craft. Her designs range from very contemporary and geometric to organic shapes and images. “I am committed to excellent craftsmanship so that my rugs are not only functional but pleasing to look at.” Her work is striking when hung on the wall, visually bold from a distance and tactile in its intricate detail.

In 2013 - 2015, her weavings go in a new direction, exploring new design elements and colors and how they interplay. In 2017 she embarked on a new journey in her weaving style. This time incorporating her background and love for Botanical Sciences and wildflowers. She created a 12 panel series: A Weaver’s Journal of Endangered Wildflowers. This series will be on tour through year 2020.

Over time Irving has explored a series called B&W. This series began with a triptych that was displayed at ArtPrize in 2016 and then purchased by the Erickson Center for the Arts in Curtis, MI. She has explored this design idea even further, showing and winning a 2nd Place Award for B&W Obession and a 1st Place Award for B&W Elusive Perfection.

Her works can be found in private and public collections. She hopes to share her love of fiber and color with those who view her work.

Statement: First and foremost, I am a weaver and I speak in yarn and color. Speaking in this language of fiber can be a challenging endeavor, but the fiber speaks to me too. This current series of woven panels, so named, is “A Weaver's Journal of Endangered Wildflowers”. 

Like a botanist or naturalist who is out in the field collecting specimens, taking photos, and making quick sketches in their journal, I am mimicking those actions. This series is like a journey, connecting me to my roots of botanical studies and love of plants and wildflowers. I have accepted the challenge: turning woven yarn into soil, forest litter, plants and leaves. 

Concerned for the future of all threatened species, Michigan’s Wildflowers are near and dear to me. Michigan has many unique habitats and is home to many endangered and special species of plants. This woven series of Michigan’s Endangered Wildflowers will bring attention to their threatened and sometimes endangered status. 

This series is a reflection of my interests, travels and research in the botanical world of Michigan. With this field guide of woven panels, I hope to bring attention to Michigan's many Wildflowers and those that we are in danger of losing.

Connect with Carol on Instagram at @carol_irving_fiber_artist.

Public Art Location: 1000 ft. west of US 2 & H-33, Gould City, MI

Artist Biography: Joanna Walitalo

I grew up in Oil City, MI, going to Bullock Creek High School, where I had art classes taught by Mr. Mathern and Mr. Myers, both very talented artists, and teachers with endless patience. I earned a BS in Biology and Environmental Studies from Central Michigan University. While living downstate, I completed a wildlife mural at Green Point Environmental Learning Center, Saginaw, with accompanying curricula and activities. During this time, I also participated in a variety of art shows and took art classes at the Midland Center for the Arts, where I had the opportunity to study under Armin Mersmann.

While studying at CMU, I had the pleasure of taking classes form Dietmar Krumrey II and Michael Volker. By far the artist that influenced me the most throughout my life has been my mom, Barb Rogers. Her influence and teaching in pen and ink, watercolor, oil, and wildlife art lead me to opportunities such as being commissioned to illustrate the raptor identification kiosk at the Porcupine Mountains State Park at the Lake of the Clouds overlook which is still on display over ten years later.

I moved to the Keweenaw in the summer of 2010 to pursue a Master of Forestry at Michigan Technological University. I returned to Michigan Tech to peruse a PhD in Forest Science in 2015. I am currently a PhD candidate, working on wood decay and soils analysis under Dr. Martin Jurgensen. In the last year, I was privileged to work with Thomas Elpel, illustrating his most recent book “Five Months on the Missouri River” which just came out in print.

In the last 3 years I have incorporated my education and family into the process through the media of pyrography (wood burning). With a strong background in biology, environmental policies, and forestry, I can create biologically accurate and ascetically pleasing depictions of our amazing wildlife and the corresponding habitats in order to foster care and appreciation of our natural resources. By using all scrap wood, recycling, reduction of waste, and reuse is incorporated directly into the artwork. My goal as an artist is to share the natural wonders of our northern environment with individuals who are not fortunate enough to be able to experience it on a daily basis. My husband, James (Wally) Walitalo, has been a critical support to the artwork, spending about the same amount of time as I do on each piece. He cuts and sands each piece of wood to prepare it for the pyrography, and once the artwork is done, he puts 3 coats of polyurethane and a hanger on each piece. He has also been incredible and diligent at going out daily to obtain reference photos of local wildlife for the artwork. In light of the team effort, we have decided to call the operation “J. Walitalo Woodburning” so that both of us can receive equal credit for the artwork.

Connect with Joanna on her Facebook page.

Public Art Location: US 2 & H-33, Gould City, MI

Shena Sloboda's primary focus has remained impressionism throughout her career.  Despite the typical daily chaos of working and family life she derives peace from the beautiful environment of the Eastern Upper Peninsula.  The traditional birds, boats, and beaches of the U.P. provide her inspiration, as well as the skylines, pensive moments, and mundane drives during which one often finds silent meditation.

Over the course of her life Sloboda has resided in Chester County and Hazleton, PA, and the cities/towns of Ypsilanti, Naubinway, Paradise, and Sault Ste Marie, MI.  She has been a member of the Chester County Art Association and is a current member of the Sault Area Arts Council, as well as a gallery board member for the Olive M. Craig Gallery Board.

Inspired by nightly "drawing time" before bed as a child, and regular trips to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, she had early instruction with artists Chris Chadwick and Mary Beaumont at Chester County Art Association.  Within Secondary education she completed Advanced Placement Studio Art, scoring a 5/5 after national board portfolio review.  Her work has been exhibited at Chadds Ford Historical Society, Chester County Art Association, Norristown Art League, Afif Gallery (South St., Philadelphia location), LSSU Library Gallery, Alberta House Arts Center, Bonifas Arts Center, 1668 Winery and Lockside Brewery, as well as Art Gallery Algoma.  Notable awards received include:

    -Best of Show at Chadds Ford Historical Society in the 1996 youth show

    -William Borer Award by Norristown Art League

    -2nd Place at the Alberta House juried show in 2014, then 3rd Place in 2019

    -3rd Place at LSSU Arts Center's 5x7 exhibition in 2014, then 2nd in 2018

    -Royce's Choice Award, then 2nd Place in online shows at ArtisTTableOnline.com

Connect with Shena on her Facebook page.

Public Art Location: US 2 & Portage St, St. Ignace, MI

HI! I'm Katie Eberts, and I graduated from the University of Michigan Penny Stamps School of Art & Design in 2011 with a concentration in watercolor. I am currently a freelance artist/illustrator based in the upper peninsula of Michigan. My work is whimsical and fresh, with a playful and humorous style that seems to dance to its own secret song. (Someone said that last part to me, isn't that the nicest compliment?)

When not making art, I enjoy gardening with a varying degree of success, knitting sweaters and pulling them out again when they don't fit correctly, reading, picnics, riding my bike, cooking new recipes, and having a nice glass of wine outside (or inside) with my friends & family, who I am obsessed with as they are the greatest human beings on the planet.

Connect with Katie on Instagram at @katieebertsillustration.