A moment captured from 2024's Holiday Art Fair. Credit: Misty Lyn Bergeron

At Riverside Arts Center, creativity is not a luxury. It is a daily practice that belongs to everyone. Each program, exhibition, and class opens space for people to think boldly, connect deeply, and strengthen the fabric of our community.

When you give to Riverside, you invest in the imagination and resilience of Ypsilanti itself. Your support keeps art accessible, relevant, and alive for all who walk through our doors.

Read on for the rest of this month’s good news, and consider making a donation to help keep this work growing.

- Elizabeth Warren, Executive Director

ColorFull Conversations: Talking to Your Child about Race

Do you ever feel stuck when your child asks questions about race?

You’re not alone. Many parents want to raise children who understand difference, race, and culture—but aren’t sure how to start these conversations or worry about saying the wrong thing.

Register for the full session (4 dates) or just a single drop-in!

Free to attend.



November 14th and 21st in the Off Center

December 12th and 19th in Top Floor Main

Riverside's 2025 Holiday Art Fair!

Riverside Arts Center’s holiday art fair returns for its THIRD year!

Join us Sat. November 22nd from 11-6 pm and Sun. November 23rd from 11-4 pm.

Entry Fee: $1 suggested donation.

Kick off the winter holiday season with Riverside! This year’s fair will showcase over 60 vendors selling handmade art, vintage goods, self-care products, and more. Get a head start on your holiday shopping, stock up on upcoming birthday gifts, or treat yourself.

Click the button below to learn about all of our vendors, RSVP on facebook, and stay up to day on all things Holiday Art Fair!

Volunteer!

The Holiday Art Fair needs your help! We're looking for volunteers to help greet attendees, assist vendors, and more.

Follow the link below to sign up for volunteer opportunities!

Moments from 2024's Holiday Art Fair. Credit: Misty Lyn Bergeron

Shape Note Singing | Ypsilanti

Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 7-9pm. Off Center at Riverside Arts Center. Free to attend.

Once described as “the Metal of Early-American Music,” Shape Note Singing is a community-focused, practice-based singing style that uses notated noteheads with distinct shapes to make learning music accessible to everyone. The result is a bold, resonant sound that fills the room and connects singers through shared rhythm and its unique harmony.

Our group meets twice a month to sing from The Sacred Harp (2025) and The Shenandoah Harmony, celebrating a living tradition that’s as spirited as it is welcoming.

Newcomers are encouraged to join us every 2nd Tuesday for a workshop-style deep dive into the history and technique of Shape Note Singing.

No experience required—just bring your voice and curiosity!



First gathering: November 25!

November Art Raffle

We’re celebrating the spirit of generosity all month long with something a little more creative.

Instead of joining the flood of Giving Tuesday emails, Riverside is hosting a November raffle featuring two stunning works by local artists we love. Every ticket you purchase supports the programs, exhibitions, and creative opportunities that keep our community thriving.

It’s a chance to take home an original piece of art and make an impact at the same time.

The raffle prizes feature works by some of our favorite local artists: Thomas Rosenbaum and Ingrid Ankerson!

You can purchase raffle tickets online through December 2nd. The raffle drawing will take place on December 3rd's Ypsi Fine Arts Club Meeting!

Raffle Prize: Wonder by Thomas Rosenbaum. Collage/Acrylic on Canvas. Framed and ready to hang.

Raffle Prize: "A" from Letterpress Art by Ingrid Ankerson. Ink on Paper. Framed and ready to hang

PTD Productions: Othello by William Shakespeare, directed by Karl Sikkenga.

Othello is a general in the United States Army. He is newly married to Desdemona. Othello’s aide-de-camp, Iago, sets out to destroy Othello by convincing him that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio, a dashing lieutenant. Iago’s wife, Emilia, has her suspicions.

This is a Shakespearean tragedy, so it doesn’t end well for anyone.

Our production of Othello is set in San Francisco and Santa Catalina, California, in 1881.

This production of Othello brought to you by PTD Productions, in collaboration with Brevity Shakespeare.

Performance Dates:

November 13-16 & 19-22

Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 7:30pm

Sunday 11/16 & Wednesday 11/19 matinees at 2pm

Tickets

Adults/general admission: $20 Students, seniors, and active military: $15. Thursdays are pay-what-you-can.

Exhibitions @ Riverside Arts Center

Michigan Water Color Society Traveling Exhibition

October 17 - November 14, 2025

Opening Reception October 17th 5-7

North Gallery at Riverside Arts Center

Open Hours: Fridays 4-6pm, Saturdays 11am-2pm.

The Michigan Water Color Society (MWCS) Traveling Exhibition features the top 30 pieces that received special awards from this year’s exhibition. The 78th Annual Exhibition features 60 works selected out of over 200 entries. The MWCS Traveling Exhibition has a long history of sharing awarded work from the annual exhibition across all of Michigan.

Announcing our newest online gallery! Riverisde's Ypsi Fine Arts Club Online Gallery!

We are excited to feature the work of 16 of our YFAC artists for this inaugural online exhibition.

Explore the new gallery now! Interested in owning something you see? The work can be purchased on the spot!

Explore the gallery now through December 31st.

Artist Opportunities @ Riverside Arts Center

Call for Art - Anything But... New Materials | 2025 - 2026 Season

Riverside Arts Center invites artists to submit work for Anything But…New Materials, the second installment in our annual “Anything But…” exhibition series. 

This exhibition will highlight works made primarily from recycled, reused, or repurposed materials, encouraging artists to step away from traditional, relied-upon art supplies and experiment with new ways of making. We’re looking for inventive approaches to working with familiar objects and work that shows how creativity can transform disparate materials into masterpieces!

Both 2D and 3D works are eligible.

NOTE: Artwork must be created with at least 75% recycled, reused, or repurposed materials. A limited amount of traditional supplies (adhesives, thread, paint, wire, etc.) may be used as supporting elements

Timeline

Call closes: 11/16/2025

Artist Notification: 11/21/2025

Drop off Dates: 12/1/2025

Opening Reception: 12/5/2025

Exhibition dates: 12/5/2025 – 1/9/2026

Pick Up Dates: 1/11 & 1/12/2026

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