Dearborn artist Janet Kondziela paints food at Top Dog Coney Island, 13342 Michigan.

Dearborn Paints – Good Food, an exhibition of art, commerce, marketing and a bit of fun, is finally completed and open to the public.

Following 12 months of painting good food from Dearborn restaurants (and probably a bit of tasting it, too, we hope), Dearborn artist Janet Kondziela is putting down her easel and paints, just for a day, so we call can view her original paintings of each restaurant’s signature product.

We wrote about Kondziela’s restaurant project a year ago, HERE and some of you may have bumped into her while she was on location at several Dearborn establishments with her easel and paints.

Aided by a grant from the Dearborn Community Fund and some additional support from the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce, Kondziela was on site at more than 25 businesses.

Now her finished works will be open to the public on Friday, Sept. 9 at the Padzieski Gallery, located in the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave. The public reception for the opening runs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Friday and the exhibit will run until Sept. 24.

There will be a Dearborn Chamber of Commerce “After Hours” reception on Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Those wishing to attend that event should contact the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce at 584-6100 to make a reservation.

Both events are free.

The public is invited to attend a free photography lecture-workshop series to be presented by award winning Dearborn photographer Teresa Lousias. The series is part of the Oakwood Arts for the Spirit program and will be held in the Rotunda Room of Oakwood Common, located at 16351 Rotunda in Dearborn.

The four-part lectures and workshop series will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and include:

Photography Travel Lecture, August 31

“The Art of Seeing” Workshop, September 7

“The Zen of Photography” Workshop, September 14

Framing and Exhibiting Your Photos Lecture, September 21

 Photography workshop participants will have an opportunity to showcase their photos at an Exhibition Day event to be held in the Rotunda Room at Oakwood Common on Sunday, October 23, 2011.

“This will be a fun and informative experience that will help to enhance your photography knowledge,” said Delfina Mauricio, Activity Director for Oakwood Common.

For more details and to make a reservation, please call 313-253-9597 or send an email to [email protected].

About Oakwood Common

Oakwood Common offers one and two bedroom apartments located within a beautiful 29-acre retirement community that includes exquisite landscaping, nature trails and scenic views along the historic Rouge River Gateway in Dearborn. Oakwood Common apartments, available with flexible payment options, offer exceptional amenities for independent living and can be readily customized. Assisted living and a comprehensive rehabilitation and skilled nursing center are also available for those with additional needs. For more information and to arrange tours, call 800-642-4663 or visit www.oakwoodcommon.org