Starkweather Hours: CLOSED in January for inventory
Hours: Thurs, Friday, Saturday 10-4
Our hours are limited due to the fact that we are staffed by volunteers. Thanks for your support.
We will be open this Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10-4 for the Labor Day.Holiday!
219 N. Main, Romeo, MI 48065
586.752.5700
Mission Statement: To promote and foster the appreciation of the arts and artists and to support the preservation of the character and quality of life in the Historic Village of Romeo.
One of our Starkweather Artists will have a framed piece of artwork on display at PNC in their East Lobby. The work will be for sale through Starkweather, and will change out every few months. Thanks PNC for support of SAC and our local artists!
Current artist: Christina Haylett
Tri County Bank of Romeo Offers Art for Sale
One of our Starkweather Artists will have several pieces of artwork on display at Tri County Bank of Romeo on S. Main Street. The work will be for sale through Starkweather, and will change out every few months. Thanks Manger Joe Worden and Tri County Bank!
Current artist: Evelyn Raiter
Art Appraisals: Starkweather does not conduct art appraisals. For information on appraisals, please contact Dumouchelle's in Detroit.
You may reach us by email: or leave a message at 586.752.5700.
An Easy Way to Donate
Amazon Smile
When you shop at Amazon, you can donate to Starkweather by clicking on Amazon Smile! No money comes from you, but Amazon will donate 5% of your purchase amount on select items, directly to us. Just select "Starkweather Society" (our legal non profit name) and the giving is easy! Click Here
February/March 2021 Masks required.
Annual Members' Show
Each year we are proud to present work from our talented members.
Application Due: January 22
Art Drop Off: February 6
Opening (tentative): February 12
April 2021
Romeo Schools Student Art Show
Each year we are proud to present work from our talented local art students.
Looking forward to 2021. Dates TBD
Open Mic Night @ Starkweather: always the 4th Friday!
7PM, $4, $3 Starkweather members
Open to all, come to perform, come to enjoy!
Art Sales: Starkweather does not purchase art from a secondary market to sell at the gallery. All art for sale is from local artists themselves, and is sold on a commission basis. This is in keeping with our mission statement to support local artists.
However, we do accept art donations, that we will offer for sale for donation to help support our gallery.
Consider including Starkweather Arts Center in your estate planning and give the gift of art to your community.
Starkweather operates from sales, donations, memberships, sponsorships, grants and revenue from events. Your generous gift would help us continue our mission to promote the arts and preserve our lovely historic 1865 building.
Siberian Elm Removal
December 4, 2020
On December 4th the enormous Siberian Elm behind Starkweather was taken down. It was quite an involved operation because every piece of the tree had to be craned over top of the carriage house and power lines. Several hollow or cracked/split branches were found, as were several large bolts/steel rods and steel cable that had been used in the past to reinforce splits and weak points in the tree. Additionally, the bottom of the trunk was found to have a substantial amount of rot at its center. The work was done by A Plus Tree Service, who did a great job. The largest sections of the tree were saved, to be milled into lumber. Special thanks to Four County Community Foundation, who awarded us a grant that helped pay for removal of the tree, as part of a larger effort to renovate the Starkweather garden
Annual Members' Show
February/March 2021 Masks Required
Each year we are proud to host work from our Member artists!
Romeo Community Schools Student Show
April 2021
Come see our annual Student Show this coming April
Classes
2020
Due to Covid19 restrictions, we have had to alter class plans for now. Please check out Anton Art Center in Mt. Clemens and Paint Creek in Rochester for any available classes.
Youth Art Classes TBD
Clay Studio open on a limited basis. Please contact Instructor: Peggy Grandstaff at 586.752.6013
DRUM CIRCLE Next date TBD, $5 drop in. Bring your own percussion instrument.
Music Programs
2021
OPEN MIC NIGHT @ Starkweather 4th Fridays. Music starts at 7PM, $4, $3 members.
What are open mics? Come play, sing, read, perform! Come listen and enjoy! Performers sign in at the door and perform 2 or 3 numbers (depending on how busy we are). Most of our performers are musicians but comedy, poetry, acting are all welcome. We welcome all ages and abilities. Everyone pays the nominal amount, as this is a fund raiser for Starkweather Arts Center, a non profit.
Open Mic @ Starkweather is in its 11th year and is upstairs. (Sorry no elevators)
Grant Award Announcement
2020
Starkweather Arts Center is grateful to acknowledge a recent grant award from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Non-profit cultural organizations throughout Michigan, that have been negatively impacted as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak were eligible. We sincerely thank the MCACA and NEA for their support, along with Governor Whitmer, State Senator Pete Lucido and State Representative Doug Wozniak.
Romeo Mural "Spirit of Romeo"
Our Romeo gem
Project Partners Starkweather Arts Center, DIA and Romeo DDA worked together with Lead artist Nicole Macdonald and artist Stephanie Sucaet-Felczak to create a mural in downtown Romeo on the Medaugh Building at 133 S. Main Street.
Special thanks to our generous community minded donors the Four County Community Foundation and Kiwanis of the Romeo Area.
A dedication ceremony took place Saturday, October 12 featuring guest speakers State Senator Peter J.Lucido, Village President Christine Malzahn, Four County Community Foundation Director Kathy Dickens, DIA Project Director Charles Garling and DIA Director Salvador Salort-Pons.
Additional contributors were Sue & Jerry Vagi and Charles Garling for the Mural Maintenance Fund. Thanks to Mike Romano of Tech City for filming the progress of the mural.
Empty Bowls
October 2019
Starkweather Arts Center Clay Studio, for the 4th year, made Empty Bowls to help fight food insecurity in our community. Our 2019 recipient was the Second Baptist Church of Romeo which is proudly celebrating 100 years of helping folks in need in our community! Our donation was our largest yet at $3,803 presented to Pastor Marcus Akles by Peggy Grandstaff.
Pictured from left to right: Sister Admire Akles, Deaconess Sandra Akles, Sister Tina Womble, Peggy Grandstaff, Pastor Marcus Akles, Lady Melissa Akles, volunteer Becky Smith.
Not Pictured: Volunteers Joyce Kilpatrick, Joanne Caruana-Hayes, Jeannette Zaporski
Many many thanks to our sponsors.
NOTE: Empty Bowls hopes to resume in 2021
Romeo Guild of Art
TBD
The Romeo Guild of Art meets at Starkweather monthly, September through June, the 2nd Tuesday of the Month at 7PM. (no meeting in December) Agenda is a short business meeting and social time and then a guest presenter. There is always something new and interesting to learn from these meetings. It's a great way to network and grow!
Artists: Enter the Thumb Area Artists Exhibition held at Starkweather late August-September. This juried show features some of the best artists in our area. Prizes valued over $1000
NOTE: In 2020, the TAAE will be replaced by an invitation only virtual show.
Starkweather Rentals
Parties & Celebrations in a Unique Setting
Did you know that Starkweather has hosted dinners, private parties, meetings and reunions? Our lovely gallery spaces may be perfect for your next event. Contact Dave Pyrce at 586.752.5700 or for details.
Romeo High School Alumni Scholarships
Due March 1, 2021
Romeo High grads who are in pursuit of higher education in art or drafting related fields, may apply for an alumni scholarship.
What better way to directly impact your community than to become a Sponsor. We are looking for sponsors for Gallery Shows, Music Programs, Events, Education, Building Preservation and Operations. Your donation will help us continue our great programming and will let the community know that you value the arts, and how it improves the quality of life in Romeo and Northern Macomb County. We appreciate your consideration.
Thanks to our Grantors and Donors:
Bruce Township Culligan Donna Aul
DTE Energy Foundation Emmet's Energy Ford Motor Foundation
Four County Community Foundation Village of Romeo Washington Township
John Murphy Kehoe Orthodontics Christina Muir
Kiwanis Club of the Romeo Area Mark & Janet Davison McLean, Mijak and Clark Mt.Vernon Tree Northend Tax & Accounting Culture Source
Preceptor Delta Beta Sorority Record Newspaper Robert May Window Cleaning
Romeo Accountants Romeo Guild of Art Romeo Lions Club
Romeo Masons Rustic Bluebird TheMitt.TV
Thee Office & Cookery UPS Store 1883 Venture Global Engineering Found.
Westview Orchards & Winery John & Renate Friedrich Renee Simon