Press

Ecurrent - August 8, 2023: Throughout history, artists and scientists have sought to learn how the human eye perceives color in the natural world. The “Wavelengths” exhibit considers Michigan-based artists’ use of shape and repetition to create both simple and complex approaches to color. “Wavelengths” is currently on display at the Ann Arbor Art Center’s (A2AC) new downtown gallery.

Pulp - August 1, 2023: While we're entering the final stretch of summer, there’s still time to catch several vibrant and innovative art exhibits this month in Washtenaw County. Check out this comprehensive list of exhibits featured at local galleries throughout August.

World Atlas - July 5, 2023: Detroit is the largest city in the state of Michigan. The city is famous for its music, art, architecture, and historical automotive background. While Detroit has lots to offer, there are many interesting places to explore nearby. Summertime is the perfect season to take a day trip and explore new places. Here are a couple of day trips for your next day off from the automobile city this summer.

Pulp - June 22, 2023: The international Make Music Day offered sumptuous sounds for the summer solstice. The inaugural Ann Arbor edition on June 21 included nearly 30 acts at 13 venues across town and celebrated a variety of genres, including jazz, Indian classical, folk, blues, power-pop, R&B, flowerpot music, electronic, and more. The Ann Arbor District Library coordinated the free daylong music event, which featured amateur and professional musicians performing at theaters, parks, art galleries, coffee shops, and other community spaces.

Concentrate - June 21, 2023: A new public art project aims to transform two unsightly but widely traversed Ann Arbor overpasses into murals to be enjoyed by all. The project, "Murals That Bridge," is being spearheaded by married Ann Arbor artists Larry and Lucie Nisson, who have partnered with TreeTown Murals, a local mural and mosaic company owned and operated by the husband-and-wife duo of Danijel Matanić and Mary Thiefels. Laura Russello, founder and CEO of Constellations Consulting, LLC, is handling all fundraising related to the project.

CBS Detroit - June 21, 2023: ANN ARBOR, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - The city of Ann Arbor is celebrating Make Music Day for the first time ever on Wednesday. The daylong event features performances at venues throughout the city, including the Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor Farmers Market, coffee shops, art galleries and more.

Pulp - June 19, 2023: The summer solstice is a day of maximum tilt. Not just because the Earth's northern hemisphere comes closest to the sun on June 21 but also because cities around the globe will be turning things up to 11 for Make Music Day, which encourages a celebration of sounds in plazas, parks, and porches by artists of all genres—all presented for free.

A2 Observer - June 1, 2023: Four writers read selections of their work as part of the Center’s current group show by 24 artists in various media on the topic of maternity. Today: poets Jaimien Delp and Onna Solomon, novelist and short story writer Gina Balibrera, and poet and fiction writer Julie Cadman-Kim. 7 p.m., A2AC, 117 W. Liberty St. $8 at the door. annarborartcenter.org.

MLive - May 4, 2023: ANN ARBOR, MI -- May is finally here and the new month is bringing a variety of events to check out in Ann Arbor. There are all kinds of activities happening in the city this weekend whether you love comic books, running or are just looking for an excuse to get out of the house. Here are five events taking place throughout Ann Arbor from Friday, May 5, to Sunday, May 7.

WEMU89.1 - May 2, 2023: Creative industries in Washtenaw County add hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy. In the weeks and months to come, host Deb Polich, the President, and CEO of Creative Washtenaw, explores the myriad of contributors that make up the creative sector in Washtenaw County.

All About Ann Arbor - April 30, 2023: ANN ARBOR – Mother’s Day is approaching. The annual holiday celebrates mothers of all types. This year it falls on Sunday, May 14. We’ve put together a list of events, activities and gift ideas happening around Ann Arbor so you can show mom (or the person you call “mother”) just how much you care.

All About Ann Arbor - April 10, 2023: ANN ARBOR – A new performance series titled “IS/LAND” featuring AAPI artists is coming to the Ann Arbor Art Center this month. The interdisciplinary series will feature sound and movement-based performances by several artists and collaborators in the A2AC Main Gallery. Four ticketed performances will take place in the A2AC Gallery.

MLive - March 31, 2023: ANN ARBOR, MI — “Multicolored portals” from St. Louis have arrived in downtown Ann Arbor. “LOOMROOM” is the title of the new eye-catching art installation in the alley next to the Blind Pig concert venue and 8 Ball Saloon off First Street — the latest in a series of alley art projects through the Ann Arbor Art Center’s A2AC Alleys initiative.

Pulp - March 22, 2023: When watercolor paintings started turning up on Jeremy Wheeler's social media accounts, I initially thought he was promoting the work of a friend. One piece in particular I remember was of Naru, the protagonist warrior in the Predator series prequel Prey. While Wheeler is known for paintings inspired by science fiction and horror films, his use of watercolors for Naru captured the ghostly mystery of her character, not just her strength. It's absolutely gorgeous.

Life in Michigan - March 22, 2023: Jeremy Wheeler reveals his softer side with a showcase of watercolors inspired by movies, music, and muppets at the Ann Arbor Art Center. I vividly remember the first time I met Jeremy Wheeler. It was my 50th birthday, and we stopped at Woodruff’s in Ypsilanti to see The Muggs. It turns out this was the very first Fuzz Fest. One of my favorites is the image of Jeremy blowing into a liquid lightshow projector with his patented aviator glasses.

Pulp - March 17, 2023: The Ann Arbor Film Festival celebrates collaboration. Sure, there are some movie mavericks who do everything themselves when creating a film, but it's usually a talented group of people combining their resources to create something special. Chien-An Yuan lives for collabs. The Ann Arbor polymath is capable of making films, photography, art, and music all on his own—and he has many times—but he prefers to work with others to bring creations to life.

The Michigan Daily - March 13, 2023: NOIR, a philanthropy-based fashion group at the University of Michigan, presented their annual runway event at the Power Center Saturday night. The event included seven designers and 40 models donning clothing by both student and professional designers based out of the Ann Arbor area. Inspired by Homer’s epic “The Odyssey”, the runway included scenes related to Homer’s story.

All About Ann Arbor - March 9, 2023: ANN ARBOR – Every year in March, downtown Ann Arbor celebrates Youth Art Month to highlight the value of arts education. Throughout the month, the city streets transform into a gallery, with businesses hanging works in their storefront windows by K-12 students from art classes at Ann Arbor Public Schools.

MLive - February 9, 2023: ANN ARBOR, MI -- There’s a little bit for everyone to choose from Friday, Feb. 10, to Sunday, Feb. 12, in the Ann Arbor area, whether you’re a dinosaur enthusiast, shopping for Valentine’s Day or love crocheting.

Concentrate - February 8, 2023: It's a new era for the Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC). Shortly after the major transition of moving A2AC's gallery to a more visible and accessible street-level space, A2AC President and CEO Marie Klopf ended her nearly 10-year tenure with the downtown arts institution. In December, the center announced its new executive director, Jenn Cornell Queen. Queen's name is likely familiar to many Ann Arborites through her previous role as senior vice president of marketing, communications, and events at Ann Arbor SPARK, her current role as an Ann Arbor City Council member, or her involvement with the Ecology Center, Main Street Area Association, Destination Ann Arbor, and Family Learning Institute.

All About Ann Arbor - January 30, 2023: ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Art Center will kick off its 2023 gallery season with two exhibition openings in one night on Friday, Feb. 3. The openings include “Energy Transfer” in the Main Gallery and “Unhurried” in the Spotlight Gallery. “Energy Transfer” will feature participatory installations that give the viewer an opportunity to respond with a gesture, according to an event release. It includes installations by artists Hannah Burr, Jessica Frelinghuysen, Megan Heeres and Natalia Rocafuerte.

All About Ann Arbor - January 15, 2023: ANN ARBOR – Fans of art and cocktails are in for a treat with a new immersive social event organized by the Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC). The downtown organization has announced that it has revamped its annual wintertime Artini fundraiser to now include 4 different studios and food and drink pairings as part of a new event.

MLive - January 7, 2023: ANN ARBOR, MI -- For Jenn Cornell Queen, joining the Ann Arbor Art Center is a chance to guide the organization as it navigates a new phase. Cornell Queen stepped into the center’s executive director role in December. The center’s previous executive director Marie Klopf ended her 10-year career thereafter becoming the executive director of the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor.

MLive - December 27, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI -- While Ann Arbor welcomed plenty of new businesses in 2022, others saw milestone anniversaries. From Zingerman’s Delicatessen’s 40th anniversary to a local shoe store’s 80th, here are some Ann Arbor businesses and events that celebrated major anniversaries this year.

All About Ann Arbor - December 21, 2022: Once things quiet down after the holidays, many people turn their attention to trying something new in the new year. One popular experience is dabbling in the arts, such as drawing, painting, or ceramics. Not sure where to begin? The Ann Arbor Art Center has all kinds of workshops and classes for all ages and skill sets to help you get started, or get back into this fun hobby. Jean Cornell Queen joined All About Ann Arbor producer, Meredith Bruckner, to talk more about their offerings.

All About Ann Arbor - December 21, 2022: ANN ARBOR – Jenn Cornell Queen has been named the new Ann Arbor Art Center executive director by its board of directors. “Jenn’s broad ties in our community, her solid track record of fundraising for a range of nonprofit organizations, her ability to build partnerships, and her passion for ensuring Ann Arbor is a vibrant, cultural destination made her the stand-out candidate for this role,” said A2AC board of directors chair Anne Cooper in a release.

ClickOnDetroit - December 20, 2022: Dozens of arts and culture organizations throughout Southeast Michigan are getting tens of thousands of dollars in grants from local foundations to support their work. A total of $500,000 in grants have been awarded to nearly 30 organizations by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan as part of their effort to “transform the financial strength and long-term viability of Southeast Michigan’s arts and culture community.”

Crain's Detroit Business - December 19, 2022: A year after pledging $100 million to metro Detroit's arts and culture organizations over the next decade, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan on Monday made the first grants as part of the program.

DBusiness - December 19, 2022: The Detroit Parks Coalition, a startup nonprofit helping to support healthy, equitable, and vibrant parks in Detroit, has been awarded $2.6 million by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation in Detroit to expand programming, provide matching grants for capital improvements and strengthen its relationship with Detroit Parks and Recreation division over the next three years.

MLive- December 7, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI — One particularly colorful alley in downtown Ann Arbor has been turning heads lately. After many months of planning and coordination with the city, the Ann Arbor Art Center recently rolled out its A2AC Alleys installations funded in part by a crowdfunding campaign.

Pulp - November 10, 2022: To fill up your November calendar, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of arts-related events, exhibits, and more throughout Washtenaw County. Check out some local cool happenings in music, visual art, theater and dance, and written word and film.

MLive - November 10, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI -- The Ann Arbor Art Center is set to open its final All Media Exhibition later this month. The Ann Arbor Art Center Gallery will launch its 100th and final All Media Exhibition with a public opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, November 18. The show will run through Friday, December 30.

All About Ann Arbor - November 6, 2022: ANN ARBOR – Knock out holiday shopping early this year with Midnight Madness in downtown Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 2. Tree Town businesses and restaurants will be open late during the annual event offering event discounts, specials, bonus gift cards, giveaways, and free gifts.

All About Ann Arbor - October 30, 2022: ANN ARBOR – It’s not too early to start thinking about holiday gifts, and what’s better than a handmade one? The Ann Arbor Art Center is offering adult and family-friendly winter workshops ranging from hot cocoa mugs and sterling silver earrings to light-up Christmas trees and ornaments. All classes and workshops cost between $35-$280 each. Many include supplies but those interested should check before signing up.

All About Ann Arbor - October 24, 2022: ANN ARBOR – The alley between Alley Bar and Pretzel Bell has a new look. Throughout October, the Ann Arbor Art Center has worked with Indiana-based design studio LAA Office to transform the typically ignored alleyway into a place of wonder and color. The installation, called “Urban-Fetti,” has bright, confetti-like stripes and dots of neon color that draw in passersby. In its project statement, LAA Office said that “the installation is designed to provide a surprising moment of joy in the urban fabric that appears random at first but is in fact installed and orchestrated using a precise pattern. Materials include foil-based decals and powder-coated aluminum elements in bright, fluorescent colors that glow in the evening.”

Damian Farrell Design Group - October 11, 2022: The Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) has been serving the Ann Arbor community for over 100 years, and the historic Walker Carriage Works building on Liberty Street has been A2AC's home since 1975. Demand for classes has always been high, but capacity was often limited by the facilites available at Liberty Street. The Art Center experimented with leasing off-site satellite studios to help meet demand, but the arrangement was operationally suboptimal.

Destination Ann Arbor - September 23, 2022: Ann Arbor is well-known for hosting the largest juried art fair in the country, but did you know the city is full of inspirational artwork year-round? Check out these beautiful murals and collaborative art projects designed and painted by area creatives, and see for yourself why Ann Arbor is a true arts destination.

Ecurrent - September 27, 2022: Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) is finishing up its scheduled live, in-person “Mocha + Murals: Walking Mural Tours,” but has a related upcoming talk on Oct. 2 for all ages. The purpose of the tours was to educate attendees about the array of murals throughout downtown Ann Arbor as well as to highlight the artists themselves.

All About Ann Arbor - September 11, 2022: ANN ARBOR – Grab a cup of java and learn about Tree Town’s many murals during the new Mochas and Murals tours. Organized by the Ann Arbor Art Center, the tours will educate participants about the various murals around the downtown area and the artists who created them. Tours will meet at the art center gallery at 117 W. Liberty St. and will be led by Beyond the Pail curator Louise Jones or gallery director Thea Eck.

MLive - August 24, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI -- After 100 years of hosting a variety of artists and mediums, the Ann Arbor Art Center will close out its All-Media Exhibition with a final show. The Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty St., has opened its artist call for its All-Media Exhibition for its 100th and final show. The exhibition, taking place from Friday, November 18, to Friday, December 30, will feature the art of all types. “We’re hoping to get a really good mix of not just artists, but mediums too,” Thea Eck, art center exhibitions director, said.

All About Ann Arbor - August 16, 2022: ANN ARBOR – The A2AC has issued an open call for artist submissions to its 100th All Media Exhibition. The exhibition will run Nov. 18-Dec. 30 and the submission deadline is Sept. 11. The All Media Exhibition was established at the A2AC in 1922. This will be its final year, according to the art center.

AwesomeMitten - August 8, 2022: Ann Arbor is close enough to my hometown of Fenton that I’m lucky enough to visit quite often, whether for photoshoots or, my favorite, brunch with my besties. Most importantly, Ann Arbor is a hub for artists to show off their artwork by splashing it on walls, buildings, and alleyways, including the iconic Graffiti Alley. If you haven’t been to Ann Arbor in a bit, you are in for a treat!

Ecurrent - August 5, 2022: Most Ann Arbor residents, and even non-residents, are aware of the variety of murals around downtown. These murals are curated and fundraised for by the Ann Arbor Art Center. According to the A2AC website the murals around town are “the culmination of pairing downtown building and business owners with local, regional, and national artists who transformed the building walls into spectacular murals—providing the community and visitors the opportunity to experience and enjoy these large, vibrant works of public art in Ann Arbor and the SE Michigan area.”

MLive - August 3, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI – The Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) is searching for a new executive director following the departure of its former president and CEO, Marie Klopf. After 10 years in her role, Klopf has accepted a position to be the executive director of the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor. Kate Robertson, the organization’s senior director of operations, is serving as interim executive director while the Art Center searches for “the right person” to fill the position, she said.

MLive - July 28, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI — The streets of Ann Arbor are filled with a variety of murals, but some community members may be left wondering how these large-scale pieces of artwork came to be. The Ann Arbor Art Center’s A2AC Gallery is hoping to answer these questions through its new exhibition, Beyond the Pail: Mural Making and the Artistic Process.

All About Ann Arbor - July 22, 2022: ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Art Center Gallery will present new exhibit “Beyond the Pail: Mural Making and the Artistic Process” from July 29-Oct. 8. Curated by Louise Jones, aka Ouizi, the exhibition will examine how muralists address the challenges each project and surface presents. The show will feature artists whose work is displayed in museums and public spaces around the world.

All About Ann Arbor - July 18, 2022: ANN ARBOR – Know a leader with an eye for art and creativity? Put them forward as the Ann Arbor Art Center’s next executive director. Marie Klopf, the current A2AC Executive Director, is moving on to lead the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor, and A2AC officials are looking for her replacement. Klopft helped the art nonprofit expand into the space next to its 117 W. Liberty St. address and double its footprint.

Pulp - May 27, 2022: What is space? Is it the physical area around you? Is it your mental perceptions of isolation versus intimacy, distance versus closeness? Finding your place in a crowd versus being alone with your thoughts? Is space the place where we should launch Elon Musk on a Major Tom-like mission to Mars? The artists in Sharing Space, a new multimedia exhibit at the Ann Arbor Art Gallery (A2AC), ask variations of these questions—except the one about an Elonaut floating around a tin can, that's all on me.

MLive - May 25, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor is putting $500,000 of its federal stimulus toward the arts, but how is still up for discussion. The city’s Public Art Commission is now seeking public input on how the city should allocate the funds. City Council recently voted on a spending plan for the city’s $24 million shares of pandemic-recovery funds under the American Rescue Plan Act, deciding that $500,000 should go to the arts, including $200,000 for arts-based trauma programs.

MLive - May 24, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI -- With a new front-facing gallery and double the studio space, the Ann Arbor Art Center is ready to bring creativity to the city. The Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty St., is hosting the public debut of the new, 1,200-square-foot A2AC Gallery from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 27. The grand opening will not only show off the new gallery but the rest of the $1.2-million improvements made to the space.

All About Ann Arbor - May 23, 2022: ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Art Center has opened registration to the general public for its summer art classes. From teen wheel-throwing, and date night on the wheel to family screen printing, the art center has programming for people of all ages. The art center now boasts eight art education studios after a full-building renovation. The center also just opened its brand-new 1,200-square-foot A2AC Gallery.

All About Ann Arbor - May 12, 2022: ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Art Center will be launching its first exhibition of the season on May 20, alongside the grand opening of its brand-new 1,200-square-foot A2AC Gallery, which also features updated studio spaces. The exhibition is curated by A2AC’s interim gallery director Ashley Miller and the A2AC Exhibition Committee. SHARING SPACE will open with a reception on May 27 from 6-9 p.m. and will run through July 8.

All About Ann Arbor - April 24, 2022: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Those looking for a new way to show off their art can now apply to the Ann Arbor Art Center. The downtown nonprofit is accepting applications from new artists who want to sell their art in the 117 W. Liberty St. gallery shop. “We want local and regional artists to thrive, working closely with creatives to uncover their talents and realize their visions. The A2AC strives to nurture a welcoming environment for artists, designers, and art enthusiasts to share their creativity with our community,” the center said in its call for new artists.

All About Ann Arbor - March 13, 2022: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Ann Arbor Art Center is doing one final push to complete a $5 million expansion and equip eight art studios. Having acquired the space right next to its current 117 W. Liberty St. location, the organization has been taking steps to expand since 2013 to meet growing demands for more art experiences. In 2017, more than 800 people were on waitlists for art classes and camps, according to the expansion website. As part of the Art Center’s Capital Expansion Campaign, the newly launched “The Home Stretch” funding campaign aims to raise $72,166 by April 15.

ECurrent - February 25, 2022: The nonprofit, Ann Arbor Arts Center (A2AC) has a triad of events to celebrate this month. For over a century, the Ann Arbor Arts Center has been a creative hub in the local community for all ages and continues to do so. Annually, A2AC partners up with local restaurants to craft cocktails using a mural as their inspiration. This year’s partners include Alley Bar, Aventura, Babs Underground, The Circ Bar, Nightcap, and Of Rice & Men. This year A2AC will have two options for you to choose from—celebrate in-person or from the comfort of your own home!

Concentrate - March 10, 2022: The Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) is asking art lovers to save the date May 27 for the opening reception of the center's new 1,200-square-foot street-level gallery and renovated studio spaces at 117 W. Liberty St. in downtown Ann Arbor. "We've had a really long history of showing exhibitions that goes back to 1908, but this is really big for us," says Ashley Miller, A2AC's gallery director. "Having this new street-level, front-facing, really open space increases the chances for people walking by to see that we have exhibitions."

MLive - February 18, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI -- Whether you’re looking to put the art in martini or fun in fundraising, the Ann Arbor Art Center’s cocktail competition is the place to be. The Ann Arbor Art Center, also known as A2AC, will be hosting its annual cocktail competition in-person on Feb. 25, with an at-home version taking place through March 4. Artini has previously raised more than $250,000 for the art center.

All About Ann Arbor - February 16, 2022: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Artists in the making can support two Washtenaw County organizations while crafting masterpieces. Until Sunday, March 6, proceeds from the purchase of pre-prepared art kits, ArtBoxes, will go towards similar kits being donated to Wonderfool Productions and Peace Neighborhood Center, Ann Arbor Art Center said in a release.

We Love Ann Arbor - February 7, 2022: ANN ARBOR – A2AC has a new Artbox: Buy One Give Some partner, WonderFool Productions! Artbox: Buy One Give Some is a giving program that provides the opportunity for our community to support three local non-profits by shopping at the A2AC. Now through March 6th, 2022, proceeds from every ArtBox purchase will help provide ArtBoxes to WonderFool Productions!

MLive - February 4, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor is still considering 13 ways to spend the city’s $24 million federal stimuli, but local arts advocates say something is missing from the list. Creative Washtenaw, an advocacy group, formerly known as the Arts Alliance, is asking the city to consider putting $2.4 million of its American Rescue Plan Act funds toward the financial recovery of Ann Arbor’s arts and creative industry. That includes funding for nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual artists and creative workers who have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DBusiness - February 4, 2022: The Ann Arbor Art Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement, education, exploration, collaboration, and exhibition of visual arts for people of all ages. The organization serves artists and the community in four ways: retail, galleries, education, and community engagement.

MLive - February 2, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI -- As snow pelted Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County on Wednesday, multiple downtown businesses were closed, citing bad roads and inclement weather. Here’s a list of everyone in the downtown area that was not open on Feb. 2, with some also not opening on Feb. 3.

MLive - January 31, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI — The Ann Arbor Art Center has announced plans to use a $100,000 federal stimulus grant to add staff resources to reactivate and expand programs. The nonprofit, located at 117 W. Liberty St. downtown, made the list of 567 arts organizations across the country recommended by the National Endowment for the Arts to receive a combined $57.8 million under the American Rescue Plan to help the arts and culture sector recover from the pandemic.

All About Ann Arbor - January 30, 2022: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Community members can once again support the Ann Arbor Art Center and explore Tree Town’s cocktail scene through the annual Artini competition. On Feb. 25, participants can visit different Ann Arbor bars to try six specialty cocktails between 5:30-10 p.m. A curated tasting guide will accompany in-person Artini attendees to make their way around downtown and cast their votes.

MLive - January 15, 2022: ANN ARBOR, MI — The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission has named its four winners of the 2021 Golden Paintbrush Awards. The winners of this year’s Paintbrush Awards consist of artists and organizations that have created artwork throughout the Ann Arbor area. The 2021 Golden Paintbrush Award winners and their winning work include: Ann Arbor Art Center for the A2AC Murals project and the ArtBox program.

Pulp Ann Arbor District Library - December 15, 2021: COVID-19 has wrecked plans and canceled events for nearly two years (and counting). It has sabotaged the momentum and slashed the incomes of Ann Arbor’s small community of visual artists and galleries, leaving a cultural landscape greatly altered in ways large and small. But the creatives here are nothing if not resourceful and, well, creative.

Ann Arbor Public Art Commission - January 12, 2022: This award gives the Ann Arbor community an opportunity to recognize the creativity and talent of artists and organizations that have contributed to the cultural and aesthetic richness of our beautiful city in the form of public art.​​​​

Reinhart Realtors Blog - November 29, 2021: The seasonal jingles, festive displays and jolly atmosphere in the Ann Arbor area can only mean one thing—the holidays are officially upon us! This time of year, the Ann Arbor area is buzzing with exciting things to do, from holiday festivals to gift shopping at some of the area’s many local businesses.

All About Ann Arbor - November 24, 2021: ANN ARBOR – Looking for something to do on Black Friday that doesn’t involve shopping with the masses? The Ann Arbor Art Center is hosting a free magnet workshop for community members of all ages from 1-3 p.m. Participants can choose from a series of designs of magnetic winter characters or can design their own holiday-themed magnets.

All About Ann Arbor - October 29, 2021: ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Art Center has announced its upcoming winter classes and workshops for people of all ages. Ranging from $35-$280, classes at the Art Center are a great way to exercise your creativity and learn something new this season. Classes range from one-day workshops to four-week classes and virtual workshops.

All About Ann Arbor - October 21, 2021: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Get a sneak peek of Ann Arbor Art Center’s brand new space on Friday, Nov. 12. Art fans can visit the organization’s street-facing gallery, right next to its main space on Liberty Street, during an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. for its new exhibition, Historic Futures.

MLive - October 15, 2021: ANN ARBOR, MI — Four new public art displays are coming to downtown Ann Arbor alleys next spring. The Ann Arbor Art Center, the nonprofit behind the initiative, has unveiled artist designs for two of the installations planned to bring more color to the downtown Creative District.

All About Ann Arbor - October 6, 2021: Are you a local or regional artist and want a chance to expand sales of your handmade work? The Ann Arbor Art Center has opened a call for entries for handmade works of art for its annual Holiday Shop. The shop showcases and sells the works in-person and online.

All About Ann Arbor - August 26, 2021: The Ann Arbor Art Center will be offering a diverse selection of in-person and virtual classes this fall for people of all ages.

Ann Arbor Family Press - August 5, 2021: Favorite Kids Art Class Winner: Ann Arbor Art Center

All About Ann Arbor - August 2, 2021: Spruce up your home with illustrative tiles from Motawi Tileworks or regionally-made art from the Ann Arbor Art Center or Gutman Gallery.

Current - July 26, 2021: Intriguing public art downtown doubles as perfect backdrops for social media posts.

The Current - June 25, 2021: The Ann Arbor Art Center’s (A2AC) Art in Public Program has officially launched their open invitation to architects, designers, engineers, and artists from around the world to take part in The Alleyway Project: Activating Ann Arbor’s Alleys Through Art Design challenge.

All About Ann Arbor - June 27, 2021: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Ann Arbor Art Center has announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign to bring new murals and immersive installations to downtown’s new Creative District.

Patch - June 23, 2021: LANSING, Mich. – The A2AC Art in Public program will bring more art into downtown Ann Arbor with new murals and installations with the help of a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

Concentrate - June 23, 2021: The Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) is currently accepting proposals for innovative spatial art installations in Ann Arbor alleys, seeking to activate pedestrian space and increase public art.

Mlive - June 23, 2021: ANN ARBOR, MI — The Ann Arbor Art Center plans to bring more public art to downtown building walls and alleys with the help of a new crowdfunding campaign.

LANSING, Mich. – The A2AC Art in Public program will bring more art into downtown Ann Arbor with new murals and installations with the help of a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

MLive - June 21, 2021: ANN ARBOR, MI — Following the painting of several new public art murals in the last year, the west side of downtown Ann Arbor is undergoing a rebranding.

Michigan Daily - June 21, 2021: The Ann Arbor Art Center is looking for proposals for a public art project to “reimagine Ann Arbor’s alleyways”

All About Ann Arbor - June 20, 2021: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Ann Arbor Art Center is looking for artists, architects, designers and engineers for its new alleyway project. The Alleyway Project: Activating Ann Arbor’s Alleys Through Art design challenge is the first project from A2AC Alleys, an initiative focused on reimagining overlooked pedestrian spaces.

Reinhart Realtors Blog - May 17, 2021: June brings us countless wonderful things, including the official first day of summer, Father’s Day and Ann Arbor’s annual festival season! While several events have been canceled or postponed due to the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, there are still plenty of socially distanced things to do over the next few weeks.

Reinhart Realtors Blog - April 14, 2021: The Ann Arbor Art Center is always hosting new and exciting courses on everything from painting to sculpting and jewelry making.

Michigan Daily - April 13, 2021: Spring finally feels like it has permanently sprung as the sun shines down on a happily busy State Street. Even the deepest crevices of Graffiti Alley on East Liberty feel just a little bit brighter. For the first time in months, Ann Arbor looks crowded. Families and students alike are spread across the Diag basking in the coveted “Michigan spring,” taking in the 55 degree weather.

Concordia University - April 5, 2021: Photo op! Did you know that Ann Arbor is home to many awesome murals? For lovers of art or those looking for unique spots to take pictures, we hunted down some local murals for you and your friends to visit in Ann Arbor.

Under the Radar - March 13, 2021: Learning more about the Fool Moon event and celebrations happening in advance of the Fool Moon event coming up on April 9th!

All About Ann Arbor - February 18, 2021: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Have a young artist in the family? Registration for in-person summer camps at Ann Arbor Art Center will open on Wednesday, February 24. Five-day summer camps will take place from July 12 to August 27.

MLive - February 11, 2021: 7 ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day and support local in Ann Arbor. Purchase a Valentine’s Day art box from the Ann Arbor Art Center. Each box contains supplies for two with instructions on to help you along the way. Options include printed totes, copper plates, pottery painting, watercolors and designing a board game.

Seen Magazine - February 5, 2021: Artini, a cocktail competition and fundraiser, is going virtual this year for their 13th annual event. The Ann Arbor Art Center has partnered with Ann Arbor Distilling Co. to provide participants with four canned cocktails inspired by the A2AC murals and created by four celebrity bartenders. Tickets are $125 and attendees must be 21 or older to participate.

Live in the D - February 5, 2021: Looking to support the arts while tasting some new cocktail recipes? Then look no further. The Ann Arbor Center is hosting their 13th Annual Martini Fundraiser and now you can bring the fun home with you.

The Ann Arbor Art Center is offering special Valentine’s Day Art Boxes. Build your own boardgame, paint some pottery, etch your love into a copper plate or learn the basics of block printmaking.

Ann Arbor Family - January 13, 2021: The Ann Arbor Art Center is teaming up with Ann Arbor Distilling Company to bring us the 13th Annual Artini fundraising event! The Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) is hosting a virtual toast on Friday, February 26. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy a virtual toast and cocktail with some of the best bartenders in the area.

MLive - January 11, 2021: ANN ARBOR, MI -- The Ann Arbor Art Center is celebrating its annual cocktail competition virtually. This year’s Artini-at-Home, a fundraising event and yearly competition, will take place from Friday, Feb. 26 to Friday, March 5 through a partnership with Ann Arbor Distilling Company, according to a news release.

All About Ann Arbor - January 8, 2021: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Join the Ann Arbor Art Center in celebrating art and its yearly cocktail competition, but from the comfort of home. This year, the nonprofit’s thirteenth annual fundraising event is going virtual between Feb. 25 and March 5.

Pulp - January 6, 2021: Ann Arbor has innumerable large- and small-scale murals already, but they have new company as the result of a crowdfunded project to bring art to walls and alleys around town.

All About Ann Arbor - December 11, 2020: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Get into the spirit of giving with Ann Arbor Distilling Company’s new canned cocktails. Made in partnership with three Ann Arbor nonprofits and one not-for-profit organization, each of the four special cocktails helps them to acquire much-need donations this holiday season.

All About Ann Arbor - Dec. 5, 2020 - ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It’s that time of year when families and friends are shopping for their loved ones (and their 2020 pod). This year, shoppers are looking for gifts that are comforting, come from the heart and support local businesses.

All About Ann Arbor - Nov. 10, 2020: ANN ARBOR – Nonprofit research institution EntryPoint has released its 2020 Midwest Shop Local Gift Guide in order to boost sales this holiday season at local businesses.

Concentrate Media - Nov. 4, 2020: The Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) has announced three virtual art camps for the Ann Arbor Public Schools' fall, winter, and mid-winter breaks. Jean Spindler, A2AC's youth programs manager, expects that the camps will be "a hit with anyone who has a child between the ages of 5-12 needing something to do." "With so many people being limited to having to stay inside, we thought it would be great to offer something that would be fun and creative," she says.

Ann Arbor Family - Oct. 25, 2020: During the upcoming school breaks, come take some art classes together! Registration is now open for all upcoming sessions, and all classes will be held virtually. The Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) is expanding its distance learning initiatives with three new fun and creative virtual camps for the fall, winter, and mid-winter breaks in the Ann Arbor School schedules. Registration for the three upcoming 3-Day Virtual Camps is open now.

All About Ann Arbor - Oct. 23, 2020: ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Art Center is bringing back its distance learning initiatives after the success of its first-ever virtual art camp over the summer. Registration is now open for three new online art camps for Ann Arbor Public Schools' fall, winter and mid-winter breaks. Its fall camp has an autumn theme, its winter camp has a New Year’s theme and its mid-winter camp’s theme is jungle explorers.

Ann Arbor Observer - Oct. 2020: What would motivate a successful, techy sort of businesswoman to throw over money, power, and glamour to take up a modestly paid job in the nonprofit art world with which she was totally unfamiliar? Just a phone call, apparently.

WEMU - 10/8/20: This week, "Art and Soul" is about the visual arts. WEMU's Lisa Barry and state and local arts leader Omari Rush talk with Marie Klopf, founder and CEO of the Ann Arbor Art Center, about how they have been able to survive and even thrive during the current pandemic.

Ann Arbor Observer - 10/1/20: Ten highly visible works of art beautify the city's "creative district"

Arts at Michigan - 9/14/20: The Ann Arbor Art Center is a nonprofit arts center that hosts rotating exhibits in its gallery, various classes for children and adults, as well as an art shop. Located on W Liberty Street, the art center is one of the oldest community arts organizations in Michigan as it was established in 1909. Upcoming classes include sketching, comics, calligraphy, and perspective drawing. However, this weekend, my friend and I stopped by the art center to pick up some ArtBoxes.

MLive - 9/9/20: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Look up while passing by the Ann Arbor Art Center’s Walker Carriage Works Building to see a bright orange, fedora-wearing figure. The newest addition to the art center’s latest A2AC Murals project, the figure’s installation is part of the Man in the City International Sculpture Project.

MLive - 9/7/20: ANN ARBOR, MI — The big, red, stormy-skied mural Gary Horton is painting in downtown Ann Arbor was commissioned back in March on what he calls “the last day of normal.”

WEMU - 7/23/10: The Ann Arbor Art Center plans to add 10 new murals in the downtown area. The center has partnered with local business owners to transform their outside building walls into works of art during the next five months. Mike Wolf is the exhibitions coordinator for the center and mentions some of the locations that local, national, and international artists will work on.

MLive - 7/31/20: ANN ARBOR, MI — Ten new murals will come alive in downtown Ann Arbor in the coming weeks. The nonprofit Ann Arbor Art Center reached a $50,000 crowdfunding goal for its A2AC Murals campaign, unlocking a $50,000 match from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Culture Pledge - 7/22/20: The Ann Arbour Art Center (AAAC) is crowdfunding $50,000 to infuse art into their city. Funds pledged by the community will then be matched by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (an arts fundraising model we’ve seen before in Australia).

Ann Arbor Observer - 7/15/10: With a newly launched crowdfunding campaign, the Ann Arbor Art Center is planning to bring more public art to downtown Ann Arbor.

All About Ann Arbor - 7/6/2: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Ann Arbor Art Center has launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund a new project creating a series of murals to downtown Ann Arbor. If the nonprofit art center can raise $50,000 by July 31 through Patronicity, a Michigan-based crowdfunding platform, it will win a matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative.

WEMU - 6/30/20 - The Ann Arbor Art Center will launch a soft reopening Tuesday after closing its doors to the public because of COVID-19.

All About Ann Arbor - 6/30/20 - ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Today, the Ann Arbor Art Center quietly reopened its doors after being closed to the public since March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

All About Ann Arbor - 6/23/20: ANN ARBOR – With in-personal summer camps canceled, the Ann Arbor Art Center has created a set of online workshops and classes for artists of all ages and interests.

Ann Arbor Family - 6/5/20: Summer camps are a fundamental learning experience for many students. But as the coronavirus pandemic rages on in Washtenaw County, institutions are rethinking how camps are being held. This has caused some institutions to make the change from in-person camps to virtual ones.

Mlive - 5/30/20: ANN ARBOR, MI – Looking for something to do at home? The Ann Arbor Arts Center has plenty of ideas. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the art center has added craft ideas, challenges and galleries to its website. Youth program manager Jean Spindler said the pandemic necessitated innovation with the center’s outreach and to make visual art more accessible.

Click On Detroit - 5/27/20: With school and summer camps canceled, parents are facing the new challenge of keeping kids entertained at home. Ann Arbor Art Center has something that can help. They have created a new subscription box that will keep kids entertained and allow them to explore their creativity.

All About Ann Arbor - 5/21/20: ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Art Center has announced the cancellation of its in-person summer programming due to federal and state guidelines surrounding the coronavirus.

Ann Arbor Family - 5/8/20: The Ann Arbor Art Center is hoping to inspire kids to explore their creative side during quarantine with its ArtBox program.

All About Ann Arbor - 5/11/20: ANN ARBOR, Mich. – From May 16 to 23, the second annual Bloom Fest in downtown Ann Arbor will take place online.

MLive - 5/5/20: Daria Paik started her spring cleaning back in mid-March once the statewide stay-at-home order went into effect. She discovered something during her reorganizing that gave the Ann Arbor Art Center teacher inspiration.

MLive - 4/26/20: ANN ARBOR, MI – The Ann Arbor Art Center is selling and donating a new “ArtBox” supplies set to encourage creativity at home.

All About Ann Arbor - 4/22/20: ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Art Center has announced its latest creative outlet for all children in the local community: ArtBox.

All About Ann Arbor - 4/17/20: Since the statewide stay-at-home order began, the Ann Arbor Art Center has been issuing weekly art challenges for community members to have fun and be creative.

Here’s a project for the weekend. The Ann Arbor Art Center challenges everyone to use art to express thanks for essential service workers including doctors, nurses, grocers, pharmacists, sanitation workers, truckers, law enforcement, first responders, farmers, journalists, and many many more. Remember, “Not all heroes wear capes.” Put a sign in your yard or window. Create a card for them. Show them how much we appreciate them each and every day. Email your art challenge to artpix@annarborartcenter.org by Monday.

The Ann Arbor Art Center website has a list of activities for all ages to do at home. Categories include sketchbook warm-ups for kids, art projects for everyone, drawing for kids and adults on AADL-TV, weekly art challenges, staff-picks and games.

The Ann Arbor Art Center is offering free art resources on its website to help families get through the coronavirus pandemic.

What can be just as fun as the annual FOOLMoon and FestiFOOLs parades in town? The various community workshops leading up to the foolish events.

The contemporary jewelry-making collective 6X makes interconnected, wearable artworks. The six-member group of Midwesterners explained their approach as part of its February exhibition at the Ann Arbor Art Center: “Ties, which may not consciously be acknowledged at a simple glance, are visible upon further consideration of approaches to concept, material, and process.”

Tickets for an annual fundraiser combining art and cocktails are selling fast.

As the weather gets colder and the snow piles higher, The Ann Arbor Art Center is offering a great way to avoid cabin fever with its winter workshops.

December is a tricky month for parents. Between possible snow days and the long winter break from school or daycare, it’s hard to keep kids of all ages entertained.

PARK(ing) Day returns to the downtown area on Friday with several businesses taking part in the international initiative to transform metered parking spots into tiny public spaces. The project began as an open source movement by the REBAR Group in 2005. It quickly gained steam and cities around the world now take part on the third Friday in September.

Ann Arbor is known for hosting one of the country's largest juried art fairs each July. The streets transform into an art lover’s paradise where you can experience and enjoy original works of art, street performances, culinary treats, and a variety of sidewalk sales. It covers an area so large that the fair creates its own shuttle bus system so that visitors need not walk too long in the sweltering heat that usually accompanies the festivities. If you can't make it to town that weekend or simply do not like crowds, the Ann Arbor Art Center is like a microcosm of the festival.

On Oct. 11 and 12, get an answer the burning question, "What is a Wayzgoose?" Join the Ann Arbor District Library downtown branch as it hosts a two-day festival full of art and local printing vendors, a speaker series and hands-on printmaking sessions.

There's no shortage of eye-catching public art in Washtenaw County, but this summer saw the arrival of three major new mural projects. We chatted with the folks responsible for each of the new murals to get some insights on the inspiration behind them and how they came together.

This Ann Arbor pub crawl is for those who like a bit of beer with their art, or art with their beer. On Oct. 10, the annual Art & Brew fundraiser for the Ann Arbor Art Center will take place all over downtown Ann Arbor. A beer crawl and friendly competition, local restaurants and beer venues will each offer food and wine pairings for Art & Brew crawlers.

Befitting an exhibition made up of works from 18 of its teachers, The Instructor Show at the Ann Arbor Art Center offers a diverse range of media, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, printmaking, drawing, fiber arts, and encaustic. The exhibit is a fine display of the talent behind the multitude of programs, events, and classes the Art Center offers.

If you've been walking downtown over the past week, you may have noticed a new mural going up on the west-facing wall of the Pretzel Bell building at 120 E. Liberty Street. The Ann Arbor Art Center is facilitating the project with Detroit-based artist Jesse Kassel. Known for his bold, colorful designs, Kassel has left his mark on numerous walls both locally and internationallyl, and has worked with major companies on advertisements and public art. He said his art is inspired by graphic design and vintage ads.

Beginning Aug. 2, the Ann Arbor Art Center will present a new exhibit highlighting instructor skills. “The Instructor Show" showcases the many talents of instructors from the Ann Arbor Art Center’s Education Department. Artwork of different media, ranging from painting and mixed media to ceramics and photography, will be displayed in the 117 Gallery through Sept. 4.

If you don’t look carefully at the ground below, you might miss Ann Arbor’s latest public art. City manhole covers are being gradually replaced with new ones featuring artsy, Tree Town-themed designs.

The Ann Arbor Art Center’s Earthbody features works from 11 artists whose works explore, in some aspect, the relationship between the body and the environment. The exhibit focuses on works of current and recent students at the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan. The Earthbody exhibition text is short and to the point: “How does our understanding of our bodies as earthly objects affect our ability to perceive and engage with the environment? Earthbody explores these relationships between body, self, and environment.”

Ann Arbor artist Sarah Innes is a radical. The fashion of the day in contemporary art is that we concern ourselves with the Big Issues: gender equality, climate change, gun violence, and the like. Instead, Innes commits to painting only what she knows, deep in her bones.

New Zealand-based artist Kate McIntosh will be bringing her interactive popup experience Worktable to Ann Arbor Summer Festival. From June 18 through July 7, the workshop will be taking place at 115 W. Liberty and members of the public are invited to break everyday objects apart.

Aaron Dworkin's Fractured History exhibition is art in the key of life. His 11 artworks in the Ann Arbor Art Center’s entry-level gallery gives us a revealing glimpse of this authentic Michigan institution as well as his view of the world around us.

On Friday, the Ann Arbor Art Center is welcoming another exhibit this May: "Odds & Ends". Highlighting the evolution of collages as a medium of artistic expression, "Odds & Ends" explores the reimagining of materials and artwork and its transformation into new and exciting work in 51 pieces of art from 34 artists. A juried selection of collages, the pieces in "Odds & Ends" have been chosen by juror, artist, designer, printmaker and collector John Gutoskey.

Join the Ann Arbor Art Center for "Fractured History: a solo exhibition" from May 6 to June 4. Created by social entrepreneur, author, performing artist and Sphinx Organization founder Aaron Dworkin, "Fractured History" explores themes of music, diversity, relationships, friendships, love and separation.

The Ann Arbor Art Center presents the fifth annual Art Now exhibition, opening Friday, February 15th and running until March 16th. This year’s exhibition focuses on painting and is juried by Roula David, the Executive Director of Detroit’s Murals in the Market.

Artists’ Instagram pages are riddled with their beautiful finished photographs, drawings, paintings, etc. I rarely ever come across photos of the countless canvases thrown in the trash or the numerous photographs where the lighting was too low or the model wasn’t posed the correct way. I sit on chairs every day of my life, but seldom do I think about the engineering and logistical work it took to create those chairs.

Our Ann Arbor area communities are famously skilled at coming together in times of need and in times of celebration: thanks in large part to the people who call these neighborhoods home. Over the years, our peers have built outstanding organizations and nonprofits which serve our community in countless ways—from providing shelter to providing laughter.

Some art must be seen and experienced in person to get the full effects of its power. This is particularly true of the exhibit Love Has a Thousand Shapes at the Ann Arbor Art Center. Every piece in the show expresses a different aspect of love. Curator Andrew Thompson says that the inspiration came from a phenomenal experience he had in an independent study that he taught at Antioch College. “We read Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse and looked at the artwork of Ann Hamilton,” who created art based on this story.

Love Has a Thousand Shapes is an intimate look at the works of five artists, curated by Andrew Thompson. In the exhibition announcement, the exhibition’s inspiration is cited as having come from Virginia Woolf’s character Lily Briscoe in To the Lighthouse.

ANN ARBOR - The newest mural in the downtown area is complete and ready for viewing. The Ann Arbor Art Center commissioned world-renowned artist and Michigan native Pat Perry to create a large-scale public mural on the Grizzly Peak building's north side near South Ashley Street.

ANN ARBOR, MI - The newest mural in downtown Ann Arbor is being unveiled during a happy hour at Grizzly Peak, 120 W. Washington St. on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

The Ann Arbor Art Center’s most recent juried exhibition asks: “When does action transcend habit to become something more meaningful? RINSE/REPEAT explores concepts of ritual or routine in creative practice, where the experience is intentional, sacred -- not solely focused on the product or outcome, but on the set of actions.”

The Ann Arbor Art Center is holding gits annual Art & Brew fundraiser on October 4, 2018.

Join Ann Arbor Art Center for its third Straight Up roaming summer fling series

If you're looking for a more hands-on artistic experience, head to Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty St. The art center hosts a variety of classes, with some workshops branded specifically for date night. There is a fee for the date night workshops - $65 to create a comic on Aug. 3 and $100 for screen printing on Aug. 30 - but admission to the exhibitions and art shop are free.

Ann Arbor Art Center’s Sanctuary exhibition features some pieces that focus on the meditative aspect of the titular concept, but other works confront the “double-edged sword” of what "sanctuary" means, lending to the gallery’s successful interpretation of a broad theme.

A new mural featuring more than 25 Ann Arbor themes and landmarks was installed on the back of the Ann Arbor Art Center Monday, June 25.

If you drive north on Ashley between William and Liberty, you will see a brand-new work of public art on the back of the Ann Arbor Art Center.

Ann Arbor is the place to visit for many good reasons, but we have selected some special ideas for you here.

Among many Ann Arbor attractions, The Ann Arbor Art Center was mentioned in this highly read publication.

The Ann Arbor Art Center has partnered with Icon Interactive to launch a new augmented reality experience in its newest exhibition called "Sanctuary" by Ypsi Alloy Studios, which opens Friday.

The Ann Arbor area has much to be grateful for — thriving businesses, beautiful landscapes and a booming cultural scene. So, it’s only right that we give back to the community. As you look around our neighborhoods, you’ll see an undaunted commitment to sharing all that we have.

Ann Arbor Art Center’s current exhibition, Written Into Rock, explores imagery associated with the Earth, geology, and human impact on the environment. Curated by Gina Iacobelli, the exhibition features the works of seven artists dispersed throughout the gallery instead of placing works by each artist together.

Travelers first encounter art in Ann Arbor as they walk along the streets. Fire hydrants sport splashes of color and fanciful designs, and glancing down, visitors find tiny artful doors, leading from the street to inside a shop or cafe.

How are humans altering Earth's geology? As a species we have left an indelible mark on our planet through climate change, atomic bombs, and our production of plastics. Written into Rock is a new art exhibition that explores the idea of the Anthropocene, a new geologic era defined by humanity's impact on Earth's systems.

The newest exhibition at the Ann Arbor Art Center, titled "Written Into Rock" and curated by Gina Iacobelli, opens Friday.

A2 is also the home of Shakespeare in the Arb each summer, Kerrytown Concert House, The Michigan Theater, The State Theater and the Ann Arbor Art Center, a nonprofit exhibition, gallery and retail space.

"It didn’t take very long to notice the depths of the variety in style from piece to piece, and I quickly began to realize that I was getting an indirect lesson in the possibilities of drawing as a media."

After appearing on our Top 100 Best Places to Live list for five years in a row, Ann Arbor finally nabbed the #1 spot this year, which means a chorus of "Hail to the victors!" is in order.

As I looked at each piece in the gallery, another visitor exclaimed to me that the exhibition had a wide range of work on display. I nodded in agreement, though I was unsurprised, as the Art Center’s past exhibitions have done an excellent job of representing diverse artists and works, while at the same maintaining a cohesive theme for each show. Drawing could be a potentially limiting category, but the Art Center proves once again that it's always in thick of exploring current trends in contemporary art.

Ann Arbor offers so much in the world of art, and as the years go by, we find ourselves more and more fascinated by the wonderful work local artists do all around the city.

Our CEO Marie Klopf and Alley Bar's Jude Walser talking about Artini on Live in the D.

The City of Ann Arbor needs your help to choose the winners of a manhole cover art contest.

The Ann Arbor Art Center is turning to members of the public to decide which finalists will have their artwork featured on manholes throughout the city.

The Ann Arbor Art Center exhibition Favorites’ Favorites opens Friday, Jan. 19, kicking off with a free opening night party from 6-9 pm. The artists will be in attendance, and you can ask them why they chose their individual pieces in the show. That's right, though there was a curator who chose which artists would exhibit, it was the creators who picked what would be displayed in Favorite Favorites.

The 95th All Media Exhibition marks the continuation of a tradition established in 1922 when the Ann Arbor Art Center was known as the Ann Arbor Art Association. There are 29 artists’ works on display through January 13, with a large portion from Michigan and others from surrounding areas including Illinois, Indiana, New York, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Plan your visit to coincide with one of the city’s many art events and crafts fairs, and pack an empty bag to bring home one-of-a-kind handmade treasures from WSG Gallery, the Ann Arbor Art Center or the gift shop at the University of Michigan Museum of Art.

ANN ARBOR, MI - It's too late to purchase tickets, but you can still join the waitlist for the 10th annual Artini, a fundraiser to find the most creative martini in Ann Arbor.

ANN ARBOR - Artini will be back next month and downtown bartenders are already flexing their mixology muscles.

ANN ARBOR, MI - For two-and-a-half years, the Ann Arbor Art Center had been looking for the ideal situation and location to expand its offerings.

The Ann Arbor Art Center has purchased 115 W. Liberty, which is adjacent to its existing location, to expand its programs and exhibits.

The Ann Arbor Art Center has purchased 115 W. Liberty, a property adjacent to its current location, in order to expand its operations.

ANN ARBOR, MI - The city of Ann Arbor is looking to spruce up the town a bit by having some of the city's manhole covers replaced with covers cast as decorative art.

The Ann Arbor Art Center's annual All Media show opens this Friday and is juried by Alison Wong, director of Wasserman Projects located in Detroit's Eastern Market.

Ann Arbor, MI - ANN ARBOR - The Ann Arbor Art Center has announced its role in a new project designed to make manholes throughout the city, well, prettier.

Ann Arbor, MI - New multimedia art exhibition explores gender identity, pop culture

From the back hall of the City Council Chambers to The Session Room on Jackson Avenue, to the buses (inside and outside) of TheRide, this collection of photos by current and former photography students at Washtenaw County Community College will be all over town for the next three months.

Ann Arbor Art Center's annual event features art, craft beer and food pairings

On Sept. 28, visit some of the best downtown Ann Arbor bars and restaurants and taste well-crafted beer and bite pairings to see how different craft beers and foods work together.

DJ Oliver from Detroit Performs checks out the Ann Arbor Art Center’s 117 Gallery.

REMIX, an exhibition at the Ann Arbor Art Center’s 117 Gallery, contains two exhibitions: one in the physical space of the gallery and one virtual. Described as an “augmented reality experience,” ReMIXED Reality was created by Andrew Rosinski and ICON Interactive.

The art in this exhibit thoughtfully uses language and image together to address a variety of themes from autobiography to social commentary, and while curator Jack O. Summers has put together an interesting and beautiful exhibit, the subject is far from exhausted and possibly never can be.

The Ann Arbor Art Center’s “Whipstitch: The State of Contemporary Textiles” does the rather nifty trick of reimagining yesterday’s art today through a conceptualization of what may be the art of tomorrow.

Juror Tyanna Buie, an accomplished printmaker in her own right, has selected artworks by 86 artists from all over the country that describe the ways in which the methods of printmaking can be stretched to their outer limits and combined with other techniques such as collage, painting, drawing and photography, to name only a few.

The results are in for the 2017 Artini event, bringing 400 participants together for a night of fun in downtown Ann Arbor.

The Ann Arbor Art Center is looking to enhance the storefront presence of art in the downtown and make arts experiences that are free and open to the public more accessible to the community.

What happens when one becomes many? How do patterns, objects, gestures repeated and systematically arranged, reveal thoughts and ideas that are otherwise invisible? The artists of Ypsi Alloy Studios think they know the answer–or answers–to that question.

Every year, new and distinctive attractions pop up in the Ann Arbor area. 2016 was no exception, with exciting creative developments throughout Ann Arbor and its surrounding communities. In 2017, even more artistic, theatrical, and expressive attractions and events await visitors and locals alike.

This year's event is a martini bar crawl with friendly competition among 11 local bars and restaurants from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10. It serves as a fundraiser for the Ann Arbor Art Center.

Last year, Ann Arbor Art Center (AAAC) president and CEO Marie Klopf had obtained funding to renovate class and event space on the center's third floor, but she nonetheless found herself in a bit of a pickle.

As part of the upcoming reconstruction of Stadium Boulevard near the Big House, artists submitted proposals for adding art to the streetscape along a new retaining wall to be built on the south side of the road next to a new sidewalk.

The Ann Arbor Art Center is asking community members to choose their favorite of three proposals for work to be installed along Stadium Boulevard as part of a major reconstruction project beginning Nov. 21. Voting is open through Nov. 15.

"Kotula has chosen to put his emphasis on abstract painting, and this is some of the strongest work in that medium I've seen locally in quite some time."

It may sound like lofty praise, but it’s becoming readily apparent that POP•X is one of the most important events on the contemporary Ann Arbor visual arts calendar. It’s a curious blend of some of our most talented arts groups and individual artists tacitly stepping out of their comfort zone.

When the Ann Arbor Art Center decided to renovate the third floor of its historic building in downtown Ann Arbor, they realized they could save thousands of dollars in construction costs if they did the whole project at once, rather than in phases. There was only one problem — they needed the cash up front.

POP-X may sound like some crazy new energy drink, but it is actually a brilliant exhibit that pops up each year at Liberty Plaza in Ann Arbor.

As the exhibit’s statement tells us, the display “examines this unique moment [in history] when ordinary people are declaring a la Peter Finch [from Sidney Lumet’s 1977 film Network]: “‘I’m mad as hell and I won’t take it anymore.’”

Featuring ten exhibition pavilions, the Ann Arbor Art Center's POP-X festival aims to add some creative, inspirational, and interactive art experiences for the public to enjoy. POP-X is a ten day festival that runs from September 22nd to October 1st that is free and open to the public.

Now in its second year, POP-X invites the public to the downtown area experience temporary, interactive art displays installed in nine different pavilions, featuring the work of regional artists and art organizations at 255 E. Liberty St.

"In simple terms, the Art Center is a sort of one-stop shop for cultural transactions. The 107-year-old institution's Liberty Street home features a first-floor store, second-floor rotating gallery, and third-floor studio classrooms."

It sounds funny, but the Ann Arbor Art Center, now in its 107th year, is getting better with age. Take the Pop-In, Pop-Up, Pop-X and Re:Formation/Gallery Project shows. Two have just ended, one is ongoing and one is upcoming. All are worth mentioning, illustrative of how cool and ever-evolving the AAAC remains.

The goal of POP-X is to present work that actively engages the community, and this year’s POP-X artists have interpreted this in their own unique ways. Ann Arbor Women Artists, a 300 member non-profit artists' organization, has chosen to implement this vision in the broadest possible way, designing and executing a comprehensively inclusive art installation that cuts across barriers of age, gender, race and disability.

I. It is free and open to the public. Enjoy this unique event, free of charge! Attending POP-X will provide a clear representation of the Ann Arbor area’s commitment and passion for the arts. A long history of making the arts accessible to locals and visitors, The Ann Arbor Art Center has become a pillar of the arts community for over 100 years.

The rage, the politics, the anger at injustice and environmental ruin remain in this new iteration but in a lower, more thoughtful key.

The Ann Arbor Art Center’s latest 117 Gallery offering asks a tantalizing, if not also impossible question to satisfactorily answer: Who—and what—is a real American?

A new mural is expanding the Ann Arbor Art Center's exploration of cultural identity beyond the four walls of the center.

How do you describe a big, contradictory, many-faceted place like the United States of America? That is what Real American, the juried group show on view from now until August 13 at the Ann Arbor Art Center aims to do.

All three floors of the Ann Arbor Art Center pulsed with energy Friday night for this summer's inaugural Pop-In event. While the center's programming is generally eclectic on the whole, the free Pop-In series presents a particularly diverse assortment of art and entertainment in a single night, suitable for all ages but particularly aimed at young adults.

THE ART OF THE STORY - The show aims to illustrate the process through which comics, both in short and longer form, are created. It “reveals what is usually an invisible narrative in comics–the journey from artist’s vision to clear transmission of meaning. ”

THOSE WHO CAN…ALSO TEACH - It’s a well-known fact that few visual artists working here in the Rust Belt have a realistic hope of making a living exclusively from selling their art. So many find themselves teaching to make a living while also trying to keep up their studio practice and actively showing their work. This requires energy, dedication, resourcefulness and maybe an ability to do without a full night’s sleep.

The variety of scale, subject, and point of view in this exhibit and the ways in which the artists push the boundaries of a traditional medium, made the viewing this show an experience beyond what might be expected in a photography exhibit.

Some of the most striking photographs in “Art Now 2016: New Directions in Contemporary Photography” at the Ann Arbor Art Center are those that look the least like photographs — abstract compositions that in some cases read more like paintings than pictures.

Honestly, I stopped by the Ann Arbor Art Center to rule out the current exhibit, Mid-West Furniture Zoku, as a review subject. Furniture? As art? I left two hours later, tripped out, my art heart pierced. I'd taken 109 photos of the thirty or so pieces, just so I could pore over them later.

Design solves problems. Art inspires and provokes human emotion. The Ann Arbor Art Center’s Mid-West Furniture ZOKU exhibition exemplifies the two impulses and a charming variety of arresting combinations of the two. Beauty, wit, and function join in wonderful ways throughout the upper two rooms at the Art Center on Liberty.

If you enjoy challenging your notions of what is functional, what is craft, and what is art then you’ll find the Ann Arbor Art Center’s latest exhibition, Mid-West Furniture Zoku, especially engaging.

A gallery setting is unfamiliar territory for most of the artists featured in the Ann Arbor Art Center’s new show, “GIG: The Art of Michigan Music,” although many are professionals with decades of experience.

Artists and patrons were in high spirits despite the rain on Friday night. The studio on the second floor of the Ann Arbor Art Center was filled with laughter and smiling faces during the entire event. One artist said, “You all know how to make a fellow feel special. And thanks to Chuck Marshall for including me and curating such an epic collection of artists. You are all amazing people and I’m very lucky and humbled to show with such a fantastic group of creatives.”

The show is cleverly laid out in that it groups works not by artist but by theme, subject matter, and color scheme. There are few enough artists in GIG that each could easily be segregated into their own little stretch of wall.

An introduction to a few of the wonderful artists who make GIG special.

GIG: The Art of Michigan Music is designed to give music fans the immersive experience of the diverse Michigan music scene from promotion to performance. Some of the artwork will be on sale and is sure to please music fans as well as art lovers.

GIG show pays respects to the visual artists who bring Michigan music to life [...] Highlighting those invisible extra band members (as it were) is the idea behind GIG: The Art of Michigan Music, an exhibition opening at the Ann Arbor Art Center.

READ THE REVIEW HERE

Rocco DePietro and Gloria Pritschet characterize the massive group show they curated for Gallery Project, Wish List, as a contemporary statement of cultural desire. If your desire, like mine, is for a visual smorgasboard embodying the collective wishes and hopes of a range of rust belt artists, then Wish List should be on your (to-do) list. cultural desire.

But it was the Best in Show, awarded after I left, that kept me fascinated-and creeped out. "Cheek Spreader Sagan" by Christine Wuenschel- a portrait of a woman wearing a plastic dental applaince that retracts her lips- is ominous and strong, muscular and menacing, and I couldn't take my eyes off of it, despite a dental phobia.

Allegorical space refers to the background, the context, the setting within which all of our experiences are based—visual experience, of course, but also the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives.