David Winkelstern 3D art exhibition

Local artist and longtime City Pulse theater writer David Winkelstern has a new exhibition on view in the Riverwalk Theatre’s lobby through Dec. 18. He offers an eclectic range of 3D artwork, which “you really have to see to appreciate,” he said.

“I’ve always been attracted to doing things that have dimension to them. So, a lot of times, I’ll take items and glue them to a canvas, and then I’ll do a poly splattering over them, with layers and layers and layers of latex and that kind of thing,” he said. “I have a huge collage of rockstars with LPs on it, mic stands that are splattered and stuff like that.”

The pieces are all for sale, with half of the proceeds going directly to the theater. Winkelstern has reduced the prices to help drive sales. “I don’t want to carry it home!” he said. “I’m also hoping the theater will make something off of it, too.”

One of the pieces looks like an American flag, soiled by blood and bullet holes. Winkelstern said pieces like this appeal differently to different audiences.

“Some people see it as the violence in our country — gun violence, that kind of thing. But other people see it as the sacrifices that our soldiers have made. I respect both attitudes,” he said. “Everything I do, the more you look at it, the more you’ll find something. There are layers to find. There’s nothing conclusive about it.”

Winkelstern began experimenting with visual art as a teenager. He earned an O-Level qualification in art while studying abroad in England during high school. He went on to teach English and writing in the Lansing School District and at Lansing Community College before his retirement. He has also done art-related contract work and created murals around East Lansing after graduating from Michigan State University in the 1970s.

This is the second time Winkelstern has exhibited art at Riverwalk.

“I was originally scheduled to appear just after COVID hit, so I didn’t get back in the queue until this November,” he said. “I hope people come see it. It’s a real variety, what’s hanging up there. There’s quite a range of things.”

The lobby is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday as well as two hours prior to shows the theater hosts, such as “Christmas Belles,” which runs Dec. 7 through 10 and 14 through 17.