Nicolena Creates

06/05/2026

'Idlewild Summer Daze' Mural on the original Lee-Jon's Party Store, Idlewild, MI is finished! To each & every Idlewild community member who drove by, walked over, stopped to chat & watch me work, those who encouraged me, tried to distract me, offered to buy me a drink, honked, hooted, cheered from the car, brought snacks, brought bug spray, gave Gatorade, water or took photos...
YOU make me love to create. YOU help me keep going with an abundance of JOY in my ❤️

What's next? Definitely something new coming! 😉

05/23/2026

Thank you for loving my work & having parts of my heart & soul living in your home. Humbled & honored. 😊❤️

04/02/2026

Announcing another Summer Art Exhibition up north in Idlewild! 🌞 Read post for all details!

🌞We are so excited... it's that time again! 2026 OPEN call for art is now accepting submissions for this season's gallery exhibition .idlewildcoffee curated by Nicolena Stubbs of & . BEB Coffee Bar re-opens for the 2026 season on June 13th & YOUR art could be selected to be showcased & available for purchase on our cafe walls! 🎨Last year our 'BLOOMING BLACK EDEN' exhibited artists sold over 20 original works of art. This season will bring our artists even more success!

This year's exhibition is called, 'SACRED LAKES & PLACES'. Your work MUST depict this theme & show some connection to, or celebration of Idlewild. The theme is very broad on purpose to give the artists freedom to interpret it in their own very special way.

We accept artists at all levels, but they must live in, have spent time in, or have some sort of connection to historic Idlewild, MI.

Please email [email protected] for all submission details & rules subject line: SACRED LAKES & PLACES. Submission deadline 5/15☕️ Good luck!

🎨☕️We serve much more than coffee to our community. Join us as we serve up good vibes & highlight more art & culture in the new year.
We can’t wait to see what you create!

01/22/2026

Celebrating an incredibly successful show! Thank you to Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis & for selecting me as your partner to curate RECLAIMED ROOTS- An Heirs' Rights Art Exhibition. This is such an important theme to bring public awareness to while encouraging artistic impressions to creatively illustrate the theme.

I'd also like to sincerely thank all the participating artists for entrusting me with representing your work, and for your motivation and graciousness throughout this process.

Several artists original artworks were sold to the Indianapolis community, while others' work was purchased to be displayed as part of the permanent Voices Of Our District collection at the FHLBI's Indianapolis headquarters. Congratulations!

Participating Michigan Artists:

art






Pamela Tripp Simmons
Paul Collins