Art Walk Central helps out local art scene, community
When Kathy Hill started Art Walk Central in 2012, she wasn't just creating an art competition—she was creating an art infusion.
The event started Aug. 20 and runs until Sept.10. Some events scheduled for Aug. 27 were postponed due to rain.
Hill, the executive director of Art Reach of Mid Michigan, and Michelle Sponseller, the downtown development director for the city of Mount Pleasant, helped form Art Walk Central.
The event brings in more than 120 artists who showcase art at 17 different locations for judges and the public to vote on in order to win cash prizes. Winners are announced at the annual auction, which takes place Sept. 8 at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall.
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“We’re just trying to bring the arts and culture to Mount Pleasant so we can expose our community to the different types of art. We have them get involved in it and be active in it," Hill said.
The festival includes 24 different events for artists and community members to showcase their skills. Brothers Dillon and Payton Pringle painted a mural behind Pisanello's Pizza on Aug. 28.
The brothers recently graduated from Mid Michigan Community College in May, and are planning a move to Grand Rapids next month to attend Kendall College in the spring. The mural, which is the first they have ever painted together, depicts an Italian canal scene.
Dillon, 26, and Payton, 29, said they were reinvigorated in the art scene at Mid Michigan Community College, and are excited about the future of the art scene in Mount Pleasant.
“There’s a lot more for this city to offer as far as art to Central Michigan," Dillon said. "Art Walk brings a lot of people around town to look at the pieces. In the past four or five years, Art Reach has really contributed to the art scene and culturizing this college town.”
Payton said aspiring artists should ask galleries to display their work. He said artists should also ask veteran artists for tips.
"Every (artist) starts somewhere and it’s definitely, even in this smaller town, been a long uphill battle with art and convincing yourself it’s the right thing to do," he said.
The Pringles mentioned Helios Art Gallery, the University Art Gallery and the 515 Gallery in Clare as venues for local artists to check out. Helios is hosting several artists talks throughout Art Walk Central.
“The goal is to expose individuals to art opportunities and to get people into the venues," said Amy Powell, the new executive director. "Most of the venues have the art pieces inside of them, so it actually brings people into the space.”
The Central Michigan University Art Gallery hosts several exhibitions throughout the year, including one for Art Walk Central.
Loissa Harrison, a CMU Art Gallery attendant, said art galleries allows visitors to escape the real world and get a chance to see life through another perspective.
"The art scene in Mount Pleasant is growing but very interactive. No matter your demographic, there's always a way to get involved in the art community," the Grand Rapids senior said. "We have tons of talented artist in the area who are very eager to showcase their work."
There is also the Morey Family Gallery, which is located at Art Reach of Mid Michigan. Hill said Morey donated $4,000 this year to Art Walk Central to help start it up.
Hill said the event is great for young artists in the area.
“It’s great exposure for them and for them to sell their work," Hill said. "It's a marvelous thing. It’s what they’re looking for.”
Laura Clift, education and programming coordinator of Art Reach of Mid Michigan, taught a class on Chalk Art on Aug. 23. The CMU alumna said she was pleased with the turnout as the class drew over 20 people, the majority being children.
"There’s just a lot of opportunities for people to do something creative, maybe something they haven’t done before and get involved with the rest of the community," Clift said.
Hill will retire from the organization on Sept. 9, the day after the event's big auction. The goal is to have an "increased buzz" in the art scene, Powell said, and to partner with the city to give opportunities for the city and artists.
“For aspiring artists, it gives them an opportunity to get their name out there and because the contest is judged, it gives them an opportunity to get some feedback as well from judges in the art field," she said.
