new site, grand opening and more

Whew! Lot of things happening at the Center. We're having our Grand Opening tomorrow, May 8 at 9am. Join us for a ribbon cutting, artist demos, a community mural and more.

We have a new website, MilanArtCenter.org. This blog has moved over to the new site - this will be the last post here. Please check out our new website. You can see class offerings, register online, read our blog and find out about special events.

We're very excited about what's starting to happen. Come get involved!

Work day at the center

Today Kim and I purchased the lumber and hardware to hang a false wall covering the mirrors at the art center. We had a great crew of volunteers come and help hang the studs. Rick DeTroyer was amazing - his expertiese kept us all on track and made the project go very efficiently. He was ably assisted by Mark Zimmerman along with our regular volunteer teens - John Spiher and Anna and Sam Sobel. We had help around the edges from my husband Bill as well. I'm sorry for the poor quality of the pictures - taken with my cell phone.

I didn't photograph them but at the same time that all this was going on Angela Lenhardt and her daughter and Arienne Zimmerman were hard at work at the nasty job of scrubbing down the bathrooms - kudos to them for tackling a yucky job and making everything spic and span!

We had other folks show up ready to work and didn't have tasks for them today but there will be lots more to do in the future so thanks all!




Next step will be covering the stud wall with homasote. We're waiting to hear back on the results of a grant request for materials on Monday. Meanwhile our sign is being fabricated and we hope to paint the facade of the building this week so lots going on.

Milan Art Center IS Making Art Happen: Fundraisers, Events and Summer Camp Schedules

The Milan Art Center has big plans to help bring more art to the Milan community. Located at 23 Wabash, the center is undergoing a face-lift of sorts to accommodate workshops, art shows, and fundraisers. The newly formed Milan Art Center is a non-profit organization managed by volunteers.

The center opened their doors to the public for the first time in March when they hosted a flea market and silent auction fundraiser. The flea market was such a success that a second flea market is scheduled for April 10 (9 am – 4 pm) and April 11 (11 am – 4 pm). The art center will be accepting donations for the flea market on Friday, April 9 from 11 am – 7pm.

A Grand Opening of the Milan Art Center is planned for May 8, during Milan Days. The center will host art demonstrations throughout the day, conduct a membership drive and register students for their summer camp programs.

Although the official grand opening won’t take place until May, the art center has already opened their doors to the general public. Wednesday nights are Open Art Studio nights. Artists are encouraged to work on projects with other artists, get feedback, and enjoy the communal atmostphere. Open Art Studio nights take place every Wednesday from 7 pm – 10 pm.

The Milan Art Center will offer a variety of summer camp programming for kids ages 3 – 13 throughout the months of June, July and August. The 2 and 3 day camps are offered on a weekly basis and will showcase a diverse offering including: painting, clay, textiles, drawing, paper mache, paper making, Gyotaku, pop art, book making, sculptures, and much, much more. A complete list of classes, dates, and costs will be available by mid April.

logos and workshops and fundraisers oh my!

We are incredibly excited to unveil our new logo. Thanks to John Snyder, Milan alum, we have a snazzy logo in two versions. Watch to see it go up on our space soon!


We also have two upcoming events - one of which will be a regular, recurring thing. We are happy to announce the start of Milan Art Center's OPEN ART NIGHTS starting this week on Wednesday from 7-10pm. This is a chance for adults to come out and play. Bring your art project (non-solvent-y please), whatever materials you need to work and your favorite snack and come spend a full-filled evening working on your project in the company of other art-minded individuals.

Also, our next flea market fundraiser will be Saturday April 10 and Sunday April 11. Drop off will be on Friday April 9. Want to get involved? Send an email to lasATlesliesobel.com or stonemountainATjuno.com (replace AT w/@ ). More details and times to come.

First fundraiser results

Well we made over $1000 with our first fundraiser once the last couple of winning silent auction pieces are picked up - not a bad start at all! Thanks to all who donated items to sell and those who came in to support us.

Special thanks go to donors Shary Brown, Lynne Friman, Lynda Cole for amazingly generous donations. And to volunteers extraordinaire Debbie Gagnon, Nancy Goings, Arienne Zimmerman, Marne Evans, Aimee Kay, Pat Auten, Kim Rhoney, Jill Tewsley and Sandi Difaziofor putting in a lot of hours to make this event go. (if I left your name of the list I'm sorry - am tired!).

We had lots of people come in and ask questions, take information, buy items and in a couple of notable case look to get involved in teaching, volunteering and helping us in other ways.

We will have another flea market in a few weeks - watch this space for announcements. edited to add a couple more volunteer names left off by fatigued author.

Auction and flea market tomorrow & Sunday

This is the view of wall pieces for our silent auction. It includes works by Lynda Cole, Jill Love, Mark Klein and Leslie Sobel.

We have an amazing array of jewelry including a very generous donation from Shary Brown and original art jewelry by a number of local artists.

Motawi tile

Beautiful selection of glass from the artists at Baron Glassworks.

This is a small sample of the artwork donated. We've also got kids' clothing, leather jackets, furniture, a bread machine, lots of household items, books, and other great stuff. Come see tomorrow and help us fund the new Milan Art Center.

flea market/silent auction hours
Saturday 9-4pm
Sunday 11-4pm
Silent auction will close at 2pm Sunday - pick up after that.
23 Wabash, Milan MI 48160

Questions? Call Debbie Gagnon at 313 -410-0039

Getting ready for flea market

We're getting ready for this weekend's event. Jill and Arienne are painting signs we'll put out around town.

Here is a sample of what we'll be selling:

handmade glass paperweights

Jill buys old chairs and redoes them with paint and funky fabric - she donated this one.

handmade child's hat

(we have quite a few beautiful handwoven scarves too by a different artist - Nancy Goings)

Marne Evans does beautiful beaded jewelry - she donated the pieces above. I'm picking up more jewelry from Liz Soll later today - pix to follow

Floral print from original watercolors by Mark Klein

This is just a sample. We'll be taking in more work tomorrow fom 10-2 and 4-7. The flea market is Saturday from 9-4 and Sunday from 11-4 - come and find some treasures and help us raise funds for the new Milan Art Center.