BAY CITY, Michigan – Bay City is getting even more beautiful with the addition of three more community-painted murals.
The second annual City of Mural Community Festival is a week-long celebration of art, diversity and community engagement. Founder and President Gina Anayana, who hosts the festival, says she is the brainchild of community cohesion.
“We want to bring more public art into the community while bringing people together,” Anayana said.
Nine local, national and even international mural artists visit Central Michigan to leave their mark on the city.
“Last year, over 70 members of our community completed the painting using their handprints and collaborated with the artists to paint together,” she said.
At each of the mural locations, three professional artists will collaborate, combining their unique art styles to create a permanent art installation in Bay City.
The locations are:
- Indie Spot: 48-foot x 12-foot mural, 1321 Broadway Street
- Unclaimed Freight Ace Hardware: 40-foot x 13-foot mural, 706 E. Midland Street
- Buoy 18: 60-foot by 9-foot mural, 960 E. Midland Street
This year, United We Go is inviting local students to help paint the murals. If you are interested, email the organization at [email protected].
The community festival does not only consist of painting.
On August 19, the festival kicks off with a meet and greet with muralists in the Willew Lounge. From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. there will be live music, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, and delicious food and drinks.
A portion of the proceeds goes to the United We Go City of Mural Community Festival.
On August 22, you can beat the heat with a bubble foam party. From 7-9 p.m., the intersection of East Midland Street and South Lynn Street will be transformed into a bubble paradise! This event is open to all ages.
“A festival is about having fun – there’s no age limit, right?” she said. “You can be 2 years old and paint with us, or you can be 70 years old.”
United We Go will host a fashion show in downtown Bay City on August 25. The theme “I AM YOUTH” celebrates the passion and style of Bay City’s youth.
The show starts at 5:30 p.m. at buoy 18.
“We want to create this organic community engagement through one event at a time, and a mural festival and a fashion show are ways we can bring people together,” Anayana said.
Finally, the murals will be unveiled at the Dry Dock from August 28 to 31.
“There is nothing good or bad about art. Many things have something good or something bad, but with art it’s all about how you interpret it,” she said. “It brings a lot of creativity and also beautifies the city.”
The community festival takes place from August 19th to 31st.
“There are a lot of murals in our neighboring cities, our sister cities like Saginaw, Midland and Flint. In Bay City, we want to jump on the bandwagon,” she said.
After the festival, things will get even more colorful at another location in Central Michigan.
