Today we’d like to introduce you to Raychel Rork.
Hi Raychel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Art In The Park began in 1980, when my mom, Dianne Quinn, had a bold vision and a calligraphy pen. She painted a homemade banner at her kitchen table, invited 30 artists to Kellogg Park, and unknowingly launched what would become a cornerstone of Michigan’s summer arts scene. That first day, the sprinklers turned on in the middle of the show, and she scrambled to cover them with garbage cans. No cell phones, no computers, no walkie-talkies—just heart, hustle, and community spirit.
It’s been a family affair from the very beginning. My grandmother was one of the first exhibiting artists—a quilter—and I was just three years old, tagging along and helping however I could. Some of my earliest “jobs” included licking stamps for mailings and shadowing my mom while she ran the show. I practically grew up inside this event.
Over time, I became more involved behind the scenes, learning everything from logistics and artist coordination to marketing and volunteer management. When my mom officially retired in 2014, I stepped into the role of Owner and Director. She’s still a daily sounding board and very much a part of it—we talk all the time. I feel lucky to continue building on the foundation she created, while also finding ways to evolve and expand the experience for new generations.
Now in its 45th year, Art In The Park welcomes over 400 artists from across the country and around the world, and nearly 300,000 attendees over three days. The streets of downtown Plymouth transform into a vibrant open-air gallery with live music, food, immersive art experiences, and an incredible energy that’s hard to put into words.
To me, it feels like the ultimate neighborhood block party—something I grew up with and still love. We close down the streets, invite everyone out, and celebrate creativity in all its forms. Whether it’s a professional artist debuting a new collection, a kid entrepreneur selling handmade crafts, or a family making memories at the chalk mural or henna booth—there’s magic in those moments of connection.
This show has never been “just” an art fair. It’s a tradition that’s shaped not only my life, but also the fabric of our city. It takes a village to pull it off every year—from our incredible volunteers and city partners to the artists and community members who make it what it is. I’m honored to be part of that village—and excited to see where the next 45 years take us.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any long-running event, Art In The Park has had its share of challenges—and 2020 was by far the hardest. Canceling the show that year due to COVID-19 was incredibly difficult. We held out hope for as long as we could, exploring every possible option, but in the end we knew it wasn’t practical—or safe—to move forward. I remember writing, “If there were any assurances that there was a safe way forward, we would take it.” But there weren’t. The health and safety of our artists, attendees, crew, and community always comes first. It was heartbreaking to let it go, especially knowing how much people look forward to that weekend each summer.
That said, 2021 turned into an incredible comeback story.
We operate on a full-year planning cycle—artist applications are submitted as early as January for our juried show. So even with all the uncertainty, we planned as if the event would happen. You can’t make up for lost time later, and that gamble paid off. On May 20, 2021, Governor Whitmer announced that outdoor events could resume—and just like that, we had only 50 days until showtime.
Fifty days to pull together a three-day event that typically takes twelve months. And we did it.
That summer, Plymouth came back to life. Artists were thrilled to return—many of them sold out entirely. Shoppers were excited to be out of their houses again. The energy was electric. It felt like everyone was craving color, community, and connection—and Art In The Park delivered.
Beyond the pandemic, of course, there are always the unpredictable hurdles—weather, last-minute logistics, unexpected curveballs. But what I’ve learned is: with a great team, a strong plan, and a little flexibility, you can get through just about anything. That 2021 comeback proved it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As the Owner and Director of Art In The Park, I oversee nearly every aspect of producing this large-scale outdoor art festival—from artist recruitment and curation to logistics, advertising, volunteer coordination, and social media. It’s a year-round job that blends creativity, operations, and community-building all into one.
I also serve on the Steering Committee for Milford Memories and am the Director of Art In The Village, the art fair portion of that iconic summer festival held in beautiful downtown Milford, Michigan every August. That show is now in its 33rd year—and my mom, Dianne Quinn, was also its founder. It’s incredibly meaningful to help carry forward both of these long-standing traditions and to see the positive impact they have on each community.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Arts Administration from the University of Michigan–Dearborn, and that background has deeply shaped how I approach each event. I’ve traveled all over the world—studying art in iconic cities like Paris, Rome, and New York—and have seen some of the most celebrated works in person. But I also love discovering talent at small, local shows or visiting other major U.S. art fairs to find fresh, emerging artists to bring to Plymouth and Milford. That combination of global perspective and grassroots passion influences how I curate the experience each year.
What I specialize in—and truly love—is crafting an experience that goes beyond just booths on a street. We create dynamic, immersive atmospheres with art you can interact with, performers who surprise and delight, and thoughtful touches that make the entire weekend memorable. From living murals to body painting, chalk installations, live demos, and youth artist sections—we aim to make each event feel like something truly special.
I’m probably best known for putting my heart into every detail. I manage everything from our advertising strategy to our Instagram captions, while also leading our amazing volunteer team and coordinating with artists and city officials. I take pride in building relationships and making sure every piece fits together in a way that feels seamless to visitors.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that these events continue to be true family affairs. My husband, Joe, and both of our children—Dylan and Lily Rork—are now deeply involved and help operate many aspects of the events. Seeing them carry on the legacy in their own ways is incredibly special, and it adds to the personal, heartfelt energy that people feel when they attend.
What sets Art In The Park—and Art In The Village—apart is how personal they still feel, even at scale. These shows are large and widely attended, but they remain warm, welcoming, and community-driven. That’s a balance I work very hard to protect.
At the end of the day, I’m most proud of what these events have become. When a young artist sells their work for the first time, when a family makes it their summer tradition, or when someone tells me, “This is my favorite weekend of the year”—that’s when I know we’ve created something truly meaningful.
How do you define success?
For me, success is all about impact. It’s not just the size of the crowd or the number of booths—it’s the feeling people take with them when they leave. If an artist has their best weekend of the year, if a first-time visitor makes it a new tradition, if a kid paints on our community mural and feels like a real artist for the first time—that’s success.
I define success by the connections we create: between artists and buyers, families and the community, and generations of people who come back year after year. It’s in the stories I hear after the show—someone discovering a favorite new artist, a local business saying it was their busiest weekend ever, or a volunteer saying they felt proud to be part of something meaningful.
On a personal level, success is knowing that I gave it my all. That I stayed true to the event’s mission and spirit, while continuing to evolve and improve. And it’s seeing my own family—my husband and kids—now carrying pieces of this tradition forward with me. That full-circle moment? That’s the best kind of success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artinthepark.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plymouthartinthepark/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artinthepark
- Other: https://www.milfordmemories.com
