Cellar Roots hosted its Cellar Roots Release Party & Gallery Show on Friday in Sherzer Hall.
Cellar Roots, founded on Jan. 1, 1971, is a collection of artwork, poems and short stories submitted by Eastern Michigan University students.
Its mission is to create an open and warm art community for those who appreciate creativity in various art forms. It could be through photography, literature, paintings and graphic design, among other genres.
EMU students and local artists came out to support the release of Cellar Roots 42. Paintings draped the walls, creating the atmosphere of an art show gallery or exhibit.
EMU senior and art major Amanda Mayer said, “I think it’s great and so artistic. [This is] where art lives.”
The release party had a calm and relaxing vibe. Light refreshments were served as music played in the background. Artists, guests and students mingled while admiring beautiful, evocative paintings and drawings.
One of the artists to make an appearance was Jordyn Karpinski, who is also a photographer and designer from Wayne, Mich.. She showcased beautiful pieces such as the digital works “Eyes,” “Geisha” and “Three,” to name a few.
EMU students Katie Moser and Michael Bean performed live music as crowds mingled and gathered to watch them play. They kept the audience entertained with their playlist, including a traditional
bluegrass song titled “The Cuckoo.”
A raffle was conducted to give away six paintings left in the gallery from previous years.
Melody Banks from Ypsilanti said she was glad she came to this year’s Cellar Roots event.
“I had the opportunity to meet and see creative people come together to enjoy art for what it is. This is truly phenomenal,” she said.
When asked what her favorite piece of artwork was, Banks said, “I really liked ‘Interface’ by Cathy Jacobs, because not only did she blend the colors well but I like how the women are positioned. It kind of reminds me of the little devil and angel on opposite ends of your shoulders.”
Outside the gallery in the main hallway sat a table with free Cellar Roots pins and various editions of the magazine.
Jess Salisbury, EMU sophomore and The Eastern Echo life editor, performed two songs titled, “Oceanography” and “The Stalker Song” on her acoustic guitar. After Salisbury’s performance, there were poetry readings from Sheheriana Love, LeAnne Baumdraher and two others.
Samuel Draggs from Ann Arbor said, “Haiku poems are my favorite type of poems. Yes, it’s challenging to write at times but poetry is about using very little words to make a bold statement.”
If you have artwork, literary pieces and/or photographs and would like to have your work published in Cellar Roots, be on the lookout for next year’s submission announcements. For additional information about Cellar Roots, check out its website at www.cellarroots.com.
