Orchard Lake Fine Art Show features handmade works from around the nation – The Oakland Press

The Orchard Lake Fine Art Show has been named one of America’s 100 top art shows a dozen times by Wisconsin-based Sunshine Art Magazine. (Photo courtesy of Patty Narozny)

Sometimes, success can be salvaged from a setback.

Just ask art show and festival promoter Patty Narozny, a force behind the 21st annual Orchard Lake Fine Art Show in West Bloomfield.

When the Michigan economy hit the skids a generation ago, she shifted her energy to facilitating art shows in Florida, where the economic environment was sunnier. But all the while, she made connections with artists from across the country. Then, as Michigan rebounded — even with some COVID-19 pandemic challenges — she nurtured the Oakland County show into one of the nation’s most respected.

The show goes on again July 27-28, bringing together some 125 participating artists from around the nation who will converge on 6925 Daly Road, south of Maple and west of Orchard Lake Road.

There, for two days, they will show their works in booths featuring an array of disciplines, including sculpture, paintings, glass, clay, photography fiber, wood art, jewelry and mixed media.

The Orchard Lake gathering has been on a roll, receiving kudos a dozen times from Wisconsin-based Sunshine Art Magazine as one of America’s 100 top art shows.

“It all is original and handmade work,” said Narozny, a veteran of more than three decades in show promotion. “And, each artist will be present in their booth” to visit with showgoers.

The show also offers a high-visibility outlet for youth artists, whose work will be displayed. Narozny said a “youth art competition is integrated within the show,” targeted at students in grades K-8 and ages 5-13. Youth art awards will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday, she said, as part of an initiative to expose students to “the rules and entrepreneurship opportunity of doing art shows for a living.”

A former banker and a Wayne State University graduate with a degree in corporate finance, Narozny is a Michigan native, a graduate of Bishop Gallagher High School and a White Lake resident. A veteran art promoter of 35 years, she is the founder of Hot Works Fine Art & Craft Shows and the Institute for the Arts & Education. She continues to promote art shows in Florida, including Boca Raton and Sarasota.

The Orchard Lake show is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Food trucks will be on hand and music provided by DTour Band, One Love Reggae, Denise Davis and the Motor City Sensations and Sheila Landis jazz.

“People in Michigan know to be on the lookout for this show as the place to go,” said Narozny.

Admission is $5 and provides attendees in-and-return privileges. There is no charge for children under 13. Free parking is offered in the back of the lot behind West Bloomfield Medical Center, 6900 Orchard Lake Road.