It’s Garden City’s prize location for the promotion of new and inspired artists & craft minded visionaries (the Art Center), an Art Bar for the kids to blossom, continuing classes for learning new skills, and a large assortment of antiques and gifts. Locally known as Maxwell’s Art and Treasures - a center designed to support the arts and creative impulses a community needs.

So, whose bright idea is this? Ask Laura George of Douglas Foods, she was already running her food business from the building and frequently saw area youth hanging around and literally telling her they had nothing to do. Besides this, Laura knew that local schools had cut art budgets — something she thought a problem in producing balanced students or supporting the less academically minded students.

Laura knew what to do. She carved out a section of her very large building and planted the foundation of Maxwell’s Art and Treasures — an antique store to fund the larger concept of an art center, the "Treasures" portion of this magical potpourri now sells items made by the in-house artists as well. But now the art classes and even a monthly open mic night are in gear and growing in popularity. With ceramics and glasswork available, they also boast an automotive sculpting class and have former "JoAnne Fabric’s" experts teaching how to work with textiles.

On walking in, what can you call the place but simply — a collection of this and that, a place to do this and that, a gathering for people of all ages and interests. And yes, she found a place for those kids with nothing to do. They now have a weekly art club (6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays) that started with just four students and has blossomed into more than twenty. A drug-free, positive-energy environment where they can expand the creator within. Soon this group will install an outdoor art project alongside the building, and later this year they’ll put their efforts into our soldiers overseas. And no, they won’t just be writing letters. They’ll put together art packages with instructions so our soldiers literally have something to learn and something to enjoy doing in their downtime.

Oh, and about that open mic night — it’s not just becoming an area fad, drawing up to 100 people or more; it’s also family friendly with food available on a donation basis, and a chance for any local artist to perform. The stage is set up with Dolby surround sound — and almost unsurprising in this hodgepodge of everything fun, they have someone available with a great ear to help artists record.

Any larger community can boast of a movie theater or a shopping mall or a bowling alley. But how many, now, can boast of a Maxwell’s Art and Treasures? Of a place whose philosophy is to see community needs and fill them? Of a place that literally has tables of crafts out for kids to come and freely use and create, asking only a donation to cover materials.

Maxwell’s is run by volunteers, and it’s run strictly on donations. In today’s throw away and buy another one world, Maxwell’s Art and Treasures offers us the chance to reuse and to stop being so wasteful.

A local treasure to call their own, and one to explore when the artist within you calls.

It’s open every weekend, so be sure to come on in and check out the new "Maxwell’s Art Center", the place where creativity begins and ideas flow.

See their offiering on the next page.

Maxwell’s is filled with awesome art from local artists and you can also see:

Stop on by for a visit and you may just be surprised at what you find. Perhaps a long forgotten memory?

Automotive Design Course Offerings

Interested in cars? Want to test out the world of automotive design before investing in a college or technical program? Come spend some time with our instructors who have first hand experience in the automotive design industry.

Beginners have no fear, and experienced artists sign up here!

We’ve got an easy way to test the drawing waters and learn some cool pencil tricks, but we’ve also got the right stuff to challenge the experienced. .

Need help with a sewing project? Always wanted to learn to knit or crochet? We have caring and experienced instructors who can help you get started whether you’re looking to complete a project or start a new hobby.

Learn to make unique handmade pieces to compliment your wardrobe or one-of-a-kind giifts for others.

Are you interested in art, but are not sure where to start? The Meet the Mediums curriculum is a way to try a little bit of a lot. Each day of class holds a new idea and a fresh start. Come work with friendly, passionate people and ease your way into art

Free Workshops for Kids

Ages 2 to 5 years

Featuring Fun workshops, Art, Music, Plays and Dance. Introduce your children to the great masters of Art and Music. There will be two ten week sessions. You may sign your child up for one or both.

Ready to learn to play the guitar? Want to enrich your child’s education with a unique musical experience? We have instructors that are ready to provide quality classes and lessons.

Not into drawing and sketching? Would you rather get your hands into your work? Sculpture and 3D art is the place for you. We have instructors that will teach you to hand build with traditional and polymer clay bodies. Make and decorate anything from ceramic vases to polymer clay beads.

Teens & Adults and children if accompanied by an adult.

Watercolor isn’t so bad once you get to know it! Participants will learn fun watercolor techniques to apply to a variety of subject matter. Class instruction will focus on color mixing and techniques for controlling the medium. We have all the paints and tools, all you have to do is dress for a mess.

Beginners welcome. Find strength, flexibility and a "Quiet-Tude." Yoga moves with breath and mindfulness.

Bring a yoga "sticky" mat, a small pillow or blanket, an open mind and an open heart.

Maxwell’s Art & Treasures

32416 Industrial Road

Garden City, MI 48135

Telephone: (734) 427-5300 ext 7

Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sunday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM