(Lansing, MI) – In 2021, four individual artistic entrepreneurs joined forces as one to lay the groundwork for the Capital Region’s For-Profit Arts Industry. In partnership with their promotion & public relations partner Opportunity Arts, Mila Lynn, Sarah Renee Sanders, Autumn Hopkins, & Kylee Kellett formed “The 4 Aces of Visual Arts”, a Rat Pack-esque faction focused on creating high quality art that makes a difference in people’s lives, and establishing artistic value starting in Mid-Michigan, and expanding throughout the globe. Below is an explanation of why The Aces are who they are, a full list of their 2021 artistic accomplishments & recognition, quotes from The Aces reflecting on 2021, & looking ahead to 2022, and finally, links to find out more about each individual Ace, their work, & their businesses.
Courtesy Photo-The 4 Aces of Visual Arts
Becoming “The 4 Aces of Visual Arts”: Each of The Aces personalities & art are the epitome of their chosen suit. Diamonds are formed under pressure, and Mila Lynn, The Ace of Diamonds, wants to make high end art that will be purchased at the highest price point possible, and in so doing, puts herself in high pressure situations. Body Painter Sarah Renee Sanders is the Ace of Spades, as the Ace of Spades is, in most cases, the most ornate & decorative card in the deck. Autumn Hopkins, whose art is driven and inspired by her emotions & passion, is right at home as The Ace of Hearts. Finally, Kylee Kellett, the activist of the group, wants to wield her art as a weapon to generate positive change in her community and beyond, making her a natural as The Ace of Clubs.
Courtesy Photo-The 4 Aces of Visual Arts
The Ace of Diamonds - Mila Lynn: 2021 Accomplishments & Recognition:
Inktober Collection Mila in Studio Mila and Kobe Bryant
Created the Black is King Collection
Created Inktober 2021 Collection
Inktober 2020 book release online with Barnes & Noble.
ArtPrize Art Prize Monetary Recipient for Black Is King display at Grand Rapids City Hall
MLK Jr. Holiday Art Contest Winner with MSU Broad Art Lab
Ingham County Sunrise Grant Recipient
City of Lansing Mini Pocket Grant Recipient
Created Sunset Mural in St Petersburg, Florida
Created Teacup Girls Collection at Skin Studio 211
Blue Owl Coffee Commission, Display, & t-shirt of Meatball the Owl
Granger Waste Services Building Community Mural in partnership with Muralmatics
Front Page Cover of Lansing State Journal for Black is King Collection
Featured on WLNS CBS 6 for Black is King Collection & Inktober 2021 Collection
Featured on WILX NBC 10 for Inktober 2021
Featured on Fox 47 for Black is King Collection
Featured in Fresh Coast Perspective Arts Publication
Featured in Chronicle News
Featured in The State News
Featured on Michigan Re-Imagined
Featured on Rising Above Podcast
Inktober 2021 month long showing at Midtown Brewing
Organized & Hosted Ink21 Event at the old Eden Rock in Downtown Lansing
Artist in Residence at REACH
Featured in Fox 47 TV Commercial
Easter Sunday Artist at Sycamore Creek Church
Muse Grand Rapids Guest Artist
Invited to be a teaching artist for MSU’s Mellon Grant Picnic Table Paint with Kids from the community.
One Day Juneteenth Shirt Drop Initiative
Host for October Chef Taste Tests at Midtown Brewing
Co-Host for Compose & Color at One Love Global
Define Detroit Growth Brunch Panelist
Featured Artist at The BLOCK Detroit TYR 30 Day Challenge presented by Maker’s Mark Live Painting
Featured Artist REACH Not So Silent Night
Featured Artist on Power of Mid-Michigan Arts on WLAJ ABC 53
Featured Artist at the Grosse Pointe Boat Show
Featured Artist at Lansing 5:01 BlockAid
Featured Artist for opening of the Opportunity Arts Artitorium
Featured Artist Vintage Eastern Market in Detroit
Featured Artist at Art Basel 2021 in Miami
Featured Artist on ‘Merica 20 to Life
Featured Artist/Live Painter at the Artist Umbrella
Artist at Carnival of the Creatives II
Live Painter at Mikey23 Stop the Violence March
Live painter at Enjoy Detroit
Mayor’s Arts and Culture Commission Presenting Artist
Black Book Drive in partnership with The Fledge
New Daily Bagel Commission
Bella Viita 1 year Anniversary Commission
The Ace of Spades - Sarah Reneé Sanders: 2021 Accomplishments & Recognition:
Sarah Social Experiment Gap Sarah Paint of City Seal Sarah in Studio
Created the Windows to Eden Collection Created the Embodiment Project Body Paint Collection Created the Horrors of Love Collection Created the Embody Your Business Initiative where she was featured with Downtown Lansing Inc.’s Cathleen Edgerly during Lansing 5:01 Block Aid 517 Day Body Paint of the Lansing Seal Top 5 Finalist in the Artist Category for City Pulse & Fox 47 Top of the Town Favorite Artist Featured in the Lansing State Journal as the cover artists for the Social Gap Experiment & as featured artist at Lansing Alive! Featured in the LCC Lookout as an Alumni Spotlight Featured in Fresh Perspective Arts Publication Featured in The Chronicle News Featured on Michigan Re-Imagined Featured on Rising Above Podcast Cover Artist of Social Gap Exp. Anthology Book Featured in the book Line Light Color - The Art and Photography of David Annis Featured Body Painter in Midwest Models #33 October Edition Featured on Power of Mid-Michigan Art on WLAJ ABC 53 Windows to Eden Partnership with Apple Blossum Kombucha Mayor’s Arts and Culture Commission Presenting Artist Capital City Premiere of Horrors of Love - First “R-Rated” Art Show in Lansing Featured Artist for Artist’s Umbrella’s Under the Umbrella streaming series Featured Body Painter at the Creative Collective in Mason featuring Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. Featured Artist at Art Feast Featured Artist at Lansing Alive! Featured Artist for Monday Night Masterpiece Series Featured Artist at Festival of Oddities in Charlotte Featured Artwork at Party for the Pitties Featured Artwork at Ink20 Event Featured Artist for opening of the Opportunity Arts Artitorium Featured Artist in Opportunity Art’s “12 Days of Holidays” Art Event Series Featured Artist/Live Painter at the Artist’s Umbrella Featured Artist at the Michigan Institute of Contemporary Art - MICA Gallery The Ace of Hearts - Autumn Hopkins: 2021 Accomplishments & Recognition:
Autumn MSU Graduation October Autumn Autumn in Studio
Founded Aura Lee Gallery as a registered For-Profit LLC with the State of Michigan Created the Disfigured Memories Collection Graduated with a Studio Art Degree from Michigan State University Ralf Henricksen Award Winner for Graduating Studio Art Major whose focus is on painting & whose work is deemed by the faculty to be the most successful among their peers in their final year of study. Top 2 Finalist for City Pulse & Fox 47 Top of the Town Favorite Artist Hired as Substitute Art Teacher for the Lansing School District. Commissioned Painting for the Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce Commissioned as Featured Arts Instructor for Preuss Pets Paint Night Featured Artist Interview on WLNS CBS 6 for opening of the Artitorium Featured on WLNS CBS 6 for Disfigured Memories Collection Featured on WILX NBC 10 for Disfigured Memories Collection Artwork Featured on Power of Mid-Michigan Arts on WLAJ ABC 53 Featured in Fresh Perspective Arts Publication Featured in The Chronicle News Featured on Michigan Re-Imagined Featured on Rising Above Podcast The Michigan State University Premiere of Disfigured Memories at the Kresge Art Center The Capital City Premiere of Disfigured Memories Mayor’s Arts and Culture Commission Presenting Artist Artist at the Carnival of the Creatives II Featured Artist for opening of the Artitorium Featured Artist at Art Feast Featured Artist at Michigan Chicken Wing Festival Featured Artist at Afterglow Market Featured Artist for Monday Night Masterpiece Series Featured Artist at Ink20 Event in Downtown Lansing Featured Artist/Live Painter at the Artist Umbrella Featured Artist in Opportunity Art’s “12 Days of Holidays” Art Event Series Featured Artist at the Michigan Institute of Contemporary Art - MICA Gallery The Ace of Clubs - Kylee Kellett: 2021 Accomplishments & Recognition:
Kylee and the Moon Moth Kylee at the party for the Pitties Kylee at the Studio
Founded Shooting Star Arts as a registered For-Profit LLC with the State of Michigan Organized & Hosted the Party for the Pitties Art Show & Fundraiser for New Hope Pet Rescue Created the Party for the Pitties Community Collage Featured on WLNS CBS 6 for Party for the Pitties Art Event Featured on WILX NBC 10 for Party for the Pitties Art Event Featured in Fresh Perspective Arts Publication Featured in The Chronicle News Featured Artist at Michigan Chicken Wing Festival Featured Artist for opening of the Opportunity Arts Artitorium Featured Artist for Monday Night Masterpiece Series Sponsored Artist at the Artist Umbrella Featured Artist at the Michigan Institute of Contemporary Art - MICA Gallery Featured Artist/Shirt Designer for the The Opportunity Arts “12 Days of Holidays” Returned to her artistic career endeavors after breaking her right arm three months earlier than doctors expected her too, as she was determined to paint a piece for her Party for the Pitties event. Aces Quotes: The 4 Aces reflect on 2021 & look ahead to 2022.
Courtesy Photo-4 Aces Networking at Grand River Connection at Ellison Brewing REO Town
“Dreams are goals people haven’t yet made actionable steps towards. We pour ourselves into our careers and that’s why we have something to celebrate. Hard work and consistency eventually bares fruit.” ~ Mila Lynn
“Any artist who’s starving, is starving by choice. You just have to think outside of the box and be motivated enough to maneuver through the obstacles. We put in the work each & every day, and because we do, we get to feast.” ~ Sarah Renee Sanders
“If our art can make a difference in someone’s life, or inspire them to pursue their dreams & aspirations, then we created something that made an impact.” ~ Autumn Hopkins
“We accomplished a lot this year, but we’re just getting started. We have to outdo ourselves next year. Wait till you see what we do in 2022.” ~ Kylee Kellett
Find Out More About The 4 Aces of Visual Arts:
For more information on The 4 Aces of Visual Arts, visit:
www.opportunityarts.org/the-aces
For more information about the Ace of Diamonds, Mila Lynn, and her business, Mind of Mila, visit: www.mindofmila.com For more information about the Ace of Spades, Sarah Renee Sanders, and her business, Contrasted Content, visit: www.contrastedcontent.com For more information about the Ace of Hearts, Autumn Hopkins, and her business, Aura Lee Gallery, visit: www.auraleegallery.com For more information about the Ace of Clubs, Kylee Kellett, and her business, Shooting Star Arts, visit www.shootingstarart.com
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