Art is a huge part of our culture here in Traverse City and The Alluvion Arts at Common Grounds is showcasing different styles. One of those is wheatpasting. Wheatpaste is a mixture of flour and water, similar to paper mâché.
The Alluvion Arts is hosted wheatpasting classes throughout the summer and they are using the art to decorate their parking garage.
“It really took off with street art in the style that you’re seeing. It here is with street artists using it as a way to spread marketing or also spreading like news and, artwork. So, street art will take like a bucket of wheat paste and be able to quickly slap up a bunch of their work. Sometimes it’s like propaganda it’s been it does have a bad rap in some cases.
“But I really got turned on to it in 2011, there was a street artist named JR who started a project, called Inside Out, and it was all about portraits of people’s community. And he would print out the portraits for people. And then you could wheat paste them yourselves. So that’s how I learned it. And I just kind of got into it.”
The wheatpaste is waterproof, and it is not permanent. You can power wash to get it off but it typically lasts 6 to 12 months.
The wheatpasting classes are used to show off local artists photography or other forms of 2D art on the walls. Anyone is welcome to join in as long as they bring a picture. The classes are held every other Wednesday.
For more information on classes at the Alluvion Arts click here.