Check out the latest news, events, and updates from the Village Arts Factory!
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Summer 2024 Newsletter
Hello, Michigan Summer!
It's another glorious summer day in Michigan and we can't help but reflect on all the incredible creativity and activity that's been taking place around the Village Arts Factory this season. Whether your kids are attending summer camps with one of our studio tenants or you're spending your Wednesday nights with neighbors at Concerts & Cars, the Village Arts Factory has been abuzz with community programming all summer long. In particular, we've been enjoying the positive feedback from our first artist-designed Mini Golf Course, designed and created by our studio artists, as well as the wonderful participation at Yoga in the Village just down the street at the Cherry Hill Schoolhouse. Thank you to everyone who has joined us for these fun events!
As we round the corner into August, we'd like to highlight some of the upcoming events and programs that you and your family will enjoy in the weeks to come, such as our outdoor Family Cultural Movie Night, the second annual Family Science & Art Night, and the return of the Agent Orange Awareness 5K. Our A.C.E. program will also be hosting the first-of-its-kind Adaptive Back-to-School Bash in just a few weeks! Continue reading the newsletter below to learn more about each of these programs and to recap the exciting artistic endeavors we've been up to the last few months.
Thanks for your ongoing support as we continue to grow and expand our offerings for the entire community to enjoy!
--Partnership for the Arts & Humanities
Pop Art for a New Generation
Local artist Chris Dragan exhibits his whimsical pop art in the Fine Art Gallery this July & August.
The Village Arts Factory hosted the opening reception of The Work of Art: Creations Through Multiple Viewpoints on July 5, featuring the vibrant modern works of local artist Chris Dragan. The pieces on display showcase Dragan's wide variety of styles, including pop-art, intuitive abstract, bricolage, and pixel art.
Dragan has displayed at a variety of local venues including the 2023 Plymouth Art In The Park and other metro Detroit galleries and businesses. This is the artist's first solo exhibit at the Village Arts Factory and was recently featured as part of the second Cherry Hill Village Art Walk on July 20. Visitors to the exhibit will delight in the unique, whimsical works on display, often imbued with elements of humor and pop-culture references from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.
Artist-Designed Mini Golf Course
Canton's most unique 9-hole mini golf course is now open inside the Village Arts Factory.
Thanks to special grant funding from the Eagles for Children foundation via Oakland Hills Country Club, the Village Arts Factory was able to partner with our studio artists to create a one-of-a-kind indoor mini golf course, adapted for children of all abilities. Each artist-designed hole features a unique theme and method of play, and the course is peppered with fun arts and craft activities for the whole family to enjoy. The course is free to play and open to the community on Wednesday evenings. Check out this great feature story for more info!
Glass Fusion Workshops
Instructor Laurie Freeman brings her passion for glass art to the Village Arts Factory at monthly workshops.
In the arts and crafts world, glass fusion is certainly having an "it" moment. Our guest instructor Laurie Freeman of Kiss My Glass has been offering monthly fusion workshops at the Village Arts Factory, teaching participants how easy and fun it can be to create something beautiful with pieces of colored glass.
Previous workshops have included night lights, sun catchers, wind chimes, and glass flowers. The next classes are scheduled for August 8 and September 17, with many more on the horizon! Whether brand new to glass fusion or seasoned crafters, attendees have raved about these workshops. Register with a friend!
Agent Orange Awareness 5K
Join us for a beautiful run or walk in Cherry Hill Village while supporting a great cause.
The third annual Agent Orange Awareness 5K returns to Cherry Hill Village on Saturday, August 24, presented by Jacob Matthew Jewelers. Help us raise awareness of the lingering effects of Agent Orange on veterans and their families while also supporting the work of the VA Ann Arbor Fisher House. Register by August 1st to take advantage of the early-bird pricing of just $35 per runner. Official race t-shirts and tank tops can also be purchased by that date. A virtual race option is available.
Interested in supporting the race without running? Join us on race day as a volunteer! We're looking for supporters to help us cheer on the runners, direct them along the race course, hand out finisher medals, pass out snacks and water, assist with setup and cleanup, and more. This is a great opportunity to show your support for the cause while helping to make this popular annual event a success. Interested volunteers can email us or give us a call at (734) 765-0650 to sign up.
Scramble for the Arts: Golf Outing
Support the arts and humanities in your community while enjoying a fun day of golf.
The Partnership for the Arts & Humanities is excited to announce the return of the annual Scramble for the Arts: Golf Outing, presented by Mans Lumber & Home! Join us on Friday, September 6 for a fun day of golf at beautiful Pheasant Run Golf Club in Canton while supporting the arts and humanities in your community. The cost is just $150 per golfer and includes continental breakfast items, lunch, snacks, and a delicious catered dinner on the green.
Golfers will also enjoy a variety of fun games on the course and a chance to win exciting prizes! A silent auction will take place during dinner with an opportunity to bid on some great items. Proceeds from the golf outing will directly support the Partnership for the Arts and Village Arts Factory in providing all the innovative community arts programs and events you've come to know and love. Assemble your team of four and make it a fun day out with friends and colleagues!
Outdoor Yoga Is A Vibe
Yoga in the Village offers community members the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
Now in its second summer, Yoga in the Village is proudly hosted by the Village Arts Factory on Thursday evenings on the lawn of the Cherry Hill Schoolhouse. These free community yoga flows are sponsored by IHA Medical Group Nurse Midwives and Lifestyle Medicine and are open to yogis of all experience levels. Just bring a mat or beach towel and some comfortable clothing! No pre-registration is required. Our next Yoga in the Village dates are August 8, 15, 22, and 29. We hope to see you there!
Adaptive Back-to-School Bash
The Village Arts Factory is proud to host a resource fair with school supplies for the special needs community.
Our A.C.E. Program is teaming up with Canton Therapeutic Recreation to host the first annual Adaptive Back to School Bash at the Village Arts Factory! This resource fair and school bash for the special needs community will include a silent disco, face painting, snacks, and sensory-friendly live music performances. Adaptive school supplies will also be available for the students! Save the date and plan to join us for this fun event! No pre-registration is required and admission is free. Contact us with questions or for more information.
Outdoor Family Movie Night
Bring your family for a fun movie night out under the stars with authentic Mexican culture and cuisine.
We're excited to announce our first outdoor family movie night and cultural experience in Cherry Hill Village! Enjoy a free screening of Disney Pixar's animated film Coco (Rated PG) on the lawn of the Cherry Hill Schoolhouse while experiencing authentic Mexican food, dance, and crafts for the kids. The event kicks off at 5:30pm with Dos Locos Burritos Food Truck and pre-show cultural entertainment. The movie will start around 6:20pm. Just bring some lawn chairs, a picnic blanket, and your favorite movie snacks!
Concerts & Cars
Our popular classic car show with live music and food trucks returns next Wednesday night.
There's no better place to be on a Wednesday night in the summer than at the Village Arts Factory for Concerts & Cars! Join us between 6:30 and 8:30pm for a fun evening of classic cars, live music, food trucks, dancing, mini golf, and more. This week, we'll be featuring the sweet sounds of Motown with Denise and the Motor City Sensations, along with cars from the Water Wonderland Thunderbird Club. We have your dinner plans covered with food trucks and your family will love playing a round of putt-putt inside the Arts Warehouse. Just bring a lawn chair!
Family Science & Art Night
Help your kids ease back into learning with some fun science and art activities in Cherry Hill Village.
Save the date for our second annual Family Science & Art Night in Cherry Hill Village on Friday, August 16. We've joined forces with our studio artists and local community partners to provide a variety of hands-on art and science activities that will engage their minds and awaken their creativity. Live music and a variety of snacks will keep them energized as they move from station to station exploring how art and science work together to create beautiful forms of self expression. No pre-registration required!
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.
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