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Businesses and artists collaborate for the event
By Barb Pert Templeton
Marine City will be buzzing with activity this Saturday when more than two dozen local artists, setup in various businesses around town and welcome visitors to the 2nd Annual Art Drift.
The event, to be hosted at venues all over the city, will run from 12 to 5 p.m. and welcomes anyone interested in art, unique gifts and the opportunity to shop and dine downtown. The weather is predicted to be exceptionally nice on April 27 with a forecast of sunny and temperatures in the 70s.
The Marine City Art Drift originated from a collaboration between New Century Art Gallery, MC Marketplace, and The Painted Toad, all businesses located in the city. The project was launched last fall after New Century Art Gallery got a $5,000 grant from Main Street America and American Express through the Backing Small Business Grant.
Frank Realty will host work by artist Doug Dumas.
Jessica Blakely, the owner of MC Marketplace and an artist and designer in her own right, said the Art Drift debut was so well received organizers new they had to host another one.
“It went very well and we got really good feedback,” Blakely said. “And that one was just three hours long and people wanted it to be longer so they could get to all the places and maybe even stop for lunch, so we expanded it to five hours.”
Planning for this one was also helped along by a grant New Century Art Gallery got, it was an additional $25,000 enhancement grant.
This is the map for Marine City Art Drift that leads the way to 27 different venues in the city on Saturday, April 27 from 12 to 5 p.m.
The concept for the Art Drift is to spotlight Marine City’s vibrant art scene and local businesses through an annual citywide art exhibition. The event showcases artists along with the Marine City businesses they partner with for the day.
Visitors are encouraged to simply wander from business to business to discover artists displaying their works for sale and offering live demonstrations. Patrons will receive a map to collect stamps from participating artists. After picking up the stamps the map can be submitted to a raffle that offers a chance to win a Marine City Art Drift gift basket filled with art and products from local businesses.
Jessica Blakely, the owner of MC Marketplace and an artist and designer in her own right, designed the local for Art Drift.
Blakely notes that all participating businesses will have signs in their shops stating they are part of the Art Drift and maps will be available at each location. Stamped maps can also be turned it at any participating business along the way.
Stopping to see artists at work, demonstrating a variety of art forms from painting to carving, should prove to be interesting for visitors, Blakely said.
“It’s a lot of fun and just fun to see all the creativity we have in the community,” she said, noting most vendors are local artists.
To find out more about the Art Drift visit marinecityartdrift.godaddysites.com
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