Betten Imports
5901 28th St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546Sales: (866) 268-2067
- Service: 800-328-2471
- Parts: 800-328-2471
The Gallery
Now Showing in the Gallery along with our long term Paul Collins exhibit, West Artist Barbara L. Groat. Barbara uses scenes that celebrate life. Using West Michigan in many pieses of work, such as the beaches and Devos Performance hall.
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Babara L. Groat
Artist's Statement
Through my work, I celebrate life. From quiet still-life settings to vibrant colorful abstract landscapes, my art reflects my life's journey. Garden flowers combine with various objects in mu still-life painting while recognizable landscapes are wound into abstract settings to present a complete image of the environment and the effect it as on the observer. My pastel paintings, created with both hard and soft pastels, embody imagined scenes, yet the familiar imagery allows for a connection to reality. This presentation welcomes the audience to explore their own life experiences through my art.
I've always been intrigued by the never-ending juxtapositions of the clouds in the sky. Because of this fascination, I start many of my paintings looking towards the heavens. Progressing down the page, my influence may come from a multitude of sources: West Michigan lakes/beaches, the Grand Canyon, the opera (at La Scala, Santa Fe of DeVos Performance Center), Indian Pow-wows in Taos, world travels and, of course, the epitome of all sources, nature.
My Earlier art experiences include weaving, stained glass, and pottery. While in college, in addition to my classed related to interior design, I took classes in weaving, studio art, botany, and art history which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am currently studying water color, to add to my preferred list of media.
My formal education includes a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Michigan State University and a Master of Management degree from Aquinas College.
Contact Babara Groat
Phone: (616) 245-8880
Email: bgroatl@gmail.com
The Betten Imports Gallery Story
The Gallery at Betten Imports has been entertaining clients and employees since shortly after we first came to our new facility.
Mr. Betten commented to me that the walls in the back of the Mercedes Showroom need something to liven them up. I suggested we should invest in artwork. He wasn't excited about spending huge dollars on original pieces, but thought that I might be on to something. It became my job to figure out how to achieve this goal without breaking the bank. A few days and a brainstorm later VIOLA! The Gallery at Betten Imports was born.
The first two artists were people that I knew from my personal life.
They just happened to be artists of some consequence. I really had no idea how I would follow up with other artists. No problem! They started hunting me down. Service customers had artist friends. Coworkers knew somebody who knew somebody. Within a couple of months, we were booked for the next year.
It has been my policy to use West Michigan artists. We do offer their work for sale, but do not charge them a commission. After all we are in the Car Business and not really the Art Business. This is more of a public service than anything else. Our reward is that we have continually evolving artwork for our and our client's enjoyment.
With each new artist, we have an Open House, serving coffee, cookies and whatnot. This gives the artist a chance for a head start on possible sales as friends and potential customers gather and are prompted by the excitement of the event. Who knows, maybe one day one of them might buy a car. (Actually a number of the artists have.)
It has been a lot of fun for me over the years. I sincerely hope it has been for our employees, customers and area art patrons as well. - Chuck Piccard
Stay tuned for future gallery shows and dealership events, follow us on Facebook : www.facebook.com/bettenimports
If you're an artist who is interested in having a show at our gallery, please give Chuck a call - (616) 475-9589.
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Betten Imports 5901 28th st S.E. Grand Rapids MI 49546