Where Art Meets Light: Join the Celebration
Support Local Artists
and Win a One-of-a-Kind Lantern
At the event, attendees can drop their raffle tickets into bags corresponding to their favorite lanterns. If you can’t make it to the festival, don’t worry—you can still participate! Purchase a virtual raffle ticket, choose the lantern that speaks to you, and we’ll make sure your ticket is entered.
Explore the featured artist lanterns below and find the one that inspires you most. Every ticket you purchase helps light the way for creativity and community.
PLEASE NOTE AT CHECKOUT WHICH ARTIST YOU ARE SUBMITTING FOR
Andrea Ojeda of Doodles Academy
Kaila Piepkow is a mixed-media artist and preschool art teacher who thrives on messy play and creative exploration. As the Executive Director of Doodles Academy, Kaila is passionate about making art accessible, joyful, and process-focused for all. Her work is a celebration of color, texture, and pattern, with a touch of whimsy that invites viewers to reconnect with their inner child.
Kaila believes art should transport us back to the pure joy of creating—not for perfection or an end product, but simply for the love of it. Her playful, kid-inspired aesthetic reflects her philosophy: art is about discovery, fun, and embracing the unexpected.
Sponsored By:
Aaron Hillebrand of Dirtbags and Champagne
Aaron lives and creates art in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has a MFA in Fine Art from The School of Visual Arts in New York, NY, a BFA in Photography from Parsons School of Design New York, NY, and an AAS in Photography from Lansing Community College in Lansing, MI.
So far he as been in 1 show at an Art Museum. He has been in many group shows and had a few solo shows!
Sponsored By:
Elan Lange of Elan Tihane Art
Most of my work begins with a specific place and a corresponding experience. The creation process draws from the relationship and memories tied to that location, alongside research related to the chosen setting. It’s important to note that my artwork doesn’t aim for a precise, physical replication of a landscape; rather, it seeks to anchor itself in the energy of a particular place or experience.
Sponsored By:
Kaila Piepkow of Doodles Academy
Kaila Piepkow is a mixed-media artist and preschool art teacher who thrives on messy play and creative exploration. As the Executive Director of Doodles Academy, Kaila is passionate about making art accessible, joyful, and process-focused for all. Her work is a celebration of color, texture, and pattern, with a touch of whimsy that invites viewers to reconnect with their inner child.
Kaila believes art should transport us back to the pure joy of creating—not for perfection or an end product, but simply for the love of it. Her playful, kid-inspired aesthetic reflects her philosophy: art is about discovery, fun, and embracing the unexpected.
Sponsored By:
Kim Jacobson of Bellas Botanical Art
Kim of Bella Botanical Art celebrates the beauty of nature through creations crafted with natural materials and rich, dark jewel tones. Each piece is designed to inspire a deeper connection with the natural world, bringing its elegance and serenity into everyday life.
Krista Skytta of Sky Summer Design Co.
Krista creates playful, heartfelt pieces inspired by the boundless imagination of children. Some designs are collaborations with kids, while others are sparked by the things they say or notice. Each item tells a story, rooted in real-life moments and filled with happiness, sincerity, and color—bringing a touch of magic to everyday life.
Tempest Neucollins of Tempest Neucollins Studio
Tempest’s work often begins with a specific place and a corresponding experience. Her creative process draws from the relationships and memories tied to that location, along with research related to the chosen setting. Rather than striving for a precise, physical replication of a landscape, her artwork seeks to embody the energy of a particular place or experience.
Tempest’s work is heavily manipulated, layered, and abstracted. She uses photos as references and building blocks, drawing and erasing images while embracing the makers’ marks that add a personal touch. Her artistic style gravitates toward organic shapes and forms.
Daniel Chavez supporting Our Trans Truth
Meet Daniel, a vibrant and creative young artist whose love for crafting shines through in every piece he creates! Inspired by his Mexican-American heritage, Daniel enjoys using bold, fun colors to bring his imaginative ideas to life.
So far he as been in 1 show at an Art Museum. He has been in many group shows and had a few solo shows!
Cara of CaraCo
CaraCo is a brand dedicated to celebrating life’s little joys through handcrafted and thoughtfully curated slow fashion pieces. Founded with a passion for inspiring happiness, CaraCo creates jewelry and gifts that bring a touch of beauty and meaning to everyday moments.
Each piece is designed to evoke delight, whether worn or displayed, reflecting the brand’s mission to make life’s small moments feel extraordinary.
Ryan NeuCollins is an interfaith minister who teaches classes and seminars fostering inclusivity and understanding across spiritual traditions. She also maintains a busy practice tutoring international business professionals in English and writing skills. Her hobbies are Vedic astrology, Tai Chi, writing, and ceramics.
Thanks to additional artist who are lighting our night!
Mark Neucollins
(Raffled to our social media winner)
Mark NeuCollins earned a BFA in Furniture Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA in Mixed Media from the University of Iowa. Based in Atlanta, GA, he works as a computer programmer by day while pursuing his passion for woodworking in his free time.
(Not available for raffle)
Deb draws constant inspiration from the natural world during her daily outdoor ventures—majestic mountains, rugged red rocks, and the first flowers of spring observed during neighborhood walks. These observations deeply influence her ceramic work. Every piece she creates is hand-built and incorporates these inspirations with a strong emphasis on surface design.
By altering the clay surface through techniques such as sgraffito, carving, painting, or stamping with custom stamps she sculpts and carves, Deb crafts one-of-a-kind pieces that establish a tactile connection between the user and the natural environment that inspires her.
(Not available for raffle)
Jacob Longmeyer is a Ph.D. student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan. With a strong academic foundation, he earned his B.A. in Environmental Biology from Washington University in St. Louis and his M.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Michigan. His research focuses on advancing understanding within his field, contributing to the scientific exploration of ecological and evolutionary processes.