Art Exhibit at Grand Rapids Branch Library 7:00 p.m. Kick off event

The Historical Society of Grand Rapids, in conjunction with the Grand Rapids Branch of

the Weston Public Library, invites you to an exhibition of portraits painted by Bill

Kuhlman in the Community Room of the library (17620 Bridge St. in Grand Rapids). The

public is invited to a kick-off reception being held from 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, May

6 th . Light refreshments will be served by Shelen Stevens, Library Director, and her staff.

The paintings will be on display during regular business hours the remainder of that

week (Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00

p.m.; and Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.). The paintings of local citizens of Grand

Rapids were displayed in LaRoe’s Restaurant for many years, and they are now the

property of the Historical Society.

William Kuhlman, who lived from 1927-2015, was a well-known artist and illustrator who

grew up in Maumee and Grand Rapids. He produced illustrations and graphic-design

work in the 60s and 70s, then moved on to concentrate on illustration. In 1967, he and

Marilyn Stevens produced a multimedia production on the history of Grand Rapids titled

“The Village”, which Kuhlman illustrated. The artist was also asked to paint nature

scenes for display in the Metroparks of the Toledo Area, along with numerous other park

districts. Kuhlman enjoyed and appreciated nature; as his daughter Laura Kuhlman

Wegener stated in his obituary, “His life was very centered on the Maumee River”.

Over 50 portraits of Grand Rapids residents will be on display, each with a short

description of the subjects. Please enjoy this opportunity to view this historical and

significant collection in its entirety.