West Bloomfield

Art fair celebrates double digits with style

By Eric Czarnik
C & G Staff Writer

» click to enlarge « File photo by Deb Jacques Artist Susan Kelleghan paints around a photograph at the 2011 Orchard Lake Fine Art Show in West Bloomfield. File photo by Deb Jacques Artist Susan Kelleghan paints around a photograph at the 2011 Orchard Lake Fine Art Show in West Bloomfield.

WEST BLOOMFIELD — The Orchard Lake Fine Art Show is preparing a visual feast for thousands of expected visitors as it gets ready to celebrate its 10th year of operation July 27-29 in West Bloomfield.

Patty Narozny — the show’s director, producer and owner — said the event will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by West Bloomfield officials. She said the show has had a positive impact on the community during the last couple of years it has been at its present location.

“The theme is ‘10 years old and brand-new all over again,’” she said. “We’re proud to say that the event has grown to be one of the top shows in the Midwest.”

Narozny said the art show’s organizers travel all over the country to recruit the best artists for this annual event. As a result, the show has gained distinction from Sunshine Artist magazine as one of its top 100 art shows in the country for five years, she said.

She added that the event and its artists have upped the standards on their work once again. Paintings, glasswork, fiber art, photography, clay and more will be for sale at prices ranging from $25-$25,000, she explained.

“The jewelry is always one of the top most popular medium or discipline in our arts shows,” she said, adding, “we have phenomenal sculptures this year.”

Children’s activities are part of the show, too. According to organizers, kids can make and take home candles, tie-dye shirts, painted plaster and more. The art show will host the sixth annual Youth Art Competition for grades K-eight, sponsored by The Chadwick Accounting Group.

“We encourage families to come and bring the kids,” Narozny said. “It’s important for kids to be exposed to work like this. … The kids especially are encouraged to ask artists questions and what inspires them.”

Three art show judges are scheduled to deliberate on work from around 160 artists, and they’ll award the best artists with prizes based on their originality, technique and booth presentation.

Art show judge Anne Kuffler praised the show’s photography this year, adding that some of it has been artistically enhanced by using computer software to combine different elements of photos.

While all of the judges have backgrounds in various artistic media, sometimes the judging process can be tough, Kuffler said.

“Sometimes there are some really fabulous people, and it’s difficult to say (that) only this one can get the award,” she said.

The 10th annual Orchard Lake Fine Art Show will be held July 27-29 on Powers and Daly roads, south of Maple, west of Orchard Lake Road. Hours will be 5-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

General admission is $5 for all three days, but kids 12 and younger get in for free. Free parking is available nearby. To learn more about the art show, visit www.hotworks.org or call (248) 684-2613.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Eric Czarnik at eczarnik@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1058.