All of the Tree

The Village Theater at Cherry Hill is pleased to exhibit "All of the Tree" featuring objects created by a method known as "woodturning" by Stephen Kolpacke and paintings using real leafs as the canvas by Jennifer Lanzilotti now through January 30, 2019.

There will be a free reception honoring the work of Stephen Kolpacke and Jennifer Lanzilotti on January 8, 2019 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.  

About Stephen Kolpacke

Stephen Kolpacke's art is woodturning in various species of wood and an array of shapes and textures.  The objects are influenced by aspects of nature which is highlighted by the color selections, flow of wood grain and use of natural voids and empty spaces.

Stephen's background is a mixture of technical, craft and nature.  He is an engineer by training and practice, longtime furniture maker and outdoor enthusiast with a passion for hiking.  These three areas came together about six years ago in the art of wood turning.  The primary technique is to let the features and characteristics of the wood determine final shape of the object—the process accomplished using a lathe with an array of tools used to shape, texture and finish the wood.

About Jennifer Lanzilotti

According to artist Jennifer Lanzilotti, "There is something rather nostalgic about a fallen leaf.  The season over, it waits silently for its return to earth.  But to this artist’s eye, it is a beautiful canvas waiting to be reborn."  Gathering, drying and pressing them, Jennifer sees leaves as her most heartfelt form of artistic expression.

After graduating from Madonna University with a Bachelor’s degree, Jennifer began her career as a social worker.  Eventually she opted to remain at home to raise her two daughters.  During those incredibly busy years, attending to the myriad duties of parenthood, running a household, and being a “hockey mom” to both daughters, Jennifer’s creativity began to soar.  She authored several Young Adult novels, sold pre-made scrapbooks, and discovered a knack for repurposing furniture.  She then ventured into painting murals.

Using blank walls as her canvas, she painted stone, birch trees, and walls to look like pallet wood.  A painting so real it required a touch to see if it were actual wood.  Soon people began to commission her.  She painted on wood, rocks, bottles, and even a snowboard.  But it was her leaf paintings that most stunned and engaged the interest of an ever increasing audience.  Taking art classes, she grew in her ability to create the details of these small canvases, capturing the glow of a winter moon, a purple haze of sky, the rhythm of a river, and the cathedral-like beauty of the forest. It wasn’t long before her leaves were chosen for the Detroit Artist’s Ball and other local arts and crafts shows. 

So when autumn arrives, you just may see Jennifer out on her morning run, searching for that last perfect fallen leaf.

This current art exhibit at the Gallery@VT is free and open to the public: Monday Friday 10 am 2 pm, one hour prior to and during public performances at the theater, as well as by appointment. The Gallery@VT is closed on holidays. The gallery is located at 50400 Cherry Hill Rd., Canton, MI, 48187. For more information about this latest exhibit, please call 734/394-5300.