🎨 Paint Out
On Sale Dates
Friends of Ford House
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 10 a.m.
Public
Friday, May 8, 2026 at 10 a.m.
Paint Out
must be 18+ to participate
Ford House’s Paint Out is a full-day en plein air painting event that invites adult artists of every skill level to set up their easels and paint across 87 acres of one of Michigan’s most storied historic estates. Capture the lakeshore at morning light, the shade of mature trees in the afternoon, or the quiet grandeur of the house itself. The grounds have always been a place of beauty and contemplation, and Paint Out is an invitation to experience them as a working artist.
Whether you’ve been painting for decades or you’re stepping outside with a brush for the first time, there’s a place for you here.
Juried Competition and Cash Prizes
Paint Out includes a juried competition open to all registered participants. Submit up to two framed original works painted during the event for consideration and compete for cash prizes awarded at the Fresh Paint Party: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third.
What's Included
Your ticket covers full access to Ford House’s grounds for the day, a ticket to the Fresh Paint Party, and one complimentary drink ticket. Water and snacks will be available on-site, but we recommend bringing extra water and any food you’ll want throughout the day.
What to Bring
Supplies are not provided or sold on-site. Please bring everything you need: canvas or paper, brushes, your painting medium of choice, and a frame for any work you plan to submit. Frames must be ready to hang. Some supplies will be available to help with the framing process between 2 and 4 p.m.
Hourly Schedule
Paint Out Schedule
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Check-In
- All media must be stamped at check-in to be eligible for juried prizes. Work created on unstamped media will not qualify, so please arrive within the check-in window.
- 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Paint Across the Grounds
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Frame Your Submission
- Drop it off with Education Staff.
- 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
- Fresh Paint Party
- Join us for an evening celebration honoring the artists and artwork from the day. Juried prizes will be announced.
Meet This Year's Juror: Rachel Reynolds Z
Rachel Reynolds Z works from her studio on Detroit’s east side, where she creates paintings, drawings, prints, and installations alongside her husband, sculptor Robert Zahorsky. She brings her practice into the classroom at Oakland University in Rochester Hills and the Flint Institute of Arts, and leads weekly painting sessions in Grosse Pointe.
Reynolds Z earned her BFA from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit in 2000 and her MFA in Visual Arts from Montpelier, Vermont in 2007. She has lectured and served as a visiting artist at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Oakland University, Cranbrook Kingswood, Madonna University, and Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio. Her work has appeared in the Midwest edition of New American Paintings and in recent exhibitions including Get Together at Reyes | Finn in Detroit.
When she’s not painting or teaching, Rachel is walking, gardening, seeking out live music, hiking, traveling, scuba diving, and watching basketball.
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ADMISSIONS
Join our email list
Never miss a Ford House event
Join our email list for first word on tickets, new events and behind-the-scenes stories from the estate.
Refund Policy
All ticket sales, memberships, and other purchases are non-refundable. Refunds will only be issued if Ford House closes or cancels an event. In such cases, guests with tickets or reservations will be notified.
Accessibility
At Ford House, we are committed to ensuring all guests can enjoy our events. If you have any questions or need additional information about accessibility before booking your tickets, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@fordhouse.org or call 313-884-4222, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Enhance your visit!
Enhance your experience by becoming a Friend of Ford House where you’ll enjoy exclusive perks like discounts on tickets, dining, and shopping, all while supporting this historic estate. Or reserve a table at The Continental for a perfect lunch or dinner before the event. And review Ford House rules and policies to make the most of your visit.Â
