Royal Oak paves way for art

Gallery owner Anne Kuffler wants people to know Royal Oak has more than bars and restaurants. It has art — and plenty of it.

That's why Kuffler is excited the city is creating an arts commission to bring more public art to Royal Oak and promote cultural activities.

Royal Oak "is more than an entertainment destination," said Kuffler, who owns Ariana Gallery on Main Street.

On Jan. 9, the Royal Oak City Commission will vote on the second reading of an ordinance to establish an arts commission.

The seven-member panel, whose members will likely be appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Commission, will be charged with developing "a plan to encourage artists and promote public art in Royal Oak," and to help the city "be recognized as a destination for entertainment, recreation and cultural opportunities," according to the ordinance.

"I think it's a fantastic idea," said Mike Byrne, a member of the Royal Oaks Arts Council, a nonprofit that supports several art initiatives in the city. "… The city has got power that individual art organizations don't have, and if we go to a state art organization (and apply for grants), we're small apples. But if we work with the city of Royal Oak, we can do magnificent things."

Royal Oak already hosts some of the biggest art festivals in the region — and possibly Michigan — such as Arts, Beats & Eats and the Clay, Glass & Metal Show, sponsored by the Royal Oak Chamber. But the city never has had direct contact with the nonprofit groups that run those events, said City Manager Don Johnson.

"And it's very important that the arts commission not try to take over any of the things those groups are doing," Johnson said. "It's not intended to be that way. It's intended to be an adviser to the City Commission."

Still, Kuffler is excited about the possibilities. She'd like to see an arts commission — which would have no city funding and would be funded solely through grants, private donations and sponsorships — help bring more public art to Royal Oak, possibly organize an auction selling donated artwork, or even start a film festival.

There seems to be an appetite for public art in the city. A metal lion sculpture in front of Kuffler's gallery, created out of old water heaters by Wyandotte artist Keith Coleman, has been a big draw.

"Look at what Grand Rapids has done," Kuffler said. "They've put art in their restaurants, they've put it downtown, and they've brought hundreds and hundreds of people downtown."

Royal Oak doesn't necessarily have to follow the same path, but with an arts commission, "maybe it's a beginning," she said.

mfeighan@detnews.com

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