Above is the family pursuit that Tom Page brings to his life’s work. For only the second time in the last 42 years his creativity and art will be on gallery display at The Edge Center in Bigfork during June in a show titled Now and Then. If you've been in Grand Rapids you probably have seen his sculptures on public display at the Blandin Paper Company, Glorvigen Building, Lakewood Surgical Center, Saint Joseph’s Church and the Grand Rapids Area Library (“Taking Flight From Knowledge” shown below). The exhibit at The Edge Center also will include items such as photographs of his sculptures in public settings and private collections plus samples of his drawings and paintings.
An opening reception is on June 7 from 5PM to 7PM in the gallery with a talk by the artist at 5:30PM. The exhibit runs from June 6 to June 29. The Edge Center Gallery is open from 10:00 to 4:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and is located next to the Bigfork School.
With a career extending over 40 years, Tom Page has created some incredible work. Being a “commission artist” rather than a “gallery/show” artist explains the few times his work has been on display in one place in quantity. Some of his available public art is shown below. All the photographs in this blog should be considered copyrighted material of Tom Page.
About the Bigfork show he says, “most of this show is made up of smaller pieces that accumulate in the studio. They are ideas for larger projects, personal themes, and experiments. All of my commissions are installed publicly or privately, for that reason many of them are not seen outside the studio unless you chance to see them ‘in situ’. I do have furnished graphics of larger commissioned pieces that are in the public eye (some of which will be at the show)”.
Following are a few images of his work from his web site (http://www.tompagefineart.com/). If you visit his site you will find a large amount of his art involves the human figure. He says, “A strong thread in my work is the use of the human figure. The attraction is for many reasons but is validated by my feeling that, human interaction is our first experience when we are born and if lucky, the last one we have before we pass. Everything in between is an embellishment of those two points.”
When asked if he had any favorites he said, “it is hard to pick a favorite sculpture since they all have different intention and carry various messages. People usually take from the imagery what they bring to it, for that reason the religious pieces engender the most conversation and mail. I guess that I would say that it is the process of making them that gives me the most satisfaction. I really look at my profession as Creativity and job as art, when I am combining the two I feel best.”
So why did he end up with a show in Bigfork? Tom again, “Regarding the show in Bigfork. I contacted the Edge Gallery in the winter of 2012/13 with a community proposal on an art/creativity element. That conversation led to a request for a show. I agreed to the gallery show and hopefully the education element will follow.”
Tom again, “…as an art professional I contribute in many ways, just not usually in the form of a gallery participant. However, I do like progressive thinking small towns and I believe Bigfork is such a place, the scenery is beautiful and I suspect the people are exceptional, so why not have a show there?…I look forward to the show and especially learning more about the people and their cultural interests.”
So for a unique exhibit that looks into the creative process of an extraordinary artist, come to The Edge Center Gallery in Bigfork during June for Now and Then. Better yet come to the opening reception…there will even be a surprise announcement from Mr. Page and treats. His invitation to the reception is, “I hope you enjoy the show experience. I love what I do and enjoy discussing other peoples art and passions.”
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