Community invited to color in artistic designs on Main Street sidewalks at May 21 event

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Downtown Mount Pleasant is about to get much more colorful, and not just from flowers finally in bloom.

Art Reach of Mid Michigan, in partnership with the City of Mount Pleasant, will host “Paint the Sidewalks” between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m on May 21 in celebration of Art Reach’s 30 years of artistic encouragement in the community.

The event will give residents of all ages a chance to paint more than 50 squares of the recently widened sidewalk on Main Street between Bellows and Illinois streets.

The paint and patterns will be provided along with complimentary refreshments and music, according to a press release from Art Reach. Painters must follow pre-selected designs created by local artists.

“Because the city owns the sidewalk, we’re not willing to take any risks about what people would come up with,” said Art Reach director Kathy Hill.

Participants will be provided with traffic paint, which will remain in place for at least two years. About 10 gallons of paint in a variety of colors have been purchased, and both brushes and rollers will be available for participants.

Hill said the event, which has been advertised in fliers, social media sites and other media, should have a strong attendance, but it is always difficult to gauge turnouts.

She said anyone interested in painting, regardless of artistic talent, needs only to show up to get started. A hospitality tent will be located on the corner of Main Street and High Street where participants can access supplies and event coordinators.

Mount Pleasant senior Meghan Borland, who is involved with Art Reach, said she thinks the painting party is a wonderful idea.

“It’s great that it brings art in the community, and that anyone can be involved,” she said. “It will make Mount Pleasant look cooler, like it’s an artsy town.”

Michael Ostling, assistant professor of philosophy and religion, also thinks highly of the plan.

“That sounds like a great idea, and it will beautify Mount Pleasant,” he said.

More information about the event can be found at Art Reach’s website.