Kids & Family

Laurie Tennent to Receive the 2013 Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Award

The community will honor the 'photographer with a benevolent lens' with the 18th annual Birmingham/Bloomfield Cultural Arts Award.

Tonight, the Birmingham and Bloomfield communities will honor local photographer and business owner Laurie Tennent with the 2013 Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Award at a special banquet at 6 p.m. at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. 

The panel that selected her recognized Tennent as a ‘photographer with a benevolent lens’ for her professional achievements as a renowned art and commercial photographer, while using her talent and close ties to the artistic community for civic and philanthropic efforts.

As the owner of Birmingham's Laurie Tennent Studio, she's worked with numerous organizations, including Kids Kicking Cancer, Haven, Michigan AIDS Coalition, Art Road, The Pink Fund, and The Kelly Fund for the Center for Creative Studies.

During tonight's ceremony, Tennent will receive an award designed by Link Wachler and her name will be permanently inscribed on a plaque at the Birmingham City Hall. The Cultural Arts Award is co-sponsored by the the Cultural Council of Birmingham/Bloomfield, The Community House, the Birmingham Eccentric, and The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center.

Amid all the excitement, she took a few minutes to answer questions from Patch.

Can you describe what this recognition means to you? 
First of all, I am truly humbled by this award. I am so grateful to the people and organizations in my life who nominated me and the organizations who sponsor the award. The recognitions means that I'm doing work that matters, and at the end of the day, that is very important to me. The fact that I have a camera which allows me to basically be a witness to the amazing qualities of survivors and bravery of children, a spy in the house of so much love and celebration is rewarding beyond words.

When did your love of the arts begin and why, if it's relatively easy to explain? 
It is easy to explain, My parents took us to every cultural event possible, the DSO, Michigan Theater for Children, the DIA, libraries, restaurants (dining a favorite art) and I was in music and dance classes from very young. I remember walking into the Detroit Library and my mother telling me to look up at the ceiling, and my love of architecture began. 

Why are you so involved in the many charitable and cultural arts activities and how do you think they enrich the community?
As you go through this fast paced life it is so important to reach out to others in need. I think I got involved from never saying "no". If someone asked for my help, I have the skill to take photos and record the events. From there, I found how powerful those images can be to take the message to the public and increase awareness. It is amazing to me how connected we all are and many of the organizations I've supported, much to my surprise, have come back and supported me in my time of need.

What are some of your favorite places to photograph in Birmingham, Bloomfield, and Detroit? 
When I think of places to photograph in our local cities, of course Cranbrook is amazing because I'm drawn to the architecture and beautiful gardens. I had the pleasure of walking the grounds with grandfather "Thistle" Booth who pointed out so many details and how purposeful and planned every inch is. I am in the process of photographing special species that grow at Cranbrook House and Gardens for an Exhibit and Fundraiser called, "Winter in Bloom" on Janurary 31st at Cranbrook House. My work on aluminum will be installed outside in the snow around the gardens. 

When I think of favorite places they always include people and events like The Townsend, meeting people at all the Birmingham Chamber events, new business openings. In Detroit, I love the train station, so iconic. But also all the architecture downtown.


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