Work has begun on a mural on the south wall of the downtown Bearinger Building at 126 North Franklin. Organizers are keeping the theme and the content secret until a ceremony and celebration in the adjoining parking lot on Wednesday, Aug. 23, from 5:30 to 8 p.m..
Saginaw’s Great Mural Project is partnering with Pit & Balcony Community Theater on this second mural symbolizing “Saginaw’s Past and Saginaw’s Present.” The first, on the north side of the Heavenrich Building at Genesee and Franklin, features Saginaw-born civil rights activist Jim Letherer, known for completing the entire 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery 50-mile march on crutches.
Regarding the mystery mural on the Bearinger edifice, and what we will see in progress, lead artist John Vasquez offers a philosophic clue, “We are made up of many different cultures and skin tones. I view that as a major strength for our community. Any artist that approaches portraits knows that skin tones are universal and basically each of our skin tones is present in every skin type. Earth tones in general harmonize with each other in all of nature. We always view them as differences in the human experience, but we really are connected, just many shades of browns.”
Kayla Peake-Trautner and DeVaughn Collins also are artists on this project.
Amy Spadafore, Pit and Balcony director and member of the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, says, “The funding for this project comes, in large part, from a MACC grant. The Community Partners grant program is our newest and encourages arts organizations to build creative partnerships with other nonprofits, businesses, and local government, to determine what is unique and important to each community and share in the creative processes of arts and culture as a tool for exploring community change.”
Also, during upcoming weeks, 15 smaller “utility box” murals will be painted.
The Great Mural Project was established six years ago, and 25 murals have been crafted along both sides of the river for the purpose of bringing that color and creativity and economic development to Saginaw. Although the application for this year’s projects has closed, Artists interested in being notified of future projects can sign up for the artist list here: https://www.greatmuralproject.com/artists.html.
Murals at SVSU, too
Meanwhile, the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum at Saginaw Valley State University on Sept. 9 will host “Campus of Colors: A Plein Air Event,” to complement both the current exhibition “Rose Chiu: Heart Intoxicated by Watercolor,” and SVSU’s 60th anniversary.
Plein air or ‘En Plein Air’ is a French expression meaning “in the open air” and refers to artists working in an outdoor setting with the surrounding nature being the subject of their artwork. Event participants are encouraged to stroll the campus while watching artists in action, as their art takes shape before their eyes.
“We invite all artists, art enthusiasts and anyone who loves being creative to participate in this wonderful event,” states Erin Pilarski, Fredericks Museum community relations and marketing manager. “This is a new event, and I could not imagine a better time for us to host Campus of Colors. Participants will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves with the beauty and create wonderful pieces of art around this celebrated campus.”
Two segments are featured”
- Plein Air Competition: 1st Prize – $500, 2nd Prize – $300, 3rd Prize – $100. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., plein air painting 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The competition is free to viewers, $20 for competing artists and $5 for competing students. Pre-registration is required, due by Aug. 25. All registered participants must bring their own supplies and equipment. Blank canvases used for the competition will be stamped upon check in on event day to ensure all artists are starting with blank canvases. To register, please visit: https://marshallfredericks.org/campusofcolors/.
- Plein Air Demonstration: 11 a.m. to noon. Free to all participants. Rose Chiu will lead the demonstration with a discussion on how to select a location for the perfect composition, compositional design, color scheme, vantage point, perspective, focal point, and more. After the discussion, the participants can start to paint their own compositions in the beautiful outdoor setting. Following the demonstration, Rose will be available to sign her new book celebrating her special exhibition. Books are available for purchase in the museum shop.
For further details on “Campus of Colors: Plein Air Event,” the competition rules and how to sign-up, please visit us at: https://marshallfredericks.org/campusofcolors/
Competition winners will be announced during a special closing reception on Sept. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. All works submitted in the competition will be available for sale. Advanced registration to attend the closing reception is required and can be made by calling the museum at (989) 964-7125.
Museum visitors also will have one last opportunity to see the “Rose Chiu: Heart Intoxicated by Watercolor” exhibition. This is a retrospective exhibition featuring the internationally celebrated artist from Taiwan. It is a captivating 50-year exploration of not only one of the oldest forms of traditional art still made, Chinese brush art, but also an evolution of a singular artist’s creative journey throughout the stages of her life.
The exhibition is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Ming Chuan University in Taiwan, a sister school to Saginaw Valley State University. It is a fitting contribution to the celebration of SVSU’s 60th anniversary, further enhancing the festivities and fostering cross-cultural appreciation.
The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (989) 964-7125 or visit the Museum’s website at www.marshallfredericks.org.
For further details on “Campus of Colors: Plein Air Event,” the competition rules and how to sign-up, please visit us at: https://marshallfredericks.org/campusofcolors/
