Art on the Farm Craft Show Celebrates Ninth Year in Dexter

The ninth annual Art on the Farm art show is coming to Dexter Township on Oct. 28.

The event draws roughly 30 artists and about 1,000 visitors to the area. Local artist Lauren Kingsley and her husband, Jack, have hosted the show every year at the end of October on their 24-acre farm at 12075 Island Lake Road.

To mark the ninth anniversary of the show, several new artists have been added, including Julie Cohen (decorative tiles), Mary Coscia (basketry), Mike Sivak (3D constructions), Mary Underwood (wool and wovens), and Laura Scriven (photography).

“It’s such a popular show – with the public and artists – and we get such high quality submissions from artists, that it’s difficult for us to decide when we receive applications,” Lauren Kingsley said. “We have a core group of artists who have been with us since the beginning, but I also like to switch out some exhibitors within categories. This keeps things fresh, gives other artists a chance to ‘cycle in’ and experience the show, and exposes emerging artists to the job, as it were.”

Returning artists from previous years include Gail Dougherty (mittens and hats) and Debbie Thompson (ceramics), among others. Visitors will have an opportunity to see and purchase a wide range of art that includes stained glass, hand-linked silver jewelry, glass beads, photography and feather hair extensions.

Kingsley said the show has grown so popular she has had to enlist local Girl Scouts to help park cars.

"The girls bring a tent and have a bake sale during the show as well," she said.

In addition, Pilar’s of Ann Arbor, a tamale restaurant, will be on site to provide concessions to shoppers.

Kingsley said she tries to keep the quality of work as high as possible while still keeping prices competitive.

“Most of the artists are professional or semi-professional,” she said. “Space is limited to 30 artists at the very most, so we need to be discerning. We get many applications from hobbyists who have not been to the show, but heard about it. Some of this work is very good and we try to put those people on our wait list, but the majority of it is more suitable for a non-juried craft show.”

The application process and schedule of events are available on the show's website, www.artonthefarmdexter.com.  

“We are at the point now where we don’t have to worry about bringing in a crowd,” Kingsley said. “The thing we worry about is weather. Art on the Farm goes on rain or shine since it’s inside two barns, but everyone knows a windy rainy day will keep people at home. Mornings can be pretty cold before the opening, then it warms up, maybe because sales get hot pretty quickly.”

For more information about the upcoming event, visit the Art on the Farm website or call 734-424-4822. Art on the Farm will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 28. The event is free and open to the public.