Brenda Zlamany, an artist from Brooklyn, New York, has spent the last few weeks painting 45 portraits of people living near the 45th parallel.
It’s something she’s been doing for years, as part of a series called “Climate in America,” which has taken her to Key West after a hurricane and Sonoma County, California, following a wildfire.
"You read things in the news and there's no face behind it, it's just statistics, and this puts a human face on on the stories," Zlamany said.
It wasn’t a disaster that brought her here, but an artist residency with the Tusen Takk Foundation in Leland.
Each day, Zlamany sets up at different locations in the Grand Traverse area, painting farmers, volunteers and lifelong residents.
After more than a decade, she has painted about 3,000 portraits of people across the world.
"To sit down and have a conversation and be seen for 45 minutes, and someone's trying to see you well and to see you how you see yourself, but also to tell you how you look to them — that's some that's something that we don't really have anymore," Zlamany said.
Zlamany said she thinks about these portraits as a time capsule: "Of people who knew each other, who somehow pass through my brush and are united. And I like that I'm building this kind of community."
Brenda Zlamany will talk about her work Tuesday, September 23 at 4 p.m. at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City. The reception is free to attend, but registration is required.
Her portraits will on display in the Janis Room through Thursday, September 25.
