For the first time since the Artist of the Year award was established, the Orion Art Center has given the honor to someone whose primary medium isn’t painting.
Betty Behm, a potter, will be formally honored (along with the 2006 Patron of the Year) at the Snowflake Ball on Jan. 28.
The ball is at Devil’s Ridge in Oxford, and is the OAC’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
‘I was totally shocked,? Behm said. ‘For the last 17 years it has always been a painter.?
Behm, an Oakland Township resident, has been working with clay for over 30 years.
Behm also served for three years on the OAC’s board of trustees.
‘I do mostly functional things,? Behm said of her work. ‘Teapots are one of my favorites.?
Behm also enjoys making vases and casserole dishes, which is a long journey from the Raku pottery she did about seven years ago.
Raku is an ancient method of firing pottery that was developed in 16th century Japan.
Behm did Raku for five years, but the fact that Raku pottery is intended for decorative use eventually drove her to trying more functional pieces.
Behm attended art fairs for 19 years, but stopped because of the hard work involved in setting up the booth and lugging items around.
However, her work is currently available in a few galleries, including the OAC.
Selling her work is what allows Behm to make new things.
‘Otherwise my basement would be packed with pots,? she said.
Behm continues to take classes at Oakland Community College and has recently started taking classes in watercolor painting at the OAC.
‘I’ve always wanted to paint, but I’ve never had the time,? she said, noting that not doing art fairs may free up some time for painting opportunities.
The OAC has also named Lake Orion’s Bridgette Giampa as Patron of the Year.
Giampa currently serves as president of the OAC board.
‘I am not an artist, but I love being around art,? Giampa said.
She has also served for two years as secretary, and was twice chairman of the Snowflake Ball.
Giampa has worked on most of the OAC’s fundraising events.
However, her biggest project is the Alana Fund.
This fund was established in 2004 in honor of Alana Rakish, the daughter of a friend of Giampa’s, who passed away at the age of five.
The Alana Fund provides tuition assistance for elementary children who would not be able to afford art camps or classes otherwise.
Giampa sees this fund as just one of the many contributions the OAC gives to the area.
‘I think it’s an important part of the community to have available,? she said, noting that where schools have had to cut art funding, the OAC has tried to compensate.
As the new president of the board, Giampa has set some goals for the rest of the year.
‘We definitely need a larger building,? she said.
‘I just want to keep seeing the art center grow.?
The 17th annual Snowflake Ball is Jan. 28 at Devil’s Ridge in Oxford.Honorary chairs for the event are Chuck Grady and Kerry Birmingham of FOX2 Detroit.
Tickets are $75 and can be reserved by calling 693-4986.