FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Edwin Shelton & Laurel Izard
Phone: 219-561-6134
Email: edwinpshelton@currently.com
Websites: edwinpshelton.com | laurel-izard.com
A Lifetime of Creativity: Retired Art Educators Celebrate 45 Years of Life and Art with New Duo Exhibition
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — After four and a half decades of shared studio spaces, creative evolution, and a life built on mutual inspiration, artists Edwin Shelton and Laurel Izard are bringing their distinct visions together for a new exhibition, “Light & Dark.” The show will be hosted at the 106 Gallery in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from July 10 through July 26, 2026.
The public is invited to an opening reception on July 10, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
“Light & Dark” offers an intimate look at how two artistic paths, while evolving side-by-side, create a powerful visual dialogue. Edwin Shelton presents a series of vibrant, mixed-media assemblages—”personal icons” created from repurposed materials that explore themes of non-duality and transformation. Complementing these works, Laurel Izard showcases her evocative textile art, utilizing vintage quilt tops as a canvas for embroidered and painted imagery that addresses pressing environmental and social justice themes.
A Partnership Shaped by Art
The couple’s journey began in 1977 as graduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where Shelton studied sculpture and Izard focused on ceramics. Since then, their lives have been a masterclass in adaptation. From their early years running “Izwin”—a successful ceramic design business—to their rewarding second careers as dedicated high school art teachers in Michigan City, Indiana, the couple has consistently found ways to center creativity at the heart of their relationship.
Their journey has been enriched by international travel, including an artist residency in Paris and a transformative teaching exchange in Zibo, China. These experiences, paired with their commitment to ongoing personal growth, have fueled their ability to constantly reinvent their artistic practices.
“After 45 years of navigating life and art together, this exhibition is a profound celebration,” says Shelton. “It reflects not just our individual evolution, but the ways we have continually challenged, supported, and illuminated one another’s work.”
Event Details at a Glance
What: “Light & Dark: Izard + Shelton” featuring Edwin Shelton and Laurel Izard
When: July 10 – July 24, 2026, Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Opening Reception: July 10, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: 106 Gallery, 106 S. Division Ave, Grand Rapids, MI
Admission: Free and open to the public
Following their time in Grand Rapids, the couple will continue their tour with upcoming exhibitions at the Noyes Cultural Center in Evanston (early 2027) and the Marshall J. Gardner Art Center in Miller Beach (July 2027).
High-resolution images of the artwork and portraits of the artists are available upon request. For more information, please visit their respective websites or contact the artists directly at 219-561-6134.
About 106 Gallery
106 Gallery is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing accessible, contemporary art to the Grand Rapids community, championing the idea that artistic expression is a lifelong endeavor that keeps culture vital and connected.
Upcoming Exhibitions
Laurel Izard and Edwin Shelton have duo exhibitions scheduled at the Noyes Cultural Center in Evanston in early 2027. The Marshall J. Gardner Art Center in Miller Beach will be hosting their artworks in July 2027.
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