30 May 16 • 2019
jn

fairs & festivals
arts&life

F

or Jill Kahrnoff Dunn, showing 
her jewelry designs in Michigan 
is a homecoming. This is the 
state where she grew up and still has 
close relatives.
A participant in the Kalamazoo 
Institute of Arts Fair (June 7-8 in 
Bronson Park) and the Orchard 
Lake Fine Art Fair (July 27-28 in 
West Bloomfield), Dunn also is glad 
to display the results of her second 
career.
A resident of Indiana since 1976, 
Dunn has lived in Southfield, attend-
ing services at Temple Israel, and 
in East Lansing, graduating from 
Michigan State University. Her first 
professional commitments served 
people with special needs; she taught 
art classes and was CEO of a rehabil-
itation center.
Art techniques, studied in college, 
once again have claimed her atten-
tion in a new way after retirement 
from her original focus. She went 
from painting to making jewel-
ry with the help of classes at the 
Indianapolis Art Center and watch-
ing YouTube demonstrations.
“I love lifelong learning,” Dunn 
says. “And I love mixing metals — 
brass, sterling silver, copper and 

gold.” She also adds colorful stones. 
Among her varied pieces — ear-
rings, necklaces and bracelets — are 
those that hold Jewish stars and 
Chai symbols. These Judaic pieces 
are often formed from copper with a 
blue patina.
“I’
m using more etching in my 
designs and introducing rings,” says 
the artist, who works under the name 
Jill Dunn Designs, formerly Lily Lane 
Designs. “I also use some new enam-
eling techniques. Everything I make 
is individually completed.”
Dunn, who travels to nearly 10 art 
fairs each season, visits with mom 
Elaine Baker, who lives at Hechtman 
Apartments in West Bloomfield, and 
sister Cindy Kahrnoff of Commerce 
Township when she gets to Michigan. 
On the following page is a listing 
of this season’
s popular outdoor art 
fairs around the state. Each event 
usually has additional draws, such 
as food vendors, entertainment and 
special activities from demonstra-
tions to competitive sports. 
Before heading out, art enthusiasts 
are advised to check the appropriate 
website for any changes in scheduling 
or activities. As examples, those long 
attending the Greater Farmington 

Time for
Art!

Michigan’
s outdoor
art fairs kick off 
this month.

SUZANNE CHESSLER 
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Examples of Dunn’
s jewelry

 See paintings by Denise Cassidy Wood of 

Northville at the Birmingham Street Art Fair, 

Sept. 14-15.

Look for baskets by Helen Springer of Milford 

at the Birmingham Street Art Fair, Sept. 14-15, 

and at the Royal Oak Art Fair, Nov. 21-22. 

