Gallery

“Gravitas” Exhibition
May 2–31, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, May 2 at 5–9 pm
Color | Ink Studio & Gallery is pleased to present “Gravitas”, a solo exhibition of powerful paintings by artist Dawn Smith centered around the topics of grief and hope. The show opens Friday, May 2 and runs through May 31.
According to Dawn, “The intention behind these paintings is to cultivate understanding, healing and unity surrounding the human experience of grief—a topic that is so universal and yet still so taboo in our culture.”
“Gravitas” is a comprehensive body of work from 2023–2024, comprising 21 paintings that delve into the realms of collective and individual grief. “Dawn has masterfully channeled in this whimsical collection the themes of loss and transition in various imaginative realms,” said Gallery Director Candace Law.
The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Friday evening, May 2 from 5-9 pm. It’s free, and guests will have the opportunity to meet Dawn and discuss the artwork in person. Light refreshments will be available, along with entertainment (see below). There is ample free parking in the adjacent lot and on the side streets.
In conjunction with the show, the Gallery is hosting a series of events celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month in collaboration with various local practitioners and performers providing entertainment, guided meditations, tarot reading and other opportunities to heal in community. The events are free and open to the public. Donations to the artists, performers and practitioners are welcome during the events.
“I wanted to unite fellow creatives, musicians, performers and practitioners to share their gifts and insight to provide a space for grieving and healing in a community setting. Grief can be isolating. We need a space to grieve, heal and celebrate life together so we see that on the other side there is hope and joy,” adds Dawn.
Dawn is a local Detroit artist who has been painting professionally for 10 years. Her work is imaginative and surreal, incorporating symbolism and whimsy. She is also known for her tattoo career spanning two decades. She owns and operates Harlequin Tattoo in Hamtramck and paints out of her studio at Hatch Gallery. Her work can be seen at DawnMarieSmith.com or on instagram @dawnsmith_art and her tattoo work @prettytoughtattoos
Event Schedule
Join us in May as we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with events that inspire reflection, connection, and hope. They are held in collaboration with local practitioners and performers providing entertainment, guided meditations, tarot reading and other opportunities to heal in community. All events are free and open to the public.
Opening Reception
Friday, May 2, 5–9 pm
with Musical Performances by Makenna Fain, Emily Rose, Annie Bacon, Stacey MacLeod
and Aerial Performance by Dari Blythe. Light refreshments.
Angelic Meditation & Tarot Readings
Saturday, May 3, 6–9 pm
with Alejandra Villegas
Death Talk with Kristy Sue Bishop
Saturday, May 10, 6–9 pm. Light refreshments.
Grief Ceremony
Saturday, May 24, 2–4 pm
A grief ritual ceremony inviting community participation,
conducted by Kristy Sue Bishop
Closing Reception
Friday, May 30, 6–9 pm
Artist Talk
Saturday, May 31, 2–4 pm
Part of the proceeds from art sales will benefit Six Feet Over, a non-profit organization that provides financial and emotional support for survivors of suicide loss and individuals who have lived through the experience of suicide. They promote and engage in community prevention through mental health education and advocacy to support healthier futures. Visit sixftover.org for more information. Donations to the artists, performers and practitioners are welcome during the events.
Once the exhibition opens, you’ll be able to start your visit to the Gallery here by exploring a virtual tour of the exhibition. If you would prefer to view it in person, the Gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 pm, and at other times by appointment. To schedule a visit either click here to make an appointment, send an email to Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com, or telephone us at 248-398-6119. The original fine art on view in the exhibition will be available for purchase in the Gallery or securely online.

“Tangled Compositions” Exhibition
April 4–25, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, April 4 at 5–8 pm
Artist Talk: Sunday, April 13 at 1–4 pm
Maus Haus Gallery presents “Tangled Compositions”, an exhibition of work by local artists who utilize patterns within their artwork. The show opens on April 4 and runs through April 25 at Color | Ink Studio.
The artists featured in the exhibition are Megan Lui, John Corbin, Michael Ross, Robert Mirek and Danielle Sape. Visit MausHausGallery.com/online-preview to preview the available work online.
The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Friday evening, April 4 from 5-8 pm. It’s free, and visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work in person. Light refreshments will be available. There is ample free parking in the lot and on the side streets. Then come back on Sunday, April 13, 1–4 pm for the Artist Talk and an opportunity to hear more about the artists and their artwork.
The Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 pm, and at other times by appointment. To schedule a visit either click here to make an appointment, send an email to Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com, or telephone us at 248-398-6119.
Recent Exhibitions

“Anti-Inflation Art Show”
March 7–28, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, March 7 at 5–8 pm
Color | Ink Studio & Gallery is pleased to present the “Anti-Inflation Art Show”, a group exhibition of “affordable art” organized by curator Marat Paransky. The exhibition opens Friday, March 7 and runs through March 28.
In the fall of 2024, several Detroit-area artists and makers were invited to participate in an exhibit of affordable artwork. “The only rule for the participants,” according to Paransky, “was that their work be priced below a predetermined price cap.” Assemblage was encouraged as the medium, as well as provocative ideas, but neither were required.
“This exhibit comes together at a time of high prices for basic necessities, such food and rent”, said Gallery Director Candace Law. “The thought was to flip everything on its head: with art—a luxury commodity—priced low, whereas the basics are expensive.” The “Anti-Inflation Art Show” is what these creatives proposed.
The participating artists are Karla Aren, Corinne Elizabeth, Janis Filarski, Dwayne Hayes, Nancy Huizenga, Candace Law, Rimma Paransky, Steff Samuels, Kathleen Wilson, Suzanne Bernstein, Gutwald Emargut, Lisa Grix, Deborah Hecht, Susan Kwolek, Sarah Nesbitt, Neha Saigal, and Alisa Liguori Stratton.
The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Friday evening, March 7, from 5-8 pm. It’s free, and guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists and discuss the artwork in person. Light refreshments will be available. There is ample free parking in the adjacent lot and on the side streets.
Once the exhibition opens, you’ll be able to start your visit to the Gallery here by exploring a virtual tour of the exhibition. If you would prefer to view it in person, the Gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 pm, and at other times by appointment. To schedule a visit either click here to make an appointment, send an email to Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com, or telephone us at 248-398-6119. The original fine art on view in the exhibition will be available for purchase in the Gallery or securely online.

Steffanie Samuels: “Echoes of the Earth” Solo Exhibition
February 7–28, 2025
Artist Reception: Friday, February 7 at 5–8 pm
Artist Talk: Sunday, February 16 at 1–3 pm
Maus Haus Gallery presents “Echoes of the Earth”, a solo exhibition of paintings by Steffanie Samuels opening on Friday, February 7 at Color | Ink Studio. All of the works were created during or inspired by Steffanie’s Artist-in-Residency on climate change on La Gomera in the Canary Islands this past September. The show runs through February 28.
“My journey through artistic expression is deeply rooted in my entire life’s engagement with nature and climate activism. My work is an advocacy tool rather than a personal narrative to bring environmental issues to the forefront of public discourse. Through my work, I paint a call to action, inviting the viewer to interpret the world through a lens tinted with responsibility and care. The content of my works often depicts the devastating consequences of climate change, from glacial melting to the rapid increase of fires and floods. My abstract style, while open to interpretation, deliberately incorporates the chaos and beauty of natural landscapes under duress. By abstracting these forms, I invite the audience to confront the unsettling reality of environmental changes and consider their own impact on the natural world.”
The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Friday evening, February 7 from 5-8 pm. It’s free, and visitors will have the opportunity to meet Steffanie and discuss her work in person. Light refreshments will be available. There is ample free parking in the lot and on the side streets. A week later on Sunday, February 16, Steffanie gave an artist talk about her residency and the artwork. Click here to watch the video. Visit maushausgallery.com/online-preview to preview the show online.
The Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 pm, and at other times by appointment. To schedule a visit either click here to make an appointment, send an email to Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com, or telephone us at 248-398-6119.

“The Walk Continues…” Exhibition
January 10–31, 2025
Artist Reception: Friday, January 10 at 5–8 pm
Artist Talk “Secrets of the Studio”: Sunday, January 19 at 1–4 pm
Maus Haus Gallery is presenting “The Walk Continues…”, an exhibition of photography and paintings opening on Friday, January 10 at Color | Ink Studio. This is a group show featuring the work of three local artists: Cheryl Maus, Cheryl Barill, and Cheryl Haithco. The show runs through January 31. Visit MausHausGallery.com/online-preview to see the works on display.
The public is invited to attend the Artist Reception on Friday evening, January 10 from 5-8 pm. It’s free, and visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work in person. Light refreshments will be available. There is ample free parking in the lot and on the side streets. Then return to the Gallery on Sunday, January 19 from 1-4 pm for a free artist talk “Secrets of the Studio”.
The Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 pm, and at other times by appointment. To schedule a visit either click here to make an appointment, send an email to Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com, or telephone us at 248-398-6119.

Jay Anderson: “Captured Moments”
November 8 – December 21, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 9 at 3–5:30 pm
Artist Talk: Sunday, December 8 at 2–3 pm
Color | Ink Studio & Gallery is pleased to present “Captured Moments”, an exhibition of drawings and mixed media paintings by Jay Anderson. The exhibition opens on November 8 and runs through December 21.
“As both a photographer and an artist, my work centers on capturing the essence of human emotion, a dialogue between realism and interpretation. Although my professional life for the past 25 years has focused on software development, my degree is actually graphic design. This show is a reflection of those creative roots.”
“In general, I am influenced by Rembrandt, John Singer Sargent, Mary Stevenson Cassatt, and Edgar Degas. My work is further shaped by modern and contemporary artists like Andy Warhol, Malcom Liepke, Masato Tsuchiya, Mark Demsteader, Michael Carson, and Izumi Kogahara, among many others.”
“The process I follow often begins with a photographic reference—many of which are my own—that serve as a starting point for each. Finished pieces are mounted on cradled panels and sealed with a protective archival quality clear coat, allowing them to be displayed without the constraints of glass framing.”
The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Saturday afternoon, November 9 from 3-5:30 pm. It’s free, and guests will have the opportunity to meet Jay and discuss his artwork in person. Light refreshments will be available. There is ample free parking in the lot and on the side streets. Then return in four weeks for an Artist Talk with Jay on Sunday, December 8 from 2-3 pm.
Once the exhibition opens, you’ll be able to start your visit to the Gallery here by exploring a virtual tour of the exhibition. If you would prefer to view it in person, the Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 pm, and at other times by appointment. To schedule a visit either click here to make an appointment, send an email to Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com, or telephone us at 248-398-6119. The original fine art on view in the exhibition will be available for purchase in the Gallery or online.

Florilegium & Fairy Tales: Drawings by Lori Zurvalec
September 13 – November 1, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 14 at 2–4 pm
Artist Talk: Sunday, October 13 at 2–3 pm
Color | Ink Studio & Gallery is pleased to present “Florilegium & Fairy Tales”, an exhibition of drawings by visual artist Lori Zurvalec. Several of the featured drawings are meant to be independent works of art; others are completely abstract, meant to convey emotion, and were created following the drafting of a poem. The exhibition opens on September 13 and runs through November 1.
“I believe drawing is fundamental to all art-making and always carry a sketchbook with me,” Lori says. “I have been drawing since early childhood and was fortunate enough to have an art teacher in high school who taught using Nicolaides’ The Natural Way to Draw.” She adds, “Sometimes my drawings are preliminary, bones upon which to hang a more complex composition. There is a meditative quality to making all the marks used in a detailed piece.”
The works in the exhibition are full of mystery—allegories with subtle, ambiguous meaning. Renderings of flowers and foliage are combined with certain images: birds, an empty chair, a toy clock, and branches of Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick. Several of the drawings include the likeness of two dolls, one from the 1920s and the other, a “Hi, Heidi” doll from childhood. Two dragons are also depicted because, of course, fairy tales need beasts.
The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Saturday afternoon, September 14 from 2-4 pm. It’s free, and guests will have the opportunity to meet Lori and discuss her artwork in person. Light refreshments will be available. There is ample free parking in the lot and on the side streets. Then return in four weeks for an Artist Talk with Lori on Sunday, October 13 from 2-3 pm.
Once the exhibition opens, you’ll be able to start your visit to the Gallery here by exploring a virtual tour of the exhibition. If you would prefer to view it in person, the Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 pm, and at other times by appointment. To schedule a visit either click here to make an appointment, send an email to Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com, or telephone us at 248-398-6119. The original fine art on view in the exhibition will be available for purchase in the Gallery or online.
Artist Opportunities
Call for Proposals
Are you interested in a solo or group exhibition in our Gallery? Do you have an idea for a themed show that you’d like to curate? We’d like to learn more about what you have in mind! Just send an email to us at Gallery@ColorInkStudio.com with your contact information, a description of your proposed exhibition, and attach up to 10 image samples of the artwork that would be included. We accept exhibition proposals throughout the year, and there is no cost to submit.
The Gallery exclusively exhibits original works of fine art—primarily paintings, works on paper, photography, and sculpture. We do not display reproductions of original art, merchandise, or jewelry. Exhibitions in the Gallery generally run for 6-8 weeks. If your proposal is accepted, there is a $50 exhibition fee payable when the exhibition is scheduled and a contract signed.