Clarkston has had its portrait done, drawn in pen and ink.
The poster-size work of art features a stylized montage of Clarkston, along with Independence and Springfield townships. It mixes detailed renderings of buildings with images of landmarks, faces, and other important features.
Downtown historic homes and buildings, including 5 Main Street, home of The Clarkston News, is featured near the center of the montage. The Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a reception unveiling the montage at the Artful Framer from 5-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
‘I love it ? it’s very classy,? said Penny Shanks, Chamber executive director. ‘It’s an outstanding piece of art. We’re very pleased with how it turned out.?
The painting is like a snapshot of the community, Shanks said.
‘It’s what the Clarkston community looks like right now,? said Joe Genco, owner of Community Creations, which was commissioned to complete the montage.
‘It’s a time capsule in art,? Genco said.
Clarkston is the first city in Michigan to be drawn in this style of montage. Community Creations has also been working with Fenton and Brighton, and the Fenton montage will be ready in about two weeks, he said.
The artist, Bruce Loeschen, is a high school art teacher in Minnesota. He has make a specialty of creating montages like this across the country. Loeschen drew his first montage, of Austin, Minnesota, in 1979. Since then, he has drawn about 150 montages across the country. His association with Community Creations began in 1993. For this project, he worked with artist Michael Chapman.
Community Creations scouts the country for small towns that have strong histories and sense of community, said Darla Barnes, sales representative in Michigan.
Barnes, who moved to Grand Blanc from Indiana in January, quickly settled on Clarkston for a possible montage.
‘Clarkston has that little-town feel but is still close to the big city,? Barnes said. ‘Everyone we’ve worked with seems to have pride in their community. That’s one thing we look for in a community.?
‘I drove out here, and Clarkston looked perfect,? Genco said. ‘It has great architecture. I like its downtown ? it’s attractive and historical. There’s a good feel to the community.?
They offered their services to the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce, which commissioned their work. Community Creations then met with the chamber and familiarized themselves with local businesses, landmarks, and the lay of the land.
‘I want to give my thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for all their help,? said Genco, now a chamber member himself.
Schools, parks, and other community sites were included free, and businesses were given the opportunity to be included in the montage in exchange for a sponsorship. Community Creations researchers and representatives took photographs throughout the area and gathered information, then turned it all over to Loeschen.
‘Bruce sits in his studio and draws ? that’s all we want him to do,? Genco said.
The Artful Framer is located at 6525 Sashabaw Road. Cost is $20 per person at the door, or $15 for members in advance. Each guest will receive a free poster reprint of the montage. Additional posters will be available for $25. Proceeds from these sales will all go to the chamber for use in Clarkston.
The montage will likely only have one printing, 1,200 total, of which 1,000 were donated to the chamber. These include 10 signed and numbered prints. All of them should become quite collectible, Genco said.
‘This won’t be done again and there won’t be any reprints,? he said.
For more information, call the Chamber at 248-625-8055.