By Michelle Armbruster, Common Cup Events Coordinator
Three artists and three musicians participated in the lively atmosphere at the Common Cup on Friday night, February 28. Their backgrounds illustrate the variety of sources that I draw from in order to keep the Cup fresh and entertaining.
Chelsea Bromley, a watercolor artist, entered the Cup on Friday for the first time and admired the current exhibit. A find from The Eyrie, a Michigan artisan market in Ypsilanti‘s historic DepotTown, Chelsea proceeded to share her background: UM graduate, current EMU grad, and Michigan native.
She then opened her folder to stunning watercolors in the shape of our state. Without hesitation, she agreed to have an exhibit at the Cup in January, 2015.
Kathleen Kelley arrived with her artwork for the month of March. A seasoned member of the Ann Arbor Women’s Artist Guild, she even took some of her detailed colored pencil drawings off of the walls of her apartment in order to fill the large space at the Cup.
Although she has shown her work in many venues, the Cup is the largest. After a few hours of removing the February show and arranging her show, she expressed her sincere gratitude for the opportunity and set her business cards on the counter. She will return on March 14 for her reception with friends who will be new to the Cup.
Although she has shown her work in many venues, the Cup is the largest.
Alyssa Aldrink, her mother, and her brother came next to collect the February artwork. Her digital paintings of fictional characters were mistaken by many for traditional paintings. Alyssa, a senior at U of M, attended New Life and spent many hours studying in the Cup.
A year ago she had two paintings completed, but she was able to cover the walls by this February. She encouraged friends and family to experience her creative accomplishments throughout the month. As Alyssa left, she and her mother expressed their appreciation for the enjoyable experience.
She encouraged friends and family to experience her creative accomplishments throughout the month..
Mary Collins, 14, arrived with her dad shortly after Kathleen’s show was hung. A guitar student of a veteran Cup performer, Chris Dupont, Mary was described as a performer with maturity beyond her years.
Her sound system was quickly assembled and she was ready to play at 8 pm as her audience arrived.
Friends from her church, Huron Hills, and her school, Ann Arbor Learning Community, relaxed and enjoyed listening to Mary’s pure voice and talented guitar performance. Her brother and friend joined with her to fill the Cup with covers, faith-filled tunes, and even an original. ‘
To listen to a clip from her original song click here.
As the fifty or so people slowly left, Mary’s bright smile revealed her happiness with the event. Audience members from the U of M School of Music and Community High School offered to return to the Cup to share their talents.
As the fifty or so people slowly left, Mary’s bright smile illustrated her happiness with the event.
The lights went out on an evening where the vision of the Cup (a place where we can serve customers in a Christ-like manner) had been realized. Most of the time the space is filled with students quietly studying, Bible study groups discussing, and professionals working.
The efforts of many have gone into creating a safe and peaceful environment with an outlet for artists and musicians from the area.
The lights went out on an evening where the vision of the Cup (a place where we can serve customers in a Christ-like manner) had been realized.
God again used the coffee shop in the basement of a church to bless many with an opportunity to display their gifts. Often people express their thanks for the comfortable space and then return with their friends. Contacts made on this evening will lead to future events.
We hope those who entertain and create here will continue to draw new customers who can enjoy the Cup along with them. And maybe those new customers will be artists and musicians–and so on, and so on.
