Check out the latest news, events, and updates from the Village Arts Factory!
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Winter 2025 Newsletter
A Year of Growth & Success
Looking back on the work of the Village Arts Factory in 2024, two words come to mind: growth and success. The past year was enormously fruitful for us as we deepened our collaborative relationship with Canton Township, expanded community programming, mediated new relationships in the local business community, and relaunched our grant funding program. This work has not gone unrecognized: in 2024 the Partnership for the Arts & Humanities was awarded grant funding from the Eagles for Children initiative and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Likewise, thanks to your generous contributions and increased revenue growth, the Partnership was able to award $50,000 in grant funding back to local community arts organizations for 2025.
The Partnership also saw substantial organizational growth, including the hiring of additional community programming staff and a District Manager for Cherry Hill Village. Additionally, our Board of Directors welcomed 5 new directors and our Partnership Membership has grown to 98 members strong. Perhaps most telling has been the enthusiastic participation from the community at our events, workshops, classes, and festivals. According to cell phone data, 62,089 people visited the Village Arts Factory campus in 2024; a substantial increase from 48,122 in 2023. (And that doesn't include children or those without phones!) We are honored and humbled that many people in our community and beyond have come to think of the Village Arts Factory as their home for the arts and humanities.
As we continue to move into 2025, we're excited for the year ahead and the many opportunities that await to provide you and your families with meaningful encounters with the arts. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in the weeks and months ahead!
--Partnership for the Arts & Humanities
Creating Artwork "Piece by Piece"
Michigan-based artist Ghada Ayoub showcases her brilliant stained-glass mosaics at the Village Arts Factory.
Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, Ayoub’s artistic journey is rooted in a lifelong passion for creativity. While studying architectural drafting and construction management in Lebanon, Ayoub explored her love for art through scholastic competitions, where she received a first-place prize. After taking a stained-glass painting course, the artist fell in love with the texture and patterns of glass, which she now skillfully integrates into her mixed-media pieces. For Ayoub, art offers a vital escape from daily stress and serves as a channel to reflect on life’s unexpected wonders.
Ayoub’s recent decision to share her work with the broader community has been met with positive reception in local exhibitions, earning critical praise for her unique approach. Inspired by real-life experiences and the beauty of the natural world, Ayoub draws creative energy from exploring galleries and engaging with the work of other artists. Piece by Piece will remain on public display at the VillageArts Factory through the end of February 2025. For more information about the artist, please contact us or visit our website.
Canton Off-Season Farmers Market
The Village Arts Factory is excited to host the winter Farmers Market with dates in February, March, and April.
The Canton FarmersMarket will return to the Village Arts Factory with special Off-Season Markets in February, March, and April this year. Come and enjoy a wide variety of local craft, produce, and artisan vendors, as well as offerings from Village Arts Factory studio tenants. Live music, coffee, kids activities, and food trucks will add to the festivities! The Markets, which are sponsored by Renewal by Andersen, will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, March 16, and April 13, 2025. For more information and vendor highlights, please click here!
February A.C.E. Workshop
Sign your kids up for this adaptive Valentine's Cookie Decorating workshop for youth with special needs!
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and our Adaptive Creative Expression Program (A.C.E.) is celebrating with a series of adaptive cookie decorating workshops for kids and teens! This fun experience is designated for youth with special physical, developmental, or sensory-processing needs. The cost is just $15 per child and all materials are included. Join us for a creative afternoon in a supportive, sensory-friendly environment! Click here to sign up online. For more information about the A.C.E. Program, contact us!
Cherry Hill Village Business Directory
The Village Arts Factory has launched an online resource to explore local artists, organizations, and businesses.
The Village Arts Factory is proud to announce the launch of an online Business Directory for Cherry Hill Village! Encompassing all the local businesses, organizations, and houses of worship, our hope is that the directory will serve as a useful resource for both Canton residents and visitors to the area. To view the directory, please click here! Be sure to bookmark the directory and check back often to browse all the wonderful new businesses opening in the area.
Bringing Student Art to the Community
A new partnership with Plymouth-Canton Community Schools includes monthly student art exhibits.
The Village Arts Factory is excited to announce a new art exhibition collaboration with Plymouth-Canton Community Schools! Thanks to generous grant funding from the Partnership for the Arts & Humanities, the Village Arts Factory will exhibit student art shows in our gallery space each month from January through May of 2025.
During the month of February, we invite you to come and explore the work of the Advanced Painting students from the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, under the instruction of Lindsey Pignatiello. This dynamic exhibit features the extraordinary talents of our local sophomore, junior, and senior art students. We hope you'll stop by!
Cherry Hill Business District Update
A Year of Growth & Excitement - Looking Ahead to 2025
In 2024, the Cherry Hill Business District experienced exciting developments, new initiatives, and increased community engagement. From fresh faces in the business community to ongoing Canton Township infrastructure projects, it’s clear that Cherry Hill Village is poised for success in 2025! Here’s a look back at some key moments from 2024—and a sneak peek at what’s to come.
Collaborative Decorating Initiatives: We kicked off our collaborative decorating packages in the fall, with local businesses adorning their storefronts with seasonal décor like hay bales, pumpkins, and autumnal window scenes. The holiday season saw even greater participation, as businesses brought Christmas cheer to the Village with wreaths, garland, and festive window paint. As the season changes, spring will bring new window art and colorful florals to the Village.
Networking & Community Engagement: Two successful Cherry Hill Village Business Meet & Greets brought business owners and HOA representatives together to network and build connections. We’ll continue these gatherings in 2025, hosted by different local businesses and studio artists.
Giving Back: Our first Donation Drive benefiting the HOPE Clinic of Ypsilanti was an enormous success, thanks to the generosity of our community and a partnership with Cherry Hill United Methodist Church. They were able to donate over 2 pickup truck beds full of non-perishable food items for local families in need!
Township Projects: Developments at the Factory, Town Square, and Preservation Park are progressing, with the new Market Pavilion at Preservation Park expected to open in Summer 2025. These projects will further revitalize the district and bring more visitors to the area.
Looking ahead to 2025, this year promises even more growth and exciting developments, such as:
New Businesses: The opening of Greenland Market & Saj Bakery, which also includes a Pharmacy, Blum Florist, Shibam Coffee, Janas Fresh Eats, Ali Bon Sweets, Mediterranean Pizza, and Cinnabon. (Yum!)
Social Media Launch: We've launched the Cherry Hill Business Directory and will be creating social media pages dedicated to the Cherry Hill District, increasing visibility for local businesses across Canton and beyond.
Business Involvement & Collaboration: This year we hope to host more events that include the local business community, such as organizing District Strolls where the community can explore local businesses and storefronts with special offers and promotions. We'll also continue to partner businesses with Village Arts Factory and Canton Township community events to boost engagement.
Discover Us in the Discover
Be sure to explore Village Arts Factory programs and events in Canton's Discover brochure this month.
If you live in Canton, the Leisure Services Discover brochure will soon be hitting mailboxes. Be sure to flip to pages 58-59 to check out all of the exciting programs, events, gallery exhibits, and art workshops we'll be hosting in the months ahead! You can click here to view a digital version of the magazine when it's available.
Wildlife Encounter in the Village
Nelson "The Animal Guy" returns to the Village Arts Factory in March with this popular experience for kids!
Join us at the Village Arts Factory on Thursday, March 20 for the return of Wildlife Encounter in the Village! Your kids will love spending an hour with Nelson "The Animal Guy" and his Wildlife Safari animals! Recommended for children of all ages (or the young at heart!), this $5 event will allow the kids to get up close and personal with a large variety of exotic animals from around the world while learning about conservation efforts and human-animal safety. Light snacks, water, and juice will be provided. Register your kids and plan to join us for this special event in Cherry Hill Village!
Granted Funding Awarded for Art Start
The Partnership for the Arts & Humanities was honored to receive $25,000 in grant funding from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan recently announced the latest round of grantmaking from its Inclusive Arts Fund, awarding nearly $500,000 to 21 arts organizations across the region. Established in 2022 with a founding investment from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, the Inclusive Arts Fund supports small to midsize arts organizations offering innovative and accessible programming to residents of southeast Michigan. The Village Arts Factory is proud to share that we have received $25,000 in funding for a new Art Start youth summer program focused on education and vocation to engage youth in arts sampling activities. We are grateful to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan for the opportunity to expand our program offerings, expanding access and career opportunities in the arts to young people and the underserved. Please see the official press release for complete information on the Inclusive Arts Fund and all the 2025 grant recipients.
Adult Fitness Pop-Ups Return
Beat the cold-weather blues with these fun and invigorating fitness classes at the Village Arts Factory.
Cardio Drumming is a high-energy workout incorporating music, drumming, and full-body movement. Join us on February 13 as we move and groove to the beat with rockstar instructor, Lu Cannon. An afterglow with refreshments will follow. Click here to sign up today!
Yoga is a wonderful opportunity to relax your mind, create positive focus, and gently stretch the body. Both practiced yogis and first-time beginners will enjoy this guided flow surrounded by candlelight. Secure your spot today and plan to join us on March 11 with instructor Karen Pryor!
Putting the Parts Together
Highly-regarded local artist Daniel Zuber will lead an Assemblage Art Workshop at D &M Art Studio.
Join D&M Art Studio for an Assemblage Art Workshop with artist Daniel Zuber on Sunday, February 16 here at the Village Arts Factory! Assemblage Art is about making something new from forgotten game pieces, upcycling, reimagining, experimenting with found objects, challenging yourself to fit, screw, nail, wire, or glue trash together in a unique way that makes the world a more interesting place. For just $30 you'll work with Daniel to assemble your parts and design a creative piece that's all your own. Click here to learn more or to sign up!
Tenant Spotlight: Wild Wolf Coffee
Arts Warehouse tenant Chad Schwartzenberger brings small-batch, specialty roasted coffee to Canton.
Now open in Studio 3B at the Arts Warehouse, Wild Wolf Coffee proudly stands as a haven for those seeking exceptional coffee. Since 2022, they have been diligently roasting their beans with the utmost care, creating small batches of coffee that exemplify their passion for crafting a perfect cup.
As true connoisseurs, Wild Wolf Coffee sources only the finest, ethically sourced beans, ensuring that each sip is an adventure into the world’s diverse coffee flavors. Ground or whole bean coffee can be purchased online, or at the Village Grocery in Cherry Hill Village. Enjoy a delicious cup each morning while supporting a local business!
As a member, you're not just a donor or volunteer; you're an integral part of the Village Arts Factory. Whether it's workshops, behind-the-scenes experiences, or special events, members enjoy a unique connection with the organization. Join us in shaping the future of the arts, fostering a sense of belonging, and making lasting memories. Your membership transcends traditional support – it's an invitation to actively contribute to the artistic tapestry that defines our community. Embrace the arts and be a part of something extraordinary! Click here to become a member today.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Village Arts Factory is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all board members, staff, volunteers, tenants, patrons, and guests feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, or any other potential bias.
We are committed to being nondiscriminatory and providing equal opportunities for employment, volunteering, and advancement in all areas of our work.
We respect the value that diverse life experiences bring to our board, leadership, and staff, and we strive to listen to their views and give them value.
We are committed to modeling diversity, inclusion, and equity, and maintaining fair and equal treatment in all of the work we do.
Looking back on the work of the Village Arts Factory in 2024, two words come to mind: growth and success. The past year was enormously fruitful for us as we deepened our collaborative relationship with Canton Township, expanded community programming, mediated new relationships in the local business community, and relaunched our grant funding program. This work has not gone unrecognized: in 2024 the Partnership for the Arts & Humanities was awarded grant funding from the Eagles for Children initiative and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Likewise, thanks to your generous contributions and increased revenue growth, the Partnership was able to award $50,000 in grant funding back to local community arts organizations for 2025.
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