Joan Cohen Jones & Michael Fried at the Amster Gallery

Featured this spring in the JCC’s Newman Lounge is a collection by photographer Michael Fried, titled Flamingos at Pont de Gau. An Ann Arbor resident since 1959, Michael is excited to show his wildlife photography at the JCC! After his retirement, Michael’s passion for photography deepened when he began studying at Washtenaw Community College. “I was fortunate to be in WCC’s outstanding photography program and learn under terrific educators like Terry Abrams and Don Werthmann,” Michael states. “After earning my associate’s degree in photography in 2023, I continue to experiment with techniques that challenge conventional ways of seeing.”

Flamingos at Pont de Gau continues this approach by capturing the elegance, movement, and presence of the birds in a way that highlights both their individuality and collective rhythm. Shot in the Camargue region of France, this body of work reflects Michael’s fascination with how form, light, and perspective interact. “Rather than merely presenting wildlife photography, I am to create compositions that emphasize the almost surreal beauty of flamingos – their elongated forms, their fluidity in water and air, and the dynamic spaces they inhabit,” Michael shares. “I invite viewers to see beyond the familiar – to notice the abstract patterns in nature, the poetry of movement, and the reflections of images in the water evoking quiet moments of solitude existing within a chaotic world.”

In addition to his wonderful photography, Michael has been extremely active in the Ann Arbor community, having served on the founding board of the JCC, the WCC Photography Advisory Board, and boards of Jewish Family Services, the Hebrew Day School, Beth Israel Congregation, and the Dispute Resolution Center.

Also featured this spring in the JCC’s Amster Gallery is the amazing new watercolor painting collection of Joan Cohen Jones, who featured her work here in the winter and spring of 2024. Her work has been very well received and collected by watercolor enthusiasts both locally and nationally. Viewers often comment about the light she achieves in her work, and the sense of peace and calm her work evokes. She has one piece in the permanent collection of the Ann Arbor City Club, and returns there for a solo show in June. 

In the past year, Joan was invited to have several solo exhibits including at the First Presbyterian Church, University Commons, and the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Her work appeared in the holiday show at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. She has also participated in several shows with other local artists.

Last summer, during her annual trip to Maine, Joan became interested in miniatures and, over the past year, has painted many 2”x3” scenes that are very popular. These tiny paintings often take more skill than ones that are much larger, but Joan loves the challenges they present. Some of her tiny paintings are currently at the Phoenix Gallery in Saline, but will soon be available here at the JCC.

Most recently, Joan has utilized her many years of teaching experience to teach art. In July 2024, Joan taught a Sketch ‘n Sip at the JCC, showing participants how to paint watercolor flowers utilizing watercolor pencils. In addition, she is currently teaching a beginner watercolor class for Osher Lifelong Learning. She enjoys sharing her expertise with beginners and helping them to begin their watercolor journeys. One of the participants recently commented that Joan listens to her students “with her eyes” by looking at their work and helping them to see how they can improve their practice. Joan is a born teacher and hopes to expand her teaching of watercolor in the next year. Joan reflects that she has “come full circle”, beginning as an artist, then becoming a teacher, and now combining both skills.

Both Michael and Joan’s art are up now in the Newman Lounge and Amster Gallery, respectively, and will be available to view until May 29-30.

We hope to see you at the reception on April 8!