The month of August, Mt. Pleasant is transformed into an art gallery during Art Walk Central.
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Art Reach of Mid Michigan’s Art Walk Central returns for its seventh year, hosting works for every kind of creative enthusiast; From photography and sculptures, to paintings and crafts. Nearly 120 artists compete in hopes of catching both the eyes and vote of locals, visitors and community leaders to win prizes. See all the different works of art at local businesses, galleries and greenery in the Mt. Pleasant area. Locations include the Morey Family Art Gallery, downtown businesses, Town Center, Ziibiwing Cultural Center, Central Michigan University Art Gallery and more!
The kickoff event, Artists Battle and Art Walk Central Meet and Greet, allows participants two hours to complete a project. Throughout the two hours, the public is invited to watch artists at work, speak with them and vote for their favorite piece. Don’t miss the battle at Town Center, Thursday, August 9 at 5 p.m.
During the competition, Downtown Mt. Pleasant is hosting a variety of events for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to check out Thrilling Thursday #9 Urban Printmaking AND Stepping Stones, where Art Reach of Mid Michigan will be helping create unique t-shirts by using manhole covers. Down the street, Max & Emily’s Summer Concert Series will shut down Broadway Street for a performance by local band Paddlebots. All events are free and fun for kids, parents, young professionals – you name it, they’ll be there!
Public voting is open now through Tuesday, August 28. All voters must be activated at either Art Reach or Central Michigan University Art Gallery, in order to vote.
Other must-see Art Walk Central events
Movies By Moonlight
Love outdoors movies? Every Saturday in August, the City of Mt. Pleasant will host Movies by Moonlight at City Hall in Downtown Mt. Pleasant. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, snacks and the whole family for outdoor screenings of big screen hits, including, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Coco and Jumanji. Prior to the movie, Art Reach of Mid Michigan will have themed make and take crafts every week. This is a free event with crafts at 7 p.m., and the movies begin at dusk (8:30 p.m.).
Tye-Dying at Island Park
Art Reach will present tye-dying and parachute creation, as a part of the city’s Thrilling Thursday #10 Supersoaker Festivus! with CMU Play on the Way on August 16. Bring your own t-shirts, bags, pillowcases, etc., to tye-dye and Art Reach will supply the dye. Art Reach will also have paint and parachutes available for participation in the Mother Earth Project. This event is free and begins at 6 p.m.
Chalk Art Workshop and Installation
Whether you participate or watch creative minds at work, Chalk Art Installation is the place to experience beautiful works of art from artists of all ages. Visit artreachcenter.org for participation information. See the display of chalk art August 16-18 in Downtown Mt. Pleasant.
Free Gaming Workshop
Intergeneration Gaming Workshop presented by Dr. Elizabeth LaPensee, CMU Rollio Denison Visiting Scholar, will engage families of all ages on sovereign game design. Participants will create a prototype using various materials, in honor of water teachings. The free gaming workshops schedule: 12-18 year-olds on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday August 15-17 and an Intergenerational Workshop on Saturday, August 18. The workshops will be held at the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach.
Paris Paint Night
Join Art Reach for an evening of fun and creativity, painting a Paris themed canvas Tuesday, August 21 at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $35 ($30 for members) or two for $55.
International Art & Culture Expo
Experience demonstrations of different art throughout the world, including live art demonstrations, dance and musical presentations at the International Art & Culture Expo Thursday, August 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Town Center.
Art Walk Central Scavenger Hunt
For the first time, Art Reach is hosting a “Art Walk Central Scavenger Hunt” where teams of 2-6 will compete to win prizes! Here’s the rundown: Form a team, submit team name, meet a minimum of 10 goals (with pictures) to be entered into drawing, with each additional picture the team is entered another time, and submit photos to Art Reach.
Goals – take a picture of yourself or team members with: Thrilling Thursday event, Movies by Moonlight, a venue outside of downtown (Ziibiwing, McLaren, or University Art Gallery), with an Art Reach staff member, at the art reach store, with a mixed media entry, wood entry, photo entry, drawing entry, painted entry, youth entry, Festival of Banners entry, or at the Artists Battle?Meet & Greet, a Max & Emily’s Concert or the Chalk Art event.
See the transformation of city to art gallery at the 7th annual Art Walk Central hosted by Art Reach of Mid Michigan in Mt. Pleasant.
