Help Make a Mural Happen Here

Gladwin Public Arts (GPA), the group made up of business owners, nonprofit reps, civic leaders, etc., dedicated to bringing more art to Gladwin County, is pleased to announce that SVSU art student, “Jazz”, a resident of Midland, accepted its invitation to create an artistic rendering based on the group’s grab bag of suggestions. And now her vision is coming to fruition in the form of a large-scale mural on the east side of 201 W. Cedar Ave. GPA committee members would like to thank Dacia Parker of Parker Lane Art and Design in Midland without whose public art expertise and patient mentorship this project would not have been possible.

Working in conjunction with the Gladwin County Community Foundation funds for the GPA’s inaugural project came from many sources. With the knowledge that murals have proven to draw shoppers into areas that promote them, the largest contributor is the City of Gladwin’s Downtown Development Association (DDA). Large donations have also been received from downtown business owners through the Gladwin Business and Professional Association (GBPA), the Gladwin Area Artists Group and individual public art enthusiasts.  A small portion of the overall cost of this $29,000 mural still needs to be raised. Supporters of this and future projects who want to see more color around the county can contribute at www.gladwinonline.com/GladwinPublicArts  .  

Necessary expert advice and equipment, including scaffolding, ladders, primer, paint, brushes, buckets, etc., have been received from local companies in a final push to start painting in early July. The lowest portion of the mural will be completed by the public attending GBPA’s Downtown Street Festival on Saturday, July 11, from 11:00AM – 4:00PM. Painters will be given a brush and a small can of paint to add their artistic touch with one color to a section drawn by the mural artist. T-shirts depicting a tiny section of the mural featuring a turtle are available for order now at GladwinPublicArts@gmail.com  and will be sold on site during the Street Festival on July 11 to raise monies for future Gladwin Public Art ventures with help from individuals and that of all our community partners.