19th annual Fine Art at The Village returns July 29-30

ROCHESTER HILLS — Art enthusiasts will gather at the Village of Rochester Hills July 29-30 for the 19th annual Fine Art at The Village.

Donna Beaubien, the executive director of Fine Art at The Village, said the outdoor shopping center will be transformed into an artistic haven, with traffic closed through the center of the Village, allowing artists’ booths to line Main Street and one side street.

During the festival, over 70 artists will display and sell their work in a variety of mediums — including ceramics, glasswork, paintings, drawings, mixed media, sculptures, photography, fiber art, woodwork, jewelry and more.

“The goal of the art fair is to always bring back the favorites, but always offer something new and different. … People really enjoy working with the artists,” Beaubien said.

Artists featured in the show come from all across the nation to participate in the juried art show, curated by the team behind the Village Fine Art Gallery.

“One artist is coming from as far away as California, and several are coming from Florida,” Beaubien shared.

Locally, Timothy “Jackson” Dupree, of Oakland Township, will bring a variety of architectural paintings to the show. Dupree, now 21, has been participating in Fine Art at the Village since he was 15.

“From the get-go, I have always had a passion for art … so I decided to go to school for it as well,” Dupree said.

His work, he said, focuses mostly on “intricate architecture,” mainly from Detroit and some from New York.

Christine Labaza, of Rochester, is also featured in the show.

As a child, Labaza dreamed of becoming a scuba diver, and she finally decided to learn after graduating college in 2014. Learning to scuba dive prompted her to delve into underwater photography.

“I decided some of my photos were decent enough for art shows, so I started applying, and here I am several years later,” she said.

Labaza’s photography focuses on underwater sea creatures, shipwrecks, abstract images and macro photography.

“I love doing underwater photography because it’s a chance for me to take photos of places and things that a wide majority of people never get a chance to see in their lifetime. There is another whole world under the surface, and getting to bring that up to light is why I do what I do,” Labaza said.

Along with the art, attendees can enjoy free entertainment and children’s activities — including an all-ages coloring contest at Barnes & Noble for the chance to win one of three gift baskets.

Plastic eggs will be hidden throughout the art fair, with some containing $1 and others offering coupons worth $25 or $100, redeemable exclusively at participating artists’ booths.

Between 10,000 and 15,000 people typically attend the art fair, depending on the weather, and the event goes on rain or shine. The festival runs 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, July 29, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, July 30.

For more information about the 19th annual Fine Art at The Village, call (248) 561-4919 or visit fineartatthevillage.com.