Bicycle Moment Captured in 'Boys at Millpond'

Artist Peggy N. Brewer had just set up her easel at Brighton's Millpond when Bo Reppen and his friends bicycled up to her and asked if she would like to draw them.

More than two years later, Boys at Millpond now hangs at the Cross Pointe Health Center as part of This Time, This Place, These People, Brewer's one-person exhibit of art on two floors, all with local roots and stories.

That day she used her cellphone to take several reference photos after informally posing the boys for five minutes. They quickly exchanged phone numbers before the boys rode away.

The number still worked when she called to say the pastel painting was finished. But now the boys are young men, and Bo plays in a band called Bus 21 as drummer and booking agent.  Recently, Bus 21 won Brighton High School's Battle of the Bands and furthermore Bo won best drummer. A busy schedule of study and performances has swept away the carefree boyhood bicycle trips to the Millpond.

"This epitomizes what I'm doing at the Millpond," says the Hamburg Township artist, "capturing those moments and gestures that are so brief but so timeless, too. I love the beauty and activity of the place."

The exhibit remains through Jan. 5 and can be seen daily during building hours. Cross Pointe cooperates with the to bring rotating exhibits to the community. Cross Pointe is at 2300 Genoa Business Park Drive in Genoa Township.

Editor's note: This article was submitted by Peggy N. Brewer.