Bold & Beautiful

Art In The Park brings eclectic mix of media to town

By Wensdy Von Buskirk

As Art In The Park gears up for its 43rd year in downtown Plymouth, it remains on the cutting edge of creativity. Organizer Raychel Rork says the festival, which takes over downtown Plymouth July 7-9, features artists exploring media in delightful ways.

“I think what we’re seeing a lot of this year is there’s a lot of artists pushing the boundaries and pushing the limits of what their art is or can be,” Rork says.

That means many surprises as you stroll amongst the 400 artists from across the country who will exhibit in Kellogg Park and surrounding streets.

Bold Art

You might be stopped in your tracks by a juicy cantaloupe that turns out to be a exact ceramic replica, a life-size mannequin

WHAT: A celebration of creativity, music, and fun covered in mirrored disco-ball tiles, or a gorgeous high-end shawl imprinted with a photo of the Detroit skyline.

Rork said she and the other jurists were impressed as they combed through submissions for this year’s fair. Today’s artists seem to be pushing limits, mixing media and exploring the limits of what can be done with clay, paint, photography and more.

“It was really fun jurying this year,” Rork says. “From their use of materials to bold, unapologetic creativity, you’re going to see lots of in-your-face, new, different and crazy stuff.”

Instead of making a simple coffee table, an artist will cut a hole in the center and suspend flower petals in resin. Instead of a traditional quilt, another will take a photograph of your cat

WHERE: Kellogg Park and downtown Plymouth

WHEN: July 7-9

HOURS: Fri., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

WHO: 400+ artists along with food vendors, entertainers and visitors from throughout the region

HOW: Park at Schoolcraft College and take an air-conditioned shuttle to the show!

INFO: artinthepark.com

“We have multiple artists who have also participated in ArtPrize on a much bolder, larger scale,” Rork says. “They’ve competed with some of the best artists in our area and beyond.”

Of course, Michigan’s secondoldest art fair also features many familiar faces.

“It’s always exciting when we get something new that we’ve never seen before, but of course we love to get our favorites back,” Rork says.

African Cuisine

As striking art takes over the vendor tables, bold flavors will be featured at various food stands. New this year is Fork In Nigeria, featuring African cuisine like Fufu, Puff Puff, and stewed meats over Jollof rice.

Egyptian Flair

This year’s Art In The Park celebrates the art of ancient Egypt. The theme will be reflected throughout the festival.

You’ll see it in the sidewalk chalk mural that takes shape at the corner of Main and Penniman, and the living mural, featuring human models painted into a scene.

It will also crop up in children’s activities, like the DIA’s make-and-take craft based on a traditional Egyptian musical instrument.

and incorporate it into a fabric landscape.

Even portraits of your favorite celebrities have surprising twists. The talent is world-class, Rork says.

You’ll also find a converted bike cart peddling fresh pressed sugarcane juices with lavender and rose petals. Grab-and-go as you browse to the sounds of reggae band Roots Vibration, playing throughout the weekend.

“You’ll feel like you’re in the Caribbean somewhere, sipping your lavender-infused mocktail,” Rork says.

As always, the festival features tons of hands-on children’s activities like sandy candy art, face painting, candlemaking, henna and adventure theater. It also showcases entertainment including comedy juggling, a vibraphone player and a living statue.

Admission is free, and a shuttle from nearby Schoolcraft College makes parking a breeze.

For more information on the festival, visit artinthepark.com.

And just for fun, the Penn Theater will show The Mummy, the 1999 film featuring Brendan Fraser, all weekend long.

Art In The Park organizer Raychel Rork says the theme will also be embodied by a six-and-ahalf foot sarcophagus she purchased from the former owner of Northville’s Marquis Theatre.

“I just had to have it,” says Rork.

As an art history major, Rork says the era offers tons of inspiration.

“We think it’s going to be really fun to honor these awesome cultural traditions in a respectful way,” she says.