Ferndale Chamber Member, Artist Atom Kaiser will celebrate the opening of Atom Art with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 16, 2016 at 7 PM at 522 E. 9 Mile in Ferndale, MI with a very important and close to his he’art’ mission.
An estimated 58,500 Michigan residents sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) every year. That number does not take into account the estimated 100,000 Michigan Veterans who currently live with a TBI or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We are all vulnerable to potential brain injury from a simple fall, an automobile accident, assault or sports injury. Brain injury is often not talked about, and is too often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and largely underfunded. It can cause numerous symptoms not limited to headaches, sleeplessness, fatigue, memory and concentration issues, severe mood swings and depression that can last a lifetime.
As a TBI survivor himself, Artist Atom Kaiser, Provocateur and Proprietor of Atom Art<http://www.atom-art.com/> – a newly opened art gallery in Ferndale – is no stranger to brain trauma. Having been rear ended while stopped at a red light in 1995, Atom’s career plans of being a Neurologist came to an end. After some two and a half years of struggling with memory issues, concentration problems and morning grogginess, Atom felt inspired to paint. Painting became the catalyst to his healing. Landing his present day role as an abstract and digital artist, photographer, art gallery owner and judge for Ferndale’s “Artist in You,” Atom involved a 20-year journey of acquiring two art degrees, and traveling and exhibiting throughout the US, Barcelona, Spain and Mexico With his desire to give back to the community, it made perfect sense to partner with the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI<http://www.biami.org/>), a non- profit organization committed to being the primary conduit to resources for Michigan brain injury survivors, their families and the professionals who serve them. Being a survivor himself, Atom contributed an abstract work of art for BIAMI’s annual sold-out Spring Tribute Legacy Dinner celebrating survivors and brain injury advocates. In addition, 20% of all proceeds from Atom Art’s ribbon-cutting event on April 16, 2016 at 7 PM at 522 E. 9 Mile in Ferndale, MI will be donated to BIAMI for the duration of the exhibit. The Gallery and BIAMI are in future discussions regarding art workshops and classes. Atom, like so many others, was unaware of the support available through BIAMI for people suffering from these often daily life event traumas. It’s time to get the word out so that the number of survivors successfully coping with their injuries can soon far outweigh those who may still be suffering. Future exhibits will rotate in the creative space every couple of months to celebrate other gifted artists, sculptors and photographers. The Ferndale community and chamber have welcomed Atom Art with open arms and love the idea of local businesses partnering with charities. Once again, it appears that not only is art-inspired Ferndale a unique city but its business owners are stepping up and being advocates for the betterment of humankind. What more could inspire this artist!
There’s a new brunch option on the local food scene, and from chia pudding and purple jacks to potato hash and prosecco Autumn-osa, it’s entirely plant based. Beginning this weekend, Nov. 5 and 6, Ferndale’s GreenSpace Cafe will offer brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The restaurant will continue to serve lunch and dinner on Saturdays as well, as it does Tuesday through Friday. On Sundays, only brunch will be served.