Canton’s art-inspired mini-golf course a blast for entire family
Violet Vassaf sinks a putt on the Vilage Arts Factory’s art-inspired indoor mini-golf course.
The forging of art and mini-golf has evolved into a masterpiece idea this summer inside Canton’s Village Arts Factory.
On a recent Wednesday afternoon inside the comfortable, climate-controlled Arts Factory, smiling people of all ages took their best shots on the nine-hole mini-golf course that runs through the facility’s hallways and lobby.
The course is unique for several reasons, most notably each hole was designed by an Arts Factory tenant and there are creativity-fueling activities placed between each hole.
The free family mini-golf course will be open on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. through Aug. 14.
“Last year one of our board members played on a similar course set up by a museum,” said Kevin Ryan, Chair of the Canton Commission for Culture, Arts and Heritage. “We thought it was a really cool concept, so we reached out to our Arts Factory tenants and asked them to design holes that we could invite the community to play.”
Debut for members of special-needs community
On June 26, members of the special-needs community were invited to play the inaugural rounds on the course, which is designed to allow people of all abilities to play with no limitations.
The grand opening for all residents of Canton and surrounding communities was held July 3 — and it was an immediate hit, Ryan shared.
“The feedback we’ve received has been incredibly positive,” Ryan said. “We had a nice crowd for our grand opening on July 3. It’s for entire families, so kids and adults have really enjoyed the course.
“The artists who designed each hole put a lot of thought into the project and we’re very pleased with the finished result.”
Ryan said the only mini-golf course in metro Detroit like Canton’s is one at the Cranbrook Institute of Art in Bloomfield Hills.
“We found that most — if not all — of the museum courses like ours are outside,” Ryan said. “We figured it made sense for us to set it up inside because we had the room, the temperature will always be comfortable inside and the show will go on even if it rains.”
Food, golf and fun — a perfect combo
Each Wednesday when the course is open, food trucks and vendors selling an assortment of summer fare — a Kona Ice truck was available just outside the Arts Factory’s front entrance of July 3 — will be situated in the parking lot.
The set-up screams fun and laughs from the opening hole to the ninth.
The Arts Factory crew even set up a selfie station where golfers can take photos of themselves or their playing partners wearing a faux Masters green winners jacket while standing next to a pin.
“We have scorecards so golfers can keep score, just like at all putt-putt courses,” Ryan said. “And we have a prize for each golfer once they’ve finished their round, too.”
The project was made possible with a grant provided by the Eagles For Children non-profit organization.
Charity helps fund project
“All of the materials the hole designers used were paid for from stipends we received from the charity,” Ryan said.
Reservations are not required to play the course — and putters and golf balls are provided.
The only thing you’ll need to bring is your appreciation for fun, art and mini-golf.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
