Locals looking forward to annual Festival of Banners
Mount Pleasant residents will once again have the opportunity to see their artwork displayed across downtown this summer — hanging from 333 light posts.
The Festival of Banners is an annual event that has taken place since May 2009, said Executive Director of Art Reach Kathy Hill. The banners this year will be put up starting June 1.
A group of volunteers came up with the idea for the festival and asked the committee to create the program, Hill said.
“Being part from the very beginning (means a lot),” she said. “I’m very proud of what it does for the community and appreciate the response from sponsors, artists, visitors and community members. I’ve heard no complaints.”
Half of the banners are made by the local schools, while the remaining participants range from artists, businesses, teachers and parents in the area, said Kari Chrenka, Art Reach’s education & program coordinator.
“Our goal was to create a signature event and public art exhibit,” Hill said. “Even more importantly, (it was) to include all kinds of people.”
Valerie Wolters, a retired first-grade teacher from Ganiard Elementary, 101 S. Adams St., has composed banners the last two years along with her family. Last year, her banner hung on Pickard Street by Starbucks Coffee Company, 5655 E. Pickard St., which was an evergreen with Michigan birds flanking a large American flag, honoring soldiers and their families.
“In all cases, it was a great experience being part of an area-wide display of people’s designs. The colors and designs on display add such personality to the streetscapes,” Wolters said in an email.
Businesses are also able to enter and paint banners with their logo on them, said Chrenka. It serves as free advertisement for them.
This year's festival theme chosen by the committee is “Art For All Seasons.”
Until Feb. 17, people can submit a $25 fee along with the intended design for their banner(s). Art Reach will provide supplies during their communal paint days in Jameson Park, which will last from March 10 to 22.
“You go to the park and see families working on their banner,” said Peggy Brisbane, who has previously participated in the festival. “It’s great for them to see their idea come to reality and then see their artwork be displayed in a public way.”
The banners will hang from lamp posts until sometime in November.
After the banners are taken down, they will be set up for auction, Brisbane said.
Hill said previously, artists paid for their banners to be bought back, but this year the artist can have them free.
