TRAVERSE CITY — The Dennos Museum is excited to announce our fall exhibition and program offerings. This season celebrates the diversity and richness of our state’s artistic and creative talent through solo and group exhibitions, artist talks, and workshops, and at the beloved Holiday Artist Market and in The Dennos Museum Store. Discover something new, create with, and support a variety of Michigan makers this fall.
The unofficial kick-off to fall begins with the opening of Full Circle: Plastic Waste Transformations on August 28 by Traverse City-raised artist Simon Anton. He will be returning to the area with objects built in his Detroit studio over the last 12 years.. Then, join us for the fall opening reception for Darryl Brown’s (St. Ignace) Bubbles of Love and Material World: Ten Women on September 23. Darryl Brown is a registered member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians and describes his work as native pointillism and modern primitive. Material World: Ten Women comes to The Dennos from the Muskegon Museum of Art and features 10 Michigan women artists using traditional and non-traditional materials in surprising ways, often taking viewers’ expectations and flipping them on their heads. Also opening to the public that evening will be Drawing to Motion: Contemporary Inuit Artwork from The Dennos Museum.
“Igniting curiosity has always been central to our work at The Dennos,” said Craig Hadley, Executive Director and Chief Curator at the museum. “Visitors to The Dennos this fall will have ample opportunity to engage their curiosity through our Inuit art and permanent collections. In addition, our three new temporary exhibitions explore contemporary Inuit drawings, highlight the significant contributions of Michigan women artists, and celebrate the extraordinary work of painter Darryl Brown. Now is the perfect time to come back and reengage with The Dennos if you haven’t seen us recently.”
As we step into a new season following our summer brand launch, The Dennos invites you to connect, reflect, and create through a dynamic schedule of public programs. From mindful “slow looking” sessions to hands-on workshops with featured exhibition artists like Darryl Brown, there are countless ways to engage with the arts at The Dennos. Enjoy live music, community film screenings, and family-friendly seasonal celebrations for visitors of all ages!
Curator of Education and Exhibitions Liz Celeste remarks, “the museum always transforms into a hub of activity and connection during the fall semester. I’m really excited to be partnering again with long-time collaborators like the Traverse Area District Library, Children’s Therapy Corner, and Full Tilt Comedy to bring back programs that draw more and more visitors each year, as well as, to invite numerous exhibiting Michigan artists to engage directly with visitors in dialogue during several planned artist talks throughout the season.”
Additional programs and details may be added throughout the season. To stay up to date on all that is happening at The Dennos, sign-up for our e-newsletter or visit our website at www.dennosmuseum.org/events.
Fall 2026 Exhibitions
Full Circle: Waste Plastic Transformations
Aug. 28, 2026 — Aug. 8, 2027
In Full Circle: Waste Plastic Transformations the Traverse City raised artist Simon Anton returns to the area with a body of sculpture and design objects built over the last 12 years at his Detroit Studio for his solo exhibit at The Dennos. Using plastic sourced from Detroit neighborhoods, factory waste and the automotive industry, Anton creates art and design objects that blur the line between sculpture and design, material science and sustainability. His work has been shown at the Venice Architecture Biennale, Carnegie Museum and Salone de Mobile amongst others. For The Dennos, Anton is showing a combination of experimental wall works and functional design objects.
Material World: Ten Women
Sept. 24, 2026 — Jan. 3, 2027
Material World: Ten Women, an invitational exhibition organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art, features women artists working with non-traditional materials or using traditional materials in non-traditional ways. The exhibition highlights the use of the physical characteristics of material and technique as a component of both visual and conceptual themes. Many of the works use found objects common to the everyday household, or bring elements from nature into inside spaces. Painting, sculpting, weaving, and assemblage merge in surprising ways throughout the show — crocheted metal wire is transformed into complex organic shapes, steel rod is welded into traditional vessel forms and animal shapes, paintings are cut apart and reassembled on the loom, birch bark becomes quilt-like in complex geometric arrangements, and quilts become soft sculptures and drawings, amidst many other approaches that surprise and delight. The participating artists are: Marcelyn Bennett-Carpenter, Boisali Biswas, Elizabeth Brandt, Kristin Casaletto, Kim Cridler, Nanci LaBret Einstein, Hattie Mendoza Lee, Anne Mondro, Mary Stoppert, and Susan Yamasaki.
Darryl Brown: Bubbles of Love
Sept. 24, 2026 — March 28, 2027
Bubbles of Love is a creative expression that goes beyond the imagination to unlock the magic hidden in this original style. Bubbles of Love is a quantum bridge for serious appreciation of the circumpunct alchemy in time and space. Bubbles of Love is a dreamscape of both primitive and modern juxtaposed color and a whimsical journey that blends Atavistic Animism with a pure discovery in the moment and from different angles. The colors, the paints and the textures makes Bubbles of Love a fun filled mystery, each painting fulfills the promise, if you explore the canvas, you are certain to discover more and more.
About Darryl Brown Medidegwe Anamosh (Barking Dog)
Darryl “Barking Dog” Brown is a poet and a writer of mystical journeys, prophecy, and life lessons. He is also a three-time award winning painter, including an award from the National Congress of American Indians. His art is described as Atavistic Surrealism, Pointillism, Juxtaposition, and he has developed the Alchemy of Arts with meditation and healing with Emotional and Spiritual colors. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Darryl to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs in 2019. He is currently serving a second, three year term. He is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians.
Drawing to Motion: Contemporary Inuit Artwork from The Dennos Museum
Sept. 24, 2026 — May 30, 2027
While many visitors are familiar with the Dennos Museum’s extensive collection of multiple prints and carvings of hardstone and ivory, few are aware of the growing collection of drawings and new media animations in our holdings. Drawing to Motion highlights these distinct forms, expanding our contemporary understanding of Inuit artmaking. From spiritual and physical transformations to modes of transportation and scenes of daily life, this exhibition provides an intimate view into the hand-drawn and animated-by-hand world of Inuit artists from the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Fall Programs at The Dennos
Tour Tuesdays
Tuesdays, 12 p.m.
Come to the museum and join an informal tour of our current exhibitions with one of our docents. Tours are free with museum admission and will begin at 12pm. Please meet by the front desk a few minutes before the tour begins.
Second Sunday Art Projects
Second Sundays, 1-3 p.m.
Come to the museum and take part in a vibrant participatory artistic experience every second Sunday of the month! From printmaking to weaving, each session offers a unique and creative activity. Second Sunday projects are included with admission to the museum.
Artist Talk Simon Anton
Friday, Aug. 28, 5-6:30 p.m.
Join us for the opening day of Simon Anton’s Full Circle: Plastic Waste Transformations. Learn more about how he blends sculpture, design, and sustainability in his work. Limit of 50.
Full Circle Reception
Friday, Aug. 28, 6:30-8 p.m.
Join us immediately following Anton’s artist talk for an evening reception with a cash bar. No ticket necessary.
Silent Disco Dance Party
Friday, Aug. 28, 8-11 p.m.
Get ready to boogie to your choice of three DJs under the illuminating glow of a new art installation by Simon Anton in the sculpture court of the Dennos. FREE for NMC Students and museum members. All ages welcome.
The Art of Being Present: A Slow Looking Series
Every other Wednesday, 10 a.m.
In a world of 8-second scrolls, when was the last time you truly saw something? Join us at The Dennos for a refreshing departure from the rush of daily life. Modern health studies have shown that regular museum engagement acts as a powerful non-pharmacological intervention, lowering anxiety and promoting mental clarity. Each session in this series is a standalone invitation to quiet the noise and dive deep into just two or three select artworks. Through guided “slow looking” techniques with the museum curator, we’ll move past first impressions to discover the hidden narratives, intricate textures, and emotional resonance waiting beneath the surface. No art background is required—just a pair of eyes and a moment of your time. Register with NMC Extended Education
- Sept. 2, Anatomy of Stillness
- Sept. 16, Spirit & Stone
- Sept. 30, Architecture of Light
- Oct. 14, Mixed Media
- Oct. 28, Micro v. Macro
- Nov. 11, Narrative Silence
Fall Exhibit Reception
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m.
Join the fun for our fall reception! Doors will open at 5:45pm. Enjoy an evening with light refreshments and a cash bar. Each guest will receive one drink ticket upon arrival. Members get free admission and double discounts in the Museum Store the night of the event. Guests of members and the public are welcome to attend at the cost of admission. Please RSVP in advance.
Lindsay Lou
Friday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.
Lindsay Lou is commonly dubbed the Queen of festivals she plays as someone you’re highly likely to see sitting in with other bands and curating All Stars sets in addition to playing her own music. Her roots are in Michigan, where she started making records, including the artist defining Ionia, and touring worldwide with The Flatbellys and The Sweet Water Warblers. Since making Nashville her home, she’s toured with her folk/rock Queen of Time Band and acoustic/harmony driven Honey Moon Trio and has celebrated records like Southland and Queen of Time. She’s a bringer together of people and a purveyor of buttery, sweet, meaningful experience. In whatever ensemble she chooses to deliver her sound, you hear the common thread of her love for traditional music and authentic new songs inspired by it.
Artists Talk: Material World
Friday, Oct. 2, 4 p.m.
Join us at The Dennos for a panel discussion with artists from Material World: Ten Women. We’ll learn more about their artistic practice and gain more insight into the ways their work intersect and differ from one another.
How Do They Do That? Creating Memorable Exhibitions at The Dennos
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m.
What does it take for a museum to create polished museum exhibitions? How does a museum install large artworks, take care of taxidermied polar bears, light exhibitions, and position artwork for the best visitor experience? Join Chelsie Niemi, Audience Engagement Manager at The Dennos, for a guided tour that is guaranteed to leave you thinking about museums in an entirely new way! Bring your questions and some comfortable walking shoes. Register with NMC Extended Education
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Monday, Oct. 12
Free
Join The Dennos and the Traverse Area District Library for storytime at 11am to kick off a free day of learning, celebration, and community as we honor the vibrant and enduring cultures of indigenous peoples.
Oryana Presents: Food and Country
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6 p.m.
$5 with all proceeds benefiting Great Lakes Incubator Farm. Tickets will be available through Oryana.
Food and Country offers an eye-opening look at the US food system. Explore the very human toll of industrialized agriculture and food manufacturing, a monolithic enterprise that is equal parts entrenched and precarious. We’re joined by a selection of agriculture and food-focused non-profits to help patrons learn more about the impact of today’s farming realities, including: Groundwork, Crosshatch, FLOW, and SEEDS.
Northwood Improvisers
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of The Northwoods Improvisers! The band formed in 1976 in Traverse City by Mike Johnston, Mike Gilmore and John Plough. Originally a total improvising electro-acoustic ensemble, they switched to an all acoustic instrumentation in 1980. Greatly influenced by the Spontaneous Music Ensemble and the Art Ensemble of Chicago, they combine free jazz, indigenous music from around the world, bop and improvisation. The ever morphing group is currently comprised of bassist Mike Johnston, drummer Nick Ashton, Dominic Bierenga and Donovan Boxey on wind instruments, violinist Mike Khoury, Jack O’Brien on cello and bass, and Tony Holland on sax.
Halloween For All
Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Free
Join The Dennos, Children’s Therapy Corner, Children’s Advocacy Center, TADL Youth Services, and Oryana for the fourth annual sensory-friendly Halloween event! We will have a variety of fun activities, being mindful of diverse sensory needs and accommodations to create an inclusive environment where all are welcome! Visitors may self-select activities they would like to participate in, with descriptive maps and communication boards provided at the entrance to the museum. Halloween activities will include pumpkin decorating, playdough creations, scratch art projects, coloring and activity pages, Discovery Gallery interactive exhibits, and a special Halloween treat scavenger hunt through the museum. The Dutmers Theater will be a designated quiet room, offering an easily accessible space to take a break. Although the museum has made considerations for a variety of sensory needs for this event, families are encouraged to bring any accommodations that may be helpful. Questions about the event can be directed to Liz Celeste at eceleste@nmc.edu. This event is free and registration is not required, but recommended. Event support provided by Oryana Community Co-Op and the Linda O’Meara Fund for Arts Education.
Mock Tours at The Dennos: Halloween Edition
Friday, Oct. 30, 7 & 9:30 p.m.
Back for a third time, join Full Tilt Comedy and The Dennos for a Halloween-themed improv experience that reimagines the museum through the eyes of ghosts, ghouls, and the hilariously undead. Professional improvisers pose as fictional docents, leading you on a spirited (and entirely made-up) tour of the galleries. Choose from two tour times: 7pm for a post trick-or-treat or 9:30pm for a darker, more mischievous museum romp. Your ticket includes one drink ticket and spooky snacks.
Holiday Artist Market
Friday & Saturday, Nov. 6-7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free
Get in the holiday spirit during this two-day market featuring over 30 Michigan artists. Enjoy treats from Merlyn’s Patisserie, a curated collection of handcrafted gifts, ornaments, and holiday cards in our Museum Store Holiday Corner, and enter the raffle benefiting K-12 tours.
Darryl Brown Artist Talk
Friday, Nov. 13, 4 p.m.
Where alchemy meets color, fantastic realities take shape. Join artist Darryl Brown as he transports us into his imaginative world. In this talk, you’ll discover the process behind his rich tapestries, deeply layered paintings, and custom tools that power his unique vision.
Darryl Brown Workshop
Saturday, Nov. 14, 1-3 p.m.
Step into the studio with Darryl Brown. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore the intersection of color and texture to bring your own vibrant vision to life. Guided by Darryl’s approach to creative intuition, this workshop is perfect for makers of all skill levels looking to expand their visual language and experiment with new techniques. All materials provided.
Henhouse Prowlers
Thursday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m.
The kinship between Ben Wright (banjo), Chris Dollar (guitar), Jon Goldfine (bass), and Jake Howard (mandolin) is palpable, the four having traveled to places most would never predict. Using these experiences as a foundation, there’s truly no limit to where this Chicago-based quartet will go – literally and figuratively.
Museum Store Sunday
Sunday, Nov. 29
Free
Support your local art museum and shop with purpose while enjoying special discounts and treats!
Solstice Silent Disco
Tuesday, Dec. 22, 6-9 p.m.
Join us just after sundown and celebrate the longest night of the year! Grab a pair of wireless headphones that give you the option to decide your musical vibe and you head to the dance floor or mingle in the galleries. Warm drinks and food will be available to keep the solstice spirits bright. Cash bar for those 21+. This event is open to all ages and sponsored by Oryana Co-Op. Parental guidance is advised.
About The Dennos
The Dennos builds community, sparks conversation, and inspires change for audiences of all ages through its exhibitions, programs, and the collection and preservation of art.
The Museum’s signature collection is Inuit art of the Canadian Arctic, one of the largest and most historically complete collections of these distinctive sculptures and prints in the United States. A significant collection of outdoor sculptures by noted international and Michigan artists surrounds the Museum on the beautiful campus of Northwestern Michigan College. The Museum expanded its original building in 2018, adding new galleries and auditorium spaces with wide support from the community. In 2021, the Dennos was honored with an invitation to join the Smithsonian affiliates program, becoming one of just six organizations to do so in the state of Michigan.
Learn more at dennosmuseum.org or shop our museum store at shop.dennosmuseum.org.
Release date: Aug. 14, 2026
For more information:
Craig Hadley
Executive Director
chadley@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1572