Business & Tech

Downtown Farmington DIA Inside|Out Installation Begins Today

Events planned April through June include art walks, Michigan En Plein-Air painters and a kids art crawl.

Downtown Farmington is being transformed today into an open-air fine art gallery, thanks to the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Inside|Out project.

On display through June, seven high-quality reproductions of DIA masterpieces are being installed on the sides of buildings and as free-standing pieces. DIA Inside|Out coordinator Michelle Hauske said the reproductions start out as very high resolution images that are printed on vinyl and attached to an aluminum backing.

"This of it as a very large sticker, in a sense," she said. 

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Displayed inside wooden frames that are varnished and waterproof, the reproductions are also coated so they're weatherproof. Of the 200 pieces the DIA has so far installed, Hauske said, only one has been stolen and one hit by graffiti. 

"For the most part, I think people respect them," she said. 

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As you stroll through town, look for:

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

  • “Sir William Brereton, 1579,” artist unknown, at

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

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

  • “Annunciatory Angel” by Fra Angelico at

  • “Madame Paul Poirson” by John Singer Sargent at

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

  • As an added bonus to residents of Farmington and Farmington Hills, which is hosting a complementary DIA Inside|Out exhibit, four free passes to enjoy the full museum collection (not including special exhibits) will be offered at the Detroit Institute of Art upon presentation of photo ID on Sunday, June 17.

    The is also hosting three special Fine Art Friday Nights:

    • Friday, April 13, 6-9pm – Art to Dine For! – Restaurant Art Walk with a lantern-led art tour 8 p.m.-9 p.m., strolling art troupe and masterpiece deals at participating restaurants. Complete a punch card for an artsy prize.

    • Friday, May 11, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. – Kids Art Crawl – an “eye spy” scavenger hunt to identify the art masterpieces via photo clues to win prizes, with free face painting at Starbucks. Dress up like the art to get your picture taken.

    • Friday, June 8, 6 .m.-9 p.m. – 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 and enjoy the opening night of the free Rhythmz in Riley Park concert series, featuring . A reenactment of the painting, “A Day in June” by George Bellows is planned and those wanting to participate should wear white.

    During Fine Art Friday Nights, many downtown Farmington businesses will remain open and offer special displays or activities April through June.

    Additionally, the Farmington DDA and 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.

    For more information, please visit DowntownFarmington.org. Become a fan of downtown Farmington on Facebook and follow downtown Farmington on Twitter.

    Inside|Out is supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.


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