Have you ever just wanted to get your hands dirty, maybe grab a paintbrush, and create? Well, when that mood strikes you, head on over to the Creative Art Studio in Royal Oak!

ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan’s Exhibition of Art by Michigan Prisoners is celebrating 25 years with a virtual gallery due to the ongoing health crisis. The annual Prison Creative Arts Project at U-M is now one of the largest exhibitions by imprisoned artists in the world. (University of Michigan - Prison Created Arts Project)Krinitsky said the organization has wanted to expand to a larger audience for some time. (University of Michigan - Prison Created Arts Project)“It was an extraordinary year, although it was some time ago that we visited,” Hamilton said in a release. “Many PCAP artists rely on sales revenue to purchase art supplies as well as things they need for daily living.

ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission has opened nominations for its newly-revived annual Golden Paintbrush Awards. This year’s award aims to recognize community members of all ages and organizations who promote creativity in the city’s publicly visible spaces. “Awards will be given for art which demonstrates collaboration and excellence and, as the commission explains, adds a bit of magic to our daily life,” the commission announced in a press release. Winners will be selected by a panel of residents and leaders in the arts, business and education communities in Ann Arbor. The Golden Paintbrush Awards recognize and encourage innovative civic engagement and demonstrate an appreciation for the numerous public art displays in Ann Arbor.

ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Art Center is bringing back its distance learning initiatives after the success of its first-ever virtual art camp over the summer. Registration is now open for three new online art camps for Ann Arbor Public Schools' fall, winter and mid-winter breaks. Its fall camp has an autumn theme, its winter camp has a New Year’s theme and its mid-winter camp’s theme is jungle explorers. According to the Ann Arbor Art Center’s website, each three-day virtual camp includes:3 Virtual Art Camp sessions featuring 1 project per session. ArtBoxes will contain most supplies needed for the virtual art camp projects.

DETROIT – Henry Ford Health Systems is rolling out a new art exhibit replacing old artwork in hospital rooms with patient inspired art. The reality of chemotherapy can paint a pretty dismal picture, but at Henry Ford, art therapy is being employed as part of the treatment plan. Research has shown that creativity has powerful healing properties and through art sessions patients are invited to express themselves. Their masterpieces are distributed through the hospital system to be placed in patient rooms and hallways as a powerful testimony of hope and healing. Watch the video above for the full report.