Find 'Art to Dine For' at Downtown Farmington Restaurant Walk

To complement the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Inside|Out open air art exhibit in downtown Farmington, the (DDA) is hosting Fine Art Friday Nights on the second Fridays of April, May and June.

Farmington’s exhibit, in place until June 30, includes seven outdoor installations along Grand River and Farmington Road at , , , , , and .

The first event, an "Art to Dine For" restaurant walk, will take place Friday, April 13, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Diners will receive a punch card, which can be redeemed, with three punches, for a small artsy prize from the DDA. Restaurants include , , , , Mentobe Café, , Dimitris, , and . Each will serve an art-themed “Masterpiece” special for punch card participants.

An art troupe, provided by Shining Star Performing Arts Academy, will roam the streets and dining establishments providing entertainment. At 8 p.m., art walkers are encouraged to bring flashlights and meet at Starbucks in front of the installation, Syria by the Sea, for a lantern-led walking tour of the art by a DIA docent.

Additional Fine Art Friday Night dates include a Kids Art Crawl on May 11 and an Art Walk, featuring Michigan En Plein Air artists, on June 8. Many downtown businesses will remain open and host their own promotions.

The DIA is providing residents of cities participating in the Inside|Out program with four free general museum admissions as a thank you to the communities for their participation. The museum hopes that after discovering the reproductions around town, residents will come to the DIA to see the actual works of art. The Farmington Area Community Free Admission Day is Sunday, June 17, 2012. Residents who provide a driver’s license or state ID on that date will receive four free general admissions.

The Inside|Out program is possible thanks to a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

For more information, visit DowntownFarmington.org.