Passarelli to open at OAB

This March, the Old Art Building (OAB) in Leland will kick off the season by opening its doors to the vibrant and multifaceted work of Charles “Chuck” Passarelli, an artist whose career has spanned the golden age of American advertising and decades of fine art mastery. The exhibit, “A Legacy of Artistic Exploration,” will showcase Passarelli’s range across watercolor, oil, pastel, acrylic, mixed media, and wood carving. Passarelli has been a “longtime supporter and artist in the Old Art Building community and in the greater Leelanau art community too,” explained OAB communications director, Ryan Hussey. After serving in the Korean War, Passarelli entered Detroit’s bustling commercial art world during the height of America’s advertising boom - think “Mad Men”. His illustrations for major national brands, including Ford, helped define the era, appearing in campaigns that reached millions. When digital design began to eclipse hand painted work, Passarelli made a deliberate choice to stick with his brushes. That decision marked the start of his transition from commercial illustrator to an independent fine artist. Though he has spent significant time teaching and exhibiting in Florida, Passarelli lives in Leelanau County for part of the year and remains an active presence at the Old Art Building. “He’s done a lot of master classes and watercolor at the Old Art Building,” said Hussey, adding that Passarelli will frequently participate in the OAB’s Tuesday open studio. “He has a following of other artists that come to hear about his expertise, his methods, that kind of stuff.” The exhibit will feature a wide range of work spanning his career, including pieces from his advertising days alongside later creative explorations in watercolor, acrylic, oil, and wood. A new watercolor painting of Fishtown will be raffled off during the show and other works will be available for purchase. Hussey described Passarelli as “a story teller at heart.” “He captures the story in a lot of different ways,” said Hussey. “He’s always pushed himself into new mediums. A lot of artists stay in one lane, but he’s continued to explore and grow, and you can feel that creativity through the different pieces he presents.” The March exhibit also coincides with Passarelli’s 96th birthday, offering ever more reason for the community to celebrate both the art and the artist. “I think it will show the talent that we have right here,” said Hussey of the exhibition. “We have a master artist that is talented in many different mediums that has invested a lot of time in the community and teaching others about his work and his process.” The show runs from March 2 through March 25, 2026, with a public opening reception at the Old Art Building on February 28 from 3-5 p.m. Passarelli will be at the show to visit with guests. Admission is free.