June 11 marks the 25th anniversary of the Orion Art Center being moved to its present location at 115 South Anderson Street in downtown Lake Orion.
Art center founders bought the house, which was the parsonage of the LO United Methodist Church for $1 and had it moved to its present site in 1979.
Current members are hosting an array of summer activities, first time events and community events planned to commemorate the anniversary and silver summer celebration.
l Art in Bloom art show at the Downtown Lake Orion Flower Fair/Marketplace May 22, 23 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Deadline for entries is April 30. Kids activities.
l Hooked on Art Community Fish Painting Contest. Come to the center and buy a plaster fish for $15 (child’s size $5). Take it home and make it a masterpiece. Return it by June 8 at 4 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded on June 12, noon during the River Day event
l Joan Brace Scholarship Competition Reception May 12, 7 p.m.; high school exhibit runs through June 1. This is a unique exhibit featuring the art of high school seniors from Orion and Oxford competing in Southeastern Michigan’s largest scholarship offering of tuition dollars for visual arts.
l Paint Creek Fest River Day event on June 12, noon-5 p.m. on the banks of Paint Creek at the OAC and Children’s Park. Celebrate our natural resources with activities, games, kids crafts, entertainment by the ‘Paint Creek Boys,? information from many different groups and demos. Hooked on Art winners announced at noon.
Offered in coordination with Clinton River Watershed Council, River of Life and Downtown Lake Orion.
l Kids Summer Arts Day Camp (week 1) — The Great Outdoors — June 14-18. This is the art center’s first ever Monday-Friday camp, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for students 5 and up. This camp focuses on appreciation and preservation of earth in an artful setting, incorporating earth elements such as clay, natural dyes, watercolor, Native American themes, stories, wildlife and nature as a backdrop. $125/public; $110/members.
l ArtInSoul Professional Theatre Ensemble presents ‘It Had to Be You.? For the first time, the art center transforms into a small playhouse for two weekends. Limited tickets. $10/advance; $15/door. June 18 — 8 p.m., June 19 — 2 and 8 p.m., June 25 — 8 p.m., June 26 — 8 p.m.
l Kids Summer Arts Day Camp (week 2) — Theatre Arts Camp — June 21-25. Offered to ages 5 and up, this camp will be more theatrical with emphasis on voice, movement, theatrical staging, dance and music, with a performance at week’s end. Cost is $125/public; $110/members.
The art center is also looking for host families to house members of the German group ‘Soltau Youth Band from July 22-25.. Brought to OAC by the Blue Lake International Exchange program, this group will be performing at two Orion events as part of their stay. Call the art center at 248-693-4986 if interested.