Former Belleville resident comes ‘full circle’ to Ann Arbor Art Fair

By Amanda McLenon
BHS class of 1994
When I tell folks my story about exhibiting in the Ann Arbor Art Fair this summer, their response is inevitably, 100% of the time, a nod of the head and an utterance of the phrase “full circle.”
It really is the best way to summarize my journey. I grew up in Belleville and attended the Ann Arbor Art Fair with my mom every year. As a high school student I even booth sat for a potter who was in the show.
I never thought about being an artist. Instead, inspired by my high school A.P. Biology teacher Dick Dokas, I went to the University of Michigan and graduated with a degree in biology and chemistry. I taught at Dexter High School, just west of Ann Arbor, for six years. In 2006, I moved to Charleston, SC, to pursue a Master’s in Marine Biology. I planned to return to teaching, but my career took an unexpected turn.
During my studies, I began to paint as a creative outlet. My first images were painted in reverse on glass, and most were fish. I graduated from the College of Charleston and actually made the decision to leave my position as lab technician to job search full time, still believing my calling was marine education.
The day after I gave notice, I received a phone call for a large commission, painting 20 originals for fishing tournament trophies. I was over the moon. The commission was followed by many more. I was accepted to the coveted Charleston Farmers’ Market as one of only a few juried artists, and in 2012 I received the Lowcountry Artist of the Year award. This award is a grant meant to further the career of an emerging artist and it gave me the opportunity to have my first solo show.
I have been a full-time artist since that day I gave notice, almost 10 years now. Travel has been a big part of my path with exhibits at the Neptune Festival and Virginia Beach Boardwalk shows in Virginia, Winter Park Sidewalk Festival in Florida, Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibit in my hometown of Charleston, SC, and even a show inside a castle as part of the Atalaya Arts Festival.
This summer, I am planning to visit family and on a whim I applied to the Ann Arbor Art Guild Summer Show. Ironically, the same teacher who inspired me to study biology also happens to be an amazing photographer. He has exhibited in this show for many years. When I opened the email that said I was accepted, and I realized I would be showing my paintings just down from Mr. Dokas on State Street, I have to admit I muttered to myself, “full circle.”
You can find my work on State Street as part of the Guild of Artists and Artisans Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair, July 18-21, in booth ST568. Exclusive to this show, I’m debuting a new series of songbird paintings, as well as charcoal studies. My large-scale work features birds on canvas gilded with silver, gold and copper leaf.
www.amandamclenon.com
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