News Release

Inaugural Artist in Residence Program!

from left: Brandy Gerber, Darlene Belair, Brant Georgia

NPS

News Release Date: April 18, 2022

Contact: Jami Keegan, 734-639-2345

INUGURAL ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM Monroe, Michigan – Superintendent Scott J. Bentley and Chief of Interpretation & Education Jami Keegan announced today that River Raisin National Battlefield Park has selected three outstanding artists as the Park’s Inaugural Artists in Residence. The Artist include Darlene Belair, Brant Georgia, and Brandy Gerber.

About the Artists in Residence Program: Artists have created art in national parks since the late 19th century when famed Hudson River School painters captured the majestic views of our nation's western parks. Today, the sights and sounds in national parks continue to inspire artists in more than 50 residency programs across the country providing artists with unique opportunities to create works of art in varied natural and cultural settings. There are programs for visual artists, writers, musicians, and other creative media. Programs vary by park and are extremely competitive. During their time as Artists in Residence artists are often invited to participate in park programs by sharing their art with the public.

Here at the River Raisin, artists Darlene Belair and Brandy Gerber have spent and continue to spend numerous hours creating beautiful murals in the Education Center that show southeast Michigan’s early natural beauty and bountiful wildlife. Artist Brant Georgia has been painting numerous flora, fauna and traditional canoe inspired paintings for the Park’s exhibits. You can often find Darlene and Brandy working on their Artist In Residence artwork on during the weekdays and Brant painting in the Battlefield’s visitor center during the weekends. “We are grateful for the hundreds of hours of work and contribution each artists talents are making to help educate the public about the significance of River Raisin National Battlefield Park. I congratulate Darlene, Brant and Brandy on becoming the Park’s very first Artist in Residence!” said Superintendent Bentley.

Darlene Belair: Darlene Belair has been an artist and crafts person for over 50 years. She is mostly a self-taught artist as art classes weren’t available during high school. After graduating from Summerfield School she married Bob, they have been married for 52 years and have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. While raising their two children she attended adult education classes in art, pottery, basket weaving, beading, lost wax silver and stained glass. Darlene taught craft classes through the Petersburg Branch Monroe County Library System and Summerfield Adult Education. Darlene joined the Monroe Art league where she is a past Vice President and also a past President of the Monroe City County Arts Council. She belongs to Bedford Art Club and is on the Monroe County Historical Society Board. Darlene has also designed the “War of 1812 Peace Monument”, the sponsor monument and Peace Garden for the Monroe County Historical Society. Darlene’s latest accomplishments are the U.S. Postal Service “War of 1812 Cancelation Stamp” for the Battlefield and the paintings of the Ribbon Farms which have been made into wayside signs along Elm Street. Since 2019, Darlene has curated the Battlefield Park’s “Beautiful Bountiful Michigan Art Exhibition” and curated the 2021 Fran Maedel Tribute Art Exhibition at the Battlefield. She is currently painting murals at the RRNBP Educational Center with artist Brandy Gerber.

Brant Georgia: Brant Georgia was born in Monroe, Michigan and currently studies at Monroe County Community College as a Monroe County Middle College student, scheduled to graduate in May 2022. He plans to pursue a career in the natural sciences. He aims to assist others in finding appreciation for the biodiversity and natural majesty of their local environment. He enjoys birdwatching and has led educational nature programs at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park, the Michigan Audubon Society, and the Detroit Audubon Society. His artwork has been displayed throughout Monroe County and his pieces often feature local flora and fauna. His work highlights the habitat, geographical range, appearance, and survival strategies of native fauna. As an intern at Park, Brant began painting various flora and fauna for use in interpretive museum exhibits and has since been chosen as one of the Park’s inaugural artists in residence.

Brandy Gerber: Brandy Gerber resides in Ida, Michigan with her husband Craig and their dog Porter. Although she holds music degrees from Northern Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University, she is mostly a self-taught artist. Her art has sold worldwide and has been featured in numerous solo gallery shows throughout southeast Michigan. She has participated in ArtPrize Grand Rapids numerous times and has received monetary awards for her exhibits. She has taught at both the Clinton Art Center and the Adrian Center for the Arts. Currently she teaches paint classes locally. She has given public presentations on her art and enjoys discussing her artistic process with others. She is also an author and illustrator. Her debut children’s book “A to Z, An Animal Alphabet of Art” is currently available for purchase through major booksellers. She is a member of the Huron River Art Collective. She has been an active volunteer at the Park since June of 2020 where she is currently painting murals with artist Darlene Belair.

The Park is working with the Inaugural Artist in Residence to further design how other artists can apply for future opportunities to become a River Raisin National Battlefield Park Artist in Residence.