Immerse Yourself in Art and Nature
Villa Barr Art Park is one of Novi’s newest public parks, and probably one of its most interesting. The park is full of sculptures that you can walk by and admire, but it’s also a calm and peaceful setting to relax and feel closer to nature at any time of the year. This public park has become a cultural touchstone in Novi, Michigan and is enjoyed by both locals and visitors to the city.
The Story of Villa Barr Art Park
Villa Barr Art Park has been open to the public since 2018, when the city of Novi officially took over its management. Before that, the four-acre park was home to late artist David Barr, who sold his property to the city in 2015 before he passed away. Barr and his wife Beth Dwaihy Barr lived in a residence on the grounds, which was designed by Chicago architect Laurence Booth. Today, the home is used as a facility for an artists-in-residence program to create work for the park.
After Barr arranged for the city of Novi to take over the park and eventually turn it into Villa Barr Art Park, he and his wife Beth continued to live there for 10 years. Today, the park serves as a quiet space where people can admire not only Barr’s creations but also the diverse and natural setting of trees, bushes, and native plants that Barr himself personally curated for the grounds.
Events at Villa Barr
When you go to Villa Barr, you can simply walk the path and take in the sculptures for reflection and quiet time, or you can download the guided audio tour and learn a bit about each piece. The tour also includes information about David Barr and his work as a constructivist artist. The artist-in-residence at Villa Barr creates artwork for the park but also leads tours, discussions, and programs for the community. Check the City of Novi website for updates.
Plan Your Visit
Villa Barr Art Park is located at 22600 Napier Rd, Novi, MI 48374. It’s open to the public every day, with paved walking paths and a parking lot available to visitors. Although the park is right off of a noisy Napier Road, there’s still a sense of calm and quiet about the place that lets you feel at peace and reflective. You don’t need to make an appointment to visit or pay admission to see the sculptures and walk the grounds; it’s free for everyone to enjoy in Novi, Michigan.
