Viewfinder: Our Town Art Show Celebrates Michigan Artists

The returned to for its 26th year in Birmingham this weekend, kicking off Thursday and wrapping up Saturday evening.

The show featured 365 pieces from 184 Michigan artists, featuring everything from paintings to sculptures, jewelry to mixed media collages.

The show awarded more than $10,000 in prize money to 13 participating artists, juried by Jane Dini, assistant curator of American Art at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Birmingham artist Connie McEwan took home the 2011 Our Town Chair's Award with her piece 'Akili' while Saline's Valerie Mann won the 2011 Award of Excellence. (Check out for a full list of awards.)

Our Town chairperson Rebecca Sorensen said she couldn't be happier with what the art show has done for Michigan artists and the Birmingham community. Thirty-five percent of all sales of art go toward The Community House's outreach programs.

"Since Our Town began 26 years ago, over $250,000 has been awards to hundreds of Michigan artists and more than $1.7 million has been raised for the many Community House outreach programs support the arts, literacy, race relations and youth leadership training," she said.