Have you ever been walking in a downtown area in Macomb County and spotted a painting from the Detroit Institute of Arts? I remember the first time I did. I was at Festa Italiana at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights when my son saw a painting and asked me what it was.
We read the description and realized that this was something the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) does in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties. It is a way for families to see artwork up close, even if they can’t make it to the actual museum.
If you’ve seen this artwork while you’ve been out in your community and wondered about it like us, look no further! I spoke with Julie McFarland, Executive Director, Public Affairs & Community Engagement at the DIA to learn more about it.
What is Inside|Out?
“Each year the DIA partners with cities, townships, and parks across Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties to bring a little bit of the DIA to residents right where they live, work and play,” says McFarland. “It’s all about connecting people with art in a friendly, accessible way and to advance our mission to create experiences that help each visitor find personal meaning with the art, individually, and with each other.”
Because some families may not have access to transportation to the Detroit Institute of Arts, the artwork from Inside|Out is placed in walkable towns and areas.
“We hope that residents will enjoy seeing these images of artwork from our world-class collection in their communities and that it will inspire them to use their free admission benefit to plan a visit to see the originals at the museum.”
When can you view Inside|Out?
Each year, from May to October, reproductions of artwork are installed throughout Macomb County.
“Each community features their own curated selection of pieces,” says McFarland. “Some of the more popular images, like Van Gogh’s self-portrait, may appear in several communities with others being unique to each location.”
Where can you view Inside|Out in Macomb County?
“Inside|Out features more than 64 pieces in Macomb County and can be found in
Fraser, Richmond, St Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Utica, at Macomb Community College, at Freedom Hill and at Henry Ford Hospital,” says McFarland.
Macomb Community College is the only location in Macomb County that shows its artwork year-round. She explains that pieces hanging at Macomb Community College are rotated each year.
“Families can explore a nearby community to discover Inside|Out on their own or download the maps to use as a guide,” she says.
Make sure to follow the Detroit Institute of Arts on Facebook and Instagram for updates. If you want to share your family’s photos, use the hashtag #DIAInsideOut to be featured on their social media accounts.
For more information on living and learning in Macomb County, visit Make Macomb Your Home. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s A Family Guide to Macomb County
