The Colors of (Un)Common Childhood is the November art exhibit at the CNM

The November exhibit at the Center for New Media, The Colors of (Un)Common Childhood, features the work of local artists Heather Briggs, Heather Boersma and Jacqueline Baerwald.

The show opens at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Artist Statement

Childhood is a rollercoaster of exploration, wonder, imagination, struggle, discovery, fear and freedom. Everyone has been there - impressionable and vulnerable. Each of our experiences have woven us into the rich, colorful tapestries we are today. Taking a look at snapshots of our memories, everyone has a mental photo album worth of insights, lessons, failures and victories. How many books could be written describing young lives and how those influences affect us now, as well as future generations? Each artists' series of work depicts a different aspect she has seen or experienced.

The acrylic paintings on book "canvases" delves into the challenges of childhood. Each canvas, once a vessel of knowledge and stories, becomes a surface for artistic expression. The painted narratives reflect the myriad emotions experienced during the process of growing up, from moments of triumph and liberation to instances of fear and uncertainty. These paintings invite viewers to confront their own memories and experiences, evoking a sense of empathy and understanding.

Juxtaposing the book canvases are the colorful God's Eye weavings. These intricate and vibrant pieces serve as visual representations of the imaginative realms that children create within their minds. They embody the spirit of exploration and wonder, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of discovery alongside the creators.

The body of work entitled A Stupid Brilliance presents a series of black and white photographs that delve into the poignant struggles of childhood, specifically focusing on the challenges posed by severe dyslexia. Through these photographs, we explore the journey of a young mind grappling with the complexities of learning differences, where letters twist and turn, words blur, and sentences become puzzles to unravel. Explore each piece by stepping back into open curiosity through the eyes of a child.

About the Artists

Jacqueline Baerwald
Baerwald is a painter, photographer, graphic designer, and mixed media sculptor. She grew up spending most of her childhood crafting, sewing and exploring nature in the heart of Michigan. She received an associate in fine arts from Delta. She works in her studio in Southwest Michigan, creating forest inspired ceramics and painting book art.

Heather Boersma
Boersma has taught writing, reading, and aesthetic education at Western Michigan University and elementary schools throughout Kalamazoo County. She has received multiple grants and awards in Western Michigan area shows and at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. Her work in New Mexico, Ohio and Michigan galleries has been featured on news stations in Ohio and Michigan. Heather travels around the world with her husband to visit her creative adult children and to participate in triathlons.

Heather Briggs
Briggs grew up taking classes at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Her explorations lead her to graduate in 2017 with a BFA focusing on photography. Her senior thesis, A Stupid Brilliance, displays the struggles and victories of having dyslexia as a child. This series was in ArtPrize in 2017 and won third place in the 2018's WMA show. During her residency, at the KIA in 2019, she started to combine photography (cyanotype) and origami. From this mixed media mashup, The Exhale Project and the Flight of Ferns series were created. This body of work has been shown in ArtPrize 2022, the West Michigan Area show, and many other shows throughout South West Michigan. Her main goal as an artist is to strengthen, encourage and comfort through sharing stories and magnifying the natural beauty that is all around us.