Northville Art House
Art Around Town
The Northville Art House, in partnership with the Northville DDA, City of Northville and other community organizations, integrates artworks and the ideas of artists into a variety of public settings, advancing the city’s reputation as a cultural center for innovation and creativity.
NORTHVILLE’S DIA 2026 INSIDE | OUT PROGRAM
Northville is proud to host the Detroit Institute of Arts 2026 Inside|Out program. On view now, you can tour the six pieces around town with the DDA map. Each piece has been carefully selected by the DIA to coordinate with the surroundings. Visit the Northville DDA for the map and guides. You can also follow these links to the Inside Out Family Guide and Self Guide created by the Northville Art House.
NORTHVILLE ART HOUSE SIGN
Made from found metal, this impressive piece by Paul Vertrees serves as both a work of art and a welcome sign to the Northville Art House at 215 W. Cady Street. The sign incorporates the Victorian-influenced design of the logo used by organization.
Paul is a former Assistant Director of Public Works for the City of Northville, who now works as an artist in the area. Detroit artist Darcel Deneau contributed to the original design of the piece.
THE FAIRY DOOR ADVENTURE
Hidden throughout town are tiny fairy doors, and behind each one lives a magical fairy waiting to be discovered. A fairy door coloring book is available as a guide to their world – fill each page with color as you brig their tiny homes and stories to life. Inside you will find a map to set out on your journey to find each hidden door by following the fairy symbols. When you discover a fairy, visit the nearby shop to collect a special stamp on your passport page. Every page is a new discovery, and every door holds a little magic.
Stop by the Northville Art House or any of the participating Downtown Northville businesses for a The Fair Door Adventure coloring book, sponsored by the NCBA. The Northville Art House fairy door is created by artist and instructor Maria Latour.
MAN IN THE CITY
Northville Art House has acquired two sculptures from the Man in the City Sculpture Project created by Detroit-based artist and arts educator John Sauvé. The project began in 2008 with a single 43-inch flat stylized orange metal man wearing a fedora and has grown to an on-going installation of 60 sculptures located on rooftops throughout the City of Detroit, Windsor, Canada and beyond. According Sauvé, “The Man in the City Project creates a metaphor for life that transforms the skyline and encourages people to look around.” In the discovery process, one becomes aware of their own sense of place. Look for the sculptures currently located at the front of the Art House.
HISTORY TREE
In 2023, the City of Northville had to cut down the last of the elm trees that stood on city-owned green space at the intersection of W. Cady and S. Wing Street due to disease. The Northville Art House collaborated with the City of Northville, Northville Tree Champions, District Library, Historical Society, and Garden Club to carve the remnant trunk with images and icons that are representative of Northville’s history and culture. This community collaboration was made possible by the Northville Community Support fund.
The tree was carved with icons depicting Northville’s rich history by Thomas Fink with Initial Concept design & renderings by Stacy Kathryn Art. At the dedication event in the fall of 2024, Mayor Brian Turnbull officially declared September 23rd as Northville Tree Champions Day. Read more on the History Tree page and download this flier to discover the historical details of the individual icons depicted.
CITY OF NORTHVILLE’S PUBLIC ART
Take a stroll through Downtown Northville and explore the richness of the charming city. Browse the shops, enjoy the restaurants and discover the art along the way.
A selection of the Public Artworks>>
