42. Shortjaw Cisco

By Thomas Rudd (dec.)

Location: Cass Ave. & SB Gratiot

Host/Sponsor: Mount Clemens United Methodist Church

The shortjaw cisco (Coregonus zenithicus) is a North-American freshwater whitefish in the salmon family. Adult fish range to about 30 cm (12 in) in length and are silver, tinged with green above and paler below. One of the members of the broader Coregonus artedi complex of ciscoes, it is distributed widely in the deeper lakes of Canada, but populations in the Great Lakes have been declining and it is no longer present in Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Erie. It feeds mainly on crustaceans and insect larvae and spawns in the autumn on the lake bed. It is part of the important cisco (chub) fishery in the Great Lakes. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as “vulnerable“.^[1] Shortjaw cisco have however evolved from the cisco Coregonus artedi independently in different lakes and different parts of the range, and conservation assessments therefore should be made on a lake-wise rather than range-wide basis.^[2]

Description

The shortjaw cisco has large, smooth scales and is iridescent silver, with a greenish black and white belly. The mouth is small and toothless, and the lower jaw is shorter than or equal in length to the upper jaw. It typically weighs approximately 300 g (11 oz), and ranges from 150 to greater than 300 mm (6 to 12 inches) standard length. Very difficult to differentiate from other cisco species by superficial appearance, this species typically has fewer gillrakers than other ciscoes.

Distribution

Once common throughout the upper Laurentian Great Lakes Coregonus zenithicus is no longer found in Lake Michigan or Lake Huron, with the last specimens reported in 1975 and in 1982, respectively.^[3]: 13 It has been absent from Lake Erie since 1957.^[3]: 13 The population in Lake Superior is known to be lower than historic levels, based on commercial catch statistics.^[3]: 13 Its status in Lake Nipigon is uncertain. It has been reported in at least 22 other lakes outside of the Great Lakes, from the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. It is not known whether the remaining Great Lakes populations are increasing, decreasing or stable. Population trends in other lakes are unknown.

Habitat

The shortjaw cisco is most commonly found in the deeper waters of large lakes. It has been found at depths of between 55 and 114 m (180 and 374 ft) in Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron, and is known to exhibit seasonal changes in depth distribution in Lake Superior.

Reproduction

Spawning occurs in the autumn. Eggs are deposited over the lake bottom in deep water and develop over three to four months, depending on water temperature. This fish reaches sexual maturity at five years of age.

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. There are plenty of sunny summer days to walk or bike and view the sculptures.

If you want to support our efforts, please send a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in October 2026 – 2027.  Be sure to like us on Facebook.

*Information from Wikipedia

41. Ladies in Red

By Ric Leichliter

Location: SB Gratiot, south of Mount Clemens High School

Host: Mount Clemens Housing Commission

Sponsor:  Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership

 Artist Statement:

My work is split between wildlife which is often nesting and the propagation of plant life as found in my “Pod Series”. The figurative process often depicts groups of people as in “Day at the Park”. All in all, it comes to a fascination with the continuum of all species and the interaction between people.

To see more of Ric’s work check out his website at  www.ricssculpture.com

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. There are plenty of sunny summer days to walk and view the sculptures.

If you want to support our efforts, please send a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in October 2026 – 2027.  Be sure to like us on Facebook.

Bee Reader

By Israel & Erik Nordin

West side of NB Gratiot between Clinton River Dr. & Kibbee St.

The Bee Reader sculpture at the evolving MCEP Pollinator Park was installed in July of 2024.  It will be open to extend gifts of small paperback books for young readers and mature readers. Each month the Bee Reader will have two paperback books available. One geared for younger readers and one for mature readers. Please come and check it out. Each month’s selection will be available on the MCEP website with the book’s description.  If for some reason the books are not there just call us on 586.783.6008 and we will replenish the stock.

Our Bee Reader selections for September are:

The Adventures of Reddy Fox by Thornton W. Burgess

When little Reddy Fox gets too big for his breeches and steals a plump pet hen in broad daylight, the stage is set for an exciting tale as Farmer Brown’s boy pursues Reddy with loaded gun and Bowser the Hound. Fortunately, Reddy has wise Granny Fox on his side and, with some timely help from other woodland friends, manages to avoid an unhappy ending.
As this timeless fable unfolds, children will delight in Reddy’s risky antics and the commotion his behavior causes among Johnny Chuck, Drummer the Woodpecker, Peter Rabbit, and the other inhabitants of the Green Forest. Thornton W. Burgess, author of Old Mother West Wind and many other children’s classics, was a master at telling a good story that holds a child’s attention while instilling an important lesson in the most painless and enjoyable fashion. First published in 1913, The Adventures of Reddy Fox was one of his finest efforts. In this inexpensive Dover edition, newly reset in large, easy-to-read type, it will delight children (and adults) today, just as it did their grandparents.

All About the Presidents Search-a-Word Puzzles By Frank J. D’Agostino

Learn about Adams’ pet alligator, Taft’s nickname, and more! Fun facts about 41 different presidents are the clues to these hidden-word puzzles. Names of family members, hobbies, pets, and other related terms appear within each puzzle — backward, forward, diagonally, vertically, and horizontally — and in a separate list of clues. Kids will have hours of presidential amusement! Solutions are included.

38. Endless Summer

By Gregory Mendez

Location: 133 S. Main Street

Host: Alliance Health

This sculpture is available for purchase by an individual or group for $8,500

 This is the second of two sculptures by this artist in this year’s show.  The other is Eternal  Spring II featured in week #16

Artist Biography:

Born in 1981, Greg was raised in the rural town of Decatur, IN. He studied at the University of St. Francis School of Creative Arts in Ft. Wayne, IN graduating with a B.F.A. in sculpture.

Greg’s sculptures have been included in many juried public displays throughout the United States, and he has been the recipient of numerous awards.

In addition to permanently placed public works and commissions, he also participates in community development by promoting public art on a local level.

To see more of Gregory’s work check out his website at gregmendezsculpture.com or on Facebook at Greg-Mendez-Gallery.

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. There are plenty of sunny summer days to walk and view the sculptures.

If you want to support our efforts, please send a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in October 2026 – 2027.  Be sure to like us on Facebook and check out our website at www.mcepmacomb.com.

36. Ocular Dreams

By Judith Greavu

Location: 165 S. Main Street

Host: Louie’s Ham & Corned Beef

Owned by Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership

Artist Statement:

Ocular Dreams is a bronze and fused, slumped glass sculpture, weighing 150 pounds.

Slumping glass is a highly technical operation that is subject to many variations, both controlled and uncontrolled. When an item is being slumped in a kiln, the mold over which it is being formed (which can be made of either ceramic, sand or metal) must be coated with a release agent that will stop the molten glass from sticking to the mold. Such release agents, a typical one being boron nitride, give off toxic fumes when they are first heated and must be used in a ventilated area.

The glass is cut to the shape of the mold (but slightly larger to allow for shrinkage) and placed on top of it, before the kiln is heated.

Her sculptures all reference organic forms, sometimes directly, often fancifully reimagined. All have a sense of movement or stance and are tactilely tempting.

Judith lives and works in Bluffton, OH.  See more of her work at https://greavu.com/.

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. There are plenty of sunny summer days to walk and view the sculptures.

If you want to support our efforts, please send  a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in October 2026 – 2027.  Be sure to like us on Facebook.

35. Box of Flowers

By Jennifer Meyers

Location: 93 S. Main Street

Host: Chaos Salon & Spa

Owned by Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership

“No matter what season it is our eyes enjoy the bright color of flowers, so I gathered up some tall ones and put them in a box. No pruning or watering required.”

Artist Statement:

My work with found objects as a sculptor is the same as my work with clients as a licensed clinical professional counselor.  Just because something or someone has been used, discarded, abandoned or rejected does not mean that there is no longer any potential or value.  Often what is needed for recovery is a little time and attention to construct a new perspective so that a renewal may emerge.  She adds, “Each of my sculptures is a reincarnation of many purposeful past lives. My approach in creating public art is to invite the viewer to reflect upon what we consider discards and to perhaps be more thoughtful about personal reuse.” This is my life’s work with objects and with humans.

My goal is to continue this experience until I have no breath left.

About Jennifer Meyer

Jennifer Meyer is a Found Object Sculptor who resides in Lansing, IL.  Her work has been displayed in Public Art, Galleries and Art Shows.

She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Governors State University, University Park.

She is also RHYS 200 certified in holistic yoga, Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram, Rishikesh, India

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. There are plenty of sunny summer days to walk and view the sculptures.

If you want to support our efforts, please send  a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in  October 2026 – 2027.  Be sure to like us on Facebook.

Bee Reader

By Israel & Erik Nordin

West side of NB Gratiot between Clinton River Dr. & Kibbee St.

The Bee Reader sculpture at the evolving MCEP Pollinator Park was installed in July of 2024.  It will be open to extend gifts of small paperback books for young readers and mature readers. Each month the Bee Reader will have two paperback books available. One geared for younger readers and one for mature readers. Please come and check it out. Each month’s selection will be available on the MCEP website with the book’s description.  If for some reason the books are not there just call us on 586 783 6008 and we will replenish the stock.

Great Horse Stories

Compiled by James Daley

Readers who love horses will cherish this blue-ribbon collection of fifteen short stories by such famous authors as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Saki, and Erle Stanley Gardner. Suitable for ages 10 and older, these tales of wild and tame horses offer a thrilling blend of adventure and realism.
The collection opens with an abridgment of Anna Sewell’s classic Black Beauty, the moving account of a horse’s working life, pulling cabs in Victorian London. Subsequent stories include “Her First Horse Show” by David Gray, “The Brogue” by Saki, Mary E. Wilkins Freeman’s “The Doctor’s Horse,” “Carved in Sand” by Erle Stanley Gardner, and many others.

Variety of Coloring Books, Mazes and Word Search Activities

Check out what’s in the Bee Reader’s mouth and pick up what interests you most!

34. To Bee or Not to Bee

By Alex Mendez

Location: 99 S. Main Street

Host: The Urban Naturopath

Owned by Jennifer Gale, The Urban Naturopath

Metal Sculptor, Musician, and Pastry Connoisseur.

Artist Statement:

Alex had been working close to four years as an apprentice with his brother, sculptor Greg Mendez, before starting his own sculpture career more than five years ago. He has made an effort to understand all aspects of sculpture, including concept, design, sculpting, and installation and is now creating his own unique sculptures. Each new sculpture Alex creates is a progression of his musical and artistic abilities that he hopes will be enjoyed by all.

About Alex Mendez

Alex Mendez was born in the rural town of Decatur, Indiana. Alex’s background is in music, having studied classical methods for guitar, he continues to this day as a working musician. This musical background has influenced his journey into metal sculpture. Alex has been drawn to abstract forms because he believes this provides a way to portray what a musician might visualize in sculpted art.

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. There are plenty of sunny summer days to walk and view the sculptures.

If you want to support our efforts, please send  a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in  October 2026 – 2027.

Be sure to like us on Facebook.

Sculpture of the Week – #24

33. Pescados

By Mike Sohikian

115 S. Main Street

Mike Sohikian, a retired ironworker, has been a member of the Bridge and Structural Ironworkers Local 55 for 37 years.  He had a lifetime of love and appreciation for art but did not begin his art career until 1995. Since then, he has garnered acclaim and numerous prestigious awards and recognition for his paintings and sculptures.  Sohikian is best known for taking salvaged steel to new heights with impressive and innovative concepts.  He assembles industrial materials as well as reworking the materials into fascinating forms.  Mike lives in Genoa, OH.

This sculpture is the last of the three sculptures by this artist.  The others are Confessions and Autumnus II. When we select the sculptures, we do not know who the artist is; just that we like the sculpture.

Check out some of his work at https.//www.facebook.com/russel.sohikian.

Stop by our office located at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens and pick up a brochure of all our sculptures in the brochure box located on our front porch or at the Bonior Tree or Pollinator Park. Now that summer has arrived there are plenty of sunny days where a walk can be invigorating.

We invite you to support our efforts by sending  a small tax-deductible contribution to keep the next show going in  October 2026 – 2027. Be sure to like us on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/MCEP99 and check out our website at www.mcepmacomb.com