4 Metro Detroit Exhibits to See this Summer

Story by Danielle Alexander

Summer is almost here, and although many of us are itching to get outdoors, let’s face it: we do get our fair share of rainy and excessively hot days in metro Detroit.

If you find yourself feeling bored at home, head on over to one of these four exhibits occurring in and around Detroit all summer:

1. DIA Inside|Out (Now through Oct. 31)

Returning for its eighth year, the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Inside|Out brings “high-quality reproductions of masterpieces from the museum’s collection to outdoor venues throughout metro Detroit.” This summer, however, not only is the DIA collaborating with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to include 10 reproductions from their collection, but also the overall number of reproductions will increase from 80 to 120. As of now, artwork can be found in Brighton, Clawson, Farmington, Franklin, Fraser, Lafayette Park, Mount Clemens, Novi, Plymouth, Taylor and Wayne, but starting August 1, you can spot them in Allen Park, Auburn Hills, Clarkston, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, Detroit RiverWalk, Highland Township, Hines Park, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights and Troy.

Admission: Free

2. Shaping the Vessel: Mascoll and Samuel (Now through Aug. 1)

Shaping the Vessel at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History features 26 works of wood, celebrating artists John Mascoll and Avelino Samuel who are said to have “elevated the development of their art form.” The artists’ wood lathe served as a springboard to “imagination, flights of fancy and ingenuity,” and the exhibit is meant to celebrate that.

Admission: Free with museum admission

3. Spark!Lab at the Michigan Science Center (Going on now)

If you or your child would like to experience the process of inventing and innovating, Michigan Science Center’s Smithsonian Spark!Lab is definitely the place to visit. Whether through hands-on activities, interactions with facilitators and/or even conversations with local inventors, this exhibit naturally appeals to “curious minds of all ages.”

Admission: Free with museum admission

4. The Henry Ford House Industries Exhibit (Now through Sept. 4)

House Industries: A Type of Learning at The Henry Ford’s Museum of American Innovation is “a multisensory exhibition that will inform, teach and, most importantly, empower people of all ages to follow their interests and never stop learning from what they like.” Whether through explaining how drawing led to creating fonts or how hot-rodding and punk rock influences reinforced a hands-on approach to problem solving, the exhibit shows how innovation can be inspired from personal interests.

Admission: Free with museum admission

Freelance writer Danielle Alexander’s absolute favorite season is summer, but even she gets sick of the hot weather after a while. Bring on the exhibits!

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