Step into a night where creativity shines as brightly as the stars. Starry Starry Night for the Arts is an enchanting fundraising evening inspired by Van Gogh’s iconic masterpiece—celebrating imagination, community, and the transformative power of the arts. Join us beneath a swirl of lights as we raise vital support for programs that spark inspiration, nurture artists of all ages, and keep our creative community thriving.

Thursday, June 18th 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm 

Resident /Associate ClassThrowing for Handbuilders

Think of throwing not as an end in itself but a way to make the forms you need to fit your creative vision. Forget making a pretty little bowl, use throwing as a means to make parts for what you envision you want to make. Once you take that off your shoulders you will see it as a help and not a roadblock. I will show you several techniques you will find helpful and freeing.

Sat June 20th , 10-1pm

Lecture: From Math to Muddy Waters: The History of the Cigar Box Guitar with Mike Mouradian 

Saturday, June 20th * 11:00am - 12:00pm

Cost: Free

Join us for a fascinating journey into the soul of American music as we trace the unlikely evolution of the cigar box guitar. This lecture explores how ancient mathematics, wartime necessity, and the birth of the Blues converged to create one of the most resilient symbols of musical ingenuity.

What to Expect:

 The Ancient Foundation: We begin with Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher who first decoded the mathematical relationship between string length and pitch.

 Necessity is the Mother of Invention: While high-society luthiers spent centuries refining sophisticated violins and lutes, "folk" instruments remained the heartbeat of the common people. We’ll examine the hunting bow, likely the world's first stringed instrument, and how its design persisted through time.

 A Perfect Storm of History: Discover how 19th-century tax laws inadvertently revolutionized instrument making. When the U.S. government mandated that cigars be packed in standardized wooden boxes, they provided a free, resonant "body" for anyone with a stick and a piece of wire.

 The Sound of Resistance and Resilience: We will explore the vital role these instruments played for enslaved people in the South and Civil War soldiers on the front lines. These humble boxes became the primary vehicles for the early Blues, later influencing rock legends like The Rolling Stones.

Lecture Highlights:

 Live Demonstrations: See and hear the raw, acoustic power of various homemade instruments.

 Visual History: View rare photos of the 19th-century cigar boxes that started it all.

 The Science of Sound: A simple breakdown of the math that makes a three-string guitar sing.

"If you can't buy it, build it." This lecture is a tribute to the spirit of the makers who proved that you don't need a golden instrument to play the music of the soul.

Bio: Mike Mouradian is a folk instrument maker driven by the belief that music should be accessible to everyone. Instrument making is about reclaiming the spirit of DIY folk history. Moving away from store-bought commercialism, Mike builds stringed instruments the way people have for centuries: with simple materials and a lot of heart. Drawing inspiration from historical traditions where instruments were crafted from everyday materials, Mike specializes in building soulful, handmade guitars and “canjos." His work has been showcased at the Ann Arbor Artisan’s Market, WSG Gallery, Detroit Artists Market, and the Ann Arbor Art Center. A career educator, Mike served as a public school teacher and a Clinical Professor of Education at the University of Michigan, and he now brings that lifelong passion for teaching to the art of instrument making.

Canjo Workshop Craft, Create & Play with Mike Mouradian

Saturday, June 20th

1:30pm to 3:00pm

Discover the roots of American folk music in this hands-on, single-session workshop. Guided by instrument maker Mike Mouradian, you will build your very own Canjo—a simple yet soulful stringed instrument (traditionally known as a Diddlybow) crafted from a tin can and wire.

After assembling your instrument, you’ll have the chance to decorate it, learn its fascinating history, and join the class in playing your first song. No experience is necessary, and all tools and materials are provided. You’ll head home with a finished Canjo, a music and history pamphlet, and the satisfaction of having made your own music.

Intro to Beadmaking Workshop

Sunday, June 21st

12:00pm - 3:00pm 

Step into the world of glass art with this beginner-friendly workshop! Students will learn how to wind molten glass onto a mandrel, shape it into a bead, and apply simple color and decorative elements.

This hands-on experience is a wonderful way to try flameworking for the first time and is the perfect introduction before committing to a full 6-week course.

2026 Teen Camp at the ACA

June 22-26

Times 9:30-4pm

Ages 12 and up 

Is your teen always drawing, begging for more supplies and making things? Are you dealing with a creative kid? 

Your teen can be immersed in a fun-filled week of creativity at the Adrian Center for the Arts.  They will be inspired as they work in different studios on the ACA campus and learn from a variety of talented artists, using a wide range of art media. Participants will have an opportunity to experience new things, expand their art knowledge and skills, all while surrounded by others just like them.

Participants should bring a packed lunch, we provide water and snacks daily. 

Flameworking Sampler Workshop

Sunday, June 28th

12:00pm - 3:00pm

Curious about flameworking? This sampler workshop offers a little bit of everything! Students will get hands-on experience working both on and off the mandrel while creating beads and marbles using soft glass.

This class is ideal for anyone wanting to explore the possibilities of flameworking in a fun, supportive environment before diving deeper into specific techniques.

2026 Kids Art Camp

July 13th through July 17th 

9am til noon

Ages 6-11

It's the middle of the summer and the kids are getting bored. It’s time to spark their creativity and the best place to be is at the Adrian Center for the Arts. Throughout this week participants will be getting into all kinds of materials,  from painting to constructing. We know every child is unique. We encourage them to express themselves and approach lessons from their own perspective.