Arts Commission Honors Farmington Art Foundation for Service to the Arts

The Farmington Art Foundation, which fosters a love of art in area residents of all ages, received the Distinguished Service to the Arts award during a Thursday ceremony at the Costick Center in Farmington Hills. 

Presented by the Farmington Area Arts Commission, the award honors groups or individuals for outstanding promotion, management, teaching or support of the arts. 

Foundation president Janet Hall said her group's mission is "to educate our members and the community about art." She started painting after retiring 10 years ago and joined the Foundation in 2008.

"It introduced me to other artists and teachers," she said. "It's been just a greater exposure to the arts for me." 

Through its "Art Smart" program, the Foundation brings art into K-6 classrooms throughout Farmington area public and private schools. Volunteers distribute 500 art prints and help teach the children about famous artists. The prints are collected at the end of each school year, reviewed for damage and replacements are ordered when necessary. 

On the other end of the spectrum, the Foundation has for many years supported a painting program for senior citizens at the Costick Center, Hall said. Classes meet every Wednesday, and the Foundation provides paints and other materials, and members encourage and support the artists.

Hall said Foundation members manage displays of their art at the Costick Center, Farmington Community Library Farmington branch and Mentobe Cafe in downtown Farmington. In May, member artworks will be hung at Sellers Buick GMC in Farmington Hills. 

With about 100 members, the Foundation offers member taught classes, speakers at every meeting, a planned summer plein air program. For more information, visit farmingtonartfoundation.org.

Thursday's arts award ceremony kicked off a weekend of arts events, including Friday's Art After Dark fundraiser and a Saturday family arts festival at the Costick Center that offers art experiences for all ages, displays by local cultural organizations, art-related activities, entertainment, and over 200 pieces of art to see and buy. With the theme "Color the World", the event has a multicultural focus.