This exhibition, drawn from the collection at Grand Valley State University, features over 30 artists from the last 150 years. These artists have spent time directly engaging with the Michigan landscape and creating works that reflect their experience. Many have been drawn outside because of the dramatic seasonal changes that impact the color, density, and atmosphere of Michigan throughout the year. Others have sought to portray the intersection of the natural world and human development, focusing on urban centers and evidence of our impact that divides, shapes, and alters the landscape.  

Some of these works are realistic depictions earnestly relaying what the artist sees. Certain pieces are imaginative creations with isolated and exaggerated colors, lines, and shapes that focus our attention on different qualities of the land or blur our perception. Viewed as a whole, these works inform and illuminate our understanding of artistic engagement with landscape. They remind us that the lure of Michigan's landscape continues to captivate and inspire new generations of artists. 

Nathan Abramowski, Mathis J. Alten, Stewart Ashlee, Rick Beerhorst, Stephen Duren, Jane Everhart, Carolyn  Fehsenfeld, Amber Felicioni, Jim Fitzpatrick, Douglas R. Gilbert, Alynn Guerra, Ladislav R. Hanka, Del/as Henke, Geoffrey Holstad, Debra Reid Jenkins, Foster Jewell, James Karsina, Claudia S. Liberatore, David Lubbers, Michael  Maitner, Cheri McClain-Beatty, Mike McDonnell, Armand J. Merizon, Rory Miller, Dylan Nelson, Jeanne Rockett, Jason D. Rutter, Arthur Serth, Tom Stade, Mariel Versluis, Reynold H. Weidenaar, Diane Zeeuw