Mitchel Dipzinski

To paraphrase Mary Rueffle in her book Madness, Rack and Honey, art is a violent act. It is meant to disrupt, to shake, to reshape. And, yes, that violence can be beautiful–the act of stopping and looking at a high-resolution photo of a bee on a flower is, in fact, that piece of art disrupting your day. It is shaking you out of your routine and requiring you to reshape your thoughts about bees, flowers and photography.

Now, I understand that using the word “violent” to describe art may not sit well with everyone. We can change “violent” out with any word. Art is a(n) breathtaking, amazing, stunning, astonishing, remarkable act. The point is, art is an action. Art is doing something to change the world, and it is constant. My poetry professor said, “all poems written today are in conversation with all poems that came before.” Poems–actually, all mediums of art–come from a lineage of other works of art. The words I use now are shaped by the poems taught in Mrs. Gerhke’s 10th grade English class. The artwork I create is framed through the lens of Mark’s community-based temporary sculptures. My creative process is inspired by a laundry list of amazing creatives that guided and mentored me, and it is constantly evolving as I continue to meet new individuals.

All this is very existential and abstract, and I am very lucky to have people in life who help ground me. But, I think it’s beautiful to think about the impact art and those who create the art, have had on me. It’s exciting to think about how I fit into this lineage. What can I add to the world to inspire someone else?

This question drives me, and it is the reason I do what I do today. After returning to Alpena in 2020 and leaving the cultural bubble of Ann Arbor, I was hungry for art. I found Art in the Loft as I navigated the founding of my own non-profit, the Poetics Lab. Justin, Rick and Kendra gave me a place to experiment with different mediums of art, and I juried into the Summer/Winter View cycle under literature and poetry. My pieces varied in physical size but also visual styles. From erasure poetry, to essay writing, to multi-medium photo & poem pieces, I was constantly creating. I was surrounded by artists and other creatives who encouraged my madness, and I was able to talk directly with the individuals who were impacted by my art. Art in the Loft became a safe and comfortable place for me practice creativity.

Now, in 2026, I have completely engulfed myself in a community of art and creative expression. the Poetics Lab is thriving after 5 years in practice, and I am the Director of Outreach at Art in the Loft. I tend to agree with Mary Rueffle–art continues to disrupt, to shake and to reshape my life. It challenges me. It drives me. And, I am excited to be bringing this energy to our community.