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The 2012 season is officially upon us. Welcome to Artistic Mackinac Gallery & Studio on Beautiful Mackinac Island. Our featured artist this year is internationally known “Noel Skiba”. She will be painting off and on throughout the summer season at the gallery. It is truly a pleasure to watch her paint.

 We look forward to your visit as always and do plan a little extra time to stop by the gallery and browse the many island scenes on canvas. Featuring Four Seasons on Mackinac, Round Island Lighthouse, Mackinac Bridge, many of the historic building, Grand Hotel, Flowers on Mackinac, Somewhere in Time memorability. We have full time photographers to photograph your special day weather it’s your wedding, family reunion, engagements, graduation, or just a last minute portrait of your family while visiting Mackinac Island. Located on Astor St, middle of town between Main and Market streets.

Steven Blair, Island photographer, owner of Artistic Mackinac Gallery & Studio has been photographing on Mackinac Island for over 20 years. A Freelance and Wedding photographer.

This spring the Gallery went through a complete remodel that has been needed for many years. It’s now a very quaint and pleasant atmosphere to view Photograph Art as I have envisioned for many years. A place you can relax and enjoy some Island art.

One of many new features on canvas for 2012. Four Seasons on Mackinac.

The lilacs are in bloom and the sweet aroma is breathtaking.

One of my favorite canvases is the Lilacs that shine on Mackinac Island.

The wild flowers on Mackinac Island are intense this time of year. From Lilacs to Trillium’s and Lady Slippers in the wooded hills.

Noel Skiba’s painting art on Astor Street.

Taking in some early evening  colors on Astor Street.

Here is a sampling of some of Noel Skiba’s painting art. It’s breathtaking.

The story of lilac, according to Greek mythology, begins with a beautiful nymph named Syringa (lilac’s botanical name). Captivated by her beauty, Pan, the god of the forests and fields, chased Syringa through the forest. Frightened by Pan’s affections, Syringa escaped him by turning herself into an aromatic bush – the flower we now refer to as lilac.

 Sunset Times in Northern Michigan 2012 Season.

If you are thinking of sunset pictures the times below could be helpful.

May 1st…………………………….8:32 pm

May 15th…………………………..8:47 pm

May 30th………………………….9:01 pm

June 1st……………………………9:03 pm

June 15th………………………….9:11 pm

June 30th………………………….9:13 pm

July 1st…………………………….9:12 pm

July 15th……………………………9:07 pm

July 30th……………………………8:52 pm

Aug 1st………………………………8:51 pm

Aug 15th…………………………….8:32pm

Aug 30th…………………………….8:09 pm

Sept 1st………………………………8:05 pm

Sept 15th…………………………….7:41 pm

Sept 30th…………………………….7:15 pm

Oct 1st………………………………7:13 pm

Oct 15th………………………………6:49 pm

Oct 30th………………………………6:27 pm

In October ever year the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island has a “Somewhere In Time” weekend. Period dress is prevalent in and around the Island. The dress attire is very unique to this period and once your dressed the atmosphere is magical. The weekend is full of music and dance and I have so enjoyed being a part of the special weekend through the years.  To have had the opportunity to photograph this event has been timeless. Below are a few of 100’s of pictures from “Somewhere In Time”. Someday again I look forward to dancing with Jane Seymour just one more time. Hope you enjoy this story.

Click on the link below to see all the pictures from the weekend.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150322153809200.354269.260949219199&type=3

"Somewhere In Time" Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

"Somewhere In Time" weekend Oct 6-7-8, 2011

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Pure Michigan Conference 2012 at the Amway Grand in Grand Rapids was the best conference ever. Over 900 participants this year and the mood was very positive. Michigan is ranked No. 7 nationally in both total and leisure travel by the U.S. Travel Association. From our Governor Rick Snyder and many of our State representatives and “Miss Michigan”  Elizabeth Wertenberger. Also in attendance was Dan Musser from the Grand Hotel and Mary McGuire from the Travel and Tourism Bureau on Mackinac Island.  Michigan was well represented at this conference. George Zimmermann the director of “Pure Michigan” and Steve Yencich director of the Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association along with the mayor of Grand Rapids George Heartwell presented us with a very bright outlook for the future of tourism in Michigan. It was again an honor to photograph this event.

Below are some highlights and additional  information, links for your pleasure.

According to at least one study, Pure Michigan returns more than $2 in tax revenue for every $1 invested, making this a very successful program that takes pressure off future budgets. … Our first priority in Michigan is revitalizing our economy and creating jobs. The Pure Michigan campaign attracts thousands of new tourists to Michigan, creating opportunities for local business owners such as restaurants, gas stations, hotels, bait shops, boat rental companies, and everything in between.We had a very early spring in March this year.

One of our “Pure Michigan” ads links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW8X1bw7LxU&feature=bf_prev&list=ULB2o7PSwuWYw

Elizabeth Wertenberger “Miss Michigan” 2011

The morning dancers to wake us up, get us and motivated for the day ahead. What an amazing performance. Hat’s off to them.

There also were many awards presented for excellent  achievements in the tourism industry which are all well deserved when you here and understand there story. Quite amazing.

Over all, I was motivated to see Michigan move forward in a positive energy for the future of our state.

Additional pictures can be viewed at :

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150799605869200.415773.260949219199&type=3

Tourism officials and industry analysts say the campaign is paying big dividends for Michigan: 2 million visitors who wouldn’t otherwise have visited, spending $605 million. And between 2009 and 2010, the tourism industry grew by $2 billion, enough to generate an additional 10,000 jobs for Michigan, they say.

“I think the Pure Michigan campaign has to rank among the most well-crafted and appropriate destination campaigns in the United States, Yesawich said. We focus on destination marketing. George Zimmermann is doing a terrific job, in a challenging economic environment, to make Michigan a summer seasonal destination.”“According to at least one study, Pure Michigan returns more than $2 in tax revenue for every $1 invested, making this a very successful program that takes pressure off future budgets. … Our first priority in Michigan is revitalizing our economy and creating jobs. The Pure Michigan campaign attracts thousands of new tourists to Michigan, creating opportunities for local business owners such as restaurants, gas stations, hotels, bait shops, boat rental companies, and everything in between. According to the 2010 study, the latest available, more than 2 million visitors who would not have traveled to Michigan otherwise spent $605 million statewide as a direct result of the $9.8 million Pure Michigan program. This research revealed that this new visitor spending generated $43 million in incremental state tax collections, creating a return on investment of $4.32 for each state dollar spent on tourism advertising”.

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The Lilac House Bed & Breakfast will open for the 2012 season May 11th.

Step back in time, spend a leisurely vacation in historic accommodations at “The Lilac House Bed and Breakfast”.

A block  from the boat docks, on the corner of Market and Astor Streets on beautiful Mackinac Island.

So much history to see on Mackinac Island.

A little background on “MACKINAC”.  The name is pronounced  “Mackinaw” and is Chippewa Indian for “Turtle”.  An apt  description, since the Island, when viewed from above,  resembles a partially-submerged turtle with a semi-flat shell.

and of course Lilacs everywhere and the Famous Lilac Festival In June….

For additional information visit the link below:

http://www.lilachousebedandbreakfast.com

or call us to make a reservation.

906-847-3708   or   305-304-0320

Resident photographer Steven Blair offers Photography Art and Island Treasures located right on property at the

“Artistic Mackinac Gallery & Studio”. Feel free to stop in and visit. He has a wealth of information of Island history.

Lilacs symbolize love.

Syringa (Lilac) is a genus of about 20–25 cultivated species of flowering plants in the olive family (Oleaceae).

In addition to the cultivated species of Lilacs, there are many more hybrids, and over 1,000 total varieties of Lilac bushes (along with a few varieties of actual trees).

Lilacs are native to Eastern Europe and Asia.  The colonists brought them to America in the 17th century.

The term “Lilac trees” can be mistakenly attached to any of the many varieties of Lilac bushes.  Lilac shrubs/bushes grow from six to twenty feet tall.  True Lilac trees, like the Peking tree Lilac and the Japanese tree Lilac, both from Asia, may reach heights over 30 feet.

Lilacs can vary in shape and/or form. Some may be rounded, vase-like, tall and spreading, tall and straight or a combination of these shapes.

Flowering varies between mid-spring to early summer and, unfortunately, normally only lasts two to three weeks, depending on the species and the weather.

Lilac flowers span a wonderful array of colors (white, violet, blue, lilac, pink, red, purple and some even bicolored).   Shades vary depending on weather (hot versus cool and dry versus wet), year, soil, environment and overall location differences.

Lilacs have pyramidal clusters of blossoms with both single and double varieties – all with glossy green leaves.

It is the cultivar and species of Lilac bush which affects the fragrance, NOT the flower’s color.

Aside from Roses, there is no flower as beautiful and aromatic as Lilacs. Of the two, Lilacs have a stronger, more intoxicating scent which carries quite a distance.

Although Lilacs display flowers among the most delicate of the ornamentals, the plants are among the hardiest.  Some newer hybrid varieties can survive winter temperatures of -60ºF.

You prune Lilacs immediately after the enjoyment of the fragrant blossoms in the late Spring/early Summer.

Lilacs were grown in America’s first botanical gardens.  Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew them in their gardens. Lilac bushes can live for hundreds of years, so who knows, a bush planted way back when may actually still be around…