Artrain, Inc.

01/30/2025

We are sorry to hear this news…

Her five-decade oeuvre is an intimate visual lexicon that bridges personal memories and joyful resilience.

08/01/2024

Deb Polich, president/CEO of Artrain announces her retirement from Artrain after 31 year at the same time her husband, Russ Collins announces his retirement from Marquee Arts.

Executive Director and CEO of Marquee Arts Russ Collins and President and CEO of Artrain and Creative Washtenaw Deb Polich are set to retire.

07/29/2024

The status for Deb Polich, president and CEO of Artrain and Creative Washtenaw, will change from employed to retired by the end of 2024. For the last 38 years, Polich has championed the arts + creative industries in her professional, volunteer and personal life.

“Having a career in this creative field has been the journey of a lifetime. I am more than fortunate to have worked with many talented, passionate and dedicated people who believe that above all else, creativity expresses humanity and connects us in community." Polich said.” Raising awareness that the creative sector intersects with every other sector as it benefits all aspects of our lives became and will remain a passion even as I step down from the day-to-day activities of managing two creative nonprofits. This is a cause that requires ongoing advocacy.”

Learn more about Deb's career, insights from the board, and next steps in the full press release: https://loom.ly/HVBpTL4

05/21/2024

02/02/2024

We are deeply saddened to share with you the news of Bert Althaver's passing. He left us peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, at the age of 92. Not only was Bert a board member of Artain for over forty years, he held many other titles in his life: son, Eagle Scout, college graduate, husband, son-in-law, father, accountant, CEO, Chairman, Village President, Rotarian, friend and mentor, are but a few. Bert was an unwavering supporter of Artrain and dedicated much of his life to the organization. He served it since its early days on the road in the 1970s and continued his commitment until just a few years ago.

Although Artrain no longer travels on the roads, it still empowers artists and creatives, and its programs enrich communities and fulfill dreams. Bert found solace in this knowledge, even as he faced physical challenges that confined him to his home. But he embraced each day with love, cherishing time spent with his family, receiving visits and calls from friends, and losing himself in the pages of his books. Through his books, he revisited the many places he and Holly explored and the locations where he accompanied Artrain on its journey.

Bert's loss is a great one, and we shall miss him dearly. He was a generous man with a kind heart, who placed family, community, and his passion for art and Artrain above all else. A memorial service is being planned for March, and you can read his obituary at the following link: https://www.kranzfuneralhome.com/obituaries/lambert-althaver.

Let us all honor Bert and remember him for the legacy he leaves behind.

11/21/2023

With great respect and appreciation for a life well-lived, thank you Mrs. Carter. You made a difference.

Here she is as the first lady of Georgia, with then Governor Carter in the background, welcoming Artrain, Inc. to her state. Mrs. Carter was a good friend of Mrs. Helen Milliken, Artrain's founding chair and wife of Michigan's Governor Milliken.

06/19/2023

Back in it's heyday, Artrain, Inc. had a very busy schedule...

06/19/2023

Remembering one of Artrain, Inc.'s many exhibits: "Native Views: Influences on Modern Culture..."

05/15/2023

Remembering the Native Views Exhibition!

05/08/2023

Thank you PortJervisNY.com for sharing this piece of history!

When the 1993 Orange County Delaware River Festival took place still had its own newspaper. Its coverage of the event included a special guide with a schedule not only for the festival but others later in the year. Among them were the first Fall Foliage Festival and a visit by a traveling exhibit from Artrain, Inc. The River Fest also opened a walking trail from West End to Tri-States and held an archery contest and fishing tournament.