“Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul” takes audiences on a musical odyssey through the golden eras of rock, blues, and soul. The iconic photographs of Larry Hulst capture the freewheeling energy of live music and the enduring visual spectacle of rock’s greatest performers. From Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix to David Bowie and Lauryn Hill, “Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues and Soul” brings together around 70 images of legendary musicians and singers across three genres and generations. The exhibition charts Hulst’s extraordinary path through the pulsing heart of the most exciting live music of the last century, showcasing a unique visual anthology of rock, blues, and soul music from 1970–1999. These images, which have been featured on album art and in “Rolling Stone” magazine spreads, convey Hulst’s lifelong passion for the magnetism, immediacy, and unpredictability of live music. With photos that also document the unforgettable voices of funk, punk, and beyond, “Front Row Center” grants viewers an all-access pass to some of the most memorable performances in popular music history.

Simultaneously, the museum will present “Color Play: The Art of Nanci LaBret Einstein,” a vibrant exploration of color, form, and creativity. Experience the art of Nanci LaBret Einstein in this immersive exhibition that highlights the many milieus and talents of the artist. In her intricately detailed freestanding and wall sculptures, Einstein works with recycled objects like beads, popsicle sticks, and other found objects. The exhibition also includes Einstein’s gestural drawings and layered photo collages that evoke emotion while exploring form, weight, color, light, and texture.

“We’re thrilled to present these two extraordinary exhibitions side by side,” said Ashley Ross, Associate Director of Collections and Impact. Ross continued, “Visitors will be transported by the musical genius of the rock, blues, and soul icons, and then inspired by the vibrant color and energy of Nanci LaBret Einstein’s art. It’s a combination that promises to be both enlightening and exhilarating.”

The “Front Row Center” and “Color Play” exhibitions will run concurrently from Friday, May 17 through August 31, 2024. A list of programs and events in conjunction with the new exhibitions can be found here: https://marshallfredericks.org/calendar/.

Exhibition Credits: “Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul” and “Color Play: The Art of Nanci LaBret Einstein” are supported in part by the Michigan Arts & Culture Council.

“Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul” is organized and toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C. International Arts & Artists (IA&A) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the arts internationally. Since 1995, IA&A has fulfilled its mission by providing programs and services to artists, arts institutions, cultural organizations, and the public—reaching over 2 million people. Visit www.artsandartists.org for more information.

The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Road, University Center, Michigan. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (989) 964-7125 or visit the Museum’s website at www.marshallfredericks.org.

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Craig Oatten was exceptionally appreciated and respected. He had a distinguished career in Carrollton from the time he started as a policeman (1984), ascending to Police Chief (1996) and ultimately, as Police Chief/Director (2006).

My relationship with Craig began when I became Superintendent of Carrollton Public Schools in 1995. Carrollton Schools are the heart of our community. School facilities are literally at the center, and Chief Oatten’s offices are just down the road. To say the schools and township work together is an understatement.

We have worked very well together, in large part due to Craig Oatten and school leaders. He knew the same thing that we knew: More could be accomplished together.

It was Craig who wrote a grant for a school liaison officer well before they were commonplace, giving our schools a leg up on security.

It was Craig who agreed to support the Carrollton Lions Club to begin hosting a July marathon on Carrollton’s roads. For thirteen consecutive summers, Chief placed cars at the intersection of Mapleridge & Carrollton roads for several hundred runners & walkers who entered. (Chief was there in-person for the 6:00 a.m. start! One time there were tornado warnings that caused us to delay the start, and Craig was there to guide us to a delayed and safe race.)

It was Craig who authorized DPW workers to repair a broken water main in front of the elementary school throughout the evening so we would not have to cancel school the next day.

There are literally hundreds of examples where Craig Oatten stepped up to assist our schools. I had his cell phone number; he had mine. We functioned as a team.

After I retired as superintendent, I became a member of the township governing board as a trustee. It was in that shift of roles that I became keenly aware of his leadership as Director. I recall the first budget adoption in March 2015, holding meetings on four consecutive Monday evenings to review every department and nearly every item. It was impressive to see how the township was saving money to purchase replacement vehicles, for example.

Fiscally conservative, Oatten looked for innovative ways to support our community. For example, when a 5-mill water millage expired, Craig helped frame a road millage to improve our streets for about the same amount of money. The road millage passed in 2020.

Craig helped gain grant funding for the Iron Belle Trail to come through Carrollton; the trail head will be completed and dedicated sometime this spring.

Craig A. Oatten is an example of how one person can make a difference in the lives of thousands of others. His loss will be felt for a very long time, and it is up to the rest of us to try to fill that void.

Craig Douglas, from the Village of Concord near the state’s southern border, has served as a community leader in Carrollton for nearly three decades. In between his K-12 superintendency and his township board service, he was dean of the College of Education at Saginaw Valley State University, in effect leading the way to teach and train our future school teachers.

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