By Evelyn Cairns
The Downriver area will be overflowing with art this spring as local art organizations are busily planning exhibits and fund-raising events.
Among the organizations is Art Ambience, which has issued a call for artists to participate in its annual fine-arts juried exhibition and miniature show and sale on May 4 through 6.
Applications are available at www.facebook.com/downriverartscraftsguild. They must be submitted by April 16.
The event will offer artists increased cash awards in observance of the 25th anniversary of the event, which will begin with a reception May 4 at the Woodhaven Community Center.
The awards will be $500, first place; $300, second; $150, third; and $100, Artist’s Choice. In addition, five recognition awards of $50 each will be presented.
For additional information or applications, call Maureen Cassidy Keast at 734-777-6109 or Judy Nelms at 734-634-4800.
On April 27, the Downriver Council for the Arts will host an “Off the Wall” fund-raiser for gallery lighting in the main floor gallery of the Wyandotte Arts Center from 5 to 8 p.m.
According to Tammy Trudelle, DCA executive director, the unique event will allow the purchaser of a $20 admission ticket to select a donated one-of-a-kind work of art from among those hanging in the center gallery.
For another admission ticket, the purchaser will be able to choose another work, Trudelle said.
A reception marking the closing of the current DCA main gallery exhibition, “Embracing Global Peace,” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. April 20 at the gallery. A highlight of the exhibit is “Peace of the D,” a Global Art Project for Peace in which 18 local artists are participating.
The artists include Cheryl Alt, Janus Benda, Marilyn Bomarito, Vickie Boteler, Nicole Camilleri, Angela Griggs, Donna Hinson, Laurie Hoffman, Madeleine Jones and Brenda Jordan.
Others are Marianne Letasi, Coleen Lough, Martine MacDonald, Carol Reid, Jelane Richardson, Nadine Vadasy, Barb Whitson and Irene Will.
After the show, their works will be exchanged with other artists throughout the world as part of the global peace project.
An opening reception featuring the works of students of artist Carol Caruso of Grosse Ile is planned for 6 to 8 p.m. May 3 in the main gallery of the Wyandotte Arts Center. The exhibit will continue through May 31.
Artwork of kindergarten through 12th graders who attend Southgate public schools is currently on display in the lower-level gallery of the center through April 21.
From May 16 to 21, the artwork of Taylor public school pupils in the kindergarten through 12th grade will be on exhibit in the lower-level gallery.
The Downriver Arts & Crafts Guild is offering a $500 scholarship to a high school senior pursuing a degree in the visual arts. Applications are available at www.facebook.com/downriverartscraftsguild or by calling Colleen Wilson at 734-674-0519 or e-mailing [email protected]
The deadline for returning applications is May 16.
Local Heart Walk slated
In observance of its National Walking Day effort, the American Heart Association is joining hands with Oakwood Healthcare for simultaneous kick-off rallies and walks at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center, 18101 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, and Oakwood Healthcare’s nine other lo-cations.
Participants will include Dearborn Mayor John O’Reilly Jr., Marie Osborne of WWJ-AM and Oakwood Healthcare administrators, physicians and athletic trainers.
For more information, call 248-936-5825.
Smash hit is booked
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” based on the classic fairy tale about a beautiful young woman and a prince who has been transformed into a beast by a spell, will be staged April 10 through 22 at the Fisher Theatre.
Ticket prices start at $32 and include parking. They are available at www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com or by calling 800-982-2787. For more information, call 313-872-1000. The show is not recommended for children 5 and younger.