ROBERT KIDD GALLERY
Born and raised in Marseilles, on the French Riviera, Gerard Marti attended the city’s Ecole des Beaux Arts before moving to Paris to pursue a career in the music industry, landing at E.M.I. Records.
After opening a gallery on Maui, where he further curated friendships with both musicians and artists, Marti jumped at the chance to purchase Birmingham’s renowned Robert Kidd Gallery — opened in 1976 by two Cranbrook Academy of Art grads. Since heading to Michigan in 2015, he has engaged a philosophy that merges his passions for art and pop culture: The two-level gallery brims with works by emerging and contemporary artists and modern masters (Chloe Rox, Jef Bourgeau, El Cappy), as well as artwork by musicians including David Bowie, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Mick Fleetwood and more. And he has recently acquired two new collections.
STEVEN TYLER COLLECTION
Although most people know Steven Tyler as the lead singer of Aerosmith, he has also earned accolades as an accomplished artist — which Marti had a hand in. Marti and Tyler have a friendship that spans close to 30 years. When visiting his home in Maui, Tyler had a cast on his foot and, Marti says, “can’t sit still.” Marti suggested he try painting.
Full of flamboyant color, guitars and skulls — three of Tyler’s passions — his artwork is as vibrant as he is. Marti exclusively has the entire collection of Steven Tyler’s prints, limited editions on canvas signed and numbered by Tyler.
TAYLOR SWIFT COLLECTION
For your favorite Swiftie: Much more than singer, songwriter and musician — Taylor Swift has become a pop-culture icon with a devoted fan following (concert tickets upwards of $1,000, anyone?). Called an “economic genius” by economist Alan Krueger and “the one bending the music industry to her will” by New York magazine, Swift has now entered the art world. Marti has a unique, finite collection of eight different Swift posters, with 10 of each signed by Swift.
BBAC
The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center’s Holiday Shop has been a highly anticipated annual event for close to four decades — and this year’s offerings, available through Dec. 20, are as unique as always.
The BBAC (bbartcenter.org) in Birmingham has served Metro Detroit’s visual arts community since its founding in 1957. With a mission of “connecting people of all ages and abilities with visual arts education, exhibitions and other creative experiences,” their classes, workshops and lectures fill up fast, and their exhibits are always free and open to the public — they are truly all about “art for all.”
Though the BBAC shines all year, during the holiday season, the BBAC Holiday Shop is a destination to browse, shop and discuss, with proceeds benefiting BBAC’s education programs. Jewelry, ceramics, scarves, soaps, toys, decorative and functional wood items, prints, paintings, tiles and so much more (check out the hundreds of hand-made ornaments and heirloom-quality Judaica) from more than 200 juried artists and artisans fill more than 3,000-square-feet of gallery space.
Among this year’s artists is fiber-artist Julie Langensiepen, creator of J.E.M.A Dolls — dolls and creatures, purses and fine-art wearables handcrafted of premium-quality fabrics, many saved from a Dumpster-doomed fate.
