The Kids Art Crawl on Friday, May 11, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., will give children the opportunity to join in an Eye Spy Scavenger Hunt among the seven magnificent DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts) Inside|Out masterpiece reproductions in downtown Farmington.

Clue sheets can be picked up in front of the Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) office at 33316 Grand River Ave. The sheets will contain a picture clue from each reproduction. Children must match the clue to the painting and write the name of it on their clue sheets. They will then return the sheet to the DDA office to obtain a prize from the treasure vault.

This activity will give parents the opportunity to educate their children about the masterpieces on display through June 30. As a follow-up, Farmington residents can then visit the DIA on Sunday, June 17, the Farmington Area Community Free Admission Day, to see the actual original masterpieces. To receive four free general admission tickets all that is required is to provide a driver’s license or state ID. 

In addition to the Scavenger Hunt on the Kids Crawl on May 11, there will be:

• Free face painting, courtesy of Starbucks, 33199 Grand River, from 6-8pm

• Free chair massages at Bellis Therapeutic Spa, 33037 Grand River

• Fun salt dough art activity at Sunflour Bakehaus, 33250 Grand River, plus a Gill School 3^rd

Grade art exhibit

• Kids art display at Sarian Jewelry Gallery, 33216 Grand River, by award-winning artist Girija Viswanath

• Sidewalk Chalk for kids at The Vines Flower and Garden Shop, 33245 Grand River

As everyone strolls through town, look for:

• “Syria by the Sea” by Frederic Edwin Church at Starbucks

• “Asafo Flag,” textile by an African artist at Dimitris Restaurant

• “Madame Paul Poirson” by John Singer Sargent at Grace Insurance

• “Annunciatory Angel” by Fra Angelico at Mentobe Café

• “A Day in June” by George Wesley Bellows at the Masonic Hall

• “Girl and Laurel” by Winslow Homer in the City Hall Park

• “Sir William Brereton, 1579,” artist unknown, at Premier Apartment Staffing

After the May 11 Kids Art Crawl, the DDA will host the final Fine Art Friday Night on June 8, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. At this Adult Art Walk, the sidewalks of downtown Farmington will be turned into an open-air art studio with artists from Michigan En Plein-Air Painters at each installation painting their interpretation of the masterpiece.

Shop to win a piece of art plus enjoy the free Rhythmz in Riley Park Concert from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. As a special event, a reenactment of the painting, “A Day in June” by George Bellows is planned in the Masonic Hall park where the reproduction is located at 6 p.m. Wear white to be part of the scene.

During Fine Art Friday Nights, many downtown Farmington businesses will remain open and offer special displays or activities. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to patronize these establishments throughout the year, but especially while enjoying the fine art on display April through June.

Additionally, the Farmington DDA and Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division will offer more fun or informative activities during the three months of the display. Check out all the happenings on the web page dedicated to the DIA Inside|Out project at DowntownFarmington.org.

--by Pat Shelton, Downtown Farmington Press Corps