The Village Theater at Cherry Hill is currently exhibiting artwork from the 30th Annual Canton Fine Arts Exhibition now through October 26, 2024, bringing together works of some of the best artists throughout southeast Michigan. The exhibit contains works in a variety of media, including: oil, acrylic, pastels, inks, pencil, colored pencil, photography, mixed media, and more.

This year's winners include: Best of Show: Dean Rogers for 'Draggin' Down the Street'; Second Prize: Brant MacLean for 'Doty Park'; Third Prize: Lydia Hannah Wilson for 'Elegance of Indian Heritage''; Honorable Mention: Alex Kautz for 'Reaper'; Honorable Mention: David Petropoulos for 'Integrating the Without, Within'; Merit Award: Chuck Schroeder for 'End of the Road'; Merit Award: Anthony Dedakis for 'Nature's Embrace'; Merit Award: Jill McGinn for 'Sea Dance'; and Merit Award: Elena Adam for 'When Elf Looks at You'.

"This annual exhibition continues to gain a great reputation for featuring some of the best-emerging artists in Michigan," said Elli Fassois, The Gallery at Cherry Hill Coordinator. "We're hoping that as many people as possible stop in before the exhibition closes on October 26, to select their favorite and vote for the People's Choice Award."

This year 148 pieces were reviewed by juror Tom Hale, whose love for painting has earned him numerous competitive awards. His work is shown extensively throughout the nation and has been exhibited in both national and international competitions. Hale has completed over thirty-one hundred original paintings, which are in the hands of corporate, private, and individual art collections. His list of clients includes major corporations and individuals from all walks of life who reside in a number of countries. His awards total nearly 400 and the one that he is most proud of is the GOLD METAL OF HONOR from the 113th Annual American Watercolor Society (AWS) in New York City for his painting titled "CHROME", a detailed image of a 1929 DUESENBERG.

Featured artists, include: Elena Adam; Susan Aitken; Laura Cavanagh; Nancy Coumoundouros; Anthony Dedakis; Michelle DeLange; Robert du Nord; Alex Kautz; Brant MacLean; Jill McGinn; John Middlestead; Christine Panyard; Robert Perrish; David Petropoulos; Dean Rogers; Ronald Rutherford; Chuck Schroeder; Josephine Sheehy; Doug Stein; Pamela Stoddard; Alicia Vasseli; Nancy Wanchik; Lydia Hannah Wilson; and Victoria Wolf.

The Canton Fine Arts Exhibition began in 1993 as an activity of Canton Project ARTS, a cultural programming body that provided various arts-related events and activities to the community. In 2004, Canton Project ARTS was absorbed by Canton Leisure Services and is currently guided by the Canton Commission for Culture, Arts, and Heritage.

The public is encouraged to view this free exhibit: Tuesday & Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursday & Friday from 4-8 p.m.; during public performances at the theater; and by appointment by calling 734/394-5308. The gallery, located at 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton, is closed on holidays.

For more information about this latest exhibition, please call 734/394-5300 or visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org.