Spring and summer are wonderful times to create more art, and connect with artists and gallery directors. They also are great times to connect with artists and learn from them. We want to share some free and almost free ways to make more art and build new connections in Detroit.
Plein air painting groups. Several groups meet in parks and neighborhoods around Metro Detroit. Check the Michigan Plein Air Painters, Urban Sketchers Detroit (which meets in suburbs and the city) search Facebook groups and read our tips and tricks for painting outdoors.
DIA Drawing in the Galleries. These are held in a variety of places within the Detroit Institute of Arts, which supplies pencils, paper and more. Check the calendar for weekday and weekend opportunities to be inspired by the art or an artist who works for the DIA.
Art clubs and groups. An art club at a school or university or one you create with a few artists friends may create community – and accountability you need to make more art. Many Detroit high schools have them; check with your school for details. Project Art offers children and youth ages 4 to 18 art classes led by local artists in several Detroit Public Library branches; registration is required. Or Detroit middle school age artists may apply to the Detroit Neighborhood Arts Workshops, which meets Saturdays at the Redford Detroit Public Library branch. For more mature artists, The Scarab Club has an interest group for photographers and weekly sketch sessions for members. And artist Walter Bailey and friends offer free art lessons at Farwell Recreation Center in Detroit .
Art fairs and events. Many area art fairs offer opportunities to ‘make and take’ art and crafts, sometimes led by artists from the DIA, local arts groups or Mint. These often are aimed at children and families but open to all ages. So show up at the Palmer Park Art Fair or the Ann Arbor Art Fairs or another fair or festival with your creative juices flowing.
Detroit Queer Sketch Sessions. Held monthly at Detroit GT in Ferndale, these sketch sessions aimed at the LBGTQ+ artist community offer a pay-what-you-will approach. They are focused on human form sketches.
Mint’s drop in art making. Young artists, please stop in for our Doodle & Draw day on March 25. Then watch our events page and Instagram for details on this new initiative, aimed at youth ages 14 to 22. This will launch later this spring, and we look forward to seeing Mint Artists and friends; anyone who believes in respect and creativity.
Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club. While you won’t make art here, this group of artists and art lovers meets most Mondays around 5 pm at Noni’s Sherwood Forest Grille on Livernois to share art and opportunities. Artists may show up to two pieces of their fine art and tell about them for 2 minutes. Learn more on the Breakfast Club’s Facebook Group. And use these meetings as a deadline for completing work or show up for inspiration – and information about art calls.
We know we missed some free creative opportunities. So please share them with us, or add them in the comments.
© Vickie Elmer, 2025 for Mint Artists Guild; painting by Mint’s Ilana Williams, © Mint Artists Guild