Celebrated painter Lula Mae Blocton to share insights on color and abstraction at MW Gallery

FLINT, Michigan — Lula Mae Blocton, a celebrated painter and Michigan native is set to give an artist talk at MW Gallery on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 2:00 PM. Known for her mastery of color and abstraction, Blocton’s work has long highlighted themes of light and space while advocating for the visibility of Black, feminist, and LGBTQ+ communities. Admission is free and open to the public.

Blocton, originally from Ecorse, Michigan, has a storied career that began with a BFA from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and an MFA from Indiana University. Over her 25 years as a faculty member at Eastern Connecticut State University, she inspired countless students before retiring in 2013.

At the event, Blocton will discuss her artistic journey and creative process with Stephanie James, Director of the Mott-Warsh Collection. This program complements MW Gallery’s current exhibition, Beyond the Physical World: Abstraction from the Mott-Warsh Collection, which features two of Blocton’s works from her Twisted Forms, Transparent Band series.

These pieces, created between 1981 and 1996, reflect her exploration of space and dimensionality, described by the artist as aiming to “expand the viewer’s perception of space into multiple dimensions.”

For those interested in exploring the vibrant world of Blocton’s work, the exhibition will remain on view now through Jan. 25, 2025. 

MW Gallery is located at 815 S. Saginaw St. and welcomes visitors on Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and during the Flint ARTWALK on the second Friday of each month until 9:00 PM. For more information, visit m-wc.org online or call (810) 835-4900.