TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City is one of many towns in Michigan home to beautiful murals celebrating the history of the area, and welcoming visitors to the region.
The Mural Festival is one of several projects planned as part of the Commission’s North Boardman Creative Initiative, which is derived from the North Boardman Lake District Healthy eighth Street study.
Caitlin Early from the Traverse City Arts Commission tells us “Businesses and residents along that eighth Street corridor in the north in Lake District are really interested in emphasizing health, access to water, access to recreation, access to nature, and using public art as a way to communicate those ideals and values of the community. ”
Many local businesses are participating in the festival, like Oryana, the Box Building, EB2 Vintage, Bay Family Vision Care, Silver Spruce Brewing, the Copy Shop, and the Filling Station.
Many local artists will also be there, like Jamie John and Nik Burkhart.
Jamie John tells us “It felt really wonderful. I knew that at least one spot had been reserved for a native muralist. I didn’t know how many would be applying. But I was really proud of the image that I had submitted. It’s like a native, primarily like, native neighborhood in the downtown area of what’s supposed to be Traverse City.”
Nik Burkhart adds “most of my work is a little bit on a smaller scale, and I really like the way that murals and larger pieces of art really incorporate, my whole body, you know, into the process of making it. And it’s just really an honor to see your art at that scale. ”
The event kicks off on Friday at 5pm at the Commongrounds, and ends on Wednesday at 4 pm with a closing parade, but there will be a break over the weekend for the Downtown Art Fair.
Caitlin says “The Downtown Merchants Association was able to move the art fair to coincide with the Mural Festival and also on Sunday is Porch Fest, in a central neighborhood. So it’s just a really art filled weekend in Traverse City. We’re so fortunate and we hope that everybody can make it out, celebrate public art, celebrate all of these incredible artists and artisans at the art fair, and see some incredible music. ”