The City of Farmington Hills Special Services Cultural Arts Division is pleased to announce the opening of “We Speak the Same Language,” a new art exhibition by Detroit-area painter Michael Ross, on display from Oct. 6 through Dec. 5 in the Rotating Exhibits Gallery at Farmington Hills City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road.

The community is also invited to meet the artist during an opening reception and artist talk Friday, Oct. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to all. This exhibit is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to showcasing local talent and promoting art in the community. 

Ross’s exhibition features a series of paintings on panels and canvas that explore perception, identity and the ways humans interpret the world. “My work has everything to do with perception and the way we understand and recognize the world and ourselves within it,” Ross said. “Part of my work lies in organizing this confusion and sometimes adding to it as well.” A graduate of Oakland University, where he studied art and anthropology, Ross has been painting at 333 Midland Studios in Highland Park since 2014. 

The 2024/2025 Farmington Hills Public Art Program, which was established in 2010, features more than 60 artists with diverse and eclectic styles, including artists ranging from raw talents—fresh out of College for Creative Studies—to seasoned professionals skilled in the Impressionist style. The works on display feature a variety of media, including clay, metal, fiber, paint and photography, with subjects ranging from very contemporary to traditional. As part of the Public Art Program, several exhibits rotate throughout the year in the gallery at City Hall; Ross’s solo exhibit is the last for this cycle, with a new cycle beginning in January 2026. 

The City of Farmington Hills has the largest dedicated municipal Cultural Arts Division in the State of Michigan. The Division coordinates arts programming for the community, such as classes, events and activities in visual and performing arts. This includes year-round performances at The Hawk Theatre, helping to expose people of all ages, interests and abilities to the arts. The City’s Cultural Arts Division also works to empower makers in The Hawk Makerspace, an immersive facility that provides access to a variety of state-of-the art tools and equipment, as well as a creative community with a wealth of resources and knowledge, to grow a new hobby or skill, from sewing to woodworking and more.

Visitors can view the exhibit during City Hall’s regular hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Most of the artwork on display is available for purchase, offering an excellent opportunity for art enthusiasts to acquire unique pieces while supporting local talent. 

For more information about the exhibit or to inquire about purchasing the art, please contact the City’s Cultural Arts Division at 248-699-6709.

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