Local Artists Shine at Common Ground Art Show in Ferndale
(Crystal A. Proxmire, March 14, 2026)
Ferndale, MI – There’s a creature called Oli Goli Mongolian that starred in the bedtime story adventures of Sommer Realy’s youth. Her father would tell tales of this mythical creature that inspires her imagination even as an adult. “Oli was always on an adventure. He’d go all over the world, or he’d be out in space, out in the Universe.”
Realy paid homage to this imaginary travel buddy in a painting that was one of many showcased in the Common Ground Art Show at First Merchants Bank in Downtown Ferndale. The event featured artists from the Ferndale area, and was part of Downtown Ferndale’s ArtMarch month-long celebration of art. Realy, who works as the Public Art Manager at Downtown Ferndale, enjoyed being part of the event, as well as helping to plan it.
“Public art is very important to celebrate,” she said. “We’re celebrating what exists as we continue to add more.”
Realy explained that public art creates a sense of place that all can enjoy, while drawing people in to Downtown Ferndale businesses. The ArtMarch celebration also includes local business owners. “There is so much creativity in the stores and businesses,” she said. “That shows in the store windows, the displays, the murals, the locally made items in the stores, and events like this.
The curator for the Common Ground show is also an artist, Amanda Koss.
Koss is a painter, as well as a curator, working part time for the Janice Charach Gallery and beautifying the headquarters of Crain Communications. “I love turning corporate spaces into art,” Koss said. Curating a show at First Merchants was another opportunity to take something that some might consider bland – a financial institution – and using it to showcase the talent and creativity of others.
The connection between artists” helps drive Koss in her work. “I like building camaraderie and giving artists opportunities to help with their careers.”
When asked what advice she has for artists, Koss said “You never know where a door might take you,” and that “If you want something, ask for it.”
Anita Sewell has found the camaraderie of artists to be an inspiration as well. She’s part of The Breakfast Club at Marygrove College, where artists gather to be vulnerable about the work they’re doing. “A friend took me and they had me stand up and explain my art. I’m a shy person, an introvert, but it was a beautiful experience,” Sewell said.
For the Common Ground show, Sewel chose “Wake Me,” which is a piece with two layers. First is a charcoal creation, and in front of that is a colorful abstract of paint on glass, held together by a golden frame which Sewell says helps bring a classical touch to her modern art. “I love the gold antique feel to it,” she said.
Next door to First Merchant, artist Caitlin Cartwright was featured, with colorful paintings being displayed among the gold and glitz of fine jewelry at Giorgio Conti Jewelers.
Cartwright lived in many places around the world, yet had found herself drawn back to her hometown of Dayton, OH for a fresh start. Her painting “Full Stop” shows what she called “the jarring transition,” of a move back to her Midwestern roots, and “coming to terms with ending one part of my life and starting a new part.” The painting features trees that look like bars, with the skyline of Dayton and a mountain ridge behind, with a disappearing tiger along with a mysterious figure emerging to usher in the unknown.
“In Between” is another piece about that time of life, featuring a pink silhouette in mediation, with different fabrics hanging int he background to represent the excitement of being abroad, and the warmth and memories of Ohio. “I was in the process of falling in love,” she said, accounting for the warm colors and peaceful demeanor of the figure. She met her husband in Dayton, before they began their own journey together which led them to Metro Detroit.
Joseph Shihadeh, owner of Giorgio Conti Jewelers, was happy to be part of ArtMarch. The shop has been in Ferndale for about two years. “I love that Ferndale is so community-driven,” he said. With ArtMarch, he said, “there is all this collaboration to make events like this possible. Art can be intimidating. But with events like this people don’t have to be scared because the art is right here in the businesses, not just some private, glamorous event.”
Other artists included in the event were Cassidy Barnett, Elizabeth Botkin, Ronald Clegg, Terence Cover, Andrew Dall’Olmo, Alicea Davis, Joseph Ferraro, Laura Gabriel, Trash Geraf, Lisa Goedert, Steven Hauptman, Stacy Hunt, Amanda Koss, Tiera Knaff, Brooklyn McCoy, Mary Onifer, Layla Rahmanian, Sommer Realy, Jess Roekle, Anita Sewell, Kathy Kosins, Sarah Stanley, Wendy Thompson, and Eric Zurawski.
ArtMarch is a full month of artistic celebrations. Learn more at https://downtownferndale.com/publicart/#/events/
