The Shelby Township Fine Art Society is celebrating the installation of its 30th show at Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea in Shelby Township.

Photo provided by Diane Mueller


Shelby Township Fine Art Society showcases works of art at cafe

By: Kara Szymanski | Shelby-Utica News | Published August 12, 2024

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Fine Art Society is celebrating the installation of its 30th art show at Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea, 45629 Hayes Road.

The art will be on display until Oct. 4. Many of the pieces will be available for purchase while they are being showcased. Numerous paintings have been sold since the shows at Sweetwaters started in June 2019.

The partnership has all been made possible by Dave Grimes, owner of Sweetwaters Cafe, and Sara Katsavrias and Patti and Pete Connors from the Shelby Township Fine Art Society.

Katsavrias, the Shelby Township Fine Art Society president, said it has been a great team effort since 2019.

“It has been a great partnership with owner Dave Grimes. Every two months, 20 new original pieces of art by one of our 64 members is hung for the public to view. It is a win-win situation: Dave has art decorating his walls and we have a place to showcase and sell our art. Please come visit and maybe purchase a piece for that perfect wall at home,” she said.

Grimes said he is proud of the relationship with the Shelby Township Fine Art Society.

“The beautiful art and wonderful artists have helped us to achieve a creative vibe at Sweetwaters, which was our goal starting at our grand opening five years ago. Our cafe feels like a coffee shop art gallery. We even have unveilings of new artwork about every six weeks. We started with a mission to support the local art community and have exceeded expectations at all levels,” he said.

The subjects of some of the artwork on display include animals, nature and even patterns.

Patti Connor, the society’s program and workshop director, and her husband, Pete, help Katsavrias with the hanging of the artwork.The society was founded in 2000 with the purpose of promoting, teaching and encouraging fine art through monthly meetings, workshops, exhibits and demonstrations.