36th Annual Art Ambience Show & Sale
April 25th, April 26th, and April 27th, 2025

Creative Art Society is pleased to invite the public to the 36th Art Ambience Show & Sale. Our show again will be at the Woodhaven Community Center. This is the highly anticipated Spring display of local Downriver talent. This unique show is Downriver’s largest juried art show, which highlights artists from local communities. We are happy to again deliver to the public information about art and the art events happening in your area. We will have information about upcoming art shows and classes. This is free and open to the public with free art Demonstrations on Saturday, April 26th from Noon to 4:00. The spacious Woodhaven Community Center (23101 Hall Road) will again house this show and sale on the weekend of April 25th, April 26th, and April 27th. This show is a collection of widely varied art media and talents. Everything from sculpture, oil painting, ceramics, photography, acrylic painting, alcohol ink, pastels, fiber arts, and watercolor painting will be represented. The mission of Art Ambience is to enhance the image of our community as a growing cultural area and encourage the recognition of Downriver area artists. The Exhibit, Show & Sale opens Friday, April 25th at 6:00 PM with a traditional Reception with musical entertainment by Audra Baas.

HONORARY CO-CHAIR and JUROR

Amanda Koss 
Amanda is a distinguished artist and curator based in Dearborn, Michigan, known for her abstract expressionist style and creative use of sustainable materials. With a background in graphic design from Rochester College and experience at Crain Communications’ Chicago and Detroit offices, and companies like American Laser Skincare, Fathead, and Save on Everything Magazine, she blends precision with artistic flair.

Her studio work focuses on sustainability, using recycled materials such as food waste pigments, cardboard, and found objects. Amanda has created large-scale commissioned pieces for corporate offices in Chicago and Detroit, using her art to promote environmental awareness and community involvement.

As a curator, she has organized exhibitions for spaces like The Gallery at Brewery Park, Amazon’s corporate office, and recently the Janice Charach Gallery in West Bloomfield. Her recent collaboration with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan supports creative spaces that encourage personal growth and learning through art.

                                                                   MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT                                                                        

Audra Baas 
Audra Baas will be playing at the Art Ambience Opening Reception, taking place from 6-9 pm, April 25th. She is a classically trained pianist, having earned her BFA in Music Performance from Albion College. After college, she moved to New York City, where she spent nine years honing her craft in the vibrant theater scene. During her time in NYC, Audra served as a rehearsal pianist and pit musician for the Broadway production and Broadway National Tour of "Grease." She also held positions as a music director, accompanist, and arranger for various theater productions, both on and off Broadway.

 In 2012, she moved back to Michigan, and a year later, in 2013, she officially assumed the role of Music Director at Woodhaven Bible Church.  In addition to her role at WBC, Audra serves as the Music and Vocal Director for the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center (DYPAC) in Trenton and the Downriver Actors’ Guild (DAG) in Wyandotte.

AWARDS FOR THIS YEAR’S Art Ambience

Each artist entered up to 3 juried pieces of Fine Art and 5 smaller Non-Juried pieces of work. As a show attendee, you may meet and talk with the artists on Opening Night, April 25th, 6:00-9:00. Some artists will be available on Saturday, April 26th, and Sunday, April 27th.  The show is open from Noon to 4:30 on both Saturday and Sunday.

Best of Show - $300.00 is donated by Dr. Noel & Mrs. Debra Jackson.  
Second Place- $200.00 is donated by Elizabeth McNeely and Jean Peacock.
Third Place $100.00 is donated by Cynthia and Terry Robertson and Karen Banko.
Artist Choice Award - $100.00 is donated by Mona and Thomas Whitaker. 
Honorable Mention Awards - each $30.00 is donated by Mary Jo Caruana.

The CAS Iva M. Turner Visual Arts Scholarship Awards are presented to this year’s winners: Lauren Garcellano, Arlo Krino, and Lauren Hinzmann

Art Demonstrations on Saturday, April 26th, from Noon to 4:00 pm.
MaryJo Caruana

Mick Mastal

Maureen Cassidy Keast

John Vassallo

Mona Whitaker

Please come and enjoy this free art show and sale. Questions? Please contact Maureen Keast at 734-777-6109.