For the startup in 2021, the title was “Graffiti Showdown.”
This coming Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m. under the Court Street Bridge, the moniker has evolved to “Third Annual Street Art Showdown.”
“Street art” may sound more respectable than “graffiti,” but the form of expression remains the same. Paint brushes and spray cans, in the hands of gifted and talented artists, can brighten the blight.
Examples abound across Saginaw, from this summer’s five-story downtown murals on Franklin Street to the colorful patterns on utility boxes across town, but the mecca for street artists is beneath the bridge.
Patrons at Saturday’s free event will view 10 top artists in real-time street action and then will have a chance to vote for a showdown winner. Food trucks, vendors and activities for children of all ages also are included.
Some West Side merchants previously regarded the graffiti artists as a nuisance, especially the activities along Niagara Street. All that changed for the inaugural Graffiti Showdown in 2021, when the Old Town Business Association became a backer and a sponsor, with a news release announcement on standard Chamber of Commerce letterhead.
“We want to create a space that celebrates the art and culture and creativity which are rampant in Saginaw,” said Amy Spadafore of the nearby Pit & Balcony Theater, who authored grant applications for funding. “This will be an area that residents can take pride in and visitors will want to come to see. Engaging local artists is important for our local economy and for the upkeep of the art.”
John Vasquez is a leading Showdown organizer who had oversight of the Franklin Street “Dear Mama” mural.
“The culture in Saginaw is rooted in our arts and culture community,” says Vasquez, owner of the Saginaw Tattoo Company. “Old Town is a place where we can highlight our strengths by showcasing art and cleaning our community.”
To view a video that shows the growth of community art along Niagara Street, click here.
