Tour Inside|Out Art in Farmington Hills April 10

Have you seen the reproductions of featured in locations around Farmington Hills?

A DIA docent-led tour of the city's Inside|Out installations will be held on Tuesday, April 10, leaving the at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tours are open to residents and non-residents of all ages and are limited to 14 passengers per bus. The cost is $5 per passenger, and tickets may be purchased in advance at the Costick Center.

Included in the exhibit are reproductions of seven different paintings from the DIA’s permanent collection. All of the pieces are the size of the original and will be located outside, either on a building or free-standing, through June 30. 

The placements include artworks at the on Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills City Hall, , Stables Art Studio, , the Costick Center, and the . Subject matter includes portraiture, nature, architecture, allegory, and design, in a wide variety of styles from different eras.

“It’s always amazing to see the works outside of the museum, in these unusual places,” says Michelle Hauske, DIA coordinator of the Inside|Out program. “The art takes on a special connection to the surroundings, and becomes a fascinating focus spot for the visitors.”

The exhibit is made possible by a grant from the Knight Foundation.

Other upcoming Farmington Hills Inside|Out activities include: 

• Festival of the Arts - "Vote for the Arts" - Family Festival Day, April 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Costick Center. Come spend a free day with the arts, including hands-on children’s activities; artist demonstrations in pottery, sculpture, painting, and weaving; live entertainment; over 200 pieces of art for exhibit and sale; and community cultural displays. You will have a chance to vote for your favorite DIA Inside|Out piece, and make a “Vote for the Arts!” button.

• Community Bus Tours - Four guided tours on Tuesdays, April 10 and May 29. Buses will leave at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. from the Costick Center.  Passengers will receive ballots to vote for their favorite artworks.  Cost is $5 per passenger; tickets are available in advance at the Costick Center.

• "D" Day at the DIA - Bring Dad to the DIA on Father's Day, June 17, for some fun-filled, special activities and visit “our” paintings in their original form. Every resident of Farmington Hills will receive four free admissions when they show their ID. 

• Photo Contest - Have your photo taken with your favorite artwork! The more creative the better – for example, you could wear your favorite Lions team shirts by Jerome’s “Solitude” at the Nature Center…visit the painting and you will see why! Photos will be placed on the City’s Facebook page and entered into a contest for some great prizes.

• Create a Family Portrait - Children ages 10-12 will be invited to create "Magic Folding Cubes" of their family photos to create contemporary family portraits, as they learn about Wheatley's "The Wilkinson Family" on Monday, June 18, 7 p.m. at the Main Library.

• “DIA in our Backyard” Lecture Series - Learn about our artworks in a special free docent-led lecture series at the Library. Lecture I: May 3, 1 p.m., Artworks in Farmington Hills Main Library on 12 Mile. Lecture II: May 23, 1 p.m., at the .

For more information, call the Cultural Arts Division at 248-473-1856.