Rapid River Man Joins MI Arts Council

A Rapid River man has been appointed to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Ritch Branstrom owns and operates the Rapid River-based adhocWORKshop, where he specializes in artwork created with local and natural resources.

Branstrom took 5th place in the 2011 ArtPrize.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in product design and a master’s degree in design and community college education, both from Northern Michigan University.

Branstrom joins Frederick Davies of Jackson and Maud Lyon of Grosse Pointe Park in being appointed to the council today by Governor Rick Snyder.

Pamella DeVos of Ada and William Rush of Ann Arbor have also been re-appointed to the group today.

The 15-member council, a part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, facilitates an environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity to support Michigan’s quality of life and economic vitality.

Branstrom and the other appointees will serve three-year terms that expire September 1st, 2015.