Ferndale Art March: Man in the City Exhibition at Affirmations March 14
Ferndale, MI – Affirmations community center is proud to announce that acclaimed public artist John Sauve has been selected as the organizations 2026 Artist in Residence.
Sauve will lead a yearlong series of public art initiatives, including the installation of a new Man in the City light sculpture and a collaborative community art project with Downtown Ferndale.
As part of the residency, Sauve will install a signature Man in the City light sculpture on the 9 Mile Road facade of the Affirmations building, creating a new cultural landmark in downtown Ferndale. The illuminated figure, part of Sauves nationally recognized series, will serve as a beacon of visibility, creativity, and community connection.
On March 14, 2026, Affirmations will host an exhibition of Man in the City canvases created by artists throughout the Ferndale community.
These works, distributed to local creators earlier in the year, will be displayed at Affirmations throughout Spring 2026.
That same day, from 2 – 4 PM, visitors of all ages are invited to participate in a hands on Make Your Man activity, offering a playful and accessible introduction to Sauves iconic figure and its creative possibilities.
In March 2026, Sauve will also partner with Downtown Ferndale to host a public art project designed to engage residents, celebrate local identity, and expand access to contemporary art making. Details about community participation, workshops, and installation dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
Throughout the residency, Sauve will host a Speaker Series at Affirmations, featuring conversations on public art, creative placemaking, and the role of artists in civic life. All talks and programs will be free and open to the public. Affirmations has long been a home for creativity, expression, and community building, said Sauve.
This residency is an opportunity to bring people together through art on the street, in the gallery, and in conversation. Affirmations Executive Director Tracey Hall added “We are thrilled to welcome John Sauve as our 2026 Artist in Residence. His work embodies the spirit of visibility and connection that defines Affirmations, and we are excited to share these projects with the entire community.”
More information: http://www.goaffirmations.org
Affirmations is located at 290 W 9 Mile Rd in Downtown Ferndale
Art March is here to stay! This month-long celebration, launched in 2025 in effort to showcase the richness and diversity of the artistic world, while creating space for exploration, learning, shopping, dining and connection in Downtown Ferndale
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is proud to host “Art March” in conjunction with the Downtown Ferndale Public Art Program and the Ferndale Arts & Beautification Commission. Art March mirrors the experience of a traditional art gallery exhibition—beginning with an opening celebration and unfolding throughout the month with self-guided public art walks, hands-on workshops, pop up art installations, interactive games, and gallery crawls, before concluding with a public closing reception.
More info: https://downtownferndale.com/publicart/#/events/
