Upcoming & Current Events
East Church Artists Exhibits in the McBride Gallery 2025 -Special Musical Concerts in the Main Sanctuary
Vincent Dubois, Renowned Organist from the Cathedral of Notre Dame (Paris), in Concert Nov 2nd, 2025, 3PM
East Church would like to invite everyone to this unprecedented Concert within our historic church walls for one performance only!
We are exceedingly honored to have one of the greatest present day organists in the world here at our church to share his prestigious talents with our community. This is the perfect setting for such a concert and it will be a memorable one for sure!
Vincent Dubois is a titular organist at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, France, where he serves alongside Olivier Latry and Philippe Lefebvre. He is also Professor of organ interpretation and improvisation at the Hochschule für Musik (University of Music), Saarbrücken, Germany. You won’t want to miss this once in a lifetime performance. As the reviews demonstrate, he is amazing and you will want to mark your calendars now so that you don’t miss this event! Bonus, this is a free will offering performance, no tickets required!
REVIEWS:
Franz Liszt: Organ Works
“Vincent Dubois turns in absolutely stunning performances of the “big three” Liszt organ works … These performances stand up to or possibly surpass the best on the market. Dubois possesses maturity far beyond his years. He plays with consummate passion and breathtaking virtuosity, yet with absolute technical control. He also knows how to spin a phrase. The quieter sections afford moments of delightful delicacy and poetic introspection.”
-THE AMERICAN ORGANIST
“Fluency and freedom characterize Dubois’ playing in everything he played. Clearly he is an
organist who has long since moved beyond the ranks of the dutiful, well-coached keyboardist to
the ranks of those for whom the organ in its widest dimension is an instrument for the conveying
of musical ideas in a kaleidoscope of colors. The applause was loud and long.”
—THE CALGARY HERALD
January – February
A Perspective of Walter and Lois McBride’s work and influence in Grand Rapids
Artwork, tapestries, personal bios of both, photos of them if they can be found and reproduced.
Working with GRAM and other civic sources.
July – August
Melanie Strobel – local artist – https://www.instagram.com/melstrobel/
Seeking to shine light and radiate hope wherever possible is my mission. Colorful, whimsical, abstract art has allowed me space to intentionally calm my nervous system and show up as my most authentic self.
Creating a variety of art has carried me through painful losses and a debilitating battle with Lyme Disease. Painting has provided a soothing escape from the unknowns of our broken world, guiding me back to trusting and honoring myself. I am honored to share my art with you.
September – October
Ashley D’Amico Abstracts
ashleyabehr@gmail.com
616-633-7886
Ashley offers a unique and expansive experience combining colorful mixed media art with the ability to touch many of the works.
“Each piece is not only something to look at, but to enter into. The textures I build are an invitation for the viewer to step beyond the visual and into a tactile dialogue with the work and your experience. After lingering with the colors, I encourage you to close your eyes, run your fingertips across the surface and notice what arises.
In this way, the work becomes a shared experience, less about passive observation and more about presence, intimacy, and connection. The act of touching, of engaging with texture and depth, allows each experiencer to create their own meaning and discover their own alchemy between grief, joy, and the quiet beauty of being present.”
November – December
Carole Nielsen Watercolor
You can find more about Carole at her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/people/Carole-Hunnes-Nielsen-Artist/100063808111638/
Artist Bio:
Carole Hunnes-Nielsen is a watercolor and watercolor batik artist. Her home state of
Michigan is where she finds inspiration. The changing seasons each have their own
beauty and the great lakes have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Nature and color are the most important elements in her work.
Carole has had a life long love for art. She attended Western Michigan University and
earned a BS degree in Art Education and a MA degree in Education. She spent thirty
years teaching high school art.
She retired in 2010 and now has time to grow and learn as an artist. She enjoys trying
new techniques, ideas, and materials.
Since retirement, she have been in many juried and solo exhibitions. She has won
awards for her watercolors and watercolor batiks. She is a signature member of the
Michigan Watercolor Society.
She loves that she now has time to be a part of the art community in her area. She
loves to share and bring happiness to others through her art. She has learned so much
from others and sincerely appreciates everyone’s generosity to share. She will always
be striving to be a better artist. There is so much to learn. She will always feel
challenged. She is an artist in progress, always learning.
