From THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF GRAND RAPIDS
The Historical Society of Grand Rapids, in conjunction with the Grand Rapids Branch of the Weston Public Library, invites you to an exhibition of portraits painted by Bill Kuhlman in the Community Room of the library (17620 Bridge St. in Grand Rapids). The public is invited to a kick-off reception being held from 7-8p.m. on Monday, May 6. Light refreshments will be served by Shelen Stevens, library director, and her staff. The paintings will be on display during regular business hours the remainder of that week (Tuesday and Wednesday, 10a.m. to 6p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4p.m.; and Friday, 10 a.m. to 3p.m.). The paintings of local citizens of Grand Rapids were displayed in LaRoe’s Restaurant for many years, and they are now the property of the Historical Society.
William Kuhlman, who lived from 1927-2015, was a well-known artist and illustrator who grew up in Maumee and Grand Rapids. He produced illustrations and graphic-design work in the 60s and 70s, then moved on to concentrate on illustration. In 1967, he and Marilyn Stevens produced a multimedia production on the history of Grand Rapids titled “The Village”, which Kuhlman illustrated. The artist was also asked to paint nature scenes for display in the Metroparks of the Toledo Area, along with numerous other park districts. Kuhlman enjoyed and appreciated nature; as his daughter Laura Kuhlman Wegener stated in his obituary, “His life was very centered on the Maumee River”.
More than 50 portraits of Grand Rapids residents will be on display, each with a short description of the subjects.
