Art at The Acorn: A Retrospective

Saturday, Feb. 01 | 12:00pm ET (11:00am CT)

The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts transforms into a visual art space with our initiative Art at The Acorn. We are proud to welcome our former Artists for A Retrospective, on view January through March.

A Retrospective features artwork from Frank Kurland, Nicolina Holt, Chris Brown, Nathan Margoni, Amy Renzulli and Julie Schwarz. Join us for an Open House on Saturday, February 1st from 12:00–2:00pm ET at The Acorn. Some of the Artists will be on hand to talk about their work.

The Open House is free and open to the public. No tickets are required to attend.

To purchase artwork, please contact the Artist directly. For artist contact information, or to learn how to apply for a future Art at The Acorn exhibition, please visit our Art at The Acorn page.

About the Artists:

Frank Kurland

Frank Kurland is a self-taught painter of landscapes, skyscapes and waterscapes loosely interpreting the styles of impressionism, neo- and post-impressionism, and modernism, combined with unique techniques, brushstrokes and perspectives. He received commercial art education at the American Academy of Art, Chicago and is the retired owner of one of the region’s most respected and sought-after brand-driven integrated marketing communications firms. Frank began painting during semi-retirement (2016) and his work is in private collections, galleries and retail establishments across the U.S.

Born and raised in suburban Chicago, weekends and vacations were simple outings in nature—camping, fishing, hiking, canoeing. That love of nature has stayed with Frank all his life. He spent his career in graphic design and marketing—working with color, shape, contrast, form and pattern—this was Frank’s foundation. He now strives to create paintings that ask you to look deep into them, that make you feel something, and hopefully, take you somewhere. Step into Frank’s “Dreamscape” world where colors mingle to form billowing clouds, verdant woodlands and sun-soaked wetlands. Wind. Warmth. The scent of the earth. The sound of the sea. The coolness of fog. This is what he attempts to put into two dimensions when he paints—to elicit a memory, a mood, a desire, a dream. His work generally evolves in layers—as does nature itself—with depth, light and movement. Both subtle tones and vibrant colors. Balance and focus. Evocative and moody. Sometimes calming and sometimes turbulent, but always expressive of a memory, a mood, a moment in time that’s cherished.

Nicolina Holt

Nicolina Holt is a photographer and mixed media artist based in Southwest Michigan. She earned a B.F.A. in Studio Art with a concentration in photography and graphic design from Michigan State University and her M.F.A. in Visual Arts from Lesley University. After working as a photojournalist for several years, she returned to school to obtain her teacher certification in Art Education from Western Michigan University. She taught photography for 10 years at Lake Michigan College while also running her own photography business. She continues her fine art photography while working as the Graduate and Undergraduate Coordinator for the Art Department at the University of Notre Dame. She resides in St. Joseph, MI with her family.

Her work has been exhibited at Soho Photo Gallery, Agora Gallery, Woman Made Gallery, ARC Gallery, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Bridgeport Art Center, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Holland Arts Council, Old Courthouse Arts Center, and more.

Chris Brown

Chris was born and raised in the Detroit area, graduated from Michigan State University, moved to Chicago, wrote fiction, played in bands, dabbled in photography, graduated from the University of Chicago, worked and worked some more, bought a place in Three Oaks, discovered painting during the pandemic and can't stop.

Nathan Margoni

Nathan Margoni is currently the Director of Education at Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, MI and Adjunct Faculty at Notre Dame University. He received his BFA in Painting from the Cleveland Institute of Art and his MFA in Sculpture from SUNY Purchase College. He has exhibited work at Schulamit Nazarian (Los Angeles, CA), the Urban Institute of Contemporary Art (Grand Rapids, MI), and attended residencies at Wassaic Project (Wassaic, NY), Vermont Studio Center (Johnson, VT), Millay Colony (Austerlitz, NY) and Kaus Australis (Rotterdam, NL).

Amy Renzulli

Coming from a family full of artists, Amy grew up with the gifts of painting, drawing, writing, and abundant art supplies and guidance. Amy’s biggest artistic influence is her father who made art a central part of his life and career after being a doctor for many years. She began her painting journey by mimicking the traditional landscapes he painted and seeking his input and feedback. She later found her own rhythm and style which continues to evolve. And she still seeks out the advice and guidance from her family of professional artists.

She currently balances her time between two busy, successful School of Rock locations, two art studios, and a burgeoning start-up with one of her creative sisters. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two young adult children and encouraging them to achieve their own dreams and goals. Amy’s focus is exploring, learning and getting her work out in the world. Her goal is to nurture and contribute to the art community as well as continue to paint and develop her artistic presence.

Julie Schwarz

After years in a career of caring for others, Julie decided it was time to care for herself. So several years ago she took a major leap of faith and embarked on an adventure that would change her life. Julie decided to study photography at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana. Upon arriving back home to Harbor Country, she was thrilled with the education she had received at RMSP, but disappointed to find herself feeling that her photographs looked like ones she had already seen before. Julie then found an old Polaroid camera at a garage sale and came up with a style of photography that was all her own. Since then Julie and her husband have traveled the Midwest and beyond selling her artwork at juried art festivals where Julie has won numerous awards. Julie’s work can be found in corporate and private collections nationwide and in Europe.