Super Saturdays! Youth Classes
FREE First Saturdays of the Month
Free, fun, art classes for kids, 1st through 5th grade
with Peg Grandstaff & Sherry Bonczak
February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7
2 times to pick from: 10 AM - NOON OR 1 - 3 PM
Registration required. Space limited.
Just call to sign up for a cool, easy art project you can make & take!
CALL 586.752.5700 to register.
YOUTH ART CLASSES: THEMED ART CLASSES!
CALL US TO REGISTER
"Playing with Paint"
Teacher: Peg Grandstaff
Feb 15, Feb 22, Mar 8
Cost: $18 for 3 sessions
Ages: 7-9 years Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Complete 5 unique painting projects that explore the many different aspects of this 'messy' medium.
Wear old clothes and be prepared to try something new!
"Playing with Sculpture"
Teacher: Peg Grandstaff
Mar 15, Mar 22, Mar 29
Cost: $18 for 3 sessions
Ages: 10-12 years Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Cut it, tape it, paste it, plaster it and see what happens!
Complete sculptures in 5 different mediums and see where your creativity leads!
"String Art Project"
Teacher: Sherry Bonczak
April 12
Cost: $8
Ages: 8-12 Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Revisit a 70's craft using string art to create a colorful spirograph design.
"Japanese Sushi Plate"
Teacher: Sherry Bonczak
May 17
Cost: $8
Ages: 9-12 Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Make your very own decorative Japanese Sushi Dish using clay and Black Emperor Rice
"Playing with Clay"
Teacher: Peg Grandstaff
Coming Summer 2014!!
April 11-13 April 18-20, 25-27
Springtime Celebration of Art, May 2024
Photo from Kim Santini
April 11-13 April 18-20, 25-27
Starkweather Hours: Thurs, Friday, Saturday 10-4
Our hours are limited due to the fact that we are staffed by volunteers.
Thanks for your support.
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.
Romeo PNC Bank Offers Art for Sale
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: Joyce Kilpatrick of Bruce Twp.
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 209 S. Main Street. The work will be for sale through Starkweather, and will change out every few months. Thanks Managers Joe Worden and Kim Davis and Tri County Bank!
Current artist: Sara Kasper of Bruce Twp., MI
Bruce Township Offices Displays Local Artist
Bruce Township offices on E. Gates (East of Van Dyke, just north of the Village) have graciously offered our artists space to display their work.
Current artist: Michele Hunt of Oxford, MI
Village of Romeo Offices Displays Local Artist
Romeo Village Offices at 121 W. St. Clair has offered to display local artists. Thank you to President Meagan Poznanski and Romeo DPW
Current artist: Marianne Ochalek of Romeo, MI
Art Appraisals: Starkweather does not conduct art appraisals. For information on appraisals, please contact Dumouchelle's in Detroit.
Their website is www.dumouchelle.com or call 313-963-6255.
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.
CALENDAR
CLOSED Saturday, May 25 for Memorial Weekend
We are open Thurs-Sat 10-4. We host monthly art shows to support our artist communities. We are a non profit 501C3 and are mostly staffed by volunteers.
Open Mic Night @ Starkweather: always the 4th Friday!
7PM, $4, $3 members
RCS Student Art Show
Sponsored by Extra Credit Union
April 11-13, 18-20, 25-26
Springtime Celebration of Art
Peggy Ann Whiteley, Joyce Harlukowicz, Janet Sandison
May 3-31
Opening Reception May 3, 6-8PM
The Thursday Brushes present
"If a Brush Could Talk" June 2024
Janet Almstadt Davison, Barbara Clay, Christina Haylett, Laura Gabriel, Kimberly Santini, Bobbie Tabunas, Sue Michels, Mary Marple
Summer Group Show
All mediums
"Ya' Gotta' Eat!"
Food related art - restaurants, growing, still life, food markets etc.
July/August
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.
Romeo Student Show
April 2024
SPONSORED BY EXTRA CREDIT UNION!
April 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26
Springtime Celebration of Art
May 2024
Peggy Ann Whiteley, Janet Sandison, Joyce Harlukowicz
May 3-31
Opening Reception Friday, May 3, 6-8PM
Thursday Brushes "If a Brush Could Talk"
End of March/Beginning of April
Local art group, "The Thursday Brushes" will share their work in June 2024.
Members include: Janet Almstadt-Davison, Kimberly Santini, Laura Gabriel, Mary Marple, Bobbie Tarbunas, Christina Haylett, Barbara Clay and Sue Michels.
They are committed and open-minded to the arts while showing respect and humor with helpful and instructive art critique.
"Ya' Gotta' Eat"
July/August 2024
Our annual Summer Show will be a delicious food themed delight!
All mediums are eligible.
Juror is mixed media artist Sue Schneider
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and HM.
Opening Reception July 12, 6-8PM
Clay Studio Support
A big THANK YOU to Romeo Lions!
A big THANK YOU TO ROMEO LIONS!
Starkweather received a $1500 grant towards clay supplies for our Summer of Clay and Empty Bowl programs.
With additional support provided by Starkweather Society, and our wonderful volunteer clay studio teachers, we are able to continue providing low cost clay classes and our Empty Bowl fundraiser to our community.
Music Programs
Open Mic
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 upstairs. (Sorry no elevators)
Classes
2024
Clay Studio will open after Memorial Day. Please contact Instructor: Peggy Grandstaff at 586.752.6013
Clay Studio will open in the spring with two options for a summer of clay fun. If you would like to work on projects all Summer long, there is a one-time cost of $60 per person and you can attend during our Open Studio times which are TBD.
Space is limited to six participants (including the staff) per session and you need to sign up by calling Peg at 586-752-6013.
If you would like to help fight hunger here in Romeo and just be a "clay dabbler", you can sign up to make an Empty Bowl for our fundraiser to be held in October. Proceeds will support local food pantries. The cost is $5.00 to make the bowl and it takes 2 visits which will be scheduled at times that are not scheduled for Open Studio. This is great for groups of all kinds that want to try something new, fill a need, or just plain show community spirit. Sign up with Peg at the same phone number as above. Group size will be limited.
If you are a teacher interested in running a class, give us a shout out at starkweatherarts@comcast.net.
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.
Romeo High School Art/Drafting Scholarships
Due March 1st, 2024
Graduating Romeo High grads who are in pursuit of higher education in art or drafting related fields, and those who have previously received a Starkweather/Garvin Scholarship may apply for a Starkweather/Garvin Scholarship through the Four County Community Foundation.
2023 Award Winners: RHS 2023 grads Natalie Silos, Victoria Rutkowski, Avery Coe and Alumnae Marisa Cohen and Giovanni Zora
Please visit the Four County Community Foundation website: 4ccf.org "scholarships" page for application. For questions, contact Micaela Boomer program@4ccf.org.
Sponsorships
Contact us for info at 752.5700
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 • Culture Source • Detroit Area Woodturners • Donna Aul • DTE Energy Foundation • Emmet's Energy • Ford Motor Foundation • Four County Community Foundation • Friends of the Romeo District Library • Janet & Mark Davison • John & Renate Friedrich • John Murphy and Christina Muir • Kehoe Orthodontics • Ken Kiernicki • Kiwanis Club of the Romeo Area • Mark & Janet Davison • McLean, Mijak and Clark • MI Community Media • Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs • Mt.Vernon Tree • Northend Tax & Accounting • PNC • Preceptor Delta Beta Sorority • Record Newspaper • Renee Simon • Robert May Window Cleaning • Romeo Accountants • Romeo Guild of Art • Romeo Lions Club • Romeo Masons • Rule 62 Cafe • Rustic Bluebird • RWB Parks & Recreation • TheMitt.TV • Thee Office & Cookery • Tri County Bank of Romeo • UPS Store 1883 • Venture Global Engineering Foundation • Village of Romeo • Washington Township • Westview Orchards & Winery- Michigan Municipal League - Romeo Rotary Club - Lisa Joseph - United by Art - Thursday Brushes
Community Art "Peace Poles"
April 29. 2023
Introducing our Peace Pole Project. We have partnered with Romeo High School Art teacher Lisa Joseph and 38 art students from Advanced Painting and Painting for Realism, and professional artists from the Thursday Brushes and United by Art, to decorate poles to represent nature, friendship and peace which will be installed in various locations in downtown Romeo.
Funding is through the generosity of the Michigan Municipal League Foundation and their Bridge Builder Neighborhood Grant, Romeo Rotary and with assistance of local Boy Scouts Troop 87.
This effort is to help add artwork to the Village which involves the community and is cost-efficient.
Placements:
Starkweather Arts Center Garden, 219 N. Main: Thursday Brushes
Romeo Kezar Library, 107 Church: Romeo High School Student Artists
Greater Romeo Washington Chamber of Commerce, 228 N. Main:
Romeo High School Student Artists & Thursday Brushes
Uptown Dog, 111 S. Main: United by Art
People Driven Credit Union, 141 S. Main: Romeo High School Student Artists
135 W. St. Clair: Romeo High School Student Artists
Empty Bowls
October 13, 2023
Since 2015, our little but mighty Clay Studio, has raised over $20,000 which is donated to local food insecurity programs. One bowl at a time, our volenteers spend the spring and summer working toward supplementing local food pantries.
2019: Our 2019 recipient was the Second Baptist Church of Romeo which was proudly celebrating 100 years of helping folks in need in our community!
2021: Our Clay Studio was able to raise $3,518 through Empty Bowls which was split between MCREST and the First Congregational Curch of Romeo!
2022: We raised over $6067 for the Romeo Community Schools Free & Reduced Lunch Program.
2023: The Agape Center at St. Clements Church is our recipient and we raised just over $4000.
If you would like to help fight hunger here in Romeo and just be a "clay dabbler", you can sign up to make an Empty Bowl for our fundraiser to be held in October. The cost is $5.00 to make the bowl and it takes 2 visits which will be scheduled at times that are not scheduled for Open Studio. This is great for groups of all kinds that want to try something new, fill a need, or just plain show community spirit. Sign up with Peg at 586.752.6013. Group size will be limited.