Bay College's Hartwig Gallery is proud to present "from sweet waters," an evocative new exhibition by artist Will Sharp. The exhibition will open to the public on April 10, with a special artist reception and talk scheduled for 2 PM that afternoon. This intimate gathering offers a chance to hear directly from Sharp about the inspiration and process behind his stunning collection of photographs and his journey to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
"from sweet waters" is a body of work created over the past three years, capturing the artist's deepening connection to the land and natural environment of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. The exhibition explores themes of nature, reverence, and the ever-present dance between tenderness and harshness in the world. Through his lens, Sharp presents images imbued with the sweetness of the region's inland waters and the sugar maples that spring to life after long, dark winters.
The photographs in this series were made using a simple 35mm camera and printed using the platinum printing process, giving each image a rich, timeless quality. The prints are framed in handmade maple frames crafted by the artist himself, further emphasizing his deep engagement with the materials of the land he now calls home. In addition to the photographs, a handmade book—also bound by Sharp—will accompany the exhibition, providing an added layer of intimacy and reflection.
Sharp's artistic practice intertwines with his commitment to social work, focusing on complex trauma, grief, masculinity, chronic pain, and eco-therapies. He brings to his work not only an artist's eye but a tender respect for the land and the people that shape it. As a self-identified place tender, Sharp's creative process is one of mutualistic collaboration, where his relationship with the natural world reflects a reciprocal understanding of respect and admiration.
Will Sharp (he/him/his) is an artist, bookmaker, place tender, and social worker living on Anishinaabe Ancestral Homelands. Born and raised in Ohio, his reverence for the natural world was instilled early. He studied rural sociology at Ohio State University before working as a fellow, archiving the impact of coal mining on Southeastern Ohio's land and communities. Sharp now resides in the Upper Great Lakes region, where he is completing his Master of Social Work at Northern Michigan University. His practice is deeply informed by his studies and personal experiences, with a focus on healing through connection to nature.
This exhibition invites viewers to engage with the land and waters through Sharp's eyes and heart. His work, made with intention and care, offers a meditation on the sweetness and sacredness of the world around us—a world in which we are all interconnected. We hope you will join us for this special opportunity to connect with Will Sharp's powerful work and learn more about the artist's personal journey and creative process. Exhibition Dates: April 10 – August 2025. Opening Reception & Artist Talk: Thursday, April 10 at 2 PM. This event is free and open to the public.