Exhibit by Cynthia Coté at Reflection Gallery through Sept. 30

HANCOCK -- "Dwelling," an exhibit of work by artist Cynthia Coté, is featured at Finlandia University ’s Reflection Gallery through Sept. 30, 2008. An opening reception for the artist will take place rom 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, at the gallery. The reception is open to the public. Coté will speak about her work at 1 p.m.

The exhibit includes works created by Coté over the past 10 years: Dom, Lost Relatives, Where the Relatives Live, Card Catalogs, Sails (kinetic books), and Constructions. Coté says the goal of the exhibit is to show a progression: where the concept of "dwelling," in both its meanings (noun and verb), has taken her as an artist.

"I often ponder just when it was that I became an artist," Coté writes in her artist’s statement. "I’ve always been a maker. I think some of the early constructions that I made as a kid out of cardboard, glue, and fabric were really good. I have always been inspired to make things that honor a sense of place."

Coté adds that the work she creates today gives her familiar feelings and pleasure in much the same way that it did when she was a child.

"I am still using the same kinds of materials: cardboard, paper, glue, fabric, string, and found objects," she explains. "The only difference is now I get to hang it on the wall and talk about it. Bear with me as I ruminate over where life as an artist/maker has taken me."

Coté has been a studio artist since 1988. She is the executive director of the Copper Country Community Arts Center, Hancock, and has instructed art classes widely in the Upper Peninsula. Her teaching experience includes Finlandia University, the Michigan Tech University Summer Youth Program and time as a visiting artist at Jeffers High School and South Range Elementary. She has been active in community projects such as the Main Street Calumet Design Committee and the Houghton Spring Art and Music Festival.

The director of the Reflection Gallery this semester is Finlandia illustration senior Sarah Anderson (Houghton); the assistant director is illustration sophomore Rachel Reideinga (Wetmore). The gallery is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located on the 2nd level of Finlandia’s Portage Campus, 200 Michigan St., Hancock.

For additional information, please contact Yueh-mei Cheng, associate professor of studio arts, at 906-487-7375 or yueh-mei.cheng@finlandia.edu.

Editor's Note: This text, the photo of Cynthia Coté and the photo of one of her works, "Card Catalog Detail in Progress," are courtesy of Finlandia University.