Ferndale Wraps Up ArtMarch with Evaluation of History and Input for the Future
(Crystal A. Proxmire, April 9, 2025)
Ferndale, MI – Ferndale has long been known for it’s creative spirit and dedication to the arts. With murals throughout the Downtown area, several art galleries, a community concert band, and events that support and encourage artists of all ages and levels, it is definitely a place for artists and admirers to be.
Last month that spirit was catalogued and celebrated with Downtown Ferndale’s first ever ArtMarch in conjunction with the Downtown Ferndale Public Art Program and the Ferndale Arts & Beautification Commission. Throughout the month there were events hosted by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) as well as local groups and businesses focusing on the theme. It concluded with a gathering at the Rust Belt Market for visitors to share input on the city’s public art and what they would like to see next. There was also a community art project that people could draw part of.
Two online surveys remain available for those who want to share their ideas. One is about Downtown Ferndale and the DDA in general, and the other is about Art in Ferndale.
“Art is part of Ferndale’s identity,” said Ferndale Councilperson Rolanda Kelley. Kelley has lived in several places through her life, but when it came time to relocate to the Metro Detroit area 15 years ago, she wanted to be in the place that is “eclectic and artsy.
When the DDA launched the You Belong Here art series in 2023 it particularly spoke to Kelley. “I’ve never quite felt like I belonged anywhere before Ferndale,” she said. “You Belong Here encompasses what I think Ferndale is, it’s a place for everyone.”
Aaron Miller of 248 Studio is an artist whose work can be seen on two of the outside walls of the Rust Belt. Facing Nine Mile is a giant mural of a whale with a cast of animal characters on it’s back. Titled “I Dream of June,” it’s an homage to his daughter and other friends and family members in their life.
His daughter was two years old and as he worked he asked her what animal each person should be. “Her aunt was an owl. She was a raccoon, on a skateboard, looking like the wild force of nature that she is.”
His other project, Waiting on Godzilla, adorns the wall in the alleyway, close to the Rust Belt’s rear entrance. It features a giant gorilla rocking a pair of Nikes.
Through 248 Studio people can find shirts, skateboards, digital art, and other creations. Each one features his artistic signature, a pit bull dog with a bow tie modeled after his own pooch who was found on Griswold street in Detroit named Griz.
When asked what advice he had for other aspiring artists, Miller said “You can be an artist, but the big but is you have to do everything else, all the other jobs to do. You have to be good at business.”
He added that sharing art is important. “Having people see your art is the most helpful thing as an artist. Their reactions will fuel you. Do a show. Do an art fair. Do a pop up at a coffee shop. Any time you interact it can tell you things you can learn from.”
Christian Baranyk lives in Clawson, but he comes to Ferndale for the creative spirit. He especially loved ArtMarch because of the various events. He came for BINGO night where the DDA gave out small canvases for people to beautify and return. He also came to an event focused on making zines, and one focused on skateboard art.
“I take art supplies with me to most places,” Baranyk said. In Ferndale the coffee shops and the library are great places to work. “As an artist, I like the opportunities here.”
That mix of art and leisurely places, combined with eclectic shops and varied restaurants, all combine to make Downtown Ferndale special. But that vibe does not just happen. The DDA is tasked with maintaining the health and vibrancy of the downtown space for the benefit of all – including businesses, residents, and visitors.
They are funded through a tax capture, meaning that a certain portion of property taxes that would otherwise be going to the state and other taxing bodies is set aside, or “captured,” to be reinvested locally in ways that support the downtowns. This program was created at a time when downtowns across Michigan faced devastating losses due to the proliferation of malls and shopping centers. Capturing tax increases for reinvestment has helped many communities, including Ferndale, go from areas of blight and vacant storefronts to the thriving hubs they are today.
“Maintaining a local economy takes design. Downtown planning and management is an art and a science,” said DDA Director Jennie Beeker. “It isn’t just about the businesses either. Part of the value of living in Ferndale is having an upbeat and thriving downtown. When downtowns start to see blight or businesses moving away, it reflects the health of the community over all. We try to be good stewards of public money, thinking of how we can keep working to stay relevant and keep growing.”
“We can’t fix everything, but art is one way we can help keep the community vibrant and keep Ferndale as a place people are proud to be part of,” she said. “It makes me happy to see people taking photos in front of art downtown. That speaks to the value of public art. They see art and engage with it, and that helps them feel connected to this place.”
Art projects over the years have accumulated to the artsy space Ferndale is today. In 2012 sculptures were added as the DDA launched ARTTWN. In 2022 they revived their art programing with the DOT Art Experience. In 2023 the You Belong Here series added more art, particularly murals, with a welcoming message. And in 2024 the Ferndale in Bloom series showcased even more creativity in the bustling downtown.
What comes next? Public input will help shape the future of Downtown Ferndale. Here are the links to surveys:
Downtown Ferndale and the DDA in general
