In the Galleries…
Roti Roti Art Center Members Show
Exhibit: November 1st – December 16th
Thank you to all who attended our Artists’ Reception on Sunday, November 5th
We are very excited to present the work of many of our talented members. Enjoy the photos of some of the artwork included in the exhibit. Visit during our regular business hours to see the wonderful variety of artists work.
Shirley’s Abstract Exhibition
November 1st – December 16th
Shirley Roti Roti and family moved to Buchanan in 1950, and she resided here until her death in 2020. After completing her undergraduate degree in 1966 at Western Michigan University, she taught freshman English for one year at Buchanan High School, and then became the art teacher, a position she held over fifteen years. In 1970, she earned an MFA degree from the University of Notre Dame. She belonged to the Buchanan Fine Arts Council, the Michigan Art League, the St Joseph Watercolor Society, the Art Center of South Bend, Niles Art Association, Fernwood, the Buchanan College Club and the Buchanan Preservation Society. After retiring in 1982, Shirley gave private lessons at her personal studio; and taught at Fernwood and the Buchanan Art Center, which she helped establish. In 2022, the art center was renamed Roti Roti Art Center of Buchanan, in her honor.
While Shirley studied and produced prints, pottery, woodcuts, and sculptures in metal and clay, her primary artistic expression was in painting and drawing. Watercolor was her favorite medium, but she created works in oil, acrylic, pastel, pen & ink, colored pencil and charcoal.
She painted abstracts, landscapes, still-lifes and portraits. Flowers were the inspiration for many still-lifes. Historic buildings and local farmland around Buchanan provided inspiration for many landscapes. Her favorite subjects for portraits were her children and grandchildren.
Shirley’s paintings were accepted and displayed in many juried exhibits in the area and won numerous prizes.
This year RRAC is proud to exhibit some of Shirley’s abstract works, on loan from her family.