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A Guide to 'Jerry’s Map' and Creative Cartography

 Jerry Gretzinger is a northern Michigan artist who’s been working on the same map of sorts, for decades. Now, a new exhibit of his project called Jerry’s Map is open at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City.
Jerry Gretzinger is a northern Michigan artist who’s been working on the same map of sorts, for decades. Now, a new exhibit of his project called Jerry’s Map is open at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City. (credit: Joe Beyer)

There’s a new exhibit open at the Dennos Museum Center from artist Jerry Gretzinger called simply, elegantly and accurately: “Jerry’s Map.” The unlikely mixed-media project is, and always will be, a work-in-progress (and there’s no end in sight even after 60 years).

Part fascination with cartography, part imaginary world, and now a blend of abstractions and emotional inner life, “Jerry’s Map” contains over 4,000 individual panels or iterations since he began it as a young man.

Contributor Joe Beyer previewed the installation, and says guests to the Dennos Museum will see just the latest exhibition featuring Gretzinger’s unique and wild world, which has been installed in various ways in Edinborough, Paris, and MASS MoCA among other places around the world. Gretzinger even has a devoted following online through Reddit, dedicated to his work. Fans even coined a new verb for the act of creating their own fantasy worlds in art and navigation: #JerryMapping.

Northern Michigan artist Jerry Gretzinger posing in front of 'Jerry's Map.' (credit: Joe Beyer)
Northern Michigan artist Jerry Gretzinger posing in front of 'Jerry's Map.' (credit: Joe Beyer)

Born in Grand Rapids, Gretzinger’s career also included a stint as a fashion designer in New York, before he and wife Meg Staley relocated to Northern Michigan. The map project was inspired by his childhood wanderlust, along with a prompt from his son, who pulled the art out of their attic and rekindled his interest in the project.

The dazzling and intriguing selections from “Jerry’s Map” runs now through September 17 in Traverse City, with the artist in conversation with Dennos Museum director Craig Hadley in a special artist opening event on June 15 at 7 p.m.

Follow Jerry’s Map online or visit Dennos Museum for details on experiencing the show.

Joe Beyer is a writer and producer who has supported storytellers and arts and culture organizations in a career including leadership positions at Sundance Institute, The Redford Center, Traverse City Film Festival, Michigan Legacy Art Park, and Parallel 45 Theatre, among others. He recently co-created the feature documentary “Marqueetown,” which is streaming on over 120 PBS affiliates. He’s a regular contributor to Northern Express, Traverse Magazine, and The Boardman Review.
Dan Wanschura is the Host and Executive Producer of Points North.